Hero (Chad Kroeger song)

"Hero" is a song recorded by Chad Kroeger (lead vocalist of Nickelback) and Josey Scott (then lead vocalist of Saliva) for the soundtrack to the 2002 film Spider-Man. It was written by Kroeger and recorded specifically for the film.[3] "Hero" was released through Roadrunner Records on March 1, 2002, as the soundtrack's lead single.[4] The song serves as Kroeger's debut solo release.

"Hero"
CD-single cover
Single by Chad Kroeger featuring Josey Scott
from the album Music from and Inspired by Spider-Man
B-side"Invisible Man" by Theory of a Deadman
ReleasedMarch 1, 2002 (2002-03-01)
RecordedMarch 2001[1]
GenreAlternative rock[2]
Length
  • 3:20 (with orchestral background)
  • 3:09 (with strings omitted)
Label
Songwriter(s)Chad Kroeger[3]
Producer(s)Chad Kroeger
Chad Kroeger singles chronology
"Hero"
(2002)		 "Why Don't You & I"
(2004)
Alternative cover
iTunes cover

There are two widely-available versions of the song: one with an orchestral background and one without. Mike Kroeger (bassist of Nickelback), Tyler Connolly (lead singer/guitarist of Theory of a Deadman), and Matt Cameron (drummer of Soundgarden) appear on the recording. In addition to its digital release, "Hero" was distributed internationally in various CD single and maxi single formats. Theory of a Deadman's "Invisible Man" was included on many of these releases.

"Hero" experienced worldwide commercial success, peaking in the top 10 of record charts in Austria, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The song also topped the US Billboard Mainstream Rock and Modern Rock airplay charts. It was nominated for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media, Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal; and Best Rock Song at the 45th Grammy Awards (2003).[5]

Background

The song was the result of a collaboration between Kroeger and Scott. Scott told Yahoo!'s entertainment news service LAUNCH, "(Kroeger) had the idea for the song 'Hero,' so I came up to Vancouver and met him. He pitched me the idea, and I thought that was pretty dope. Real dope. So we sort of tweaked it, together, laid down some harmonies on it, and played everything from congas to acoustics on it."

Matt Cameron, who played drums on the track, did not appear in the music video and cited "family issues" as the reason. He was replaced with Our Lady Peace drummer Jeremy Taggart.[6]

Alice in Chains guitarist Jerry Cantrell was originally picked to play the guitar solo (later played by Tyler Connolly[7]), but he pulled out.[1] He did, however, contribute to the soundtrack with the song "She Was My Girl", from his solo album Degradation Trip.[8]

Music video

The music video consists of the group, except for Matt Cameron, performing on a building's rooftop purportedly in New York City, with footage of the movie spliced in between, and was directed by Nigel Dick. It was filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia on March 24, 2002, and premiered on March 28.[6]

The song has won Best Video from a Film at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards.[9]

Critical reception

Reviewing the song for NME, Imran Ahmed was critical of Kroeger's "predictability" and drew a strong comparison to "How You Remind Me", Nickelback's 2001 international breakthrough, calling the formula for both "Commercial grunge + MOR sensibility = Nu-MOR hit."[10]

Chart performance

The song was a cross-genre hit in mid-2002, peaking at number one on the Billboard Modern Rock and Mainstream Rock charts, number three on the Billboard Hot 100, and also winning considerable airplay at pop radio, peaking at number two and five, respectively, on the Mainstream Top 40 and Adult Top 40 charts.

Track listings

Personnel

Charts and certifications

Release history
Country Date Format Label Ref.
Worldwide March 1, 2002 Digital download Roadrunner [4]
Japan March 13, 2002 Maxi Single Sony N/A
Singapore March 14, 2002
Canada May 20, 2002 CD single Roadrunner [53]
Various May 28, 2002 Sony [54]
United Kingdom June 10, 2002 Maxi single Roadrunner [55]
United States CD single
[56]

References
  1. "JERRY CANTRELL Skips NICKELBACK/SALIVA Collaboration, MATT CAMERON Steps In". Blabbermouth. March 27, 2002. Archived from the original on July 28, 2018. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  2. https://consequenceofsound.net/2017/07/ranking-every-alternative-rock-hit-from-worst-to-best/3/
  3. "Music From And Inspired By Spider-Man". Discogs. Archived from the original on July 28, 2018. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
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  5. "Complete list of Grammy nominees; ceremony set for Feb. 23". SFGate. Hearst Corporation. January 8, 2003. Archived from the original on 2012-12-07. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
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  7. "Nickelback's Chad Kroeger Brings Theory Of A Deadman To Life". MTV News. August 2, 2002. Archived from the original on 2018-06-15. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
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