13 Totally Heroic Hero Songs

Reading Time: 15 min read

13 Totally Heroic Hero Songs features Adam Lambert, Mariah Carey, Martin Garrix x JVKE, Metro Boomin, and Taylor Swift.

“We can beat them just for one day / We can heroes just for one day.” Yes, 🎙 David Bowie, yes we can! “Drinking dope turned me to a superhero.” That’s sus, 🎙 Future, if I’m being honest 😬 … How about one mo’? “We don’t need another hero / We don’t need to know the way home / All we want is life beyond / Thunderdome.” Oh, 🎙 Tina Turner, you are the sugar honey iced tea – 🎵 “The Best”! That said, it’s NOT the best that is the focus of this 18^th playlist on The Musical Hype in 2023 – it’s about the HEROES, baby!

Most of the songs do feature the word HERO in their song title in some form or fashion. That said, my boy Logic opted to cite a specific hero – 🎵 “Black SpiderMan”! Besides the aforementioned musicians, 13 Totally Heroic Hero Songs features music contributions from 🎙 Adam Lambert, 🎙 Mariah Carey, 🎙 Martin Garrix x JVKE, 🎙 Metro Boomin, and 🎙 Taylor Swift among others. A multi-genre list, there something for everyone on this heroic musical compendium!

1. Metro Boomin, Future & Chris Brown, “Superhero (Heroes & Villains)”

💿 HEROES & VILLAINS • 🏷 Boominati Worldwide, LLC / Republic • 🗓 2022

“Drinking dope turned me to a superhero.” Um, hmm… Producer extraordinaire 🎙 Metro Boomin came out swinging on his 2022 album, 💿 HEROES & VILLAINS, which debuted at no. 1 on the Billboard 200. Among the highlights from HEROES & VILLAINS is the title track, 🎵 “Superhero (Heroes & Villains)”, the second track on the album. Metro Boomin produces what commences as a malicious trap production alongside 🎛 Allen Ritter and DAVID x ELI.

Much of “Superhero (Heroes & Villains)” is dominated by 🎙 Future, who is on fire from the jump during the SUPERHERO portion of the song. Yes, it is Future who asserts dope turned him into a superhero. Beyond that absurd line, he drops no shortage of colorful, outlandish one-liners. He’s ratchet in several instances, whether it be, “Shout out to Dallas, my bitch is a star,” “Bitch get graphic, fuck me in a car,” or many drug references, such as “Selling the bowls, bitch do yoga / I deserve awards, serving these boulders.” Even with ‘Pluto’ putting in much of the heavy lifting, things change. Near the end of “Superhero (Heroes & Villains),” there is a distinct production/beat switch, which eliminates predictability. Sure, things were hot with Future spitting his non-transcendent $hi†, but the entrance of 🎙 Chris Brown provides the opportunity for the VILLAIN to enter the picture, in all his hellishness! The 🏆 Grammy winner sings, “Soon as you up, these niggas wanna bring you down / The weight of the world sit on my shoulders, hold the crown / I ain’t got a cap so I can’t save you now.” Woo! 🎵 “Superhero (Heroes & Villains)” = surefire Rap BaNGeR 🔥!

Appears in 🔻:

Metro Boomin, “Superhero (Heroes & Villains)”: Rap BNGRZ 🔥 6 (2023)

2. Taylor Swift, “Anti-Hero”

💿 Midnights • 🏷 Taylor Swift • 📅 2022

“I have this thing where I get older, but never wiser,” 🏆 Grammy winner 🎙 Taylor Swift sings on 🎵 “Anti-Hero,” a gem and no. 1 hit from her 10^th album, 💿 Midnights. Swift continues singing in the first verse of the single, “Midnights become my afternoons.” That’s just one instance of the poetry of her pen, which seems endless on this particular record. See the second pre-chorus where she sneaks in words like narcissism and altruism perfectly. Beyond the impeccable lyricism, Swift delivers a respectable vocal backed by sound production (a fine collaboration with 🎛 Jack Antonoff). The centerpiece of “Anti-Hero” is the chorus, something that Swift has excelled at since the beginning of her career. In the chorus, Swift asserts, “I’ll stare directly at the sun, but never in the mirror / It must be exhausting always rooting for the anti-hero.” Woo! Her honesty is epic in itself.

Appears in 🔻:

3. Adam Lambert, “Holding Out for a Hero”

💿 High Drama • 🏷 More is More, LLC / BMG Rights Management (US) LLC • 🗓 2023

“Where have all the good men gone and where are all the gods?” That is a legitimate question, 🎙 Adam Lambert, sigh. I wish I had the answer! He goes on to sing in the first verse of 🎵 “Holding Out for a Hero”, “Where’s the streetwise Hercules to fight the rising odds?” Lambert is not the first to asks these burning questions. That honor belongs to 🎙 Bonnie Tyler, who recorded this 🎼 ✍ Jim Steinman and Dean Pitchford penned record for the Footloose soundtrack in 1984. Additionally, the hit appeared on the Welsh singer’s 1986 LP, 💿 Secret Dreams & Forbidden Fire. Lambert’s cover of “Holding Out for a Hero” graces his 2023 album, 💿 High Drama.

“Holding Out for a Hero” suits him perfectly. Big-voiced and theatrical to the n^thdegree, Lambert makes this hit sound like an original. Given his prodigious vocal skills, it is unsurprising that Adam can transform a song originally sung by the opposite sex and make it work perfectly for him. Of course, given the fact that he is openly gay, it also works seamlessly that his love interest is male (“It’s gonna take a Superman to sweep me off my feet”). As intriguing as the verses are, it is the anthemic chorus where Adam shines his brightest: “I need a hero / I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the night / He’s gotta be strong, and he’s gotta be fast / And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight.” Besides the singing, the production (🎛 Andrew Wells and Charley Bagnall) successfully reintroduces “Holding Out for a Hero” for the 21^st century. The synths sizzles, while the beat hits hard. 🎵 “Holding Out for a Hero” does not sound like an anachronism in 2023, particularly in the 🏆 Grammy-nominated pop/rock artist’s hands.

Appears in 🔻:

4. Mariah Carey, “Hero”

💿 Music Box • 🏷 Columbia • 📅 1993

“There’s a hero / If you look inside your heart / You don’t have to be afraid / Of what you are,” 🏆 Grammy winner 🎙 Mariah Carey sings on one of her most beloved hits, 🎵 “Hero.” “Hero,” which graces her 1993 album, 💿 Music Box, was a no. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. To date, “Hero” has performed in a heroic fashion, earning double platinum honors. Furthermore, Music Box has been certified diamond (!) by the RIAA – big time! Focusing on “Hero,” given the inspirational and uplifting vibe, it’s unsurprising it ranks near the top of Carey’s illustrious collection.

Vocally, Mariah Carey shows everyone she possesses the voice of an angel. She sings incredibly expressively, and you buy what she’s selling. With a superb first verse under her belt, she keeps the uplifting vibes going strong in the second: “You can find love / If you search within yourself / And the emptiness you felt / Will disappear.” Sigh, doesn’t that just make you feel some type of way – all warm, fuzzy, and encouraged inside? The crème de la crème – the crowning achievement – is none other than the chorus, where the heroics reach a fever pitch!

“And then a hero comes along

With the strength to carry on

And you cast your fears aside

And you know you can survive

So, when you feel like hope is gone

Look inside you and be strong

And you’ll finally see the truth

That a hero lies in you.”

Appears in 🔻:

5. Macklemore, “HEROES” (FT. DJ Premier)

💿 BEN • 🏷 Bendo, LLC • 📅 2023

“When I grew up, criminals were my heroes.” Now that is quite the assertion, 🎙 Macklemore! Macklemore brings the heat on 🎵 “HEROES”, a promo single from his 2023 album, 💿 BEN. “HEROES” features incredible, old-school, dusty hip-hop production courtesy of 🎛 Budo (think boom bap). The beat knocks – it goes FKNG hard! Of course, it should be noted, the record samples 🎵 “Tiger Trot” by 🎙 Leroi Conroy. Given the sample, and Budo’s own skills, the backdrop has plenty of charm, with its horns, keys, scratches.

Still, the star(s) are Macklemore and his featured guest, 🎙 DJ Premier. DJ Premier is responsible for the chorus: “Pick up the mic, put your money where your mouth is / Doin’ petty crimes, back in the days…” As for Macklemore, he’s on fire over the course of two verses. He delivers an agile, aggressive flow, with plenty of personality. It all begins with that ‘criminal’ opening line from the first verse. It doesn’t stop there of course, as Macklemore goes in, bar after bar after bar. Memorably, you heart it when he asserts, “By sixteen, I had an MPC / (It was hip hop’s fault) That I wanted to grow up / Sell drugs, smoke blunts, drink Mad Dog and fuck.” Woo! Also memorable: “Wanted a perm like DJ Quik / My mama said, ‘Ben, are you aware your hair is way too thin?’” “HEROES” is nothing short of a vibe. Macklemore is back, baby!

6. Lil Baby & Lil Durk, “Voice of the Heroes”

💿 The Voice of the Heroes • 🏷 Quality Control Music • 📅 2021

“Just keep on bein’ the voice, I’ll be the hero / and everything I got is a profit, started with zero.” Two of the hottest rappers of the 2020s joined forces. That’s right, 🎙 Lil Baby and 🎙 Lil Durk topped the Billboard 200 with their 2021 collaborative album, 💿 The Voice of the Heroes. Of course, what better way to commence the album than with the title track, 🎵 “Voice of the Heroes.” “Voice of the Heroes” is produced by 🎛 TouchofTrent and Haze, who certainly fuel Baby and Durks’ fire.

Out the gate, Lil Durk brings it strong with his agile, melodic flow. On the first verse, he’s very honest about life, whether it’s missing his kids, seeing an uncle die, or seeing hs “Brother stack his bricks up and it look like Tetris.” Following the verse, Durk goes on to give us the heroic chorus, which highlights the titular lyric. Next, Lil Baby drops his own slaughter fest, with his ever-distinct tone and compelling flow. Like Durk, he keeps things real, dropping the gem, “I showed all my niggas in the trenches it’s a better life / Never get too big for me to listen, I’ll take your advice.” A shorter Durk verse, followed by a shorter Lil Baby verse occurs before the chorus returns. “Voice of the Heroes” is both a fine opening cut, as well as a totally, worthwhile single.

Appears in 🔻:

7. Lillias White, Cheryl Freeman, LaChanze, Roz Ryan, Vaneese Thomas & Tawatha Agee, “Zero To Hero”

💿 Hercules • 🏷 Disney • 📅 1997

“Bless my soul, Herc was on a roll.” Woo, indeed! He’s Hunk-ules with that chiseled bod and those dashing looks 😍! Some of the very best, most electrifying moments from the soundtrack to the 1997 Disney animated film, 💿 Hercules, arrived courtesy of The Muses. Among the best songs performed by The Muses – 🎙 Lillias White, 🎙 Cheryl Freeman, 🎙 LaChanze, 🎙 Roz Ryan, 🎙 Vaneese Thomas, and 🎙 Tawatha Agee – is 🎵 “Zero To Hero.”

“Zero To Hero” speaks for itself. The Muses highlight the come-up of Hercules. The one-liners are everything. “Herc could stop a show / Point him at a monster and you’re talkin’ SRO.” Woo! Calliope, who sings that marvelous line, goes on to say, “Now he’s a honcho,” of course, after previously being a zero! Fittingly, Thalia informs us, “And they slapped his face on every vase,” echoed by Clio (“On every vase!”). Beyond the awesome lyrics celebrating this zero-turned-hero, the music is ripe, embracing R&B and gospel vibes. One of the best moments of this classic is when The Muses turn it up another notch and “Zero to Hero” opts for a double-time feel. Amen! 🎼✍ Alan Menken and David Zippel composed a surefire gem!

Appears in 🔻:

Hero: 5ive Songs No. 64 (2022)

8. Logic, “Black SpiderMan” (Ft. Damian Lemar Hudson)

💿 Everybody • 🏷 Def Jam • 📅 2017

🎵 “Black SpiderMan” serves as the penultimate record on 💿 Everybody, the third studio album by 🎙 Logic. The 🏆 Grammy-nominated rapper enlists 🎙 Damian Lemar Hudson for the assist. “Black SpiderMan” features lush, gospel-tinged production work, giving the record an exuberant quality. Logic sings respectably on the hook, over the spiritually driven backdrop. Following the spirited hook, he breaks into quick-paced, spirited rhymes. The central theme is that everybody is included.

“I ain’t ashamed to be white

I ain’t ashamed to be black

I ain’t ashamed of my beautiful Mexican wife as a matter of fact.”

It is worth noting that at the time, Logic was married someone different than he is now… Anyways, in the context of “Black SpiderMan,” he continues to explore the message, adding sexuality and religion to the mix. The titular lyric arrives towards the end of the lengthy verse, with Logic changing the perceptions of familiar things, including references to black Jesus. Amen?

Appears in 🔻:

Creatures! Ghosts, Monsters, Vampires and Such (2017)

9. Martin Garrix & JVKE, “Hero”

🎵 “Hero” • 🏷 STMPD RCRDS B.V. / Epic Amsterdam • 📅 2022

“Can’t you see you’re not ready? My arms are getting’ heavy from the weight of the world.” Wow, that is some heavy lifting 🏋️! 🎙 JVKE continues singing, “It’s up to me and I’m getting sweaty / Is it too much to hold?” Perhaps, perhaps! Backtracking, an Enigmatic intro (“ooh” vocals) sets the tone for 🎵 “Hero”, a collaboration by Dutch dance/electronic producer extraordinaire, 🎙 Martin Garrix (🤩) and ascending singer/producer, JVKE. “Hero” was released as a single in December 2022. As always, Garrix serves up terrific production wizardry, co-producing with 🎛 Jason Suwito, New Haven, and Brooks. The synths and sound effects are ear-catching, while the groove hits hard (when it occurs).

Shifting the focus to JVKE, once more, his vocals are gorgeous from the opening tip to the close of the track. Some of his best moments include when he dips into falsetto – utterly sweet! The crowning achievement of “Heroes,” unsurprisingly, is the chorus. Here, JVKE employs more assertiveness and bite, and the production is more dynamic and grander in scheme. You could call the chorus of “Hero” incredibly heroic and perhaps, more importantly, CATCHY AS ALBEIT!

“Woah-oh, I know

Say you want a hero, you don’t

Say you want a savior, pull you off the ground

Then you wanna blame me when you’re fallin’ down

Woah-oh, I know

Don’t wanna be your hero, oh no

When’s it gonna sink in that we’re sinkin’ and fallin’ apart?

‘Cause love don’t last in the dark.”

Appears in 🔻:

Martin Garrix & JVKE, “Hero”: Dance Gemz 🕺 💎 🎶 1 (2023)

10. Alec Benjamin, “Death of a Hero”

💿 Narrated for You • 📅 2018

“I tried to help but he said he was just too far from saving.” One reason why 🎵 “Death of a Hero” (💿 Narrated for You) is a magnificent record is thanks to the fact that pop musician 🎙 Alec Benjamin is incredibly authentic – quite sincere. Furthermore, the theme makes “Death of a Hero” a gem, with Benjamin expressing his disappointment with a role model. We assume our role models to be saintly. Then, what do they do? Disappoint us, forcing us to regroup and rethink everything.

“Death of a Hero,” hence is a ‘deadly’ song, metaphorically speaking. Here, the singer/songwriter’s “Superman” exhibits his unflattering side, and the image of his hero is forever tarnished. There, my friends, is the metaphorical death.

Appears in 🔻:

11. Enrique Iglesias, “Hero”

💿 Escape • 🏷 Interscope • 📅 2001

🏆 Grammy-winning Latin pop artist 🎙 Enrique Iglesias is… SMOKING HOT 😍! Now that I got that out of the way, let’s focus on what truly matters – his voice. Throughout the course of his career, Iglesias has wowed with his expressive instrument. His tone is truly radiant, particularly on arguably his best song, 🎵 “Hero” (💿 Escape, 2001). Does it help that Iglesias is easy on the eyes – quite the heartthrob? Yes, by all means it does help, but he is more than his dashing good looks – he is incredibly talented. Honestly, it is hard to believe that “Hero” did not reach the no. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 – it settled for no. 3. Regardless, “Hero” spent 34 weeks on the Hot 100.

On “Hero,” his dedication and devotion to his lover is respectable. “I can be your hero, baby / I can kiss away the pain,” he sings in the chorus, continuing, “I will stand by you forever / You can take my breath away.” Essentially, Iglesias seems willing to die for this person. Of course, there is also sensual element as well, particularly lines like, “Would you tremble, if I touched your lips.” Still, the big takeaway is L-O-V-E. This is a totally different vibe than a later Enrique Iglesias cut, 🎵 “Tonight (I’m Fuckin’ You)” where it is clear what head Mr. Iglesias is thinking about. More than 20 years after its release, “Hero” remains powerful and definitely a heroic statement about love.

Appears in 🔻:

Enrique Iglesias, “Hero”: Music Lifts 🎶 🏋 9 (2023)

12. Tina Turner, “We Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)”

💿 Simply the Best • 🏷 Parlophone • 🗓 1991

“Out of the ruins / Out from the wreckage / Can’t make the same mistake this time.” For sure, 🎙 Tina Turner, for sure! By the time 🎵 “We Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)” arrived, Turner had firmly secured her makeover as a pop/rock artist in her solo career. 💿 Private Dancer had arrived in 1984, a year ahead of the 💿 Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome soundtrack. Notably, Turner was an actor in the movie (Aunty Entity) in addition to singing on the soundtrack. Of course, the song trumps everything else on the soundtrack, earning Turner another huge hit (it peaked at no. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100).

“We Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)” was written by 🎼 ✍ Graham Lyle and Terry Britten. The backdrop is energetic, with ample rhythm, an impressive groove, and colorful instrumental cues (keys, guitars, bass, saxophone solo by 🎷 Tim Cappello). From start to finish, Tina Turner delivers her signature tone. She is a bit more poised during portions of the verses, picking up steam on the gargantuan, anthemic chorus in all its glory.

“We don’t need another hero

We don’t need to know the way home

All we want is life beyond

Thunderdome.”

Another memorable moment precedes the chorus, as Turner sings, in both verses, “And I wonder when we are ever gonna change / Living under the fear, until nothing else remains.” Also, shout out the totally turned up bridge – WOO! Adding to the distinct, memorable nature of “We Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)” is when a truly spirited Turner invites the children to sing. The timbre of children’s voices just adds something extra special to so many songs, with “We Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)” being no exception.

Appears in 🔻:

Tina Turner, “We Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 21 (2023)

13. David Bowie, “Heroes”

💿 “Heroes” • 🏷 Jones / Tintoretto Entertainment Company LLC • 📅 1977

“I, I will be king / And you, you will be queen,” 🎙 David Bowie asserts in the chorus of 🎵 “Heroes”, among his most critically acclaimed and beloved songs. He continues, “Though nothing will drive them away / We can beat them just for one day / We can heroes just for one day.” Woo! One day is better than nothing, right? “Heroes” appears on Bowie’s 1977 album, 💿 “Heroes”. Is Bowie really talking about royalty and heroism? No. He’s referencing an affair between his producer (who was married) and his girlfriend. Scandalous!

It makes sense on this 🎼 ✍ Brian Eno co-write that this relationship can’t possibly be permanent. Need I reiterate that 🎛 Tony Visconti was married! That is often the case with affairs, who’s secrecy is often revealed to catastrophic repercussions. Regardless, Bowie sings in impassioned fashion, eventually belting about the possibility of one day of lover’s bliss, uninterrupted, sigh. Furthermore, he hopes for more, given the fact “We can beat them forever and ever.” The energy and the sheer expression of his vocals is awe-inspiring, earning the characterization by some that this is the David Bowie performance to beat. Among the most memorable lyrics appear in the third verse, citing the incident in which Bowie witnessed the affair this song is based on:

“I, I can remember (I remember)

Standing by the wall (By the wall)

And the guns shot above our heads (Over our heads)

And we kissed as though nothing could fall (Nothing could fall).”

Appears in 🔻:

David Bowie, “Heroes”: FIERCE Pop + Rock 🔥🤘 8 (2023)

13 Totally Heroic Hero Songs [📷: Brent Faulkner/The Musical Hype; Alec Benjamin, Bendo, LLC, Boominati Worldwide, LLC / Republic, Columbia, Def Jam, Disney, Interscope, Jones / Tintoretto Entertainment Company LLC, More is More, LLC / BMG Rights Management (US) LLC, Parlophone, Quality Control Music, STMPD RCRDS B.V. / Epic Amsterdam, Taylor Swift; Ferdie Balean, Klaus Nielsen, RODNAE Productions, Ronê Ferreira, Roy Reyna via Pexels]

13 Totally Heroic Hero Songs | Playlist 🎧

Published by the musical hype on February 10, 2023February 10, 2023