1) Carl Anders… Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one artist with this name, including:
1) Carl Anderson (born Carlton Earl Anderson on 27 February 1945; died 23 February 2004) was an American singer, film and theatre actor.
2) Carl Anderson is an American singer-songwriter based in Nashville.
1) Carl Anderson (born Carlton Earl Anderson on 27 February 1945; died 23 February 2004) was an American singer, film and theatre actor. He is probably best known for his portrayal of Judas Iscariot in the Broadway and film versions of the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.
As a recording artist, Anderson signed with Motown Records in 1972. Several of the most recognizable albums to be released in the 1970s would bear the mark of Anderson, including his work with Stevie Wonder on his double album, Songs in the Key of Life. He released albums throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
2) Carl Anderson is an American singer-songwriter based in Nashville.
Superstar
Carl Anderson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't understand
Why you let the things you did
Get so out of hand
You'd have managed better
If you'd had it planned
Now why'd you choose such a backward time
And such a strange land?
If you'd come today
You could have reached a whole nation
Israel in 4 BC
Had no mass communication
(Don't you get me wrong)
Don't you get me wrong
(Don't you get me wrong, now)
Don't you get me wrong
(Don't you get me wrong)
Don't you get me wrong
(Don't you get me wrong, now)
Don't you get me wrong
(Only want to know)
Only want to know
(Only want to know, now)
Only want to know
(Only want to know)
Only want to know
(Only want to know, now)
Only want to know
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ
Who are you? What have you sacrificed?
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ
Who are you? What have you sacrificed?
Jesus Christ
Superstar
Do you think you're what they say you are?
Jesus Christ
Superstar
Do you think you're what they say you are?
Tell me what you think
About your friends at the top
Now who do you think besides yourself
Was the pick of the crop?
Buddah was he where it's at?
Is he where you are?
Could Mohamed move a mountain
Or was that just PR?
Did you mean to die like that?
Was that a mistake or
Did you know your messy death
Would be a record breaker?
(Don't you get me wrong) Don't you get me wrong
(Don't you get me wrong, now) Don't you get me wrong
(Don't you get me wrong) Don't you get me wrong
(Don't you get me wrong, now) Don't you get me wrong
(Only want to know) Only want to know
(Only want to know, now) Only want to know
(Only want to know) Only want to know
(Only want to know, now) I only want to know
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ
Who are you? What have you sacrificed?
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ
Who are you? What have you sacrificed?
Jesus Christ
Superstar
Do you think you're what they say you are?
Jesus Christ
Superstar
Do you think you're what they say you are?
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ
Who are you? What have you sacrificed?
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ
Who are you? What have you sacrificed?
Jesus Christ
Superstar
Do you think you're what they say you are?
Jesus Christ
Superstar
Do you think you're what they say you are?
The lyrics of Carl Anderson's song Superstar are about questioning the motives and actions of Jesus Christ. The song opens with the feeling of confusion and disbelief towards Jesus and his actions. The lyrics explore the idea that Jesus could have done things differently and managed his situation better if he had planned it. The idea of time and place is also explored, specifically why Jesus chose to come to Israel in 4 BC, a backward and strange land, instead of the present day.
The lyrics continue with an exploration of other religious figures such as Buddha and Muhammad, questioning their abilities and impact. The song then asks the pivotal question, "who are you? what have you sacrificed?", questioning the identity and actions of Jesus Christ. The repetition of this question emphasizes its importance and reflects the confusion and doubt felt by the singer towards Jesus.
Overall, the song Superstar is a reflection of modern society's skepticism towards religion and religious figures. It questions the motives, actions, and impact of these figures and highlights the importance of individual critical thinking and questioning.
Line by Line Meaning
Every time I look at you
The singer is addressing Jesus.
I don't understand
The singer does not comprehend why Jesus did what he did.
Why you let the things you did
The singer is questioning Jesus' actions and decisions.
Get so out of hand
The artist thinks Jesus could have handled things better.
You'd have managed better
The artist believes Jesus could have been more successful if he was better prepared.
If you'd had it planned
The singer believes Jesus should have had a better plan for his mission.
Now why'd you choose such a backward time
The singer questions why Jesus chose to come to the world at a time when communication and travel were limited.
And such a strange land?
The artist wonders why Jesus chose to come to a place that was foreign to him.
If you'd come today
The artist believes that Jesus would have had greater success if he came at a later time in history.
You could have reached a whole nation
The artist thinks that Jesus could have had a bigger impact if he had more resources and technology available to him.
Israel in 4 BC
The singer is referring to the time and place where Jesus was born.
Had no mass communication
The artist is acknowledging that Jesus had limited means of communicating his message to the masses.
(Don't you get me wrong)
The singer is cautioning the listener to not misinterpret his words.
Only want to know
The singer is expressing curiosity and a desire for more information.
Jesus Christ
The singer is addressing Jesus.
Who are you? What have you sacrificed?
The artist is questioning Jesus' identity and the extent of his sacrifices.
Superstar
The artist is addressing Jesus as a superstar, a celebrity-like figure.
Do you think you're what they say you are?
The singer is questioning whether Jesus fits the popular image of him.
Tell me what you think
The singer is asking Jesus for his opinion.
About your friends at the top
The artist is asking Jesus about his friends who have high social status.
Now who do you think besides yourself
The artist is asking Jesus to name someone else who he thinks is important.
Was the pick of the crop?
The artist is asking Jesus to identify the best person among his peers.
Buddah was he where it's at?
The singer is asking Jesus whether Buddha was someone to be admired.
Is he where you are?
The artist is asking whether Buddha is in the same place as Jesus.
Could Mohamed move a mountain
The singer is asking whether Mohamed could do miraculous things like Jesus.
Or was that just PR?
The singer is questioning whether the stories about Mohamed's miracles were just propaganda.
Did you mean to die like that?
The singer is asking Jesus whether he had intended to die or if it was accidental.
Was that a mistake or
The artist is asking whether Jesus' death was unintentional.
Did you know your messy death
The artist is asking whether Jesus was aware of how brutal and gruesome his death would be.
Would be a record breaker?
The singer is questioning whether Jesus' death is legendary because of its barbarity.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@KentuckyLiz
Rest in peace Carl Anderson. Such a great vocalist and actor. I cherish this amazing performance of yours.
@marlongoncalvesdias502
Ele ja faleceu?
Pena.
@claires9100
@@marlongoncalvesdias502 Si.
@sherryhannah9262
@@marlongoncalvesdias502 yes he did he had cancer
@massudddecat7449
Aw GAGA Judas ? woulda been More Fun Said He was Lucifer I Thought Beginning After All Both Said were Mourning Morning Stars , One just Pointing UpsideDown : ) , not some dufuss hung himself from a Tree dedogs even lookin' like what a ...
@pinkydogbear
yes
@IamLegend256
Norman Jewison, the director, has talked about how when they were in the casting phase and were looking for the person to place Judas, they had auditioned 4 or 5 other men before Carl Anderson came along. He loved Carl's audition. He was worried though that if he cast Carl as Judas, it would be depicting white people as the Savior, and black people as the betrayers, since Ted Neely, who plays Jesus, is white. And Carl Anderson, who plays Judas, is black. So he was reluctant to cast Carl. But he ultimately came to the conclusion that he would not be able to live with himself if he did not cast Carl Anderson to play Judas because Carl gave the best audition out of everyone and was the best person to play Judas. So that it was he did. I am so glad he did, because Carl Anderson gave the best version of Judas in JCS history.
@timbowden1680
I can see that concern. The answer, truly, is just listen to the man sing. The role of Judas clearly had the best songs and the power and emotion in Carl's voice made him the right choice.
@trudynlary
He is the only Judas, played better than anyone before or after
@jolijnattema1638
Him and Tim Minchin are both my favorites