Fly Songs Top Ten: (Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman (#9)
By Four Walls
@FourWalls (86855)
United States
November 15, 2021 10:26am CST
Monday Morning to y’all. Cold here, with the threat of a warm-up then a crash back to cold. “I’ve got to fly to St. Somewhere,” as Jimmy Buffett said. Speaking of “fly,” @JamesHxstatic asked for a theme of songs with “fly” in the title, and I’m happy to oblige. Here’s the next one.
#9: (Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman - The Kinks
Well, it was a rough time in the late 70s, so who wouldn’t have wanted to fly away from it? The Kinks’ 1979 album Low Budget had several songs dealing with the pain of the late 70s (so if you wonder why us older folks aren’t even sweating things right now, it’s because we’ve been through this before).
This one carries that theme, with the news woes of a “gas strike, oil strike, lorry strike, bread strike” and “robbery, violence, insanity.” But it does have its humor, with the self-description of a “pigeon chest” man wanting to get a Charles Atlas body.
I got to see the Kinks on this tour. 
Great memories. Great album.
(Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman
Written by Ray Davies
Recorded by the Kinks
From Low Budget, 1979
A big black cloud hanging over me:
Great memories. Great album.
(Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman
Written by Ray Davies
Recorded by the Kinks
From Low Budget, 1979
A big black cloud hanging over me:
Music video by The Kinks performing (Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman (from One For The Road). (C) 1980 Kinks Properties Limited under exclusive license to So...
7 people like this
8 responses
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
15 Nov 21
Great tune, I had to listen to it since I never heard that one. I looked up their top hits and the only ones I recall are You Really Got Me Goin' and Lola. I really like the humor in their songs.
I don't recall the 70s as being very hard. I finally was going to university after working and being drafted, so things were okay for me.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86855)
• United States
15 Nov 21
I was a teenager, so the worst thing I remember was the Arab oil embargo and gas lines.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
15 Nov 21
@FourWalls Oh yes, the gas lines.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (91297)
• United States
15 Nov 21
Yes I remember this one Four Walls..loved the Kinks.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86855)
• United States
15 Nov 21
Me too. The concert was so good. Ray and Dave either weren’t fighting or staying on their respective sides of the stage and not getting on each other’s nerves.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (91297)
• United States
15 Nov 21
@FourWalls Well that was good then
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (98106)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
16 Nov 21
Thanks for the musical lesson about flying songs I wonder it there will be one I know besides the Blue Eyes number
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
20 Nov 21
Yes, history repeats when those in power make stupid decisions 
Now, for the music comment. Davies captured the mood of the average joe just trying to survive in these difficult economic times with this tune. You needed to have the strength of a Superman to survive.
Now, for the music comment. Davies captured the mood of the average joe just trying to survive in these difficult economic times with this tune. You needed to have the strength of a Superman to survive.1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
16 Nov 21
wow
you are spot on.
it is so true, at some point history is simply recycles an we realize it doesn't end the world!
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222726)
• United States
16 Nov 21
I hadn't heard this one by the Kinks before. I'm more familiar with Lola and You Really Got Me.
