Superman music
Encyclopedia
The various film and television appearances of the Superman
character have been accompanied by musical scores.
All of the above (as well as some TV and movie themes) were recorded by a modern orchestra and released on a 1999 CD called Superman: The Ultimate Collection released by Varèse Sarabande
Records.
The opening and closing theme, as well as a number of recurring underscore themes from the first season (the "Phyllis Coates
episodes"), were released in 2000 on the CD Adventures of Superman: The Original 1950s TV Series from Varèse Sarabande
Records. The liner notes make the point that although series musical arranger Leon Klatzkin is conventionally credited with composing the theme, that credit is in some doubt. The use of the Superman theme in the show became ingrained in viewers' minds because the same section of music was played nearly every time the scene cut to Superman flying.
Jones' music for this series was released in its entirety on its own CD as part of the 8-disc collection Superman: The Music (1978-1988), issued by Film Score Monthly in 2008.
films (1978–1987) and the remainder of this article focuses on these, plus the 2006 film, starring Brandon Routh
.
Williams' "Superman Theme", which is first heard during the opening credits to the first Superman film, has been reused (with varying arrangements) as the opening music for every Superman film except for Superman III, in which Ken Thorne employed a lighthearted, somewhat comical cue to represent 'the streets of Metropolis.' It is also referenced in Jerry Goldsmith
's score to the 1984 film Supergirl
during a scene in which the title character sees a poster of Superman.
is a melody associated with a particular character or story element in any mode of drama in which music is employed, such as a musical play, opera, ballet, or film.
was mandated to reuse the first film's themes for Superman II
. He based the music for the Kryptonian villains on the Williams material associated with Krypton and the Fortress of Solitude. He also added a descending three-note motif for the villains and a briefly heard ominous melody associated with General Zod.
was given a freer hand in the scoring of Superman III
in accordance with the series' change in direction and more comedic tone. His new thematic material consisted of related themes for Gus Gorman and a general theme for computers, plus an ominous "Supercomputer" theme heard in the latter part of the score. Thorne also supplied a love theme for Lana Lang and Clark Kent, based on a melody written for the film by Giorgio Moroder
. Lois Lane's theme is not present in the score because she only appears in the film briefly.
composed three new themes for Superman IV, attaching to three new characters.
Alexander Courage
adapted Williams' themes for the film, integrating the three new ones with all of the existing themes from the first film. He also supplied two new themes of his own: a "missile" motif for when nuclear arms are shown or discussed, and a "Russian" motif, a minor mode march used when Soviets and their weapons appear.
Courage completed a 100 minute score for a version of Superman IV that ran over two hours. It had been long rumored that a version of the film previewed in Orange County, California in late June 1987 ran 134 minutes. Screenwriter Mark Rosenthal
recalls a version of that length on his DVD commentary for the film, but existing documentation suggests that the film was actually 10 minutes shorter than that when previewed. In any event, as a result of negative audience response to the preview, the picture was cut down to a length of 89 minutes for U.S. release. At the urging of visual effects supervisor Harrison Ellenshaw, two action scenes were reinstated for the international version, which ran 92 minutes and was later shown on U.S. television. As a result of this cutting of running time, much of the music was not heard and "Jeremy's Theme" in particular was virtually undetectable in the final version. No music from the film was released for over twenty years until Film Score Monthly issued an 8-CD box set called Superman: The Music (1978-1988) which presents the complete score to Superman IV.
also incorporated several themes from the first film, such as "Superman March", Lois Lane's love theme ("Can You Read My Mind
"), "Smallville" theme, and the "Krypton" theme. A reprise of "The Fortress of Solitude" from the original 1978 soundtrack is heard at the end of the airplane rescue sequence as Superman is re-introduced to the public after Lois Lane sees him for the first time.
Superman:
A selection of existing songs were featured in Superman, not included on any version of the soundtrack albums, but readily available elsewhere:
Source music written for the film: A Hawaiian-themed cue called "Luthor's Luau," heard in the background in Lex Luthor's secret hideaway the day after Superman's debut around the city was composed by John Williams
, who also wrote additional pieces of source music that were not used in the film. In some cases these were replaced by the existing songs listed above. However, some of Williams' versions were used in the extended television broadcast versions of the film in place of these.
Superman II:
Superman III:
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace:
, and have also been featured in re-recordings for various CD compilations.
, was performed by the London Symphony Orchestra
, with John Georgiadis as concertmaster. Recording took place on July 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, September 9, 10, 11, October 6 (Irvine Arditti, concertmaster), 15, 24, 31 (Richard Studt, concertmaster), and November 4, 1978 at the Anvil Studios in Denham, Bucks, England. Source music was recorded on July 17. The recording engineer was Eric Tomlinson, assisted by Alan Snelling. Orchestrations were by Herbert Spencer, Arthur Morton, Angela Morley
and John Williams
. The music editor was Bob Hathaway, assisted by Ken Ross.
(from original material composed by John Williams
). Recorded took place on March 25, 26, 27, 29, April 17, 18, 25, and May 2, 1980 at CTS Studios (The Music Centre) in Wembley, Middlesex, England. The recording engineer was John Richards, assisted by Tim Pennington and James Abramson, and the music editor was Bob Hathaway.
(with original Superman themes by John Williams
). Recording took place on February 14, 15, 16, March 7, 8, 9 and 18, 1983 at CTS Studios (The Music Centre) in Wembley, Middlesex, England. The recording engineer was John Richards. The music editor was Bob Hathaway.
(from music by John Williams
). Recording took place from May 11–18, 1987 at the Bavaria Studios in Munich, Germany, performed by Symphony-Orchestra Graunke. Recording engineer was Peter Kramper. Additional recording took place May 23-June 2, 1987 at CTS Studios (The Music Centre) in Wembley, Middlesex, England, performed by the National Philharmonic Orchestra
. Recording engineer was Dick Lewzey, assisted by Steve Price and Jonathan Ruttley. Orchestrations were by Frank Barber and Harry Roberts, and the music editor was Bob Hathaway. Jack Fishman was musical advisor. Songs by Paul Fishman were recorded in September 1986 in Hampstead, London, England.
Total Time: 79:21
This album was released on CD in 1989 and is still in print, but it is missing the tracks "Growing Up" and "Lex Luthor's Lair". The Japanese issue, which was released in 1990, presents the full program, but is out of print and rare.
This release is a re-recording of the score by John Debney
and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra
including the first release of additional music from the film in any form. As detailed in the liner notes, the project was hampered when it was discovered that the existing scores and parts for the Superman: The Movie score had been lost. When extensive efforts to locate them failed, a team of orchestrators reconstructed the music from John William's 8-12 stave composer sketches—thus there are subtle differences which may be noted in a number of the cues when compared to their original counterparts.
The tempi of the cues in this re-recording are generally rather slower than in the original recording—possibly because the recording was made in the highly resonant acoustic of Glasgow City Hall.
This release combines the master for the original album with what were believed at the time to be the only surviving elements to reconstruct the full length of the original Williams recording. This release went out of print in 2005, but may still be available online through many internet music services.
Total Time: 75:18
Total Time: 73:38
This release restores the complete score from newly-discovered high quality original masters and includes previously unreleased material. Discs 1 and 2 of this 8 disc set present music from the film. Additional material is presented on disc 8.
Total Time: 78:36
Total Time: 67:27
Total Time: 28:13
Side A
Side B
Total Time: 38:08
This album and the original album for Superman III
were combined for an out-of-print Japanese CD release.
This release restores the complete score, which is presented on disc 3 of the 8 disc set, with additional music presented on disc 8.
Total Time: 79:46
Total Time: 13:17
Side A
Side B
Total Time: 37:24
Superman III
was the first of the films to have a score and song soundtrack combined on the same release, a common trend in the mid 1980s. Side A presented 19 minutes of Ken Thorne
's score, while Side B contained music composed and produced by pop mogul Giorgio Moroder
. These included three sung versions (with lyrics by Keith Forsey
) of songs heard as source music in the film, plus Moroder's love theme for Clark Kent and Lana Lang (used by Thorne as the basis for his own theme), and ending with a completely synthesized version of the Superman II
main title march.
This album and the original album for Superman II
were combined for an out-of-print Japanese CD release.
This release restores the complete score, which is presented on disc 4 of the 8 disc set, with additional music presented on disc 8.
Total Time: 64:18
Total Time: 8:57
Total Time: 18:00
in 2000.
Although an album release for Superman IV was produced in 1987, it was aborted when the film was shortened shortly before release. As with Superman III
, it was to contain several songs (by Paul Fishman of Re-Flex
) and a small sampling of the score by Alexander Courage
(adapting John Williams
' themes). In 2008, the 8-CD box set Superman: The Music (1978-1988) premiered the entire score for Superman IV as composed for the long version of the film. Also included were all of Paul Fishman's songs created for the deleted Metro Club disco and other scenes in the film.
Total Time: 76:44
Total Time: 75:44
Tracks 12-19 of this disc are songs and source music by Paul Fishman.
album conducted and arranged by Randy Miller based in various Superman versions for cinema, shorts and TV.
Total Time: 54:59
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
character have been accompanied by musical scores.
Radio, cartoons, early films
- The radio shows of the early 1940s already had the famous phrases, "Faster than a speeding bullet... It's a bird... it's a plane... it's Superman!" uttered by studio announcer Jackson BeckJackson BeckJackson Beck was an American actor best known as the announcer on radio's The Adventures of Superman and the voice of Bluto in the Famous era Popeye theatrical shorts.-Career:...
. Initially the radio series had no theme tune under its introductory lines. - The Superman cartoon series produced by the Fleischer StudiosFleischer StudiosFleischer Studios, Inc., was an American corporation which originated as an Animation studio located at 1600 Broadway, New York City, New York...
during the 1940s included a triad-based theme composed by Fleischer musical director Sammy TimbergSammy TimbergSammy Timberg was an American musician and composer who was perhaps most famous for the music he wrote for the cartoons of the Fleischer Studios, such as Popeye, Betty Boop, and Superman...
. The cartoons were clearly intended to extend the characters from radio, as Jackson Beck again provided the introduction voiceover of the famous phrases, and Bud CollyerBud CollyerBud Collyer was an American radio actor/announcer who became one of the nation's first major television game show stars...
reprised his radio role as the Man of Steel. - The two Superman Columbia PicturesColumbia PicturesColumbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production and distribution company. Columbia Pictures now forms part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate Sony. It is one of the leading film companies...
serialSerial (film)Serials, more specifically known as Movie serials, Film serials or Chapter plays, were short subjects originally shown in theaters in conjunction with a feature film. They were related to pulp magazine serialized fiction...
s of the late 1940s, starring Kirk AlynKirk Alyn-External links:...
, featured a theme that began with a triad, repeated once. The rest of the theme was a standard orchestral march, in a minor key, that did not refer back to the original triad. This theme was composed by Mischa Bakaleinikoff, who scored a number of the Columbia serials' themes.
All of the above (as well as some TV and movie themes) were recorded by a modern orchestra and released on a 1999 CD called Superman: The Ultimate Collection released by Varèse Sarabande
Varèse Sarabande
Varèse Sarabande is an American record label, distributed by Universal Music Group, which specializes in film scores and original cast recordings. It aims to reissue rare or unavailable albums as well as newer releases by artists no longer under a contract...
Records.
- The 1951 theatrical release Superman and the Mole MenSuperman and the Mole MenSuperman and the Mole Men is a 1951 superhero film starring George Reeves as Superman and Phyllis Coates as Lois Lane. It is the first theatrical feature film based on the DC Comics character Superman, although two live-action Superman films had already been shown in cinemas, they appeared in a...
initially had an orchestral score by Darrel Calker featuring standard "sci fi" movie overtones. That film was eventually edited down into the two-part episode which closed the TV series' first season, with the standard TV theme wrapped around it.
Television and Broadway
- The TV theme for the 1950s series Adventures of SupermanAdventures of Superman (TV series)Adventures of Superman is an American television series based on comic book characters and concepts created in 1938 by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The show is the first television series to feature Superman and began filming in 1951 in California...
, starring George ReevesGeorge ReevesGeorge Reeves was an American actor best known for his role as Superman in the 1950s television program Adventures of Superman....
, had the unusual lead-in of a harp playing a kind of stringed "drumroll" as the camera moved through space, segueing into a dramatic brass triad accompanied by cymbals, drums, etc., at the moment when a shooting star explodes on the screen and the title card appears. A variation on the classic "Faster than a speeding bullet..." was rendered by deep-voiced actor Bill KennedyBill Kennedy (actor)Willard "Bill" Kennedy was an American actor, voice artist, and host of the long-running Detroit-based television show, Bill Kennedy at the Movies. He began his career as a staff announcer in radio; Kennedy's voice narrates the opening of the television series Adventures of...
.
The opening and closing theme, as well as a number of recurring underscore themes from the first season (the "Phyllis Coates
Phyllis Coates
Phyllis Coates is an American film and television actress. She is perhaps best known for her portrayal of reporter Lois Lane in the 1951 film Superman and the Mole Men, and during the first season of the Adventures of Superman television series.-Early life and career:After graduating from high...
episodes"), were released in 2000 on the CD Adventures of Superman: The Original 1950s TV Series from Varèse Sarabande
Varèse Sarabande
Varèse Sarabande is an American record label, distributed by Universal Music Group, which specializes in film scores and original cast recordings. It aims to reissue rare or unavailable albums as well as newer releases by artists no longer under a contract...
Records. The liner notes make the point that although series musical arranger Leon Klatzkin is conventionally credited with composing the theme, that credit is in some doubt. The use of the Superman theme in the show became ingrained in viewers' minds because the same section of music was played nearly every time the scene cut to Superman flying.
- The 1966 BroadwayBroadway theatreBroadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
musical It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's SupermanIt's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's SupermanIt's A Bird... It's A Plane... It's Superman is a musical with music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Lee Adams, with a book by David Newman and Robert Benton. It is based on the comic book character Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster and published by DC Comics.-Synopsis:The plot...
, starring Bob HolidayBob HolidayBob Holiday played Superman in the 1966 Broadway musical "It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Superman!" Despite excellent reviews, the show closed after 129 performances....
, featured music by Charles StrouseCharles StrouseCharles Strouse is an American composer and lyricist.-Life and career:Strouse was born and raised in New York City, the son of Ira and Ethel Strouse...
and lyrics by Lee AdamsLee AdamsLee Richard Adams is an American lyricist best known for his musical theatre collaboration with Charles Strouse.Born in Mansfield, Ohio, Adams received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Ohio State University and a Master's from Columbia University.Adams won Tony Awards in 1961 for Bye Bye Birdie...
. The script was written by David Newman and Robert BentonRobert BentonRobert Douglas Benton is an American screenwriter and film director.Benton was born in Waxahachie, Texas, the son of Dorothy and Ellery Douglass Benton, a telephone company employee. He attended the University of Texas and Columbia University. Benton has won numerous awards for both writing and...
, who would go on to write the second draft of the screenplay for the first Superman film (1978). - The theme for the 1990s series Lois & Clark, starring Dean CainDean CainDean Cain is an American actor. He is most widely known for his role as Clark Kent/Superman in the popular American television series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.-Early life:...
and Teri HatcherTeri HatcherTeri Lynn Hatcher is an American actress, writer, and presenter. She is known for her television roles as Susan Mayer on the ABC comedy-drama series Desperate Housewives, and Lois Lane on the ABC comedy-drama series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman...
, was composed by Jay Gruska, the son in-law of John WilliamsJohn WilliamsJohn Towner Williams is an American composer, conductor, and pianist. In a career spanning almost six decades, he has composed some of the most recognizable film scores in the history of motion pictures, including the Star Wars saga, Jaws, Superman, the Indiana Jones films, E.T...
, composer of the score for the first Superman film (1978). This was another dramatic orchestral rendition, with a triad again in evidence, but not so prominently placed in the theme's score. - SmallvilleSmallvilleSmallville is the hometown of Superman in comic books published by DC Comics. While growing up in Smallville, the young Clark Kent attended Smallville High with best friends Lana Lang, Chloe Sullivan and Pete Ross...
, starring Tom WellingTom WellingThomas John Patrick "Tom" Welling is an American actor, director, producer, and former model, best known for his portrayal of Clark Kent in the WB/CW series Smallville....
, has a vocal, rock-oriented main theme rather than a traditional "heroic" one. Written by band Remy ZeroRemy ZeroRemy Zero were a Birmingham, Alabama-based alternative rock band made up of Cinjun Tate , Shelby Tate , Cedric LeMoyne , Jeffrey Cain and Gregory Slay prior to his death in January 2010.-History:Before Remy Zero had released any full length albums, Radiohead found their demo tape and invited...
, the song takes the name "Save MeSave Me (Remy Zero song)"Save Me" is a song by rock band Remy Zero. Taken from their album The Golden Hum, it reached #27 on the United States Billboard Modern Rock Charts, and acts as the theme song for the Superman-based television series Smallville....
", from its chorus. Composer Mark SnowMark SnowMark Snow is an American composer for film and television.Born in New York, he grew up in Brooklyn, graduating from the High School of Music and Art and, afterwards, the Juilliard School of Music...
employs traditional orchestral underscore regularly. In several episodes he has also musically alluded to themes from John WilliamsJohn WilliamsJohn Towner Williams is an American composer, conductor, and pianist. In a career spanning almost six decades, he has composed some of the most recognizable film scores in the history of motion pictures, including the Star Wars saga, Jaws, Superman, the Indiana Jones films, E.T...
' score for the first Superman film (1978). The Williams theme also featured during the closing moments of the series finale. - The 1966 series The New Adventures of Superman produced by Filmation Associates was scored by John Gart, under the name John Marion. Its main theme was based on a rising four-note motif evocative of previous Superman themes, but jazzier in style.
- The 1988 animated series from Ruby-Spears was scored by Ron JonesRon Jones (composer)Ron Jones is an American composer who has written music for TV shows, including Star Trek: The Next Generation, Duck Tales, American Dad!, and Family Guy...
. Its main titles opened with the John WilliamsJohn WilliamsJohn Towner Williams is an American composer, conductor, and pianist. In a career spanning almost six decades, he has composed some of the most recognizable film scores in the history of motion pictures, including the Star Wars saga, Jaws, Superman, the Indiana Jones films, E.T...
theme from the Christopher ReeveChristopher ReeveChristopher D'Olier Reeve was an American actor, film director, producer, screenwriter, author and activist...
movies, then segueing into a similarly-styled original theme by Jones which was used as the primary Superman leitmotif in the episodes' underscores. This short-lived series (13 episodes) was distinctive for its "Superman's Family Album" vignettes, which each presented an event from some point during Clark Kent's Smallville upbringing. For these mini episodes, Jones continued to follow Williams' lead by employing a Coplandesque Americana sound.
Jones' music for this series was released in its entirety on its own CD as part of the 8-disc collection Superman: The Music (1978-1988), issued by Film Score Monthly in 2008.
- Shirley WalkerShirley WalkerShirley Walker was an American television and film composer and conductor. She was one of the few female film score composers working in Hollywood...
's theme for the 1996 Superman: The Animated SeriesSuperman: The Animated SeriesSuperman: The Animated Series is an American animated television series starring DC Comics' flagship character, Superman. The series was produced by Warner Bros. Animation and aired on The WB from September 6, 1996 to February 12, 2000. Warner Bros...
is yet another brassy orchestral piece with a triad-based melody. It was occasionally used as Superman's leitmotifLeitmotifA leitmotif , sometimes written leit-motif, is a musical term , referring to a recurring theme, associated with a particular person, place, or idea. It is closely related to the musical idea of idée fixe...
in episodes of Justice LeagueJustice LeagueThe Justice League, also called the Justice League of America or JLA, is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by DC Comics....
. - When the later Batman: The Animated SeriesBatman: The Animated SeriesBatman: The Animated Series is an American animated series based on the DC Comics character Batman. The series featured an ensemble cast of many voice-actors including Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill, Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., Arleen Sorkin, and Loren Lester. The series won four Emmy Awards and was nominated...
and Superman: The Animated Series were combined to form a "new" series, The New Batman/Superman AdventuresThe New Batman/Superman AdventuresThe New Batman/Superman Adventures is a name given to a rerun package series that combined Superman: The Animated Series with The New Batman Adventures produced by Warner Bros. Animation. It aired from 1997-2000 on Kids' WB...
, another new theme was composed by Danny ElfmanDanny ElfmanDaniel Robert "Danny" Elfman is an American composer, best known for scoring music for television and film. Up until 1995, he was the lead singer and songwriter in the rock band Oingo Boingo, a group he formed in 1976...
.
The movies
The most widely available and well-known Superman music is from the four Christopher ReeveChristopher Reeve
Christopher D'Olier Reeve was an American actor, film director, producer, screenwriter, author and activist...
films (1978–1987) and the remainder of this article focuses on these, plus the 2006 film, starring Brandon Routh
Brandon Routh
Brandon James Routh is an American actor and former fashion model. He grew up in Iowa before moving to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career, and subsequently appeared on multiple television series throughout the early 2000s. In 2006, he gained greater recognition for his role as the titular hero...
.
- The Superman score was composed by John WilliamsJohn WilliamsJohn Towner Williams is an American composer, conductor, and pianist. In a career spanning almost six decades, he has composed some of the most recognizable film scores in the history of motion pictures, including the Star Wars saga, Jaws, Superman, the Indiana Jones films, E.T...
. Music recorded for the film was reused in Superman II: The Richard Donner CutSuperman II: The Richard Donner CutSuperman II: The Richard Donner Cut is a 2006 re-edit of the 1980 superhero film, Superman II, by Richard Donner, who shot a large part of the original movie before being replaced as director by Richard Lester. It stars Gene Hackman, Christopher Reeve, Terence Stamp, Margot Kidder and Marlon Brando...
. - The Superman IISuperman IISuperman II is the 1980 sequel to the 1978 superhero film Superman and stars Gene Hackman, Christopher Reeve, Terence Stamp, Ned Beatty, Sarah Douglas, Margot Kidder, and Jack O'Halloran. It was the only Superman film to be filmed by two directors...
and Superman IIISuperman IIISuperman III is a 1983 superhero film and the third film in the Superman film series based upon the long-running DC Comics superhero. Christopher Reeve, Jackie Cooper, Marc McClure and Margot Kidder are joined by new cast members Annette O'Toole, Annie Ross, Pamela Stephenson, Robert Vaughn and...
scores were composed by Ken ThorneKen ThorneKenneth Thorne is a British-American television and film score composer.- Early life :Thorne was born in East Dereham, a town in the English county of Norfolk. Thorne began his musical career as a pianist with the big bands of England during the 1940s, playing at night clubs and the dance halls...
, adapting Williams' themes extensively, as noted in the films' opening credits. - The Superman IV: The Quest for PeaceSuperman IV: The Quest for PeaceSuperman IV: The Quest for Peace is a 1987 superhero film directed by Sidney J. Furie. It is the fourth film in the Superman film series and the last installment to star Christopher Reeve as the Man of Steel. It is the first film in the series not to be produced by Alexander and Ilya Salkind, but...
score was composed by Alexander CourageAlexander CourageAlexander "Sandy" Mair Courage Jr. was an American orchestrator, arranger, and composer of music, primarily for television and film.-Biography:...
, adapting Williams' original and combining it with three new themes composed by Williams as well as two motifs of his own. - The Superman ReturnsSuperman ReturnsSuperman Returns is a 2006 superhero film directed by Bryan Singer. It is the fifth and final installment in the original Superman film series and serves as a alternate sequel to Superman and Superman II by ignoring the events of Superman III and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace .The film stars...
score was composed by John OttmanJohn OttmanJohn Ottman is an American film editor, composer and director.He is best known for his collaborations with film director Bryan Singer, acting as film editor and composing the scores for The Usual Suspects, Apt Pupil, X2: X-Men United, Superman Returns and most recently...
, also using some of Williams' compositions, as noted in the opening credits.
Williams' "Superman Theme", which is first heard during the opening credits to the first Superman film, has been reused (with varying arrangements) as the opening music for every Superman film except for Superman III, in which Ken Thorne employed a lighthearted, somewhat comical cue to represent 'the streets of Metropolis.' It is also referenced in Jerry Goldsmith
Jerry Goldsmith
Jerrald King Goldsmith was an American composer and conductor most known for his work in film and television scoring....
's score to the 1984 film Supergirl
Supergirl (film)
Supergirl is a 1984 superhero film directed by Jeannot Szwarc, and stars Helen Slater in her first motion picture role in the title role of the DC Comics superheroine Supergirl. Faye Dunaway played the primary villain, Selena. The film was a spin-off from the Salkinds' Superman film series which...
during a scene in which the title character sees a poster of Superman.
Principal leitmotifs
A leitmotifLeitmotif
A leitmotif , sometimes written leit-motif, is a musical term , referring to a recurring theme, associated with a particular person, place, or idea. It is closely related to the musical idea of idée fixe...
is a melody associated with a particular character or story element in any mode of drama in which music is employed, such as a musical play, opera, ballet, or film.
Leitmotifs introduced in Superman
- "Superman Fanfare". A short triad-based motif, played just before the "Main Theme", or as a standalone when Superman appears in a quick-cut on-screen. Also restated many times in the "Superman March".
- "Superman March" or "Superman Main Theme". Used over opening and closing credits. It consists of two sections, an "A" theme which is the main part of the melody and a "B" theme which is a bit lighter in mood and which often connects the "March" to the "Fanfare."
- "Can You Read My MindCan You Read My Mind"Can You Read My Mind" is the love theme from the 1978 feature film Superman, with music by John Williams and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse.The music is a theme for Lois Lane, whose role in the film was performed by Margot Kidder...
" or the soaring "Love Theme". Typically used when Lois and Superman (or sometimes Clark) find themselves alone together. A portion of is introduced as an interlude in the midst of the "Superman March". Lyrics for the melody were written by longtime John WilliamsJohn WilliamsJohn Towner Williams is an American composer, conductor, and pianist. In a career spanning almost six decades, he has composed some of the most recognizable film scores in the history of motion pictures, including the Star Wars saga, Jaws, Superman, the Indiana Jones films, E.T...
collaborator Leslie BricusseLeslie BricusseLeslie Bricusse is an English composer, lyricist, and playwright.Although best known for his partnership with Anthony Newley, Bricusse has worked with many other composers. He was educated at University College School in London and Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge...
, for the purpose of having a song during the film's extended "flying sequence." Margot KidderMargot KidderMargaret Ruth "Margot" Kidder is a Canadian-born American actress. She is perhaps best known for playing Lois Lane in the four Superman movies opposite Christopher Reeve, a role that brought her to widespread recognition....
, who plays Lois Lane, speaks the lyrics in the film, but cover versions of the song have been recorded by Maureen McGovernMaureen McGovernMaureen Therese McGovern is an American singer and Broadway actress, well known for her premier renditions of the Oscar winning songs "The Morning After" from the 1972 film The Poseidon Adventure, and "We May Never Love Like This Again" from The Towering Inferno in 1974.-Early life:McGovern was...
, Shirley BasseyShirley BasseyDame Shirley Bassey, DBE , is a Welsh singer. She found fame in the late 1950s and was "one of the most popular female vocalists in Britain during the last half of the 20th century"...
and others. - "KryptonKrypton (comics)Krypton is a fictional planet in the DC Comics universe, and the native world of the super-heroes Superman and, in some tellings, Supergirl and Krypto the Superdog. Krypton has been portrayed consistently as having been destroyed just after Superman's flight from the planet, with exact details of...
fanfare". Used as the viewer zooms in on Krypton, and again with the self-construction of the Fortress of Solitude. - "Krypton crystal" motif or the "Secondary Krypton" motif. Mysterious-sounding theme associated with the physicality of the planet Krypton, both the crystals sent by Jor-El to Earth with his son and the radioactive kryptonite which is deadly to Superman.
- "Personal" motif. A melody related to the duality of Superman and Clark Kent which musically connects the Fanfare to the Love Theme.
- "Smallville" or "Growing Up Theme". A Coplandesque, Americana melody used during the Smallville sequences which in some ways is a simpler or undeveloped version of the March's "A" theme. It bears a similarity to a theme written by John WilliamsJohn WilliamsJohn Towner Williams is an American composer, conductor, and pianist. In a career spanning almost six decades, he has composed some of the most recognizable film scores in the history of motion pictures, including the Star Wars saga, Jaws, Superman, the Indiana Jones films, E.T...
for the 1972 John WayneJohn WayneMarion Mitchell Morrison , better known by his stage name John Wayne, was an American film actor, director and producer. He epitomized rugged masculinity and became an enduring American icon. He is famous for his distinctive calm voice, walk, and height...
western "The Cowboys". - "The March of the Villains" or "Lex Luthor theme". A comedic Prokofiev-inspired march associated with the villain Lex Luthor and his henchman Otis.
Leitmotifs introduced in Superman II
Composer/arranger Ken ThorneKen Thorne
Kenneth Thorne is a British-American television and film score composer.- Early life :Thorne was born in East Dereham, a town in the English county of Norfolk. Thorne began his musical career as a pianist with the big bands of England during the 1940s, playing at night clubs and the dance halls...
was mandated to reuse the first film's themes for Superman II
Superman II
Superman II is the 1980 sequel to the 1978 superhero film Superman and stars Gene Hackman, Christopher Reeve, Terence Stamp, Ned Beatty, Sarah Douglas, Margot Kidder, and Jack O'Halloran. It was the only Superman film to be filmed by two directors...
. He based the music for the Kryptonian villains on the Williams material associated with Krypton and the Fortress of Solitude. He also added a descending three-note motif for the villains and a briefly heard ominous melody associated with General Zod.
Leitmotifs introduced in Superman III
Ken ThorneKen Thorne
Kenneth Thorne is a British-American television and film score composer.- Early life :Thorne was born in East Dereham, a town in the English county of Norfolk. Thorne began his musical career as a pianist with the big bands of England during the 1940s, playing at night clubs and the dance halls...
was given a freer hand in the scoring of Superman III
Superman III
Superman III is a 1983 superhero film and the third film in the Superman film series based upon the long-running DC Comics superhero. Christopher Reeve, Jackie Cooper, Marc McClure and Margot Kidder are joined by new cast members Annette O'Toole, Annie Ross, Pamela Stephenson, Robert Vaughn and...
in accordance with the series' change in direction and more comedic tone. His new thematic material consisted of related themes for Gus Gorman and a general theme for computers, plus an ominous "Supercomputer" theme heard in the latter part of the score. Thorne also supplied a love theme for Lana Lang and Clark Kent, based on a melody written for the film by Giorgio Moroder
Giorgio Moroder
Hansjörg "Giorgio" Moroder is an Italian record producer, songwriter and performer based in Los Angeles. When in Munich in the 1970s, he started his own record label called Oasis Records, which several years later became a subdivision of Casablanca Records...
. Lois Lane's theme is not present in the score because she only appears in the film briefly.
Leitmotifs introduced in Superman IV: The Quest for Peace
John WilliamsJohn Williams
John Towner Williams is an American composer, conductor, and pianist. In a career spanning almost six decades, he has composed some of the most recognizable film scores in the history of motion pictures, including the Star Wars saga, Jaws, Superman, the Indiana Jones films, E.T...
composed three new themes for Superman IV, attaching to three new characters.
- "Lacy's Theme," also known as "Someone Like You," is a sultry, sexy melody for the daughter of the new owner of the Daily Planet, who has eyes for Clark Kent.
- "Jeremy's Theme" is a light, lyrical melody for the young boy who appeals to Superman to rid the world of nuclear weapons.
- "Nuclear Man Theme" is a driving action theme used for Superman's battle with the villain created when Lex Luthor places Superman's genetic material on a nuclear warhead detonated by the sun.
Alexander Courage
Alexander Courage
Alexander "Sandy" Mair Courage Jr. was an American orchestrator, arranger, and composer of music, primarily for television and film.-Biography:...
adapted Williams' themes for the film, integrating the three new ones with all of the existing themes from the first film. He also supplied two new themes of his own: a "missile" motif for when nuclear arms are shown or discussed, and a "Russian" motif, a minor mode march used when Soviets and their weapons appear.
Courage completed a 100 minute score for a version of Superman IV that ran over two hours. It had been long rumored that a version of the film previewed in Orange County, California in late June 1987 ran 134 minutes. Screenwriter Mark Rosenthal
Mark Rosenthal
Mark David Rosenthal is an American screenwriter and film director and long-time writing partner of Lawrence Konner.-Education:Mark David Rosenthal was born in Philadelphia...
recalls a version of that length on his DVD commentary for the film, but existing documentation suggests that the film was actually 10 minutes shorter than that when previewed. In any event, as a result of negative audience response to the preview, the picture was cut down to a length of 89 minutes for U.S. release. At the urging of visual effects supervisor Harrison Ellenshaw, two action scenes were reinstated for the international version, which ran 92 minutes and was later shown on U.S. television. As a result of this cutting of running time, much of the music was not heard and "Jeremy's Theme" in particular was virtually undetectable in the final version. No music from the film was released for over twenty years until Film Score Monthly issued an 8-CD box set called Superman: The Music (1978-1988) which presents the complete score to Superman IV.
Leitmotifs introduced in Superman Returns
Three new themes were composed for the 2006 film (which loosely followed the continuity of the first two Reeve films): a personal theme for Superman, a motif for Lois and her son, and a darker theme for Lex Luthor. Composer John OttmanJohn Ottman
John Ottman is an American film editor, composer and director.He is best known for his collaborations with film director Bryan Singer, acting as film editor and composing the scores for The Usual Suspects, Apt Pupil, X2: X-Men United, Superman Returns and most recently...
also incorporated several themes from the first film, such as "Superman March", Lois Lane's love theme ("Can You Read My Mind
Can You Read My Mind
"Can You Read My Mind" is the love theme from the 1978 feature film Superman, with music by John Williams and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse.The music is a theme for Lois Lane, whose role in the film was performed by Margot Kidder...
"), "Smallville" theme, and the "Krypton" theme. A reprise of "The Fortress of Solitude" from the original 1978 soundtrack is heard at the end of the airplane rescue sequence as Superman is re-introduced to the public after Lois Lane sees him for the first time.
Diegetic (source) music
This refers to music which originates within the narrative of a film, i.e. the characters in the story are aware of the music.Superman:
A selection of existing songs were featured in Superman, not included on any version of the soundtrack albums, but readily available elsewhere:
- "Rock Around the ClockRock Around the Clock"Rock Around the Clock" is a 12-bar-blues-based song written by Max C. Freedman and James E. Myers in 1952. The best-known and most successful rendition was recorded by Bill Haley and His Comets in 1954...
", by Bill Haley & His CometsBill Haley & His CometsBill Haley & His Comets was an American rock and roll band that was founded in 1952 and continued until Haley's death in 1981. The band, also known by the names Bill Haley and The Comets and Bill Haley's Comets , was the earliest group of white musicians to bring rock and roll to the attention of...
, was playing on the radio of the "WoodieWoodieA woodie is a car body style, especially a station wagon, where the rear bodywork is constructed of wood framework with infill panels of wood or painted metal....
" being driven by some of Clark Kent's high school classmates. The song seems out of context, as it was presumably 1964 at that point in the narrative, yet this song debuted in 1955. (It is later established that Kal-El's ship crashed in 1951, and in Superman III it is established that Clark graduates high school in 1965.) However, coincidentally (or not) the song introduces Glenn FordGlenn FordGlenn Ford was a Canadian-born American actor from Hollywood's Golden Era with a career that spanned seven decades...
's final scene in the film. Ford starred in the 1955 film Blackboard JungleBlackboard JungleBlackboard Jungle is a 1955 social commentary film about teachers in an inner-city school. It is based on the novel of the same name by Evan Hunter.-Plot:...
, in which that song was prominently featured. Incidentally, this song was not used in the television versions of the film, which instead used an original John WilliamsJohn WilliamsJohn Towner Williams is an American composer, conductor, and pianist. In a career spanning almost six decades, he has composed some of the most recognizable film scores in the history of motion pictures, including the Star Wars saga, Jaws, Superman, the Indiana Jones films, E.T...
source cue composed and recorded for the film, called "Kansas Kids". - "Only YouOnly You (And You Alone)"Only You " is a pop song composed by Buck Ram. It was recorded most successfully by The Platters, with lead vocals by Tony Williams, in 1955....
", by The PlattersThe PlattersThe Platters were a vocal group of the early rock and roll era. Their distinctive sound was a bridge between the pre-rock Tin Pan Alley tradition and the burgeoning new genre...
, is playing on the teenage Clark's bedside radio when he is awakened by the sound that leads him to the discovery of his spacecraft beneath the barn. This song was also not heard in the television cuts, which instead used only radio static. - Ten seconds of SupertrampSupertrampSupertramp are a British rock band formed in 1969 under the name Daddy before renaming to Supertramp in early 1970. Though their music was initially categorised as progressive rock, they have since incorporated a combination of traditional rock and art rock into their music...
's 1977 song, "Give a Little Bit" from the album Even in the Quietest MomentsEven in the Quietest MomentsEven in the Quietest Moments... is the fifth album by progressive rock band Supertramp, released in April 1977.The album was recorded mainly at Caribou Ranch Studios in Colorado with overdubs, vocals and mixing completed at The Record Plant in Los Angeles and was Supertramp's first album to use...
, were heard on Lois Lane's car radio just prior to the climactic earthquake scene. The song was a then-recent hit. Its appearance in the film seems to be for no obvious thematic reason, though there could be a subtle message or two: The group having "Super" in its name; and the words heard on-screen, "Give a little bit... [I'll] give a little bit of my life for you."
Source music written for the film: A Hawaiian-themed cue called "Luthor's Luau," heard in the background in Lex Luthor's secret hideaway the day after Superman's debut around the city was composed by John Williams
John Williams
John Towner Williams is an American composer, conductor, and pianist. In a career spanning almost six decades, he has composed some of the most recognizable film scores in the history of motion pictures, including the Star Wars saga, Jaws, Superman, the Indiana Jones films, E.T...
, who also wrote additional pieces of source music that were not used in the film. In some cases these were replaced by the existing songs listed above. However, some of Williams' versions were used in the extended television broadcast versions of the film in place of these.
Superman II:
- "Pick up the Pieces", by Average White Band, can be heard in the East Houston sequence. This replaced a piece called "East Houston Café" composed by Ken ThorneKen ThorneKenneth Thorne is a British-American television and film score composer.- Early life :Thorne was born in East Dereham, a town in the English county of Norfolk. Thorne began his musical career as a pianist with the big bands of England during the 1940s, playing at night clubs and the dance halls...
, which was not used. Thorne had been asked by director Richard LesterRichard LesterRichard Lester is an American film director based in Britain. Lester is notable for his work with The Beatles in the 1960s and his work on the Superman film series in the 1980s.-Early years and television:...
to write a "sound-alike" version of "Pick Up the Pieces," but this was used for the scene in Don's Diner at the end of the film. Thorne wrote a few other pieces for various radios as well as "Honeymoon Hotel," a piece played as Clark Kent and Lois Lane are shown around a tacky hotel suite at Niagara Falls.
Superman III:
- "Roll Over BeethovenRoll Over Beethoven"Roll Over Beethoven" is a 1956 hit single by Chuck Berry originally released on Chess Records, with "Drifting Heart" as the B-side. The lyrics of the song mention rock and roll and the desire for rhythm and blues to replace classical music...
," the Chuck BerryChuck BerryCharles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter, and one of the pioneers of rock and roll music. With songs such as "Maybellene" , "Roll Over Beethoven" , "Rock and Roll Music" and "Johnny B...
hit as performed by The BeatlesThe BeatlesThe Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
, and "Earth AngelEarth Angel"Earth Angel " is an American doo-wop song, originally released by The Penguins in 1954 on the Dootone label , as the B-side to "Hey Señorita." The song became a major hit for The Crew-Cuts in 1955, reaching the Billboard charts on January 29, 1955. It peaked at #3 on the Disk Jockey chart, #8 on...
" by The PenguinsThe PenguinsThe Penguins were an American doo-wop group of the 1950s and early 1960s, best remembered for their only Top 40 hit, "Earth Angel ", which was one of the first rhythm and blues hits to cross over to the pop charts...
can be heard at Clark Kent's high school reunion. The use of a Beatles song was something of an in-joke referencing the films A Hard Day's NightA Hard Day's Night (film)A Hard Day's Night is a 1964 British black-and-white comedy film directed by Richard Lester and starring The Beatles—John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr—during the height of Beatlemania. It was written by Alun Owen and originally released by United Artists...
and HelpHelp! (film)Help! is a 1965 film directed by Richard Lester, starring The Beatles—John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr—and featuring Leo McKern, Eleanor Bron, Victor Spinetti, John Bluthal, Roy Kinnear and Patrick Cargill. Help! was the second feature film made by the Beatles and is a...
, both helmed by Superman IIISuperman IIISuperman III is a 1983 superhero film and the third film in the Superman film series based upon the long-running DC Comics superhero. Christopher Reeve, Jackie Cooper, Marc McClure and Margot Kidder are joined by new cast members Annette O'Toole, Annie Ross, Pamela Stephenson, Robert Vaughn and...
director Richard LesterRichard LesterRichard Lester is an American film director based in Britain. Lester is notable for his work with The Beatles in the 1960s and his work on the Superman film series in the 1980s.-Early years and television:...
. Giorgio MoroderGiorgio MoroderHansjörg "Giorgio" Moroder is an Italian record producer, songwriter and performer based in Los Angeles. When in Munich in the 1970s, he started his own record label called Oasis Records, which several years later became a subdivision of Casablanca Records...
was also commissioned to write several original songs for Superman IIISuperman IIISuperman III is a 1983 superhero film and the third film in the Superman film series based upon the long-running DC Comics superhero. Christopher Reeve, Jackie Cooper, Marc McClure and Margot Kidder are joined by new cast members Annette O'Toole, Annie Ross, Pamela Stephenson, Robert Vaughn and...
, some of which can be heard as source music in various scenes.
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace:
- "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" by Jerry Lee LewisJerry Lee LewisJerry Lee Lewis is an American rock and roll and country music singer-songwriter and pianist. An early pioneer of rock and roll music, Lewis's career faltered after he married his young cousin, and he afterwards made a career extension to country and western music. He is known by the nickname 'The...
can be heard in Lenny Luthor's car when he's about to release his uncle, Lex Luthor, from prison. Paul Fishman, head of the 80s rock group Re-FlexRe-FlexRe-Flex were a British New Wave/synthpop band active from 1981 to 1985. They are most often recognized for their hit, "The Politics of Dancing", the title track from their debut LP, as well as the singles "Hurt", "Hitline", "Couldn't Stand A Day", "Praying to the Beat", and...
, was commissioned to write original songs for the film, but only one of these, "Workout," was used in the released version of the film, when Clark and Lacy are seen at the Metropolis Fitness Center. Some of Fishman's other songs were intended for a deleted Metro Club discothèque sequence.
Concert suites
These are regularly performed in symphony and pops concerts, including those by composer John WilliamsJohn Williams
John Towner Williams is an American composer, conductor, and pianist. In a career spanning almost six decades, he has composed some of the most recognizable film scores in the history of motion pictures, including the Star Wars saga, Jaws, Superman, the Indiana Jones films, E.T...
, and have also been featured in re-recordings for various CD compilations.
- "The March of the Villains" (Superman).
- "Love Theme from Superman" (Superman).
- "Theme from Superman" (Superman). This suite includes "Superman Fanfare", "Superman March" and the "Love Theme".
Superman
The score for Superman, composed and conducted by John WilliamsJohn Williams
John Towner Williams is an American composer, conductor, and pianist. In a career spanning almost six decades, he has composed some of the most recognizable film scores in the history of motion pictures, including the Star Wars saga, Jaws, Superman, the Indiana Jones films, E.T...
, was performed by the London Symphony Orchestra
London Symphony Orchestra
The London Symphony Orchestra is a major orchestra of the United Kingdom, as well as one of the best-known orchestras in the world. Since 1982, the LSO has been based in London's Barbican Centre.-History:...
, with John Georgiadis as concertmaster. Recording took place on July 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, September 9, 10, 11, October 6 (Irvine Arditti, concertmaster), 15, 24, 31 (Richard Studt, concertmaster), and November 4, 1978 at the Anvil Studios in Denham, Bucks, England. Source music was recorded on July 17. The recording engineer was Eric Tomlinson, assisted by Alan Snelling. Orchestrations were by Herbert Spencer, Arthur Morton, Angela Morley
Angela Morley
Angela Morley was an English composer and conductor. Morley was born in Leeds, Yorkshire in 1924, and played saxophone in a number of dance bands, and in 1944 became a member of Geraldo's band....
and John Williams
John Williams
John Towner Williams is an American composer, conductor, and pianist. In a career spanning almost six decades, he has composed some of the most recognizable film scores in the history of motion pictures, including the Star Wars saga, Jaws, Superman, the Indiana Jones films, E.T...
. The music editor was Bob Hathaway, assisted by Ken Ross.
Superman II
The score was composed, conducted and orchestrated by Ken ThorneKen Thorne
Kenneth Thorne is a British-American television and film score composer.- Early life :Thorne was born in East Dereham, a town in the English county of Norfolk. Thorne began his musical career as a pianist with the big bands of England during the 1940s, playing at night clubs and the dance halls...
(from original material composed by John Williams
John Williams
John Towner Williams is an American composer, conductor, and pianist. In a career spanning almost six decades, he has composed some of the most recognizable film scores in the history of motion pictures, including the Star Wars saga, Jaws, Superman, the Indiana Jones films, E.T...
). Recorded took place on March 25, 26, 27, 29, April 17, 18, 25, and May 2, 1980 at CTS Studios (The Music Centre) in Wembley, Middlesex, England. The recording engineer was John Richards, assisted by Tim Pennington and James Abramson, and the music editor was Bob Hathaway.
Superman III
The score was composed, conducted and orchestrated by Ken ThorneKen Thorne
Kenneth Thorne is a British-American television and film score composer.- Early life :Thorne was born in East Dereham, a town in the English county of Norfolk. Thorne began his musical career as a pianist with the big bands of England during the 1940s, playing at night clubs and the dance halls...
(with original Superman themes by John Williams
John Williams
John Towner Williams is an American composer, conductor, and pianist. In a career spanning almost six decades, he has composed some of the most recognizable film scores in the history of motion pictures, including the Star Wars saga, Jaws, Superman, the Indiana Jones films, E.T...
). Recording took place on February 14, 15, 16, March 7, 8, 9 and 18, 1983 at CTS Studios (The Music Centre) in Wembley, Middlesex, England. The recording engineer was John Richards. The music editor was Bob Hathaway.
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace
The score was adapted and conducted by Alexander CourageAlexander Courage
Alexander "Sandy" Mair Courage Jr. was an American orchestrator, arranger, and composer of music, primarily for television and film.-Biography:...
(from music by John Williams
John Williams
John Towner Williams is an American composer, conductor, and pianist. In a career spanning almost six decades, he has composed some of the most recognizable film scores in the history of motion pictures, including the Star Wars saga, Jaws, Superman, the Indiana Jones films, E.T...
). Recording took place from May 11–18, 1987 at the Bavaria Studios in Munich, Germany, performed by Symphony-Orchestra Graunke. Recording engineer was Peter Kramper. Additional recording took place May 23-June 2, 1987 at CTS Studios (The Music Centre) in Wembley, Middlesex, England, performed by the National Philharmonic Orchestra
National Philharmonic Orchestra
The National Philharmonic Orchestra was a British orchestra created exclusively for recording purposes. It was founded by RCA producer Charles Gerhardt and orchestra leader / contractor Sidney Sax due in part to the requirements of the Reader's Digest-History:...
. Recording engineer was Dick Lewzey, assisted by Steve Price and Jonathan Ruttley. Orchestrations were by Frank Barber and Harry Roberts, and the music editor was Bob Hathaway. Jack Fishman was musical advisor. Songs by Paul Fishman were recorded in September 1986 in Hampstead, London, England.
Side 1
- "Theme from Superman (Main Title)" (4:24)
- "The Planet Krypton" (4:45)
- "Destruction of Krypton" (5:58)
- "The Trip to Earth" (2:23)
- "Growing Up" (2:34)
Side 2
- "Love Theme from Superman" (5:00)
- "Leaving Home" (4:48)
- "The Fortress of Solitude" (8:29)
Side 3
- "The Flying Sequence/Can You Read My Mind" (recitative vocal by Margot KidderMargot KidderMargaret Ruth "Margot" Kidder is a Canadian-born American actress. She is perhaps best known for playing Lois Lane in the four Superman movies opposite Christopher Reeve, a role that brought her to widespread recognition....
) (8:10) - "Super Rescues" (3:24)
- "Lex Luthor's Lair" (2:52)
- "Superfeats" (5:00)
Side 4
- "The March of the Villains" (3:33)
- "Chasing Rockets" (7:33)
- "Turning Back the World" (2:01)
- "End Title" (6:24)
Total Time: 79:21
This album was released on CD in 1989 and is still in print, but it is missing the tracks "Growing Up" and "Lex Luthor's Lair". The Japanese issue, which was released in 1990, presents the full program, but is out of print and rare.
Varèse Sarabande Re-recording
- 1998: 2-CD set from Varèse Sarabande RecordsVarèse SarabandeVarèse Sarabande is an American record label, distributed by Universal Music Group, which specializes in film scores and original cast recordings. It aims to reissue rare or unavailable albums as well as newer releases by artists no longer under a contract...
This release is a re-recording of the score by John Debney
John Debney
John C. Debney is an American film composer. He received an Academy Award nomination for his score for Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ...
and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Royal Scottish National Orchestra
The Royal Scottish National Orchestra is Scotland's national symphony orchestra. Based in Glasgow, the 89-member professional orchestra also regularly performs in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee, and abroad. Formed in 1891 as the Scottish Orchestra, the company has performed full-time since 1950,...
including the first release of additional music from the film in any form. As detailed in the liner notes, the project was hampered when it was discovered that the existing scores and parts for the Superman: The Movie score had been lost. When extensive efforts to locate them failed, a team of orchestrators reconstructed the music from John William's 8-12 stave composer sketches—thus there are subtle differences which may be noted in a number of the cues when compared to their original counterparts.
The tempi of the cues in this re-recording are generally rather slower than in the original recording—possibly because the recording was made in the highly resonant acoustic of Glasgow City Hall.
Disc 1
- "Prologue & Main Title" (5:31)
- "The Planet Krypton" (4:35)
- "The Destruction of Krypton" (5:27)
- "Trip to Earth" (2:38)
- "Growing Up" (2:05)
- "Jonathan's Death" (4:09)
- "Leaving Home" (4:46)
- "The Fortress of Solitude" (8:22)
Disc 2
- "Helicopter Rescue" (6:16)
- "The Penthouse" (1:50)
- "The Flying Sequence" (4:16)
- "The Truck Convoy" (1:54)
- "To The Lair" (2:18)
- "March of the Villains" (3:56)
- "Chasing Rockets" (5:12)
- "Pushing Boulders" (2:24)
- "Flying to Lois" (2:58)
- "Turning Back the World" (2:01)
- "The Prison Yard and End Title" (6:27)
- "Love Theme from Superman" (5:01)
Expanded release
- February 15, 2000: 2-CD set from RhinoRhino EntertainmentRhino Entertainment Company is an American specialty record label and production company. It is owned by Warner Music Group.-History:Rhino was originally a novelty song and reissue company during the 1970s and 1980s, releasing compilation albums of pop, rock & roll, and rhythm & blues successes...
This release combines the master for the original album with what were believed at the time to be the only surviving elements to reconstruct the full length of the original Williams recording. This release went out of print in 2005, but may still be available online through many internet music services.
Disc 1
- "Prelude and Main Title March" (5:29)
- "The Planet Krypton" (6:39)
- "Destruction of Krypton" (7:52)
- "Star Ship Escapes" (2:21)
- "The Trip to Earth" (2:28)
- "Growing Up" (2:34)
- "Death of Jonathan Kent" (3:27)
- "Leaving Home" (4:49)
- "The Fortress of Solitude" (9:17)
- "Welcome to Metropolis" (2:11)
- "Lex Luthor's Lair" (4:48)
- "The Big Rescue" (5:55)
- "Super Crime Fighter" (3:20)
- "Super Rescues" (2:14)
- "Luthor's Luau" (source music) (2:48)
- "The Planet Krypton" (alternate) (4:24)
- "Main Title March" (alternate) (4:38)
Total Time: 75:18
Disc 2
- ""Superman" March" (alternate) (3:48)
- "The March of the Villains" (3:36)
- "The Terrace" (1:36)
- "The Flying Sequence" (8:12)
- "Lois and Clark" (0:50)
- "Crime of the Century" (3:24)
- "Sonic Greeting" (2:21)
- "Misguided Missiles and Kryptonite" (3:26)
- "Chasing Rockets" (4:56)
- "Super Feats" (4:53)
- "Super Dam and Finding Lois" (5:11)
- "Turning Back the World" (2:06)
- "Finale and End Title March" (5:42)
- "Love Theme from Superman" (5:06)
- "Can You Read My Mind" (Alternate) (performed in recitation by Margot KidderMargot KidderMargaret Ruth "Margot" Kidder is a Canadian-born American actress. She is perhaps best known for playing Lois Lane in the four Superman movies opposite Christopher Reeve, a role that brought her to widespread recognition....
) (2:56) - "The Flying Sequence/Can You Read My Mind" (album version) (performed in recitation by Margot KidderMargot KidderMargaret Ruth "Margot" Kidder is a Canadian-born American actress. She is perhaps best known for playing Lois Lane in the four Superman movies opposite Christopher Reeve, a role that brought her to widespread recognition....
) (8:12) - "Can You Read My Mind" (alternate: Instrumental) (2:56)
- "Theme from Superman" (concert version) (4:24)
Total Time: 73:38
Restored complete score release
- February 29, 2008: part of Superman: The Music (1978-1988) 8-CD set from Film Score Monthly.
This release restores the complete score from newly-discovered high quality original masters and includes previously unreleased material. Discs 1 and 2 of this 8 disc set present music from the film. Additional material is presented on disc 8.
Disc 1
- "Theme From Superman" (4:23)
- "Prelude and Main Title" (5:02)
- "The Planet Krypton" (6:36)
- "Destruction of Krypton" (7:53)
- "The Kryptonquake" (2:24)
- "The Trip to Earth" (2:30)
- "Growing Up" (2:32)
- "Jonathan's Death" (3:23)
- "Leaving Home" (4:48)
- "The Fortress of Solitude" (9:18)
- "The Mugger" (2:07)
- "Lex Luthor's Lair" (4:48)
- "Helicopter Sequence" (5:55)
- "The Burglar Sequence/Chasing Crooks" (3:18)
- "Super Rescues" (2:16)
- "The Penthouse" (1:31)
- "The Flying Sequence" (8:10)
- "Clark Loses His Nerve" (0:46)
Total Time: 78:36
Disc 2
- "The March of the Villains" (3:35)
- "The Truck Convoy/Miss Teschmacher Helps" (3:24)
- "To the Lair" (2:18)
- "Trajectory Malfunction/Luthor’s Lethal Weapon" (3:24)
- "Chasing Rockets" (4:57)
- "Superfeats" (4:54)
- "Pushing Boulders/Flying to Lois" (5:21)
- "Turning Back the World" (2:03)
- "The Prison Yard/End Title" (6:37)
- "Love Theme From Superman" (4:58)
- "Prelude and Main Title" (original version) (3:46)
- "The Planet Krypton" (alternate) (3:16)
- "The Dome Opens" (alternate) (2:30)
- "The Mugger" (alternate) (1:24)
- "I Can Fly" (Flying Sequence segment) (2:01)
- "Can You Read My Mind" (film version) (3:02)
- "Trajectory Malfunction" (alternate) (1:01)
- "Turning Back the World" (alternate) (2:16)
- "The Prison Yard/End Title" (film version) (5:44)
Total Time: 67:27
Disc 8
- "Prelude and Main Title" (film version) (5:19)
- "The Flying Sequence" (album version) (8:11)
- "Can You Read My Mind" (original version) (2:51)
- "Can You Read My Mind" (non-vocal version) (3:02)
- "Kansas High School" (source) (1:56)
- "Kansas Kids" (source) (1:49)
- "Lois Car Radio" (source) (2:02)
- "Luthor’s Luau" (source) (2:43)
Total Time: 28:13
WB Records Track Listing
Side A
- "Preface" (1:04)
- "Main Title March" (5:32)
- "Lift Into Space - Release Of The Villains" (1:38)
- "Lex Escapes" (2:09)
- "Honeymoon Hotel" (3:16)
- "Lex & Miss Teschmacher To Fortress" (2:07)
- "Clark Exposed As Superman" (3:17)
- "Lover Fly North" (0:52)
Side B
- "Mother's Advice" (1:56)
- "TV. President Resigns - Clark To Fortress" (2:48)
- "Aerial Battle - Superman Save Spire" (2:51)
- "Sad Return" (1:43)
- "Ursa Flies Over The Moon" (2:28)
- "Clark Fumbles Rescue" (2:11)
- "End Title March" (4:16)
Total Time: 38:08
This album and the original album for Superman III
Superman III
Superman III is a 1983 superhero film and the third film in the Superman film series based upon the long-running DC Comics superhero. Christopher Reeve, Jackie Cooper, Marc McClure and Margot Kidder are joined by new cast members Annette O'Toole, Annie Ross, Pamela Stephenson, Robert Vaughn and...
were combined for an out-of-print Japanese CD release.
Restored complete score release
- February 29, 2008: part of Superman: The Music (1978-1988) 8-CD set from Film Score Monthly.
This release restores the complete score, which is presented on disc 3 of the 8 disc set, with additional music presented on disc 8.
Disc 3
- "Preface/Villains in Zone/ Main Title March" (8:18)
- "Superman to Paris/ Lois Climbs Tower" (2:47)
- "Walkie-Talkies/Gelignite Bangs/ Superman Saves Lift" (2:08)
- "Lift Into Space—Releasing the Villains" (1:32)
- "Orange Juice/Prison Intro/ My Little Black Box" (1:48)
- "Ursa Flies Over Moon/Spacecraft Wrecked/Moon to Earth" (4:04)
- "Lex Escapes" (2:03)
- "Sleeping Arrangements/Relaxing at Niagara/Looks Familiar/Superman Saves Boy" (3:31)
- "Lex and Miss Teschmacher to Fortress/Lex Plans Partnership" (2:35)
- "Suspecting Lois Takes the Plunge/ Clark Fumbles Rescue/Villains Land by Lake" (3:33)
- "Clark Exposed as Superman" (3:11)
- "Sheriff and Duane Meet Villains/ Lovers Fly North" (2:21)
- "Daddy’s Rise and Fall/Flight for Flowers/East Houston Battle" (3:03)
- "Lovers at Dinner Table/ Zod Meets General" (1:35)
- "Mother’s Advice" (1:49)
- "To Bed—Mount Rushmore— Sweet Dreams" (1:32)
- "President Kneels Before Zod" (1:53)
- "Fight in Diner" (1:04)
- "TV President Resigns— Clark to Fortress" (2:42)
- "Return of the Green Crystal/Bored Zod" (2:16)
- "Non Wrecks Office" (1:27)
- "Aerial Battle/Zod Throws Slab/ Superman Saves Spire" (4:49)
- "Superman Saves Petrol Tanker/ Superman Fights Zod/Superman Flies Off" (4:29)
- "Villains Take Lex and Lois to Fortress/School Games" (3:11)
- "Superman Pulls Big Switch/Superman Triumphs Over Villains" (1:56)
- "Sad Return" (1:38)
- "Lois Forgets" (1:46)
- "Happy Lois Back to Normal/ Superman Replaces Stars and Stripes/End Title March" (5:34)
Total Time: 79:46
Disc 8
- "Honeymoon Hotel" (3:11)
- "Country & Western" (2:07)
- "East Houston Café" (2:13)
- "Car Radio for Ride Back" (0:56)
- "Diner Jukebox #1" (2:14)
- "Diner Jukebox #2" (2:16)
Total Time: 13:17
WB Records Track Listing
Side A
- "Main Title" (5:23)
- "Saving The Factory - The Acid Test" (6:09)
- "Gus Finds A Way" (0:59)
- "The Two Faces Of Superman" (2:50)
- "The Struggle Within - Finale" (4:16)
Side B
- "Rock On - Marshall Crenshaw" (3:35)
- "No See, No Cry - Chaka Khan" (3:18)
- "They Won't Get Me - Roger Miller" (3:20)
- "Love Theme - Helen St. John" (3:14)
- "Main Title March" (4:20)
Total Time: 37:24
Superman III
Superman III
Superman III is a 1983 superhero film and the third film in the Superman film series based upon the long-running DC Comics superhero. Christopher Reeve, Jackie Cooper, Marc McClure and Margot Kidder are joined by new cast members Annette O'Toole, Annie Ross, Pamela Stephenson, Robert Vaughn and...
was the first of the films to have a score and song soundtrack combined on the same release, a common trend in the mid 1980s. Side A presented 19 minutes of Ken Thorne
Ken Thorne
Kenneth Thorne is a British-American television and film score composer.- Early life :Thorne was born in East Dereham, a town in the English county of Norfolk. Thorne began his musical career as a pianist with the big bands of England during the 1940s, playing at night clubs and the dance halls...
's score, while Side B contained music composed and produced by pop mogul Giorgio Moroder
Giorgio Moroder
Hansjörg "Giorgio" Moroder is an Italian record producer, songwriter and performer based in Los Angeles. When in Munich in the 1970s, he started his own record label called Oasis Records, which several years later became a subdivision of Casablanca Records...
. These included three sung versions (with lyrics by Keith Forsey
Keith Forsey
Keith Forsey is an English soundtrack composer, drummer, songwriter and record producer.-Biography:Forsey's first recordings were as the younger member of the group The Spectrum, better known for the end title theme for Gerry Anderson's Captain Scarlet, but hit makers across Europe in their own...
) of songs heard as source music in the film, plus Moroder's love theme for Clark Kent and Lana Lang (used by Thorne as the basis for his own theme), and ending with a completely synthesized version of the Superman II
Superman II
Superman II is the 1980 sequel to the 1978 superhero film Superman and stars Gene Hackman, Christopher Reeve, Terence Stamp, Ned Beatty, Sarah Douglas, Margot Kidder, and Jack O'Halloran. It was the only Superman film to be filmed by two directors...
main title march.
This album and the original album for Superman II
Superman II
Superman II is the 1980 sequel to the 1978 superhero film Superman and stars Gene Hackman, Christopher Reeve, Terence Stamp, Ned Beatty, Sarah Douglas, Margot Kidder, and Jack O'Halloran. It was the only Superman film to be filmed by two directors...
were combined for an out-of-print Japanese CD release.
Restored complete score release
- February 29, 2008: part of Superman: The Music (1978-1988) 8-CD set from Film Score Monthly.
This release restores the complete score, which is presented on disc 4 of the 8 disc set, with additional music presented on disc 8.
Disc 4
- "Main Title (The Streets of Metropolis)" (5:27)
- "Gus on Computer After the Cents" (1:06)
- "Saving the Factory—The Acid Test" (6:11)
- "Pay Day for Gus/School Gym—Earth Angel/Vulcan" (1:37)
- "Lana and Clark in Cornfield/Clark Rescues Ricky" (2:27)
- "Gus Shows the Booze/Gus Finds a Way" (1:20)
- "Montage" (3:10)
- "Colombian Storm" (1:30)
- "Kryptonite/Gus Down Building/Searching for Kryptonite" (2:16)
- "Lana and Clark on Telephone/Kryptonite Sting/Superman Affected by Kryptonite/Superman Too Late" (1:48)
- "Tower of Pisa/What Will It Do for Me" (1:58)
- "Superman and Lorelei on Statue/Superman Ruins Tanker" (2:19)
- "Boxes in Canyon/Drunken Superman" (3:22)
- "The Two Faces of Superman" (2:52)
- "The Struggle Within" (2:27)
- "The Final Victory" (2:15)
- "Preparing Balloons/Superman Coming/Computer" (3:02)
- "Rockets/Video Games/Big Missile" (3:11)
- "Superman Confronts Ross/Computer Takes Over/ Gus Fights Ross" (2:13)
- "The Computer Comes Alive/Superman Leaves Computer Cave" (2:32)
- "Metal Vera/Computer Blows Up" (2:55)
- "Gus Flying With Superman" (1:19)
- "Diamond Sting/Thank You Superman/Superman Gus/Clark Gives Lana Diamond Ring" (1:40)
- "End Credits" (4:28)
Total Time: 64:18
Score outtakes
- "Main Title (The Streets of Metropolis)" (alternate) (5:26)
- "Pay Day for Gus" (alternate) (0:40)
- "Colombian Storm Part 1" (1:05)
- "Olympic Parade" (0:25)
- "Après Ski" (1:04)
Total Time: 8:57
Yes, Giorgio: Songs
- "Rock On" - Marshall Crenshaw (3:35)
- "No See, No Cry" - Chaka Khan (3:18)
- "They Won't Get Me" - Roger Miller (3:20)
- "Love Theme" - Helen St. John (3:14)
- "Main Title March" (4:20)
Total Time: 18:00
Adventures of Superman: The Original 1950s TV Series
Released by Varèse SarabandeVarèse Sarabande
Varèse Sarabande is an American record label, distributed by Universal Music Group, which specializes in film scores and original cast recordings. It aims to reissue rare or unavailable albums as well as newer releases by artists no longer under a contract...
in 2000.
- "Main Title"
- "The Slap"
- "Violin Scream"
- "Brawl"
- "Tympani Beat Tension"
- "Delirium"
- "Build to Sting"
- "The Skeleton"
- "Last Reel Fight"
- "Creeping Misterioso"
- "Murder Will Out"
- "Spectral Thumps"
- "Mounting Drama"
- "The Fight"
- "Hit and Run!"
- "A Nightmare"
- "Quiet Tension"
- "Spreading Misterioso"
- "Blood And Thunder / Just In Time"
- "Beating Heart"
- "The Battle"
- "Brutal Regiment I"
- "Moleska's Plight II"
- "Tender Secret III"
- "Cue For String Orchestra IV"
- "Tragic Tension V"
- "June Waltz"
- "La Tengo"
- "Smallville Pastorale I"
- "Years Go by II"
- "He Was a Good Father III"
- "Mother's Farewell, A IV"
- "Shadows on the Wall"
- "Revenge!"
- "Superman End" - (long version)
- (Untitled) - (hidden track)
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace
- Complete score release, February 29, 2008: part of Superman: The Music (1978-1988) 8-CD set from Film Score Monthly.
Although an album release for Superman IV was produced in 1987, it was aborted when the film was shortened shortly before release. As with Superman III
Superman III
Superman III is a 1983 superhero film and the third film in the Superman film series based upon the long-running DC Comics superhero. Christopher Reeve, Jackie Cooper, Marc McClure and Margot Kidder are joined by new cast members Annette O'Toole, Annie Ross, Pamela Stephenson, Robert Vaughn and...
, it was to contain several songs (by Paul Fishman of Re-Flex
Re-Flex
Re-Flex were a British New Wave/synthpop band active from 1981 to 1985. They are most often recognized for their hit, "The Politics of Dancing", the title track from their debut LP, as well as the singles "Hurt", "Hitline", "Couldn't Stand A Day", "Praying to the Beat", and...
) and a small sampling of the score by Alexander Courage
Alexander Courage
Alexander "Sandy" Mair Courage Jr. was an American orchestrator, arranger, and composer of music, primarily for television and film.-Biography:...
(adapting John Williams
John Williams
John Towner Williams is an American composer, conductor, and pianist. In a career spanning almost six decades, he has composed some of the most recognizable film scores in the history of motion pictures, including the Star Wars saga, Jaws, Superman, the Indiana Jones films, E.T...
' themes). In 2008, the 8-CD box set Superman: The Music (1978-1988) premiered the entire score for Superman IV as composed for the long version of the film. Also included were all of Paul Fishman's songs created for the deleted Metro Club disco and other scenes in the film.
Disc 5
- "Fanfare/Space Saver" (1:48)
- "Main Title/Back in Time" (5:40)
- "Pow!/Good Morning" (2:45)
- "Smoke the Yokes/Nefarious" (1:04)
- "To Work/Train Stopper" (2:06)
- "Someone Like You (Lacy’s Theme)" (3:17)
- "Jeremy’s Theme" (2:13)
- "For Real/The Class" (1:43)
- "Hair Raisers" (0:59)
- "Lacy/The Visit" (2:27)
- "First Nuclear Man" (5:24)
- "Nuke 1 Fight/Ashes" (3:45)
- "Headline" (2:48)
- "Fresh Air" (4:33)
- "United Nations/Net Man" (4:42)
- "Sunstroke/Enter Nuclear Man 2" (5:25)
- "Flight to Earth/Introducing Nuclear Man 2" (3:27)
- "Lacy" (disco version) (2:13)
- "Lacy’s Place" (5:23)
- "Ear Ache/Confrontation/Tornado" (8:09)
- "Volcano" (2:18)
- "Statue of Liberty Fight" (3:44)
Total Time: 76:44
Disc 6
- "Nuclear Man Theme" (2:45)
- "Down With Flu" (3:12)
- "Two-Faced Lex/Missile Buildup" (1:39)
- "Persuader/Awakened" (3:13)
- "Abducted/Mutual Distrust" (4:43)
- "Metropolis Fight/Lift to the Moon" (3:36)
- "Moon Fight/Goodbye Nuke" (5:06)
- "Come Uppance/Lifted/Quarried/Flying With Jeremy/End Credits" (9:34)
- "Fresh Air" (album version) (4:35)
- "Someone Like You (Lacy’s Theme)" (slow version) (3:33)
- "Red Square Band" (0:52)
- "Superfly Guy" (4:11)
- "Headphone Heaven" (3:23)
- "Revolution Now" (4:26)
- "Saxy Sadie" (4:47)
- "Krypton Nights" (4:44)
- "Life’s Too Dangerous" (3:14)
- "Workout" (2:27)
- "Lois Love" (4:56)
Total Time: 75:44
Tracks 12-19 of this disc are songs and source music by Paul Fishman.
Superman: The Ultimate Collection
A 1999 Varèse SarabandeVarèse Sarabande
Varèse Sarabande is an American record label, distributed by Universal Music Group, which specializes in film scores and original cast recordings. It aims to reissue rare or unavailable albums as well as newer releases by artists no longer under a contract...
album conducted and arranged by Randy Miller based in various Superman versions for cinema, shorts and TV.
Track listing
- "The Adventures of Superman" (Adventures of Superman (TV series)Adventures of Superman (TV series)Adventures of Superman is an American television series based on comic book characters and concepts created in 1938 by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The show is the first television series to feature Superman and began filming in 1951 in California...
theme) - "Superman: The Movie" (Main theme by John Williams)
- "The Trip To Earth" (from Superman: The Movie)
- "Leaving Home" (from Superman: The Movie)
- "Superfeats" (from Superman: The Movie)
- "Love Theme" (from Superman: The Movie)
- "Superman: The Columbia Serial" (Main theme from 1948 serial with Kirk AlynKirk Alyn-External links:...
) - "It's Superman" (from musical Broadway “It's A Bird, It's A Plane, It's Superman!”)
- "Fanfare and Clark Screws Up" (from Superman II)
- "Love theme and Flying" (from Superman II)
- "Phnatasmagoria" (from musical Broadway “It's A Bird, It's A Plane, It's Superman!”)
- "Honeymoon Hotel" (form Superman II)
- "March of the Villains" (from Superman: The Movie)
- "Supergirl" (Main theme by Jerry GoldsmithJerry GoldsmithJerrald King Goldsmith was an American composer and conductor most known for his work in film and television scoring....
for Supergirl) - "The Streets of Metropolis" (from Superman III)
- "Superman - The Max Fleischer Cartoons" (Main theme for 1941 shorts)
Superman 1988's series
- Complete score release, February 29, 2008: part of Superman: The Music (1978-1988) 8-CD set from Film Score Monthly.
Disc 7
- "Main Title"
- "Drone / Blown Drone" - from "Destroy the Defendroids"
- "Talk with Lex" - from "Destroy the Defendroids"
- "Trouble in the Park / Fire Rescues" - from "Destroy the Defendroids"
- "Supe Quits / Fake Quake" - from "Destroy the Defendroids"
- "Saved From Lava / Plans" - from "Destroy the Defendroids"
- "Super Defendroid / Operation Nugget" - from "Destroy the Defendroids"
- "Droid Wars / Warning" - from "Destroy the Defendroids"
- "Superman's Family Album: The Adoption" - from "Destroy the Defendroids"
- "Main Title Alternate"
- "Alien Discovery" - from "Fugitive From Space"
- "The Suit" - from "Fugitive From Space"
- "Daily Planet Mystery Play-On / Jimmy and Chief" - from "Fugitive From Space"
- "Kyroni Encounter" - from "Fugitive From Space"
- "The Planting / Ship's Log" - from "Fugitive From Space"
- "Something's Up #2 / Bad Guy Dialogue #1" - from "Fugitive From Space"
- "Trouble in Metropolis" - from "Fugitive From Space"
- "Aliens Take Over the World" - from "Fugitive From Space"
- "Superman's Family Album: The Supermarket" - from "Fugitive From Space"
- "Superman Theme" - from "Fugitive From Space"
- "China Play-On / Nukua's Theme" - from "By the Skin of the Dragon's Teeth"
- "Saboteur" - from "By the Skin of the Dragon's Teeth"
- "Transition #3 / Bad Guy Dialogue #6 / Dragon's Treasure" - from "By the Skin of the Dragon's Teeth"
- "Prankster's Theme / Game Montage / No Baseball" - from "Triple-Play"
- "Superman's Family Album: The First Day of School" - from "Cybron Strikes"
- "Library Suite #1"
- "Library Suite #2"
- "Aliens Take Over the World" (alternate #1 -- orchestra only)
- "Library Suite #3"
- "Library Suite #4"
- "Library Suite #5"
- "Aliens Take Over the World" (alternate #2 – strings / synth only)
- "Library Suite #6"
- "Library Suite #7"
- "End Title"
Superman Returns
June 27, 2006: on CD from Warner Sunset/Rhino Records.- "Main Titles" (3:47)
- "Memories" (3:05)
- "Rough Flight" (5:11)
- "Little Secrets/Power of the Sun" (2:47)
- "Bank Job" (2:19)
- "How Could You Leave Us?" (5:47)
- "Tell Me Everything" (3:11)
- "You're Not One of Them" (2:20)
- "Not Like the Train Set" (5:10)
- "So Long Superman" (5:29)
- "The People You Care For" (3:25)
- "I Wanted You to Know" (2:54)
- "Saving the World" (3:10)
- "In The Hands of Mortals" (2:09)
- "Reprise/Fly Away" (4:17)
Total Time: 54:59