Superheroes (The Script song)

"Superheroes"
Single by The Script
from the album No Sound Without Silence
Released 22 July 2014
Format Digital download
Recorded 2014
Genre Pop rock [1]
Length 4:03
Label Columbia
Writer(s) Danny O'Donoghue; Mark Sheehan
Producer(s) James Barry, Danny O'Donoghue, Andrew Frampton, Mark Sheehan
The Script singles chronology
"Millionaires"
(2013)		 "Superheroes"
(2014)		 "No Good in Goodbye"
(2014)
Music video
"Superheroes" on YouTube

"Superheroes" is a song written by Danny O'Donoghue and Mark Sheehan of Irish pop rock band The Script with songwriter James Barry. The song was originally recorded by the band for inclusion on their fourth studio album, No Sound Without Silence (2014).

The track was first released by Columbia Records on 22 July 2014 as the lead single promoting the album. The single was released in Ireland on 29 August 2014 and in the United Kingdom on 31 August 2014.

Composition

According to The Script lead vocalist Danny O'Donoghue, "Superheroes" is a song written for "the unsung heroes out in the world".[2] The song, which calls out "people who are going through the hardest of times but can keep their head held high", has drawn comparisons by some music critics to "Firework", originally performed by American singer Katy Perry, in terms of the song's lyrical themes.[3]

Recording

"Superheroes" was the first song written by the band for their fourth studio album, setting a musical template for the production of the new album.[4] The track also features additional guitar played by producer Andrew Frampton, a long-time collaborator with The Script.[5]

Promotion

The music video for "Superheroes" was shot in Johannesburg, cited by the band as an inspiration for the song itself.

A snippet of "Superheroes" was first played during a Google Hangouts session hosted by the band on 18 July 2014, where they unveiled their fourth studio album, No Sound Without Silence. The snippet was one of four to be played during the session, with snippets from No Sound Without Silence album tracks "The Energy Never Dies", "Man On a Wire" and "No Good In Goodbye" also being played during the session.[6] "Superheroes" was the first full track to be lifted from the album, premiering on BBC Radio 1 during the The Radio 1 Breakfast Show on 21 July 2014.[7] the track is also set to be released as a promotional single for airplay on United States Contemporary hit radio on 28 July 2014.[8] "Superheroes" was first released as the sole track on the band's twelfth single on 22 July 2014, serving as the first single released in promotion of No Sound Without Silence.[9] The track was additionally distributed by video hosting service Vevo for streaming media the same day.[10]

Music video

A music video to accompany the release of "Superheroes" directed by Vaughan Arnell was released on 4 August 2014.[11] The music video was shot in Johannesburg, South Africa over a period of a few days. The location of the video's principal photography was inspired by the song itself, with Danny O'Donoghue stating that, "We spent a few days there and spent a lot of time with the people in the township, because they are our superheroes".[2]

Reception

Reception to the song upon the release of the "Superheroes" single has been generally positive. National American daily newspaper USA Today named the track as "song of the week" on 22 July 2014, with music critic Brian Mansfield writing "The Script continues to display its biggest strength: making pop music with heart and power".[3] Rachel Sonis of music website Idolator wrote "Superheroes is a self-proclaimed "ultra-catchy" tune that, after a few spins, definitely lives up to that description".[4] Kevin, editor-in-chief of Spin Media website Direct Lyrics commented positively on the song, stating "there is no way The Script aren't reaching #1 with this", further describing it as "epic in every way".[12]

Reactions to the song on social media was also largely positive, with Capital reporting that fans had "hailed" the track as "beautiful" upon the track's first play on its radio network.[13] In addition, 4Music stated that the song was an "anthemic" "stomper".[14]

Track listing

"Superheroes"
No. TitleWriter(s)Producer(s) Length
1. "Superheroes"  James Barry, Danny O'Donoghue, Mark SheehanBarry, O'Donoghue, Andrew Frampton, Sheehan 4:03

Personnel

Adapted from "Superheroes" liner notes.[5]

The Script
  • Danny O'Donoghue – lead vocals, keyboard, guitar
  • Mark Sheehan – lead guitar, vocals (bridge)
  • Glen Power – drums, backing vocals
Additional musicians
  • Andrew Frampton - guitar
Technical personnel

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Chart (2014) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[15] 7
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[16] 10
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[17] 2
Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)[18] 5
Czech Republic (Rádio Top 100)[19] 13
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[20] 11
Denmark (Tracklisten)[21] 18
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[22] 12
France (SNEP)[23] 104
Germany (Official German Charts)[24] 8
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[25] 10
Hungary (Single Top 40)[26] 40
Ireland (IRMA)[27] 1
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[28] 15
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[29] 4
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[30] 10
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[31] 14
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[32] 14
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[33] 1
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[34] 6
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[35] 31
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[36] 47
South Africa (EMA)[37] 4
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[38] 18
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[39] 8
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[40] 3
US Billboard Hot 100[41] 73
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[42] 18
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[43] 9

Year-end charts

Chart (2014) Position
Australia (ARIA)[44] 68
Germany (Official German Charts)[45] 75
United Kingdom (BPI)[46] 54

Certifications

Region Certification Sales/shipments
Australia (ARIA)[47] 2× Platinum 140,000^
Italy (FIMI)[48] Gold 15,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[49] Gold 400,000double-dagger

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
double-daggersales/streaming figures based on certification alone

Release history

Commercial

Country Date Format Label
Australia[50] 22 July 2014 Digital download Columbia Records
France[51]
United States[12] 28 July 2014
Ireland[52] 29 August 2014
United Kingdom[53] 31 August 2014

Promotional

Country Date Radio format Label
United States[8][54] 28 July 2014 Hot AC radio Columbia Records
4 November 2014 Contemporary hit radio

References

  1. ↑ "Digital Spy - The Script 'No Sound Without Silence". 8 February 2015.
  2. 1 2 ""We Were The Squits That Night!": The Script On ‘Superheroes’ Video And Dodgy Pranks". Capital Online. Global Group / Communicorp. 22 July 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  3. 1 2 Mansfield, Brian (22 July 2014). "Song of the week: 'Superheroes,' The Script". USA Today. Gannett Company. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  4. 1 2 Sonis, Rachel (21 July 2014). "The Script’s "Superheroes": Listen To The New Single". Idolator. Spin Media. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  5. 1 2 "Superheroes" [Single] (liner notes). The Script. Columbia Records. 2014.
  6. ↑ Rutherford, Kevin (21 July 2014). "The Script Announce New Album ‘No Sound Without Silence,’ Listen to New Song ‘Superheroes’". Radio.com. CBS Radio. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  7. ↑ Moss, Liv (21 July 2014). "Listen to The Script’s new single Superheroes". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  8. 1 2 "Hot/Modern/AC Future Releases". All Access Music Group. 28 July 2014. Archived from the original on 7 June 2014.
  9. ↑ Alexander, Susannah (21 July 2014). "Listen to The Script's new single 'Superheroes'". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
  10. ↑ Dorken, Joanne (21 July 2014). "The Script Premiere New Single 'Superheroes' - Listen Here!". MTV. Viacom Media Networks. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  11. ↑ "Music video for The Script’s Superheroes shot in Johannesburg". Mediaupdate.co.za. 6 August 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  12. 1 2 "New Music: The Script - "Superheroes" [World Premiere]". Direct Lyrics. Spin Media. 21 July 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  13. ↑ "The Script Fans Hail New Song 'Superheroes' As "Beautiful" After First Play On Capital FM". Capital Online. Global Group / Communicorp. 21 July 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  14. ↑ "This Week's Fresh Music Top 20". 20 August 2014. 4Music. Missing or empty |series= (help)
  15. ↑ "Australian-charts.com – The Script – Superheroes". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  16. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – The Script – Superheroes" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  17. ↑ "Ultratop.be – The Script – Superheroes" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  18. ↑ "Ultratop.be – The Script – Superheroes" (in French). Ultratip.
  19. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 20155 into search. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  20. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201440 into search. Retrieved 7 October 2014.
  21. ↑ "Danishcharts.com – The Script – Superheroes". Tracklisten.
  22. ↑ "The Script: Superheroes" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
  23. ↑ "Lescharts.com – The Script – Superheroes" (in French). Les classement single.
  24. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – The Script – Superheroes". GfK Entertainment.
  25. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  26. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  27. ↑ "Chart Track: Week 36, 2014". Irish Singles Chart.
  28. ↑ "The Script – Chart history" Japan Hot 100 for The Script. Retrieved May 2, 2015.
  29. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – The Script search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40.
  30. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – The Script – Superheroes" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  31. ↑ "Charts.org.nz – The Script – Superheroes". Top 40 Singles.
  32. ↑ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
  33. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2014-09-13". Scottish Singles Top 40.
  34. ↑ "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 20152 into search. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  35. ↑ "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201439 into search. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
  36. ↑ "Spanishcharts.com – The Script – Superheroes" Canciones Top 50.
  37. ↑ "EMA Top 10 Airplay: Week Ending 2014-09-16". Entertainment Monitoring Africa. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
  38. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – The Script – Superheroes". Singles Top 100.
  39. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – The Script – Superheroes". Swiss Singles Chart.
  40. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2014-09-13" UK Singles Chart.
  41. ↑ "The Script – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for The Script. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
  42. ↑ "The Script – Chart history" Billboard Adult Contemporary for The Script. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
  43. ↑ "The Script – Chart history" Billboard Adult Pop Songs for The Script.
  44. ↑ "ARIA Top 100 Singles 2014". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  45. ↑ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  46. ↑ "The Official Top 100 Official Singles Chart of 2014". OfficialCharts.com. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  47. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2015 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  48. ↑ "Italian single certifications – The Script – Superheroes" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 15 November 2014. Select Online in the field Sezione. Enter The Script in the field Filtra. Select 2014 in the field Anno. The certification will load automatically
  49. ↑ "British single certifications – The Script – Superheroes". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 15 November 2014. Enter Superheroes in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Gold in the field By Award. Click Search
  50. ↑ "Superheroes - Single by The Script". iTunes Store AU. Apple Inc. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  51. ↑ "Superheroes". Qobuz. Qobuz media. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  52. ↑ "Superheroes - Single by The Script". iTunes Store IE. Apple Inc. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  53. ↑ "Superheroes - Single by The Script". iTunes Store GB. Apple Inc. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  54. ↑ "Top 40/M Future Releases". All Access Media Group. Retrieved 21 October 2014.

External links

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