5 Facts About Laurie Anderson's 'O Superman' Hit

“O Superman” reached #2 on the UK singles chart in 1981. This happened before the album Big Science was even released.

The song was a surprise hit for Laurie Anderson. It was not expected to chart, let alone reach the top 10.

“O Superman” is the lead track on Big Science. The album came out in 1982, after the single’s success.

The song’s minimalist style stood out on the charts. Its eight-minute length and spoken-word vocals were unusual for a pop hit.

The single’s success helped launch Anderson’s mainstream career. It remains her most commercially successful song.