R.e.m. - Superman Apr 2026

While it didn't dominate the main pop charts, it peaked at #17 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart .

R.E.M.'s "Superman," the final track on their 1986 album , is a rare departure for the band—a bright, power-pop cover of a song originally recorded by the Texas sunshine-pop group The Clique in 1969. Historical Significance & Production

The song features a distinct, scratchy spoken-word intro in Japanese. This was provided by a pull-string Godzilla toy belonging to the band. Thematic & Lyrical Content R.E.M. - Superman

Despite its upbeat tempo, the lyrics are often interpreted as "slightly stalkerish". The protagonist believes he has X-ray vision and can "see right through" a woman to know she doesn't love her current partner, declaring he will find her even if she is "a million miles away".

Uncharacteristically, bass player Mike Mills sings lead vocals instead of Michael Stipe. Stipe reportedly felt the song didn't fit his vocal style or the band's serious image at the time, though he eventually embraced it. While it didn't dominate the main pop charts,

The track has appeared in several media projects, including an episode of Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman and the 2022 film DC League of Super-Pets .

Released on Life's Rich Pageant , the song marked a shift for Michael Stipe toward more "loud and clear" vocals after the "murmuring" style of their earlier records. Chart Performance & Legacy This was provided by a pull-string Godzilla toy

It is one of the few cover songs R.E.M. included on a studio album during their I.R.S. Records era.