Zito's journey took off at the age of 19, when he busted into the local St. Louis music scene, developing his sound even further from the stage. His first independent release arrived in 1996, titled "Blue Room" which included raw and funky songs "Hollywood" and "Pull the Trigger". His songwriting experience would break through on his sophomore release titled "America's Most Wanted" in 1999. This album shares his pop sensibilities and intense guitar work. "Crazy People", "Deal Me In" and his own rendition of Elton John's "Rocket Man" all set the pace to bring him into a national audience.
His touring schedule found him crisscrossing the country as well as performing a regular dose of 6 nights a week in and around St. Louis when not on the road. He would also have the opportunity to play overseas for the USO during that same time period. With such a crazed schedule and lifestyle, drugs and alcohol took their effect on him. Zito was sliding downhill fast. Walter Trout pulled Zito aside one night after a show and explained to him that he had been down that path himself, and that it was no good. He told Zito about the responsibility he had to the music and to the people to perform honestly and unaffected. His abilities suffered and he drifted around the country a bit lost and confused, ending up in Southeast Texas. Zito fell in love with his now wife and had found the love and support to help him clean up and refocus on his career.
With a clean slate and real world experiences to include in his songwriting, Zito released "Slow it Down" in 2004. Including songs like "Long Dark Road," "Change My Ways" and the title track, "Slow it Down" Zito share what life experiences had taught him. He formed a new solid band and began again playing full-time across the country with over 250 shows in 2005. "Music can change everything - how you feel, how you see and what you believe," Zito explains.
He would find his true sound from all his experiences, new and old, and release his fourth album, "Superman" in 2006. Touted as "Soulful Pop" critics would pen it as Zito's sound with his voice and vocals rising above the music. His formative influences blend with additional musical heroes and legends such as Prince, Van Halen, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, SRV, Walter Trout, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Danny Gatton, and even rising artists like John Mayer. His journey has lead him to a critical point in his life and career to a larger audience and sharing the stage with national recording artists such as Chuck Berry, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Tab Benoit, Walter Trout, Bernard Allison, Coco Montoya, Joe Bonamassa and many more.
In 2007, Zito's path has crossed with Randy Chortkoff of Delta Groove Music. Within months he's penned a deal and gained full support with Chortkoff's label Eclecto Groove Records and Rick Booth of Intrepid Artists. With a new chapter of his life unfolding – full label backing, new management and larger audiences, Zito only begun to scratch the musical surface yet again.
After years of tirelessly touring and four independently released projects under his belt, 2008 heralded the national debut of Zito's album "Today" on Eclecto Groove Records. Boasting top notch production values with the guidance of producers David Z. (Prince, Buddy Guy, Etta James, Jonny Lang) and Tony Braunagel (Eric Burdon, Taj Mahal, Phantom Blues Band), along with assistance from a team of world class musicians including keyboardist Bentmont Tench (Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash) and bassist James "Hutch Hutchinson (Bonnie Raitt, Boz Scaggs, Joe Cocker), Zito realized his most satisfying and accomplished work to date. "Today" garnered high praise and critical acclaim for Zito's strengthened focus on songwriting and his resulting efforts landed his album on the Billboard Blues charts for six weeks, in addition to daily rotation on Sirius Satellite Radio over the past year.
Now Zito returns with his follow up effort "Pearl River," accompanied by the skillfully adept David Z. sitting in once again at the helm of the producer's chair, along with label CEO Randy Chortkoff. With his guitar back to the forefront Zito revisits his musical roots while still maintaining an emphasis on his affective songwriting. "Pearl River" stands as another solid achievement by Mike Zito who is joined this time out by a handful of special guests including Cyril Neville, Anders Osborne, Reese Wynans (Double Trouble), Susan Cowsill, Lynwood Slim and Jumpin' Johnny Sansone. The result is a rollicking slice of Americana served up with heaping slabs of greasy New Orleans funk, gritty blues and good old fashioned rock 'n' roll.
Website: Mike Zito
You can also see Mike Zito as Mike Zito & The Wheel on Last.fm here: Mike Zito & The Wheel
Superman
Mike Zito Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're looking for a one way flight
You need a man to ease your worried mind
I know you've seen me here before
And girl before you lock that door
I think you'll know exactly what you'll find
So baby don't you worry now
This man of steel he surely understands
You need a superman
Your troubles lies and mysteries
Have all been catching up i see
So you feel like running off
In some kind of dream
But dreams sometimes they do come true
And girl it's really up to you
To take a chance on love at first sight
So baby don't you worry now
Cause I'll be coming right to you
This man of steel he surely understands
You need a superman
And my love won't come on too strong
And we can make it last as long
Until the sun is rising in your eyes
Your sexy eyes are on tonight
You're looking for a one way flight
You need a man to ease your woried mind
So baby don't you worry now
Cause I'll be coming right to you
This man of steel he surely understands
You need a superman
The lyrics of Mike Zito's song "Superman" are about a man who approaches a woman who is clearly going through some sort of emotional turmoil. He tells her that he knows what she needs and that he understands her struggles, comparing himself to Superman. The woman seems hesitant at first, but eventually decides to take a chance on love and allow the man to come into her life.
The song is essentially about the power of love to lift us up and help us overcome our troubles. The reference to Superman is significant because it suggests that love can be a source of strength and support, much like a superhero can be.
Overall, the lyrics are about the importance of being open to love and allowing ourselves to be vulnerable to others. The man in the song offers himself as a guide and a source of comfort to the woman, assuring her that he will be there for her when she needs him.
Line by Line Meaning
Your sexy eyes are on tonight
You've got that physical attraction towards someone, and you cannot keep your eyes off them.
You're looking for a one way flight
You're trying to rid yourself of your problems by escaping them through any means necessary.
You need a man to ease your worried mind
You require someone to remove all of your anxieties and doubts that you're experiencing right now.
I know you've seen me here before
We've actually had an encounter before and you know who I am.
And girl before you lock that door
Before you shut me out, hear me out first.
I think you'll know exactly what you'll find
You know what to expect and you won't be disappointed.
So baby don't you worry now
You don't have to stress anymore.
Cause I'll be coming right to you
I'm coming to you, and I won't leave your side.
This man of steel he surely understands
I am strong and capable, and I can help you overcome any obstacles.
You need a superman
You need someone who can be your hero during this challenging time.
Your troubles lies and mysteries
Your problems are numerous and somewhat puzzling.
Have all been catching up i see
You're being overwhelmed by them, so much so that it's taking its toll on you.
So you feel like running off
You're tempted to flee and escape from it all.
In some kind of dream
In the back of your mind, you prefer to be in an ideal world that's better than reality.
But dreams sometimes they do come true
Sometimes your fondest dreams can become a reality. So, don't give up completely.
And girl it's really up to you
Ultimately, the decision to pursue love and happiness is entirely yours.
To take a chance on love at first sight
To take the risk of falling in love at the first meeting or sight of someone.
And my love won't come on too strong
I will not overwhelm you with my love or smother you.
And we can make it last as long
If you give me a chance, we can make our love and relationship last longer than you think.
Until the sun is rising in your eyes
We will stay together until we are both happy, and your heart is filled with joy.
Writer(s): Michael Anthony Zito
Contributed by Tristan R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
K.Elliott
on I Never Knew A Hurricane
These are not the lyrics for "I Never Knew A Hurricane"