It occurred to me with the new Superman movie coming out that no other superhero has gotten as many props on the airwaves as the Man of Steel. Sure there is that "Spider-Man" theme by The Ramones, but who else?

The name of the song wasn't "Under The Sea" (the Aquaman song). It wasn't "Wind Beneath My Wings" (the theme from "Hawkman").

Plug in "Superman" into an amazon.com search and you get 1,460 items. Put him in iTunes and you get 150.

He's been mentioned by a wide assortment of artists from legends like Charlie Parker
to some dude named Gil Scott-Heron who sang "Ain't No Such Thing As Superman."

Oh Gil, I beg to differ.

Why else would he be imortalized in song? Why would so many pay homage to a man who looks so good in Spandex?

Foget flying, that's his real super power. And in primary colors no less.

Artists such as Jim Croce, the Sugar Hill Gang, the Spin Doctors and 3 Doors Down have given Kal-El the casual nod in song. Others have gone the more direct route and named their songs after him. Here's a sampling:

"Superman Inside" by Eric Clapton
"(Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman" by The Kinks
"91' Even Superman Shot Himself" by Pwerman 5000
"Black Superman" by Gear Daddies
"Buenas dias, Superman" by Miguel Rios
"Sunshine Superman" by Donovan
"Ghetto Superman" by P.O.L.
"Hang In There Superman" by Hal Ketchum
"Highspeed Highway Superman" by Tygers Of Pan Tang
"Honky-Tonk Superman" by Aaron Tippin
"I Am Superman" by Swervedriver
"I Killed Superman" by Matthew Clay
"I'm Your Superman" by Rick Springfield

Whew, other artists have just named their songs "Superman." It's more direct. The route Clark Kent's alter ego would take. Those artists include R.E.M., Bush, Stereophonics, Lazlo Bane (it's the song from "Scrubs") and Barbra Freakin' Streisand.

Now I haven't heard all of these songs, and I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want to. But with the ones I have heard, combined with just looking at the song titles I have a theory.

I think you can take all songs about Superman and group them into five categories.

1. I am/as good as Superman -- example: "I Am Superman" by Swervedriver
2. I'm not as strong physically/emotionally as Superman -- example: "Superman" by Lazlo Bane
3. Superman is a punk -- example: "Ain't No Such Thing As Superman" by Gil Scott-Heron
4. Superman rocks -- example: "You Don't Mess Around With Jim" by Jim Croce
5. I'll be your Superman tonight.....baby -- example: "I'm Your Superman" by Rick Springfield

Sure, there are songs that might not fall under those categories, but I think you'll find my idea has merit.

So get your Superman cape from the cleaners, and show a little love for the big guy. It's hard being Superman after all. ("Superman" (It's Not Easy) by Five For Fighting).