Asked you a question
I didn't need you to reply
Is it gettin' heavy?
But they'll realize
Is it gettin' heavy?
Well, I thought it was already as heavy
As can be

Is it overwhelming
To use a crane to crush a fly?
It's a good time for Superman
To lift the sun into the sky

'Cause it's gettin' heavy
Well, I thought it was already as heavy
As can be

Tell everybody
Waitin' for Superman
That they should try to
Hold on
Best they can
He hasn't dropped them
Forgot them
Or anything
It's just too heavy for Superman to lift

Is it gettin' heavy?
Well, I thought it was already as heavy as can be

Tell everybody
Waitin' for Superman
That they should try to
Hold on
Best they can
He hasn't dropped them
Forgot them
Or anything
It's just too heavy for Superman to lift


Lyrics submitted by toadtws

Waitin' for a Superman Lyrics as written by Steven Drozd Michael Ivins

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Waitin' for a Superman song meanings
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32 Comments

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  • +4
    General Comment

    This song was inspired by a conversation Wayne Coyne had with his brother during the time before his father passed away. His father was very ill and slowly dying and Wayne's brother asked Wayne if he was doin ok, or if things we "getting heavy". Wayne thought things we already "as heavy as they could be" but realized his brother was letting him know that it would get worse when their dad does eventually pass away. A beautiful, beautiful song with a gorgeous melody written by Steven Drozd

    tomautoon December 25, 2005   Link
  • +4
    General Comment

    When I heard this song it rang true with what happened to me:

    I was finding life harder taking on more responsibilities; marriage, baby, moving house, promotion, another baby At one point I was feeling like superman and then it got harder and harder and I began to break. I became depressed despite the wonderful things happening around me, I felt I was failing everyone.

    Somewhere I knew I hadn't dropped my family, friends or responsibilities, nor had I forgot them or anything, it was just getting too heavy for me to lift. When I broke down I was just telling everybody to wait for me.

    I am doing better now. And my sons love Superman.

    j0ndon December 16, 2010   Link
  • +3
    My Opinion

    Listening to this song in 2009 -- it really reminds me of Obama. When he got elected, he was heralded as the end-all to all problems -- practically the USS's Superman. But right now the economy is still horrible and the general national sentiment is still "heavy." Some people are providing a violent backlash -- why can't you fix everything, Obama? You don't care about us! You're abandoning us! But maybe the problems are just too big for "Superman" to take care of. It doesn't mean people should give up. People should still hold on, but realize that not one person is going to solve everything.

    hallospacegirlon October 15, 2009   Link
  • +2
    My Interpretation

    This song really helped me figure a lot of stuff out in my life. It is what inspired me to create an account here.

    It's interesting that many people view this song from the point of view of those waiting for Superman, and others view it from the point of view of Superman himself. Both points of view are beautiful. I've always viewed it from the point of view of Superman. It's a song sympathetic to him.

    Imagine the pressure Superman faces. He has these incredible gifts, and he can do so much good in the world, and fight so much evil. But he can still be only one place at one time. While Superman is saving one person, countless more will die.

    Can you imagine the pain Superman faces every minute of every day knowing that he COULD have saved some one, but the overwhelming amount of responsibilities he faces prevent him from doing so? That it's all just too heavy for him to lift at once? That he hasn't forgotten them, that he'll get there when he can, but it's all just so damn exhausting? Can you imagine how tired Superman is, knowing that no matter how many victories he has, if he stops to rest, lives will be lost that he could have saved?

    There are people out there that, for whatever reason, need to make everyone happier.They find it difficult to act in their own self interest and instead feel a compulsive need to "save" others, or at least serve others. Perfectionism and overachieving often go hand-in-hand with this personality type: Using a "crane to crush a fly." Look at your teachers, your police officers, your fire men and women, some parents.

    I think this song tells these people that its okay--you are doing the best you can. You cannot save everyone. Even Superman can't. Superman needs to take care of himself. So do you.

    riverrunneron December 08, 2015   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I believe the song means that there isn't a cure for everything, and not every problem can be solved. Not even Superman can fix it all.

    ZeroOneon May 16, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I think "It's just too heavy for Superman to lift" is one of the most beautifully simplistic sentiments I've ever heard. I find it astonishingly stunning. Also, I find "couldBanyone" to be one of the most pretentious douches I've ever seen.

    DanzaSlapon February 17, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    i think Superman is God.

    when he asks "is it overwhelming to use a crane to crush a fly" i think he is angry at God for allowing this person (who is most likely dead or dying) to suffer so much pain and to die in such a way.

    "its a good time for Superman to lift the sun into the sky" i think this means it's a good time for God to bring some new hope or happiness into his life.

    and "it's just too heavy for a Superman to lift" i think this is an answer to the "can God create a rock so big he cannot lift it?" question. the writer feels like yes, God can and has done this with the person who is suffering. I think this song is about losing hope and faith in God, and losing a deeply loved one.

    truthforasongon August 18, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    we're all waiting for something to take our troubles away... but in the end all we can do is cope with them. the iron & wine cover of this is beautiful. ♥

    noiamnotwhereibelongon October 04, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    yet another great song.

    fakeliarcheaton April 22, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think this song means you can't rely on Superman to do everything for you, sometimes you have to hold on the best you can even if it is hard.

    flaminglipsruleon June 14, 2003   Link

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