Super Hero

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Super Hero


from the album Millennium

from the album Blankman
Song details
Performer: Earth, Wind & Fire; New Power Generation feat. The Steeles
First Released: 14 September 1993 - Millennium album (Earth, Wind & Fire version)

9 August 1994 - Blankman album (New Power Generation feat. The Steeles version)

Album(s): Millennium

Blankman

Writer(s): Prince
Producer(s): Maurice White; Prince
Live Appearances
First and last live appearance:
Performed regularly on tour:
  • none
Performed occasionally in shows:

Super Hero is the twelfth track on Earth, Wind & Fire’s first and only Reprise Records album Millennium, and was written by Prince (who also contributed musically to the released version). An extended version was also included on a Japanese release of their Blood Brothers single.

A version by the New Power Generation (with lead vocals by The Steeles) was released the following year on the Blankman movie soundtrack, and was released as a single on the same day as the album’s release.

Although specific recording dates are unknown, basic tracks were recorded in September 1992 at Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen, Minnesota (during the same set of sessions that produced Down, Holly Don’t Care, The P, The Halls Of Desire, Paris 1798430, Uncle Sam, Hit U In The Socket, Extraordinary and a remake of Shhh).

Earth, Wind & Fire added to the recording, and Maurice White is credited as the producer of their version, but Prince is credited with the vocal arrangement, background vocals, keyboards and drum programming, presumably all kept from Prince’s own version.

The version by the New Power Generation featuring The Steeles (with Fred Steele singing lead) was recorded live in May-June 1994 at Paisley Park Studios.

An second version by the New Power Generation (without The Steeles) was recorded (most likely around the same time) and included on a December 1994 configuration of Exodus (segueing into an uncredited cover version of Billy Preston’s Outa-Space). The album went through a major overhaul prior to release, and this track was removed from the album.

Prince’s version (guide vocal) of Super Hero was one of the Vault tracks recorded between 1990 and 1992 slated to appear on the planned Diamonds & Love expected to be released by The Prince Estate in the summer of 2022. That project, which consisted of material spanning both the Diamonds And Pearls and eras, was reduced to the Diamonds And Pearls era, excluding songs recorded after October 1991 (and this track as a result).


Recording Information
Recording Sessions
Date Studio Additional info
September 1992 Paisley Park Studios,
Chanhassen, MN, USA
Tracking
Late 1992 - mid-1993 Studio information needed Earth, Wind & Fire overdubs
Late 1992 - mid-1993 Larrabee Sound Studios, North Hollywood, CA, USA Mix by Keith "K.C." Cohen
May-June 1994 Paisley Park Studios,
Chanhassen, MN, USA
New Power Generation re-recordings
Recording Personnel

Earth, Wind & Fire version


New Power Generation feat. The Steeles version


New Power Generation unreleased version


Versions
Released Versions
Title Length Released Version Additional info
Super Hero 4:08 Millennium

Various ‎– Club Promotions Back To Back Album Sampler No. 1

Studio Earth, Wind & Fire version
Super Hero (Long Version) 5:37 Blood Brothers single Extended version Extended version of Earth, Wind & Fire version
Super Hero 4:59 Blankman album

Super Hero single

Studio New Power Generation feat. The Steeles version; a.k.a. Super Hero (Album Version)
Super Hero (Denair Old Skool Mix) 4:12 Super Hero single Remix New Power Generation feat. The Steeles version; remix and additional production by Denair
Super Hero (Hero Slow Motion Mix) 4:53 Super Hero single Remix New Power Generation feat. The Steeles version; remix by Kirk Johnson
Super Hero (InDaSoul Mix) 4:00 Super Hero single Remix New Power Generation feat. The Steeles version; additional production and remix by In Da Soul; edited by Jere MC
Super Hero (New Power Hero Mix) 7:16 Super Hero single Remix New Power Generation feat. The Steeles version; remix by Kirk Johnson
Super Hero (Silk’s Deep House Mix) 4:37 Super Hero single Remix New Power Generation feat. The Steeles version; additional production and remix by Steve "Silk" Hurley
Super Hero (Silk’s House Mix) 4:38 Super Hero single Remix New Power Generation feat. The Steeles version; additional production and remix by Steve "Silk" Hurley
Video Versions
Title Length Released Version Additional info
Super Hero 4:11 Promotional release only Studio New Power Generation feat. The Steeles version; See Super Hero video for details


Unreleased Versions
Title Version Additional Info
Super Hero Studio Prince’s 1992 version
Super Hero Studio New Power Generation 1994 recording for Exodus, segueing into Outa-Space
 
Additional Information

See also Trivia


References
Sunrise Sunset   < < < All Songs Unreleased Songs > > >   Superconductor