"Hero"
CD single cover
Single by Chad Kroeger featuring Josey Scott
from the album Music from and Inspired by Spider-Man
B-side"Invisible Man" by Theory of a Deadman
ReleasedMarch 1, 2002 (2002-03-01)
RecordedMarch 2001[1]
GenreAlternative rock,[2] post-grunge[3]
Length
  • 3:20 (with orchestral background)
  • 3:09 (with strings omitted)
Label
Songwriter(s)Chad Kroeger[4]
Producer(s)Chad Kroeger
Chad Kroeger singles chronology
"Hero"
(2002)		 "Why Don't You & I"
(2004)
Alternative cover
iTunes cover

"Hero" is a song by Canadian musician Chad Kroeger (lead vocalist of Nickelback) and American musician Josey Scott (then lead vocalist of Saliva) for the soundtrack to the 2002 superhero film Spider-Man. It was written by Kroeger and recorded specifically for the film.[4] "Hero" was released through Roadrunner Records on March 1, 2002, as the soundtrack's lead single.[5] The song serves as Kroeger's debut solo release.

There are two widely-available versions of the song: one with an orchestral background and one without. Mike Kroeger (bassist of Nickelback), Tyler Connolly (lead singer/guitarist of Theory of a Deadman), and Matt Cameron (drummer of Soundgarden and Pearl Jam) appear on the recording. In addition to its digital release, "Hero" was distributed internationally in various CD single and maxi single formats. Theory of a Deadman's "Invisible Man" was included on many of these releases.

"Hero" experienced worldwide commercial success, peaking in the top 10 of record charts in Austria, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The song also topped the US Billboard Mainstream Rock and Modern Rock airplay charts. It was nominated for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media, Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, and Best Rock Song at the 45th Grammy Awards (2003).[6]

Background

The song was the result of a collaboration between Kroeger and Scott. Scott told Yahoo!'s entertainment news service LAUNCH, "(Kroeger) had the idea for the song 'Hero,' so I came up to Vancouver and met him. He pitched me the idea, and I thought that was pretty dope. Real dope. So we sort of tweaked it, together, laid down some harmonies on it, and played everything from congas to acoustics on it."

Matt Cameron, who played drums on the recording, did not appear in the music video and cited "family issues" as the reason. Our Lady Peace drummer Jeremy Taggart appeared in his place, performing along to Cameron's drum track.[7]

Alice in Chains guitarist Jerry Cantrell was originally picked to play the guitar solo (later played by Tyler Connolly[8]), but he pulled out.[1] He did, however, contribute to the soundtrack with the song "She Was My Girl", from his solo album Degradation Trip.[9]

Music video

The music video consists of the group, except for Matt Cameron, performing on a building's rooftop purportedly in New York City, with footage of the movie spliced in between, and was directed by Nigel Dick. It was filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia on March 24, 2002, and premiered on March 28.[7]

The song has won Best Video from a Film at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards.[10]

Critical reception

Reviewing the song for NME, Imran Ahmed was critical of Kroeger's "predictability" and drew a strong comparison to "How You Remind Me", Nickelback's 2001 international breakthrough, calling the formula for both "Commercial grunge + MOR sensibility = Nu-MOR hit."[11]

Chart performance

The song was a cross-genre hit in mid-2002, peaking at number one on the Billboard Modern Rock and Mainstream Rock charts, number three on the Billboard Hot 100, and also winning considerable airplay at pop radio, peaking at number two and five, respectively, on the Mainstream Top 40 and Adult Top 40 charts.

Track listings

Personnel

Charts

Certifications

Certifications and sales for "Hero"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[60] Gold 400,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Hero"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
Worldwide March 1, 2002 Digital download Roadrunner [5]
United States April 15, 2002 Roadrunner [61]
May 7, 2002 Contemporary hit radio [62]
Australia May 20, 2002 CD [63]
Canada [64]
Various May 28, 2002 Sony [65]
United Kingdom June 10, 2002
  • CD
  • cassette
 Roadrunner [66]
United States CD [67]

References

  1. 1 2 "Jerry Cantrell Skips Nickelback/Saliva Collaboration, Matt Cameron Steps In". Blabbermouth. March 27, 2002. Archived from the original on July 28, 2018. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  2. ↑ "Ranking: Every Alternative Rock No. 1 Hit from Worst to Best". July 5, 2017.
  3. ↑ Josie, Bailey Jo (December 5, 2020). "10 Songs That Were Written for Superhero Movie Soundtracks". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  4. 1 2 "Music From And Inspired By Spider-Man". Discogs. Archived from the original on July 28, 2018. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  5. 1 2 3 "Amazon.com: Hero (feat. Josey Scott): Chad Kroeger (featuring Josey Scott): MP3 Downloads". Amazon Music. Archived from the original on November 9, 2016. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Complete list of Grammy nominees; ceremony set for Feb. 23". SFGate. Hearst Corporation. January 8, 2003. Archived from the original on December 7, 2012. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  7. 1 2 Wiederhorn, Jon (March 28, 2002). "Nickelback, Saliva, Pearl Jam Members Make 'Hero' Sandwich For Spidey". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on November 9, 2016. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  8. ↑ "Nickelback's Chad Kroeger Brings Theory Of A Deadman To Life". MTV News. August 2, 2002. Archived from the original on June 15, 2018. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  9. ↑ "'Spider-Man' Theme To Come Courtesy Of Aerosmith". MTV. April 8, 2002. Archived from the original on June 17, 2018. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  10. ↑ "MTV Video Music Awards | 2002 | Highlights, Winners, Performers and Photos from the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards". MTV.com. August 29, 2002. Archived from the original on March 8, 2016. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  11. ↑ Amhed, Imran (September 12, 2005). "Chad Kroeger : Hero – NME". NME. Time Inc. UK. Archived from the original on November 9, 2016. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  12. ↑ "Amazon.com: Hero (Motion Picture Version): Chad Kroeger Feat. Josey Scott: MP3 Downloads". Amazon Music. Archived from the original on November 9, 2016. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Chad (Ft Josey S) Kroeger – Hero – Amazon.com Music". Amazon Music. Archived from the original on November 9, 2016. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  14. ↑ "Chad Kroeger feat. Josey Scott – Hero". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Chad Kroeger feat. Josey Scott – Hero" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  16. ↑ "Chad Kroeger feat. Josey Scott – Hero" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  17. ↑ "Chad Kroeger feat. Josey Scott – Hero" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  18. ↑ "Hot Canadian Digital Songs : May 18, 2002". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on November 25, 2016. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  19. ↑ "Top Lista Hrvatskog Radija". Croatian Radiotelevision. Archived from the original on October 5, 2002. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Chad Kroeger feat. Josey Scott – Hero". Tracklisten. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  21. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 20, no. 27. June 29, 2002. p. 7. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  22. ↑ "ER Top 50 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 24. July 6, 2002. p. 12. Retrieved October 11, 2019.
  23. ↑ "Chad Kroeger feat. Josey Scott – Hero" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  24. ↑ "Chad Kroeger feat. Josey Scott – Hero" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  25. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Hero". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  26. ↑ "Chad Kroeger feat. Josey Scott – Hero". Top Digital Download. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  27. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 24, 2002" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  28. ↑ "Chad Kroeger feat. Josey Scott – Hero" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  29. ↑ "Chad Kroeger feat. Josey Scott – Hero". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  30. ↑ "Poland: Airplay Chart – Lista Krajowa 34/2002" Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  31. ↑ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 20, no. 28. July 6, 2002. p. 17. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  32. ↑ "Romanian peak". Archived from the original on February 16, 2005. Retrieved March 3, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  33. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  34. ↑ "Chad Kroeger feat. Josey Scott – Hero". Singles Top 100. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  35. ↑ "Chad Kroeger feat. Josey Scott – Hero". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  36. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  37. ↑ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  38. ↑ "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  39. ↑ "Chad Kroeger Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  40. ↑ "Chad Kroeger Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  41. ↑ "Chad Kroeger Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  42. ↑ "Chad Kroeger Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  43. ↑ "Chad Kroeger Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  44. ↑ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2002". ARIA. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  45. ↑ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2002" (in German). Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  46. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 2002" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  47. ↑ "Rapports annuels 2002" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  48. ↑ "Top 100 top played radio tracks in Canada in 2002". Jam!. Archived from the original on August 12, 2004. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  49. ↑ "Canada's Top 200 Singles of 2002". Jam!. January 14, 2003. Archived from the original on September 6, 2004. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  50. ↑ "Year in Review – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 2002" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 21, no. 2–3. January 11, 2003. p. 14. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  51. ↑ "Top 100 Singles – Jahrescharts 2002" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  52. ↑ "Best of Single 2002". IRMA. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  53. ↑ "Årslista Singlar, 2002" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  54. ↑ "Swiss Year-End Charts 2002" (in German). Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  55. ↑ "The Official UK Singles Chart 2002" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  56. ↑ "Most Broadcast of 2002 – Airplay Top 50" (PDF). Music Week. January 18, 2003. p. 31. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  57. 1 2 3 4 "The Year in Charts 2002". Billboard. Vol. 114, no. 52. December 28, 2002. pp. YE-38, YE-87, YE-97. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  58. ↑ "Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 2002". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 10, no. 51. December 20, 2002. p. 12.
  59. ↑ "Most-Played Modern Rock Songs of 2002". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 10, no. 51. December 20, 2002. p. 44.
  60. ↑ "British single certifications – Chad Kroeger ft Josey Scott – Hero". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  61. ↑ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1448. April 12, 2002. p. 31. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
  62. ↑ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1451. May 3, 2002. p. 30. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
  63. ↑ "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 20th May 2002" (PDF). ARIA. May 20, 2002. p. 25. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 26, 2002. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  64. ↑ "Hero: Chad Kroeger: Amazon.ca: Music". Amazon Music. Amazon.ca. Archived from the original on November 9, 2016. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  65. ↑ "Hero – Chad Kroeger | Release Info". AllMusic. All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 9, 2016. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  66. ↑ "New Releases – For Week Starting 10 June 2002: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. June 8, 2002. p. 31. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  67. ↑ "Chad Kroeger – Hero (Enhanced) – Amazon.com Music". Amazon Music. Archived from the original on November 9, 2016. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
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