Superman (Pepe Luis Soto song) explained

"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	3
US Billboard Hot Soul Singles	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

Notes and References

1. Web site: The Internet's Strangest Superhero Songs: Superman's Disco Legacy and more. The Beat. May 28, 2019. August 10, 2020.
2. Book: Bordowitz, Hank. Noise of the World: Non-Western Musicians in Their Own Words. 79. January 20, 2005. Soft Skull Press. 9781932360608. August 10, 2020. Google Books.
3. Book: Whitburn, Joel . Joel Whitburn

   . Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Joel Whitburn . 2004 . Record Research . 108.

4. Book: Whitburn, Joel . Joel Whitburn

   . Hot Dance/Disco: 1974-2003. Joel Whitburn . 2004 . Record Research . 54.

5. Book: Tye, Larry. Superman: The High-Flying History of America's Most Enduring Hero. 295. June 12, 2012. Random House. 9781588369185. August 10, 2020. Google Books.
6. Book: Whitburn, Joel . Joel Whitburn

   . Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Joel Whitburn . 2004 . Record Research . 375.

7. Web site: Celi Bee. Music VF. August 10, 2020.
8. Book: Kent, David. David Kent (historian)

   . David Kent (historian). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. illustrated. Australian Chart Book. St Ives, N.S.W.. 1993. 0-646-11917-6. 30.

9. Herbie Superman (Hot 100). Billboard. August 10, 2020.
10. Herbie Superman (Adult Contemporary). Billboard. August 10, 2020.
11. Herbie Superman (R&B). Billboard. August 10, 2020.