Updated
Superman music: themes and scores
Superman's music, from John Williams' 1978 theme, recorded by the LSO in Denham, to every film score, TV theme and the Superman songs that hit the UK charts.
The short answer
John Williams' Superman theme was recorded in England in 1978, by the London Symphony Orchestra at Anvil Studios in Denham, Buckinghamshire. It was nominated for an Oscar and returns, reimagined, in Superman (2025), scored by John Murphy and David Fleming. Man of Steel (2013) was the first Superman film not to use it. In the UK charts, Laurie Anderson's O Superman reached No. 2 in 1981.
Few heroes have a sound as instantly recognisable as Superman’s. Hum the opening of John Williams’ theme and almost anyone can tell you who’s flying. Here’s the story of that theme, the scores that followed it, and the Superman songs that made the UK charts.
The Superman theme was made in Britain
John Williams wrote the famous theme for Superman (1978), and it was recorded in England. The London Symphony Orchestra played it under Williams at Anvil Studios in Denham, Buckinghamshire, in sessions between July and November 1978. The film itself was largely made at Pinewood and Shepperton, so the music is part of a very British production: see Superman and Britain.
Awards: the score was nominated for the Oscar for Best Original Score, losing to Giorgio Moroder’s Midnight Express. It’s also reported to have won a Grammy for Best Instrumental Composition at the 1980 ceremony (Likely); sources disagree on whether it won one Grammy or two.
Who scored every Superman film?
| Film | Composer | Uses the Williams theme? | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Superman (1978) | John Williams | The original | Confirmed |
| Superman II (1980) | Ken Thorne, adapting Williams | Yes | Confirmed |
| Superman III (1983) | Ken Thorne | Not over the opening titles, but elsewhere | Likely |
| Supergirl (1984) | Jerry Goldsmith | Referenced | Likely |
| Superman IV (1987) | Alexander Courage | Yes, plus three new themes by Williams | Confirmed |
| Superman Returns (2006) | John Ottman | Yes | Confirmed |
| Man of Steel (2013) | Hans Zimmer | No, the first Superman film without it | Confirmed |
| Batman v Superman (2016) | Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL | No | Confirmed |
| Superman (2025) | John Murphy and David Fleming | Yes, reimagined | Confirmed |
| Man of Tomorrow (2027) | David Fleming | Not yet known | Likely |
For Superman Returns, director Bryan Singer wanted Williams, who was busy with Star Wars: Episode III, so John Ottman reworked the theme instead.
The music of Superman (2025)
James Gunn insisted on bringing the Williams theme back, and John Murphy and David Fleming reworked it for the new film. WaterTower Music released the 33-track soundtrack album on 8 July 2025, and Mondo followed with a double vinyl LP. David Fleming is also reported to be scoring Man of Tomorrow (2027). See our Superman (2025) guide and Man of Tomorrow guide.
TV themes and scores
| Series | Music | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Fleischer cartoons (1941–43) | Sammy Timberg, Fleischer’s music director | Confirmed |
| Adventures of Superman (1952–58) | Theme usually credited to Leon Klatzkin, though later liner notes question it | Disputed |
| Lois & Clark (1993–97) | Jay Gruska | Likely |
| Smallville (2001–11) | Theme song “Save Me” by Remy Zero; score by Mark Snow, with occasional nods to Williams | Confirmed |
| Superman & Lois (2021–24) | Score by Dan Romer | Likely |
| My Adventures with Superman (2023–) | Score by Dominic Lewis and Daniel Futcher; theme song “Up and Away” by Kyle Troop and the Heretics | Likely |
More on the cartoons is in our Superman animation guide, and on the live-action shows in Superman on TV.
Superman in the UK charts
Song titles and artists only: we don’t reproduce lyrics. UK peaks are from the Official Charts Company.
| Song | Artist | Year | UK peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| “O Superman” | Laurie Anderson | 1981 | No. 2 (6 weeks) |
| “Superman (Gioca Jouer)” | Black Lace | 1983 | No. 9 (20 weeks) |
| “Superman” | Stereophonics | 2005 | No. 13 (5 weeks) |
| “Sunshine Superman” | Donovan | 1966 | No. 2 (11 weeks), though it isn’t about the character |
More Superman songs
These songs are about or named after Superman, but we haven’t confirmed UK chart peaks for them:
- “(Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman”, The Kinks (1979)
- “Superman’s Song”, Crash Test Dummies (1991)
- “Jimmy Olsen’s Blues”, Spin Doctors (1991)
- “Superman’s Dead”, Our Lady Peace (1997)
- “Kryptonite”, 3 Doors Down (2000), a US No. 3
- “Superman (It’s Not Easy)”, Five for Fighting (2000)
To listen, use official streams of the soundtrack albums and singles.
Questions
Who wrote the Superman theme?
John Williams wrote the famous Superman theme for Superman (1978). The London Symphony Orchestra recorded it under Williams at Anvil Studios in Denham, Buckinghamshire, in 1978.
Does Superman (2025) use the John Williams theme?
Yes. John Murphy and David Fleming's score brings back the Williams theme in a reimagined form, at James Gunn's insistence. Man of Steel (2013) was the first Superman film not to use it at all.
Who composed the Man of Steel score?
Hans Zimmer. His Man of Steel score (2013) is the first Superman film score to use none of the Williams theme.
Did the Superman theme win an Oscar?
It was nominated for Best Original Score but lost to Giorgio Moroder's Midnight Express. It's also reported to have won a Grammy, though sources disagree on whether it won one or two, and we're still checking with the Recording Academy.
What is the Smallville theme song?
Save Me, by Remy Zero. The show's score was by Mark Snow.
Sources and further reading
- /Film: Hans Zimmer to score Batman v Superman with Junkie XL
- Wikipedia: Music of Superman
- Wikipedia: Awards and nominations received by John Williams
- Filmtracks: Superman (1978)
- MusicBrainz: Theme From Superman session data
- Wikipedia: Superman (2025 soundtrack)
- Film Music Reporter: Superman (2025) album details (8 July 2025)
- MovieMaker: John Williams and Superman (2025)
- Film Music Reporter: My Adventures with Superman composers
- Film Music Reporter: Superman & Lois
- Jay Gruska: Lois & Clark
- Official Charts: Superman singles search
- Wikipedia: Superman (Black Lace song)
- Wikipedia: Superman (Stereophonics song)
- The A.V. Club: 26 songs about Superman