He was in the Boys group, mentored by Cheryl Cole.
His vocals appear on the X Factor Finalists 2009 Charity single (a cover of Michael Jackson's You Are Not Alone) which reached number 1 status in the UK Charts on the 21st of November 2009. It remained there for one week, before being knocked off by Peter Kay's charity single for Children In Need.
Joe won X Factor on December 13th 2009. His debut single, The Climb (A cover of the Miley Cyrus song) was released on December 14th 2009, and charted at number 2 - beaten by a anti-X Factor campaign backed Rage Against The Machine song, Killing In The Name. He was then number one on December 28th.
The single had the fifth highest sales of all UK singles released in 2009 staying one week at #1. It was also the top selling Irish single of 2009 where it remained at the top spot for four consecutive weeks. "The Climb" was nominated in the British Single category at the 2010 BRIT Awards.
In January 2010, he participated in the Helping Haiti charity single, a cover of "Everybody Hurts" arranged by Simon Cowell in order to raise money for victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake.
He was also crowned the winner of the second series of Popstar to Operastar in 2011 and the first series of The Jump in 2014. In 2015, McElderry played the lead role of Joseph in the touring production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.
To date he has released four top 20 albums – two of them reaching the UK top three. He was the first X Factor contestant to release a fourth album. As of 2014, McElderry has sold over 2 million records worldwide
Superman
Joe McElderry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm just out to find
The better part of me
I'm more than a bird...i'm more than a plane
More than some pretty face beside a train
It's not easy to be me
Fall upon my knees
Find a way to lie
About a home I'll never see
It may sound absurd...but don't be naive
Even heroes have the right to bleed
I may be disturbed...but won't you concede
Even heroes have the right to dream
It's not easy to be me
Up, up and away...away from me
It's all right...you can all sleep sound tonight
I'm not crazy...or anything...
I can't stand to fly
I'm not that naive
Men weren't meant to ride
With clouds between their knees
I'm only a man in a silly red sheet
Digging for kryptonite on this one way street
Only a man in a funny red sheet
Looking for special things inside of me
Inside of me
Inside me
Yeah, inside me
Inside of me
I'm only a man
In a funny red sheet
I'm only a man
Looking for a dream
I'm only a man
In a funny red sheet
And it's not easy, hmmm, hmmm, hmmm...
Its not easy to be me
The lyrics of Joe McElderry's song "Superman" express the struggle of being a hero, of being in the public eye, and of dealing with the pressure and expectations that come with it. It begins by acknowledging that the singer is not naive, but rather searching for his true and better self. He then goes on to compare himself to Superman, stating that he is more than just a superficial image or persona - he is a complex human being with flaws, emotions, and dreams.
The singer wishes he could cry and express his vulnerability rather than putting up a brave face all the time. He speaks to the common belief that heroes are perfect and invulnerable, but reminds us that they too are entitled to bleed and dream. He concludes with a sense of resignation, acknowledging that it's not easy being that person in the spotlight, always expected to be larger-than-life, but he will continue to search for his dreams nonetheless.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not that naive
I am not simple-minded or easily fooled.
I'm just out to find
I am currently searching for something.
The better part of me
I am searching for the best version of myself.
I'm more than a bird...i'm more than a plane
I have the potential to be something greater than what one might expect of me.
More than some pretty face beside a train
I am more than just a superficial or attractive exterior.
It's not easy to be me
Being myself is not always easy or straightforward.
Wish that I could cry
I sometimes wish I could express my emotions more fully or easily.
Fall upon my knees
I wish I could humble myself and seek help or guidance.
Find a way to lie
I wish I could conceal the truth about certain aspects of my life.
About a home I'll never see
I wish I could create a fantasy or idealized version of my life that I will never actually experience.
It may sound absurd...but don't be naive
My desires or feelings may seem illogical or unrealistic, but that does not mean I am foolish for having them.
Even heroes have the right to bleed
Even those who appear strong or invincible are still prone to weakness or vulnerability.
I may be disturbed...but won't you concede
I might have some emotional or psychological issues, but I am asking you to acknowledge my human flaws regardless.
Even heroes have the right to dream
Even the most accomplished or celebrated individuals have the right to envision and pursue their aspirations.
Up, up and away...away from me
I feel like I am being left behind or excluded, and this is causing me sadness or disappointment.
It's all right...you can all sleep sound tonight
I do not want others to worry or be concerned about me, as I am capable of handling my own emotions and thoughts.
I'm not crazy...or anything...
I am not mentally unstable, and I wish others would avoid assuming that I am.
I can't stand to fly
I am uncomfortable with heights or instability, both literally and metaphorically.
Men weren't meant to ride
It is not natural or intuitive for male individuals to engage in certain activities or behaviors.
With clouds between their knees
I am referencing Superman's famous power of flight, and how it is unrealistic for humans to be able to fly.
I'm only a man in a silly red sheet
Despite his powerful abilities, Superman is still just a man with a silly costume.
Digging for kryptonite on this one way street
I am searching for something that is both dangerous and rare, and I feel like I am on a dead-end path.
Only a man in a funny red sheet
I am emphasizing my weaknesses and vulnerabilities, despite my outward appearance or reputation.
Looking for special things inside of me
I am trying to discover what makes me unique or special as an individual.
And it's not easy, hmmm, hmmm, hmmm...
I am acknowledging that this process of self-discovery and acceptance is not simple or straightforward.
I'm only a man
I am emphasizing my humanity and limitations.
Looking for a dream
I am searching for a goal or aspiration to pursue and achieve.
Contributed by Savannah D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.