Superman (Pepe Luis Soto song)

"Superman"
Single by Celi Bee and the Buzzy Bunch
from the album Celi Bee and the Buzzy Bunch
B-side"Hurt Me, Hurt Me"
Released1977
GenreDisco
Length
  • 3:35 (single version)
  • 5:09 (album & 12" version)
LabelAPA/TK
Songwriter(s)Pepe Luis Soto
Producer(s)
  • Pepe Luis Soto
  • Tato Rossi
Celi Bee and the Buzzy Bunch singles chronology
"One Love"
(1977) 		"Superman"
(1977) 		"Macho (A Real, Real, One)"
(1978)

"Superman" is a 1977 novelty song written by Puerto Rican producer/songwriter José "Pepe" Luis Soto. Celi Bee and the Buzzy Bunch originally recorded the song for their 1977 album of the same title.[1][2]

The song narrowly missed the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 41.[3] However, it was a Top 5 Disco hit, peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Disco Action charts, along with the track "One Love".[4]

Background

Pepe Luis Soto wrote this song in 1977, during the shooting of Richard Donner's film of the same name, released in December 1978. However, Soto wanted his song to be a kind of parody of the well-known comic book superhero to take advantage of his growing popularity.

In fact, it is a sexualized and explicit novelty song, which describes the intimate and personal feelings of a girl who relates to Superman. The lyrics includes lines as "You get so deep inside and wow".

Herbie Mann version

In 1978, Herbie Mann covered the song for his 1978 album Super Mann. It coincided with the release of the film of the same name.[5] Mann's version has a disco-jazz style and is noticeably faster than the original. The song features extensive use of flute played by himself.

Mann's cover is a Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 26.[6]

Chart performance

Celi Bee and the Buzzy Bunch
Chart (1977) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100[7] 41
US Billboard Disco Action[7] 3
US Billboard Hot Soul Singles[7] 86
Australia (Kent Music Report) 92[8]
Herbie Mann
Chart (1979) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100[9] 26
US Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks[10] 46
US Billboard Hot Soul Singles[11] 63

References

  1. ^ "The Internet's Strangest Superhero Songs: Superman's Disco Legacy and more". The Beat. May 28, 2019. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  2. ^ Bordowitz, Hank (January 20, 2005). Noise of the World: Non-Western Musicians in Their Own Words. Soft Skull Press. p. 79. ISBN 9781932360608. Retrieved August 10, 2020 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 108.
  4. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Hot Dance/Disco: 1974-2003. Record Research. p. 54.
  5. ^ Tye, Larry (June 12, 2012). Superman: The High-Flying History of America's Most Enduring Hero. Random House. p. 295. ISBN 9781588369185. Retrieved August 10, 2020 – via Google Books.
  6. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 375.
  7. ^ a b c "Celi Bee". Music VF. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  8. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 30. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  9. ^ "Herbie Superman (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  10. ^ "Herbie Superman (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  11. ^ "Herbie Superman (R&B)". Billboard. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
Stub icon

This 1970s single–related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.