The idiomatic catchphrase “not all heroes wear capes” describes all real-life heroes worldwide.
The ones that do not have laser eyes or super strength but still go out of their way to help anyone in need, it could be your mom or dad or the military and health personnel in your community.
These are the types of heroes that songs have been written about and are still being written for.
So, if you have heroes in your life, you can appreciate them by making a playlist of some of the best heroic-themed songs, as you will find in the list below.
Enjoy our list of the best songs about heroes!
1. “Heroes” by David Bowie
In “Heroes,” David Bowie uses his low-range sonorous baritone to tell the story of two lovers separated by the Berlin wall but were so much in love that they still tried to be together.
When Bowie was asked about the inspiration behind the song, he said it came from seeing his producer embracing his lover by the Berlin wall.
It gained massive traction after being used in the critically acclaimed movie “Perks Of Being A Wallflower.
2. “Waitin’ For A Superman” by The Flaming Lips
“Waitin’ For A Superman” is one of the best superhero-themed songs recorded by The Flaming Lips in 1999.
In the song, The Flaming Lips, referenced the super strength of Superman using the lyrics “is it getting heavy” and how everyone is waiting on superheroes to save them.
“Waitin’ For A Superman” might be a devastatingly sad song, but it captures the emotions of many people.
3. “Superman’s Song” by Crash Test Dummies
Superman’s Son,” as the title inferred, is a song about superheroes recorded by the Canadian rock band Crash Test Dummies.
The song’s lyrics have been viewed as political because the lyrics compare Superman as a political figure supporting the right wing and Tarzan as the more reclusive politician.
It was the band’s biggest hit as it hit number four on the Canadian charts and 56 on the US charts.
4. “Wonder Woman” by Lion Babe
One of the most popular female superheroes is Wonder Woman, and Lion Babe referenced her in her 2016 hit single “Wonder Woman.”
This song is already a timeless motivational hero song that references the strength of femininity with the lyrics, “I ain’t gonna break for that, I’m a Wonder Woman (watch out!).”
“Wonder Woman” is the perfect hero song for your workout playlist, as the lyrics will make you feel energized.
5. “Kryptonite” by 3 Doors Down
If you’ve watched Superman, you would understand the kryptonite reference in 3 Doors Down, “Kryptonite.”
“Kryptonite” is a heroic rock song whose lyrics focus on the singer’s loved ones seeing him as a Superman and metaphorically references Kryptonite as his only weakness.
6. “Batman & Robin” by Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg is one of the most diverse artists of the last decade, as he’s continuously proven that he can rap about anything.
This heroic 2000s rap song, “Batman & Robin,” is filled with lyrics describing Batman and Robin’s relationship as superhero and sidekick.
Snoop Dogg played the role of Batman, with The Lady of Rage playing Robin and RBX playing Commissioner X.
7. “We Don’t Need Another Hero” by Tina Turner
“We Don’t Need Another Hero” is a heroic-themed song by Black American Actress and Singer Tina Turner, recorded in 1985
In this song, Turner takes us on a lyrical rollercoaster ride as she chronicles some of the downsides of being seen as a superhero.
The song was used as a soundtrack in the 1985 movie, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, which also starred the singer, Tina Turner.
8. “Not All Heroes Wear Capes” by Owl City
“Not All Heroes Wear Capes” is a hero song about dads being unconventional heroes even though they don’t wear capes, levitate, or read minds.
In this song, Owl City praises his dad by listing his exceptional qualities and love for rock and roll music.
This is the perfect hero song for your father’s day playlist to appreciate your dad or all the fatherly figures in your life.
9. “Superhero” by Jane’s Addiction
Superhero” is the sixth song on the third studio album of alternative rock band Jane’s Addiction, Strayed.
In this song, the band sings about how a girl’s beauty utterly smites them to the extent that they could become her superhero.
This song was used as the theme song for an HBO show titled Entourage.
10. “One Call Away” by Charlie Puth
“One Call Away” by Charlie Puth is one of the most popular heroic-themed songs released in the last decade, as it peaked at no. 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
In the song, Charlie Puth unabashedly boasts to a lover or loved one that he’s a better superhero than Superman because he will always show up.
11. “Hero” by Weezer
Rolling Stone described Weezer’s hit song “Hero” as an “outcast anthem” because of the message the song contains.
The song lyrically describes River Cuomo’s feelings of imperfection because he thought he could save the world as a kid and how it became clear that it wasn’t his calling.
12. “My Hero” by Foo Fighters
As the name suggests, “My Hero” is a hero song by Foo Fighters that captures Dave Grohl’s resentment for “hero worship.”
In the song, he celebrates the heroes that do not wear capes, the unsung heroes that make things happen without being seen.
13. “Working Class Hero” by John Lennon And Plastic Ono Band
John Lennon, a former member of the Beatles and one of the most popular artists in the 70s, teams up with the Plastic Ono Band to deliver this timeless heroic song.
In “Working Class Hero,” Lennon sings about the political system and how it affects the less privileged citizens of the society.
John Lennon is also known for his controversial political opinions, which also come to play in this song.
14. “Nobody Loves The Hulk” by Roy Head And The Traits
As the name suggests, “Nobody Loves The Hulk” is a song that describes the creation and travails of the comic book and TV character, The Incredible Hulk.
Roy Head And The Traits uses the lyrics of this song, “We don’t allow no green skin people here,” to reference the segregation that was very much alive in the 60s.
15. “No More Heroes” by The Stranglers
“No More Heroes” is one of the most successful songs by The Stranglers.
It is a single off their 1977 album of the same name.
In this song, The Stranglers lament about all their past heroes that are dead; they listed Leon Trotsky, Lenny Bruce, William Shakespeare, and even the fictional character Sancho Panza.
16. “Hero” by Enrique Iglesias
“I can be your hero, baby… I can kiss away the pain.”
“Hero” by Enrique Iglesias is one of the best hero songs of the 21st century.
It is a romantic and heart-wrenching love song in which Enrique promises his lover that he will always be her hero no matter what.
“Hero” topped the Hot 100 Billboard Charts for 15 consecutive, showing that it received massive airplay.
17. “Celluloid Heroes” by The Kinks
“Celluloid Heroes” is the second single off The Kinks’ album, “Everybody’s in Show-Biz.”
In this song, The Kinks praises some of the best actors in 20th-century film and including Greta Garbo, Rudolph Valentino, Bela Lugosi, Bette Davis, Marilyn Monroe, George Sanders, and Mickey Rooney.
18. “Hero” by David Crosby
If “Hero” by David Crosby didn’t make our heroes’ song list, it wouldn’t be complete.
In this song, David sang about heroes, and villains, their differences, and how it isn’t as easy for him because he is neither a Superhero nor a villain.
This inspiring song about heroes is a perfect inclusion to your playlist.
19. “Batdance” by Prince
Most Batman fans know the history behind “Batdance” by Prince, but others do not.
Prince was asked to contribute songs for Tim Burton’s Batman movie, and he contributed a few, including “Batdance.”
The hero-themed batman song exceeded expectations and peaked at number 1 on the Billboard charts.
Unfortunately, the song did not make the final cut of the Batman movie.
20. “Magneto and Titanium Man” by Paul McCartney And Wings
“Magneto and Titanium Man” is a 1975 hero song recorded by Paul McCartney And Wings.
The song is a superhero narrative song that perfectly captures the superhuman capabilities of Marvel Comic characters Magneto, Titanium Man, and the Crimson Dynamo.
21. “Something Just Like This” by The Chainsmokers ft. Coldplay
“Something Just Like This” is a smash-hit love hero song from two musical groups, The Chainsmokers and Coldplay.
In this song, the singer sings about not wanting a perfect person with superhero capabilities as a lover because he doesn’t believe in fairytales.
This song was critically acclaimed by so many as it peaked at number 3 on the US Billboard charts.
22. “Hero” by Mariah Carey
If you need the motivation to get started today, all you need to do is listen to Mariah Carey’s “Hero,” which she named her best song to perform.
In the song, Mariah urges everyone to search for the heroes within themselves and become their role models.
It is the perfect inspirational hero song for your workout playlist.
23. “Holding Out For A Hero” by Bonnie Tyler
One of the most popular songs about heroes to be released in the 80s is “Holding Out For A Hero.”
The song was used in the 1984 movie Footloose and gained more popularity in the early 200s after being used in Shrek 2 and Who’s Harry Crumb.
In the song, Bonnie Tyler sings about needing a hero, and he waits until he gets one.
24. “Superman” by Eminem
“Superman” is a single off the Rap god, Eminem’s fourth studio album titled the Eminem show.
In this song, Eminem sings about how he doesn’t appreciate female groupies because they want him for fame.
“Superman” was rumored to have been a diss track for Mariah Carey, and she replied in kind.
25. “Flash” by Queen
“Flash” is the heroic theme song for the 1980 comic-book smash movie Flash Gordon.
It was recorded by Freddie Mercury and Brian May.
The song includes snippets of dialogue from the movie and is about a superhero that saves everyone, despite gender or race.
26. “Side Kick” by Rancid
As the title suggests, “Side Kick” is a punk rock ballad about sidekicks, and Rancid recorded it.
In the song, Rancid tells the story of a man that wants to be a sidekick to a masked vigilante and become the unsung hero.
27. “Everyday Superhero” by Smash Mouth
Most people would remember this song because it was used as the theme song of the advertising campaign of The Kings of Queens.
The 90s pop band released “Everyday Superhero” as a part of their sixth studio album.
It is a superhero song that appreciates the good works of superheroes without capes that make the world a better place to live in.
28. “Spidey’s Curse” by Black Lips
In this gritty hero song from the Black Lips, the past, present, and future of Peter Parker and Spiderman are lyrically detailed.
The band chronicles how Spiderman’s past troubling life messed him up and still affects his present life.
This song also describes the spider senses of Spiderman as a curse rather than a blessing because it was unexpected.
29. “Jimmy Olsen’s Blues” by Spin Doctors
“Jimmy Olsen’s Blues” by the Spin Doctors is a song about a character in the Superman comic book, Jimmy Olsen.
This is one of the most popular superhero songs; it tells the story of photographer Jimmy Olsen that got depressed because Lois Lane and Clark Kent dominated him at work.
30. “That’s Really Super, Supergirl” by XTC
There are very few movies about female superheroes.
As a result, there are also a few songs about female superheroes.
In one incredible sweep, XTC upped the number of songs about female superheroes with their song, “That’s Really Super, Supergirl,” where they referenced DC’s Supergirl.
This is a song about female empowerment and strength, making it an anthem for women worldwide.
31. “Heroes And Friends” by Randy Travis
According to “Heroes And Friends” by Randy Travis, there are only two things that can last a lifetime: friends and heroes.
In the 1990 country hit, Randy sings about how heroes are friends who can help you see the good in yourself with the support they offer.
32. “Heroes” by Paul Overstreet
“Cause you know heroes come in every shape and size.”
“Heroes” by Paul Overstreet is an upbeat country hero song for unsung heroes in the world.
Paul Overstreet lyrically details the hard work of moms and dads and the heroic roles they play in the lives of children.
This is a fantastic song to include in a playlist for your parents as it captures the real essence of their parenthood.
33. “Heroes (We Could Be)” by Alesso ft Tove Lo
“We could be heroes, me and you.”
“Heroes (We Could Be)” is a dancehall song about being a hero without superpowers, as we see in the movie.
This song received massive airplay after its release in 2014.
In this song, Alesso and Tove Lo encourages everyone that they can be heroes and can do things differently than people have always done them.
The song charted in several countries and peaked at no. 1 on the US dance charts.
34. “Waiting for Superman” by Daughtry
So many superhero songs have been made about Superman, and “Waiting For Superman” by Daughtry wasn’t found lacking in any way.
This song is a ballad that tells the story of a woman imprisoned for 100 days and hoping to be rescued by Superman.
As the woman waits to be rescued, she finds her inner strength and tries to escape.
35. “I Would Die 4U” by Prince And The Revolution
“I’m your messiah, and you’re the reason why.”
I Would Die 4U” is an uptempo dance song by Prince And The Revolution from their 1984 album, Purple rain.
It is a song about making the ultimate sacrifice for a person you love in the same way superheroes make sacrifices.
Songs About Heroes – Final Thoughts
The 35 hero songs listed in this article would make a fantastic addition to your playlist.
There are songs to empower you to find your inner strength and others to appreciate all the hero figures in your life.
All you have to do is listen.
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