The band released their self-titled first album in March 1995 via PopLlama Records. After they garnered massive acclaim, Columbia Records quickly signed them. The album peaked at number six on the Billboard 200 and has shipped over three million copies. The RIAA has certified it as triple platinum. Songs "Peaches", "Kitty", "Lump", and "Dune Buggy" received major airplay.
Their 1996 follow-up album, "II", did not reach the same acclaim, though it reached the top forty on the Billboard 2000. Single "Mach 5" also garnered some airplay. The band then fell of the radar for many listeners, dropped by their major label. However, their albums of the new millennium, 'Freaked Out and Small' followed by 'Love Everybody' and 'These Are the Good Times People' (released in 2000, 2004, and 2008, respectively), picked up positive critical reviews, such as from the All Music Guide. Although their touring schedule became more sporadic into the 00s and 10s, they continue to perform and satisfy audiences with their off-beat humor and catchy hooks.
Superstar
The Presidents of the United States of America Lyrics
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Somewhere in the night, my crashing meteorite
I got a rear-view mirror
That I use to check my make-up
Drivin' down the super highway
Hopin' I don't wake up
She had that look like all those girls on my TV
In hopes she would see me
Hey my superstar, my flying shooting star
Somewhere in the night, my crashing meteorite
I'm jet-powered in the fast lane
I choose words I use to woo her
I shout them out my open window
She doesn't care; she doesn't seem to
She had that look that said she could be the one to save, save me
And then she swerved, she lost control
She flew her car into the sea
Hey my superstar, my flying shooting star
Somewhere in the night, my crashing meteorite
Hey my superstar, hey my superstar
Hey my superstar, hey my superstar
In The Presidents of the United States of America's song "Superstar", the singer is cruising down the "super highway" in hopes to catch the attention of a girl who has "that look like all those girls on my TV". He uses his rear-view mirror to check his makeup and shouts words out his open window to try and woo her, but she doesn't seem to care. She just had "that look that said she could be the one to save, save me", but unfortunately, she loses control and crashes her car into the sea.
The lyrics of this song bring to light the often superficial and empty nature of celebrity culture, where people strive to become famous and be adored by many. The singer himself seems to be infatuated with the idea of being a "superstar" and tries to project this image on the road as he seeks validation from others. The girl he tries to impress could be seen as a symbol of this pursuit of validation, but in the end, it leads to her untimely demise.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey my superstar, my flying shooting star
The singer is addressing the person they see as their hero or idol and comparing them to a fast-moving celestial object.
Somewhere in the night, my crashing meteorite
The singer recognizes the potential for their idol to have a downfall, perhaps due to the pressures of fame.
I got a rear-view mirror
The singer has a introspective ability which they use to examine themselves.
That I use to check my make-up
The singer is using this introspective ability to make sure their physical appearance is good while driving.
Drivin' down the super highway
The singer is moving quickly through life, possibly on a path of success.
Hopin' I don't wake up
Despite being on the fast track to success, the singer has fears that their success may be a dream or that they may lose it all.
She had that look like all those girls on my TV
The singer is attracted to a woman who embodies the qualities of popular media personalities.
I changed lanes in hopes she would
The singer alters their behavior in hopes of attracting the attention of the attractive women.
In hopes she would see me
The singer wants his desired partner to notice them.
I'm jet-powered in the fast lane
The singer is confident and motivated to succeed, and is accelerating towards their goals.
I choose words I use to woo her
The singer is trying to impress the woman, likely by offering flattering or enticing words.
I shout them out my open window
The singer is publicly expressing their interest or attraction to the woman.
She doesn't care; she doesn't seem to
The woman is not receptive to the singer's advances, perhaps due to disinterest or personal reasons.
She had that look that said she could be the one to save, save me
The singer believes that this woman has the potential to be their savior and help them find fulfillment or peace.
And then she swerved, she lost control
The woman suffers a calamity, hinting at the possibility of danger or unpredictability associated with the object of the singer's admiration.
She flew her car into the sea
The woman has a metaphorical fall from grace, possibly the result of societal or internal pressures.
Hey my superstar, hey my superstar
The singer continues to address their idol, whether they are successful or not.
Hey my superstar, hey my superstar
The singer is emphasizing the importance of their idol to them as a figure of inspiration and hope, regardless of the outcomes.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHRISTOPHER WELDON BALLEW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind