… Read Full Bio ↴The Crash Test Dummies is a Canadian rock band from Winnipeg, Manitoba.
The band is most identifiable through Brad Roberts (vocals, guitar) and his distinctive bass-baritone voice. The band members have fluctuated over the years, but its best known line-up consisted of Roberts, Ellen Reid (co-vocals, keyboards), Brad's brother Dan Roberts (bass guitar, backing vocals), Benjamin Darvill (harmonica, mandolin), and Mitch Dorge (drums, percussion). The band is best known internationally for their 1993 single "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" and best known in Canada for the 1991 single "Superman's Song".
After a multi-year hiatus, the band returned in 2015 with a tour and the new charity single "Promised Land" which was a collaboration with Marc Mysterio[1] following up his remix of "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm".
The origin of the Crash Test Dummies is tied to the history of two Winnipeg nightspots, the Spectrum Cabaret and the Blue Note Cafe, owned by Curtis Riddell.
In the mid-1980s, Riddell joined with Brad Roberts to form the decidedly less-than-serious bar band Bad Brad Roberts and the St. James Rhythm Pigs. Over time, the band evolved into the Crash Test Dummies, a name suggested by a friend of the band who was in medical school. The diagnostic mannequin, known colloquially as a crash test dummy, was known to the public already by this time. Ellen Reid and Benjamin Darvill became permanent additions. George West, the original bass player, quit and was replaced by Dan Roberts, Brad's brother. Riddell was replaced by Vince Lambert, who was fired and replaced by Mitch Dorge just before the release of The Ghosts That Haunt Me.
After signing with BMG Records in 1991, the band signed with manager Jeff Rogers (Swell).
In the summer of 2017, the full band, except Benjamin Darvill, reunited for a show in Winnipeg and Brad Roberts went on a tour of South Africa in early 2018.
In July 2018, a reunited photo of Brad Roberts, Ellen Reid, Dan Roberts, and Mitch Dorge was posted on the official Crash Test Dummies Facebook page, along with the announcement of Canadian Tour Dates for the fall.
Throughout their career, Crash Test Dummies have experimented with many different styles and genres of music. These styles include the acoustic folk rock of The Ghosts That Haunt Me, the electric alternative rock of A Worm's Life, the urban influences of Give Yourself a Hand, and the optigan-based compositions of Oooh La La!.
Crash Test Dummies recorded as a full five piece band from their debut album The Ghosts That Haunt Me until Give Yourself a Hand. At this time, the most notable instrumentation of the band's music included Brad Roberts' lead guitar, Ellen Reid's keyboards, and Benjamin Darvill's harmonica. Another notable element of Crash Test Dummies' music are the contrasting harmonies between Brad Roberts' deep lead vocals and Ellen Reid's backing vocals in the higher register.
Beginning with I Don't Care That You Don't Mind in 2001, the band's albums were recorded primarily by Brad Roberts, Ellen Reid, and a rotating roster of session musicians.
One of the biggest influences for Brad Roberts was the band XTC and Andy Partridge in particular. The band even went on to cover two of XTC's songs: "The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead" for the soundtrack to the film Dumb and Dumber, and "All You Pretty Girls" for the XTC tribute album A Testimonial Dinner.
Superman
Crash Test Dummies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He'd just come along and scoop 'em
Up under his arm like that
Quick as a cat, in the jungle
Clark Kent, now there was a real gent
He would not be caught sittin' around in no jungle scape
Dumb as an ape, doin' nothing
Savin' the world from Solomon Grundy
And sometimes I despair
The world will never see another man like him
Hey Bob, Supe had a straight job
Even though he coulda smashed through
Any bank in the United States
He had the strength but he would not
Folks said his family were all dead
Planet crumbled, but Superman he forced himself
To carry on, forget Krypton, and keep goin'
Superman never made any money
Savin' the world from Solomon Grundy
And sometimes I despair
The world will never see another man like him
Tarzan was king of the jungle
And lord over all the apes
But he could hardly string together
Four words, I Tarzan you Jane
Sometimes when Supe was stoppin' crimes
I'll bet that he was tempted to just quit
And turn his back on man
Join Tarzan in the forest
But he stayed in the city
Kept on changin' clothes
In dirty old phone booths 'til his work was through
Had nothin' to do but go on home
Superman never made any money
Savin' the world from Solomon Grundy
And sometimes I despair
The world will never see another man like him
And sometimes I despair
The world will never see another man like him
The song "Superman's Song" by Crash Test Dummies is a tribute to the comic book character Superman. The first verse compares Tarzan to Clark Kent/Superman by saying that Tarzan was not good with women while Clark Kent was a true gentleman who wouldn't waste time hanging out in the jungle. The second verse talks about how Superman never made money for his heroic acts of saving the world, but he continued on despite the destruction of his home planet Krypton and the loss of his family. The chorus "Sometimes I despair, the world will never see another man like him" highlights the fact that Superman was a one-of-a-kind hero who had his own set of challenges and struggles.
The third verse references Tarzan again, comparing his strength as king of the jungle to his lack of intelligence when it came to language. Meanwhile, Superman was stopping crimes and saving the world but was tempted to quit and join Tarzan in the forest. However, Superman chose to stay in the city and keep up the good fight, even if it meant changing in a dirty old phone booth. The chorus repeats, emphasizing that Superman was one of a kind and the world may never see another hero like him.
Line by Line Meaning
Tarzan wasn't a ladies man
He'd just come along and scoop 'em
Up under his arm like that
Quick as a cat, in the jungle
Tarzan wasn't skilled at attracting women, but he could easily pick them up and carry them off quickly in the jungle
Clark Kent, now there was a real gent
He would not be caught sittin' around in no jungle scape
Dumb as an ape, doin' nothing
Clark Kent was a gentleman who would not be content to laze about in the jungle like an unthinking ape
Superman never made any money
Savin' the world from Solomon Grundy
And sometimes I despair
The world will never see another man like him
Superman never received financial compensation for his heroic deeds, and the world may never again witness someone as remarkable as him
Hey Bob, Supe had a straight job
Even though he coulda smashed through
Any bank in the United States
He had the strength but he would not
Despite his immense strength, Superman had an ordinary job and refused to use his abilities to commit robbery
Folks said his family were all dead
Planet crumbled, but Superman he forced himself
To carry on, forget Krypton, and keep goin'
Despite the loss of his loved ones and home planet, Superman persevered and continued to use his powers for good
Tarzan was king of the jungle
And lord over all the apes
But he could hardly string together
Four words, I Tarzan you Jane
Although Tarzan had power over the animals in the jungle, he struggled with basic language skills
Sometimes when Supe was stoppin' crimes
I'll bet that he was tempted to just quit
And turn his back on man
Join Tarzan in the forest
But he stayed in the city
Kept on changin' clothes
In dirty old phone booths 'til his work was through
Had nothin' to do but go on home
Superman likely faced temptation to abandon humanity, but instead remained committed to his work and continued to save the city, changing clothes in phone booths and going home once his work was complete
And sometimes I despair
The world will never see another man like him
The singer reflects on the unlikelihood of encountering another hero like Superman in the future, causing feelings of despair
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave
Written by: BRAD ROBERTS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Russell Thies
My son and I sang this song every night as his bedtime song, after he became sick we sang when we could. For twenty five years I have been singing it alone. It is still comforting and heart wrenching.
rwaggs81
My mom and I sang it as well, while I played guitar. She passed from leukemia in 2017. I feel you.
linky
😢
Mike Yates
God bless you , darling
Ryan A
Dude. I am a dad too. That just broke me down to tears. I'm gonna hug my girls tight today.
daviddaddy
I am So so very sorry! I honestly cant imagine the pain of losing one of my kids and im just sorry you had to experience the worst loss i feel one can experience. I Lost my Mother and it was horrific for me. Worst time in my life! But losing one of my Children i couldnt bare it! And then to see my other 3 kids mourning their sister or brother would make it so much worse to deal with. My deepest Condolences! I know my words mean nothing and dont help. But i am truly so so Sorry!!! I hope you found some comfort in knowing he isnt Suffering anymore and hes in paradise with our Heavenly Father. God Bless you and your family.
Glenn Shale
My dad just passed. He was my Superman! He saved me from bullies as a child. Coached me. Mentored me. WW2 veteran. Proud and great example for others to follow ! I miss he so much! Let’s all take time to be mindful of others who need our help. Cheer on the underdogs. Reach out and touch others in need. God bless you all!
Matt Searcy
Hero
Jim Chastain
Your dad sounds like a wonderful human being! You should be proud of him! I wish you peace in his passing.
CodySc12 Davis
I miss my father every day