American avant-garde musician Laurie Anderson released the single O Superman in October 1981. For a single, the track has an extraordinary length of 8 minutes and 21 seconds. It was a surprise commercial success for Laurie Anderson.
Official Music Video
- Also known as: O Superman (For Massenet)
- Month of release: October 1981
- Type of music release: Single
- From album: Big Science
- Genre: Art pop, new wave, electronic
- Label: Warner Bros., Nonesuch Records
- Music video directors: Josh White
- Music art director: Perry Hoberman
- Video concept: Laurie Anderson
What music magazines wrote about 'O Superman'
The Guardian
"When O Superman became a hit, first in the UK and then elsewhere, Anderson claims to have been astonished."[1]
Pitchfork
Andy Beta wrote in a Pitchfork review about the Moses Sumney cover of O Superman:
"In 'How to Wreck a Nice Beach' (...) there is a chapter that opens with Laurie Anderson's "O Superman", one of the most peculiar songs to ever dominate the Pazz & Jop critics poll and Top of the Pops."[2]
DJ Mag
"Originally a surprise UK hit in 1982, the seminal synthpop tune was pulled from Anderson's futuristic 'Big Science' album, (...)"[3]
Los Angeles Times
In an Los Angeles Times article about the American tenor Charles Holland, regarding the musical inspiration of O Superman, one can read:
"A few years earlier, Laurie Anderson had heard him sing “O Souverain” from Massenet’s “Le Cid” that she said was the inspiration for her hit recording “O Superman.”"[4]
References
[1] Atwood, M. (2021, April 8). ‘It has never been more pertinent’ – Margaret Atwood on the chilling genius of Laurie Anderson’s Big Science. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/apr/08/margaret-atwood-laurie-anderson-big-science-o-superman-prophetic-80s-america-pertinent
[2] Beta, A. (2015, July 16). Moses Sumney: “O Superman” (Laurie Anderson cover). Pitchfork. https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/17579-moses-sumney-o-superman-laurie-anderson-cover/
[3] O'Loughlin, C. (2007, June 11). Laurie Anderson's 'O Superman' re-released!. DJMag.com. https://djmag.com/content/laurie-andersons-o-superman-re-released
[4] Folkart, B. A. (1987, November 12). Obituaries : Charles Holland; Singer Fled Bias, Found Success - Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-11-12-mn-20094-story.html