Superstar (Jesus Christ Superstar song)
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| "Superstar" | ||||||||||
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| Single by Murray Head and ensemble | ||||||||||
| from the album Jesus Christ Superstar | ||||||||||
| Released | November 21, 1969 (UK) December 1, 1969 (USA) |
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| Format | 7" | |||||||||
| Recorded | 1969 | |||||||||
| Genre | Rock | |||||||||
| Length | 4:15 | |||||||||
| Label | Decca/MCA | |||||||||
| Writer(s) | Andrew Lloyd Webber (music) Tim Rice (lyrics) |
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| Producer | Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice | |||||||||
| Murray Head and ensemble singles chronology | ||||||||||
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"Superstar" is the title song from the 1970 rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. It was released as a single in 1969, before the album was completed. Sung by Murray Head with the Trinidad Singers, it reached number 78 on first release. Murray Head reached number 14 in the U.S. with a single version in 1971.
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[edit] Content
It is sung by the spirit of Judas Iscariot, where he questions why Jesus chose to arrive in the manner that he did and if what happened to him was truly part of a divine plan. Although it may be considered accusatory, it is dominated by the repetitive apologies of Judas for questioning ("Don't you get me wrong", "I only want to know"). Along with "I Don't Know How to Love Him", it is the best-known song from this production.
[edit] Other versions
Laura Osnes, female winner of Grease: You're the One That I Want performed the song during the showtunes week.
Carly Smithson sang the song during the seventh season of American Idol the week the theme was the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber. Although judge Simon Cowell called it one of his favorite performances of the night, Smithson was eliminated the following results night.
Jodie Prenger and Samantha Barks performed a duet of the song onI'd Do Anything which was highly acclaimed. Prenger went onto to win the BBC competition and become Nancy in the west end musical by Webber Oliver!.
Anastacia performed the song at "Concert for Diana" on the 1st of July 2007.
The 1970s ABC Sports TV show The Superstars used the instrumental version of the song as the show's theme song.
[edit] Chart performance
| Chart (1969-1971) | Peak position |
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| Canadian RPM Top Singles | 6 |
| Dutch Singles Chart | 9 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100[1] | 14 |
[edit] References
- ^ Billboard Allmusic.com (Retrieved 4 September 2008)
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