Superman (Black Lace song)

"Superman" (also titled "Gioca Jouer"[1]) is a 1981 novelty song[2][3] written by Italian musicians Claudio Cecchetto and Claudio Simonetti,[1] most famous in the UK for the 1983 recording by Black Lace.[4]

"Superman"
Single by Black Lace
from the album Party Party
B-side"Teardrops in Your Eyes"
Released1983
Recorded1983 at Woodlands Studio, Normanton
GenrePop, novelty, synthpop[1]
Length3:35 (album/single version)
4:56 (12" version)
LabelCarrere Records (France)
Flair Records (UK)
Songwriter(s)Claudio Cecchetto, Claudio Simonetti
Black Lace singles chronology
"Mary Ann"
(1979)		 "Superman"
(1983)		 "Hey You"
(1983)

The UK single's B-side, "Teardrops in Your Eyes", was an original composition by Black Lace's Alan Barton and Colin Routh.[1]

Overview

The original version of the song, Gioca Jouer, had a really great success in Italy, also being the Festival di Sanremo of 1981 opening theme.

In the summer, the song arrived in Spain, and became very popular in discos. Here John Wagtaff (head of Flair Records) heard it while looking for a style of music that would be popular in the United Kingdom.[5] When translated into English, "Gioca Jouer" became "Superman".[6]

The song featured a number of dance gestures that acted out the lyrics – including sleeping, waving, hitching a ride, sneezing, walking, swimming, skiing, spraying deodorant, sounding a horn, ringing a bell, flexing muscles as a "Macho Man", making the letters "OK", blowing kisses, combing and flying like Superman.[7] These dance moves were detailed on the record sleeve.[3]

On the Black Lace recording, the intro drum fill was played by Wakefield drummer Barry Huffinley; the remaining rhythm was programmed using a sequencer.[5] The song was recorded at Woodlands Studio in Normanton, West Yorkshire.[5][8]

In 1987, Colin Gibb released an alternative version of the song with explicit lyrics, entitled "Supercock".[9]

Reception

The single was released in the UK in September 1983;[4] its first UK chart appearance was on 10 September, when it was ranked #94.[10] It peaked at #9 on 22 October, and was last on the chart at #73 on 21 January 1984, having spent 20 weeks in the top 100.[10]

The song was released in 1984 on the group's debut album, Party Party,[11] which reached #4 on the UK Albums Chart.[12]

The song has become a staple of many children's parties in the UK, and the subject of many covers, mainly for children.[13]

Analysis

Some analysts (including Paul Simpson and The Guardian's Will Dean) draw parallels between the song and Friedrich Nietzsche's Übermensch concept.[14][15]

References
  1. "Black Lace – Superman (Gioca Jouer)". Discogs. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
  2. Deregibus, Enrico (2006). Dizionario Completo Della: Canzone Italiana. Milan: Giunti Editore. p. 107. ISBN 88-09-75625-8.
  3. "Black Lace – Superman". Discogs. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
  4. Evans, Richard; Fry, Martin (2009). Remember the 80s: Now That's What I Call Nostagia!. London: Anova Books. p. 63. ISBN 978-1-906032-12-8.
  5. Dobson, Terry (2009). And Then Came Agadoo. AuthorHouse. p. 431. ISBN 978-1-4389-8675-3.
  6. Mawer, Sharon. "Black Lace". AllMusic. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
  7. "B Listing (6)". Essential Eighties. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
  8. Dobson, Terry (2009). And Then Came Agadoo. AuthorHouse. p. 435. ISBN 978-1-4389-8675-3.
  9. "Supercock". Amazon. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
  10. Ford, Matt. "Superman (Gioca Jouer)". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
  11. "Black Lace – Party Party". Discogs. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
  12. Ford, Matt. "Superman (Gioca Jouer)". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
  13. "Superman". YouTube. kidsmusicCYP. 2012-04-26. Retrieved 2014-06-28.
  14. Dean, Will (9 July 2009). "Psychoville episode four: 'Give 'em enough rope'". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
  15. Simpson, Paul (2003). The rough guide to cult pop. London: Rough Guides. p. 8. ISBN 1-84353-229-8.
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