McCallum's pop music career began in 1967 at the age of 16, as the singer to a succession of Sydney bands. She began with the Jeff Bulls Jazz Band soon leaving to join the Big Apple Union, a Sydney soul band, which evolved into Dr Kandy's Third Eye, in which she shared lead vocals with Gulliver Smith, later of Company Caine. Considered to be an "underground" band, they were one of the first psychedelic bands to use strobe lighting and smoke at their gigs.[citation needed] In June 1969 she joined the 7 piece blue eyed soul band This Hallelujah Chorus, sharing lead vocals with another male vocalist, Ed Mayne. It was also during 1969 she recorded a version of The Bee Gees song "To Love Somebody" with Tully for the ABC-TV show Fusions, however this was not be released commercially until 1979 on the "Alberts Archives" compilation, compiled by Glenn A. Baker.
At the end of 1970 she joined Freshwater, a progressive band, who had achieved a certain level of notoriety with their controversial 1970 single "Satan", a song about the Sharon Tate murders. Originally sharing lead vocals with Ian Johnson, by September 1971 she was sole lead vocalist. November 1971 saw the release of her first recorded release with her lead vocals on the bands final single "I Ain't Got The Time", a track that reached the top 20 in the Sydney charts and the top 30 in Australia. After the demise of Freshwater in November 1971 she briefly joined Ray Brown's band One Ton Gypsy before going solo in early 1972, at the age of 21
Superman
Alison MacCallum Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shooting through the sky, flying to the moon.
Even going higher.
I know I'm going to have to get you.
Trying just as hard as I can.
To get my superman.
Whoa, whoa whoa, Superman.
Superman if I can, I'm gonna make you love me.
Indestructible, saving all the world from the bad guys.
Looking through the wall, he can see us all.
Using X-Ray eyes.
I know it's just a matter of time, I'm going to do the best I can.
To get my Superman.
Oh, whoa whoa, Superman.
Yes I am, I'm gonna make you love me.
Superman oh if I can, I'm gonna make you love me.
I'm going to be so happy, flying high up in the sky.
I'm gonna get my Superman.
Because everyone one knows, that we can never die.
Superman oh if I can, I'm gonna make you love me.
Superman yes I am, I'm gonna make you love me.
Superman oh what a man, I'm gonna make you love me.
The lyrics of Alison MacCallum's song Superman are about a woman's desire to win the love of Superman, the fictional superhero. The song starts with Superman entering the singer's life like a fire, flying through the sky, reaching the moon and even going higher. The singer knows she has to try her best to get her man, putting in all her efforts to capture his heart. The song portrays Superman as an indestructible hero who saves the world from bad guys and can even see through walls using his X-Ray eyes. The singer believes that she is just a matter of time away from getting her Superman and becoming happy, flying high up in the sky with him.
The song seems to be about the universal human desire to find a hero and the feeling of triumph that comes with finally winning someone's love. It is interesting to note that the song talks about Superman's X-Ray vision, which has often been a controversial aspect of the character. Moreover, the idea of Superman being a symbol of hope seems to resonate with the listener, as the song implies that everyone knows that they can never die when they have Superman by their side.
Line by Line Meaning
Superman was born and came into my life, like a fire.
My attraction to my superhero feels intense and sudden, like a blazing fire.
Shooting through the sky, flying to the moon. Even going higher.
Superman's ability to soar through the skies and beyond fills me with awe and admiration.
I know I'm going to have to get you. Trying just as hard as I can. To get my superman.
Though I realize that winning over my superhero may not be easy, I am determined to make it happen no matter what.
Whoa, whoa whoa, Superman. Yes I am, I'm gonna make you love me. Superman if I can, I'm gonna make you love me.
Reaffirming my resolve, I declare that I will stop at nothing to make Superman see me in the same way as I see him.
Indestructible, saving all the world from the bad guys. Looking through the wall, he can see us all. Using X-Ray eyes.
My admiration for my superhero is bolstered by his incredible strength, bravery, and commitment to fighting evil, along with his extraordinary superpowers.
I know it's just a matter of time, I'm going to do the best I can. To get my Superman.
Although I realize that winning over Superman could take time and effort, I remain optimistic and committed to doing everything in my power to achieve my goal.
Oh, whoa whoa, Superman. Yes I am, I'm gonna make you love me. Superman oh if I can, I'm gonna make you love me.
I reiterate my unwavering resolve to make Superman see me as more than just a fan, and vow to pursue him relentlessly.
I'm going to be so happy, flying high up in the sky. I'm gonna get my Superman. Because everyone one knows, that we can never die.
Envisioning a future with Superman by my side, I feel overjoyed and invincible, buoyed by the belief that our love will last forever.
Superman oh if I can, I'm gonna make you love me. Superman yes I am, I'm gonna make you love me. Superman oh what a man, I'm gonna make you love me.
Repeating my vow to win over Superman, I express my admiration for him once more and paint a picture of a future filled with love and adventure.
Contributed by Eliana A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@davidruss9426
Alison's vocals on this long forgotten song are like a supersonic blast from the distant past - GO SISTER GO !!!
@albo4404
We hired a great Sydney band called Freshwater with Alison MacCallum up front for our end of year school dance in 1969 !!
@musicmadinoz
this should've been a worldwide smash!
@tonimulvenna6535
I love this song
@1966human
This could be a 70's smash hit now, Aussie
@combivan4346
What a voice!
@pete6645
Great song - I have this on 7" single, on the RCA label.
@gregserray8263
I recently bought the "essentials" double CD. I came to know of Alison from 70s compilation CDs and heard 'Superman' and 'Excuse Me'. After I heard 'Excuse Me', I had to buy more music from her. I became a fan at age 65. While these were most popular, her diversity is huge from 'Love Grows Cold' to 'Organ Grinder Blues' just to mention. For me she is the female version of Paul Rodgers, every word has meaning, feeling and soul.
@frankmachin5438
Another Vanda/Young song....
@brettayres5704
Wow!