DeRosa, Ruda, and Seefried were previously in a group known as Gods Child; and had released a handful of LPs under that moniker. In 1995, Gods Child had a national hit single, "Everybody's #1", which topped the Billboard Magazine "Modern Rock" and "Album Rock" categories simultaneously.
Seefried and Hamilton would go on to pen "Sleeping Pill" a song which was featured on a CD Sampler released by Album Network, a trade magazine. The song was credited to a band known as "The Amazing Adventures of Joe 90" — a pseudonym for the duo. The name was a send-up to the 1968 animated television series entitled Joe 90. However, their audience was not in on the joke, and repeatedly inquired about Joe 90. They eventually took on the name to avoid any further elaboration.
Super Hero
Joe 90 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
New green shoes in the mirror
Just a booth away from flying
In the subway looking down
Comb the dye from your hair out
Silver foil on your fingers
Superhero, never fear what you don't know
A million cats in the window
Change your face under the desk, your pencil
Just a booth away you trace and stencil
When the pilot light is on the lights they flicker out and on
Comb the dye from your hair out
Silver foil on your fingers
Superhero, never fear what you don't know
You're never coming down
No you're never coming down
No, you're never coming down
You're never coming down
6 o'clock, the sun asleep
Pack the bag before your leave
Iron out the torn up sleeve
And run away from everything
Open window pulled down shade
Torn up sheet the bed you made
Anything I could have said
To make you stop and think again
Never coming down
No you're never coming down
Superhero, never fear what you don't know
'Cause you don't know
Never coming down
Down, down, down
The lyrics to Joe 90's "Super Hero" are enigmatic and leave a lot to interpretation. It seems to describe someone who is transforming themselves into a superhero and adopting a new identity. The first verse implies that the person is changing their appearance by dyeing their hair and wearing new shoes. They are also looking at themselves in the mirror, possibly admiring their new image. The second verse mentions "a million cats in the window" which could be a metaphor for the various versions of oneself that one could become. The person is also tracing and stenciling something, perhaps designing their superhero logo or costume. The chorus repeats the mantra, "never fear what you don't know" which could mean that the person is bravely taking on this new identity and doesn't know all the challenges and obstacles that they will face.
The second half of the song takes a darker turn. The third verse describes a person who is running away from something or someone, seemingly desperate to leave it all behind. They pack a bag, iron their torn sleeve, and leave everything behind. The fourth verse describes someone who is regretful about not speaking up when they had the chance to stop someone from leaving. The chorus repeats, "never coming down" as if to indicate that once this transformation into a superhero is complete, the person can never go back to their former life.
Overall, "Super Hero" seems to be about the transformative power of self-creation and the need to escape from undesirable situations. It encourages the listener to embrace their inner superhero and not be afraid of the unknown.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't have a name face hidden
I don’t have an identity yet, because I am still trying to find my place in the world.
New green shoes in the mirror
I am trying to freshen up my look to reflect the changes I am making in life.
Just a booth away from flying
I am so close to achieving my dreams that it feels like I’m about to take off into the sky.
In the subway looking down
Even when I feel lost or uncertain, I keep my head up and keep moving forward.
Comb the dye from your hair out
I am shedding old habits or behaviors in order to become the person I want to be.
Silver foil on your fingers
I am doing something new or creative that is exciting and different.
Superhero, never fear what you don't know
I am brave and confident, even when facing the unknown, because I believe in myself and my abilities.
A million cats in the window
There are many possibilities and opportunities for me to explore in life.
Change your face under the desk, your pencil
I am trying to reinvent myself and express my true identity, even if it means doing so in secret.
Just a booth away you trace and stencil
I am so close to achieving my goals that I can almost taste success.
When the pilot light is on the lights they flicker out and on
Life is unpredictable and full of ups and downs, but I am able to adapt and overcome challenges as they arise.
You're never coming down
I am on top of the world, and nothing can bring me down.
6 o'clock, the sun asleep
I am up early, ready to start a new day and tackle whatever comes my way.
Pack the bag before your leave
I am always prepared and ready to take on new adventures or challenges at a moment's notice.
Iron out the torn up sleeve
I am focused on improving myself and my surroundings, and am willing to put in the work required to do so.
And run away from everything
Sometimes I need to escape from the stresses of life and take some time for myself to recharge and refocus.
Open window pulled down shade
I am always seeking new opportunities and experiences, and am not afraid to take risks or try new things.
Torn up sheet the bed you made
I am not satisfied with the status quo and am constantly seeking ways to improve myself and my surroundings.
Anything I could have said
I realize that there are things I could have done differently in the past, but I am choosing to focus on the future and the opportunities it holds.
To make you stop and think again
I am committed to making positive changes in my life and the lives of those around me, by encouraging reflection and growth.
Down, down, down
I am not afraid of failure or setbacks, and am willing to keep going even when things get tough.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: CHRIS SEEFRIED
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind