Story behind Five for Fighting's Superman

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Story behind Five for Fighting's Superman

John Ondrasik never intended to write a 9/11 anthem. When he penned "Superman" in 1999, he was just a struggling musician playing piano bars, feeling the weight of expectations that came with being a man in his thirties—the pressure to have all the answers, to be the provider, to never show weakness.

The song sat quietly on his debut album for two years, barely noticed by radio or fans. It was deeply personal, almost confessional—a meditation on vulnerability disguised as a superhero metaphor. John later admitted he felt like he was "drowning in normalcy," watching friends get married and buy houses while he chased an uncertain dream.

Then September 11th changed everything. Radio programmers began playing "Superman" as a tribute to first responders, and suddenly John found himself performing at memorials and fundraisers. The song that started as his own quiet crisis became a voice for people who truly were saving lives.
What's remarkable is how the song's original meaning—the struggle of ordinary people trying to be strong—perfectly captured what America needed to hear. It wasn't about being invincible; it was about showing up despite your fears, about being human while trying to be heroic.

John donated significant portions of the song's earnings to 9/11 charities, but he's always been conflicted about its success. In interviews, he's said it feels strange to benefit from such tragedy, even though the song clearly helped people heal.

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