Superman
Ivory Layne Lyrics

Is it a bird or just a plane
The singer questions the identity of someone or something, hinting at a possible illusion or concealment.

Is it a bird or a plane
The previous line is reiterated.

Is it a bird or just a plane
The question is asked again, possibly to highlight that the answer is elusive or unknown.

Is it a bird or a plane
The same question is repeated.

What happened to the boy I knew?
The singer expresses confusion about someone's change in behavior or personality.

He promised me his love was true
The person in question had previously claimed to sincerely love the singer.

Supposed to be a man
The person was expected to behave maturely and responsibly, but failed to do so.

But his little plan had fell through
The person's intentions or strategy (presumably to win the singer's affection) did not succeed.

The one who used to tell me jokes
The singer reminisces about a person who used to entertain her with humor.

Was popular with all my folks
The person was generally well-liked among her acquaintances or community.

Had everybody fooled ‘cause he was so cool
The person was able to deceive others into thinking he was impressive or admirable in some way.

Now it's up in smoke
The person's former image or reputation has been destroyed or dispelled.

What happened to my childhood dream
The singer reflects on her past aspirations or ideals.

Your language I no longer speak
The person in question and the singer have grown apart, and no longer understand each other.

How come you never talk to me?
The singer questions why communication between them has broken down.

My telephone never rings
The person in question does not attempt to reach out to the singer, resulting in a lack of contact.

I wish I'd known that you would mean
The singer expresses regret at not realizing what the person's true intentions were.

To let me go,
The person ultimately decided to end the relationship or connection between them.

I was oblivious
The singer admits to being unaware or ignorant of the person's true feelings or motives.

You were up on a pedestal
The person was previously held in high regard or seen as exceptional in some way.

And I could not ring you in
The singer was unable to reach or connect with the person, who may have been emotionally distant or aloof.

But you fell short
The person failed to meet the singer's expectations or desires.

'Cause you needed lungs to breath
The person is metaphorically compared to Superman, who requires air to fly and perform superhuman feats.

And you can't fly
The person is not actually capable of being a superhero, and thus cannot fulfill the singer's hopes.

Look with eyes like laser beams
The singer reveals that she was previously fixated on the person as an ideal, overlooking or ignoring potential flaws or issues.

And I was blind for wanting you to rescue me
The singer admits to needing or seeking help from the person, hoping they would 'save' her from something.

But you were caught in the clouds
The person is again compared to Superman, who often appears in the sky and could be 'caught' in clouds.

You can't read the thoughts
The person is unable to understand or know what the singer is feeling or thinking.

That form inside my head
The singer's thoughts and emotions are indicated as being private and internal.

And you aren't strong enough
The person is described as lacking the ability to solve or help with a personal problem the singer has.

To save my soul from dead
The situation or difficulty the singer faces is serious and significant enough that it affects her spiritual or emotional well-being.

Then you can't keep my heart
The singer implies that because the person can't help her with her struggles, they can't expect to have her love or affection.

From being ripped to shreds
The singer's heart is described as being vulnerable and in danger of being damaged or destroyed.

I was wrong to alter reality
The singer takes responsibility for trying to change or manipulate the situation to fit her desires, instead of accepting it as it is.

I made you some
The singer admits to creating or constructing an image of the person that wasn't entirely accurate or realistic.

Superman you couldn't be
The person is again compared to Superman, but is implied to have failed in living up to this ideal.

All this time, oh, I truly did believe
The singer acknowledges that she kept up the illusion for a long time, and truly thought it was real.

That you got caught in the clouds
The person's limitations or 'failure' are again attributed to being trapped or caught in clouds, a symbol of unreality or fantasy.

I wish you'd known that I would mean
The singer expresses a desire for the person to have understood or realized her own feelings or desires.

To fall in love
The singer admits to wanting to pursue a romantic relationship with the person, despite the difficulties.

Were you oblivious?
The singer questions whether the person was unaware of her own feelings or signals towards them.

You were high in the atmosphere
The person is again metaphorically compared to being in the sky or unreachable.

I disappear below
The singer describes herself as being lower or less important than the person, and less visible or noticed.

And I don't know myself now, no
The singer expresses confusion or uncertainty about her own identity or emotions.

You got caught in the clouds, oh
The person's limitations or 'failure' are repeated again, as they are unable to fully connect or 'ground' themselves in reality.

Is it a bird or just a plane
The repeating question from the beginning is suggested as being linked to the singer's confusion about the person's real identity or worth.

Is it a bird or a plane
The same question is repeated.

Is it a bird or just a plane
The same question is asked again, suggesting that the singer has still not found an answer.

Is it a bird or a plane
The same question is repeated once more.