A Real Hero

"A Real Hero"
Single by College and Electric Youth
from the album Innerworld
Released 11 January 2010 (2010-01-11)
Format
Genre
Length 4:27
Label Valerie Records
Songwriter(s)

"A Real Hero" is a song by French electronica artist College in collaboration with Electric Youth, released in 2010. The song was included as the eleventh track Electric Youth's debut studio album Innerworld. The track was used in the film Drive, directed by Nicolas Winding Refn and starring Ryan Gosling and Carey Mulligan.

Production

Electric Youth frontman Austin Garrick, along with David Grellier, who performs as College, have cited separate inspirations for producing the song. Garrick was inspired to write the song by a quote from his grandfather, who spoke of airline captain Chesley Sullenberger after the US Airways Flight 1549 water landing incident.[1][2] Garrick's grandfather referred to Sullenberger as "a real human being and a real hero", which became the song's refrain. "155 people on board" may be a direct reference to the 155 survivors of US 1549. Grellier, on the other hand, took inspiration from cinema, in particular the character Max Rockatansky of the Mad Max franchise. Grellier has stated that he "wanted to give a homage to that lonely hero that we see in movies like Mad Max. People who make their own choice and try to save lives. I want to give an homage."[2]

Cover versions

Indie pop group Smallpools released a cover version of the song on May 12, 2015 through RCA Records and Sony Music Entertainment.[3][4] The cover was uploaded to audio distribution platform SoundCloud on May 13.[4] The song was also covered by Indie Rock Band, The High Highs, on the Deluxe Version of their Album Open Season, released January 29, 2013. It was also featured as a Single, and released Sept. 13, 2013.[5]

Track listing

Digital download
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."A Real Hero"Austin Garrick, David GrellierGarrick, Grellier4:27
2."Closer"GrellierGrellier1:35
3."Critical Mass"GrellierGrellier4:12
4."The Mirage Makers"GrellierGrellier1:21
5."Susan Waiting"GrellierGrellier2:21

Personnel

Weekly charts

Chart (2014) Peak
position
Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[6] 30

Release history and reception

Country Date Format Label
France[7] January 11, 2010 Digital download Valerie
United Kingdom[8]
United States[9]

Spin magazine named "A Real Hero" one of the 20 Best Songs of 2011.[10] The song was nominated for a 2012 MTV Movie Award in the category of "Best Music".[11]

References

  1. ↑ Dobbins, Amanda (27 October 2011). "College and Electric Youth Explain the Captain Sully Inspiration for Drive's 'Real Hero'". Vulture. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 O'Connell, Michael (27 October 2011). "'Drive' Song Inspired by Captain Sully Sullenberger and 'Mad Max' (Video)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  3. ↑ Payne, Chris. "Smallpools Premieres 'A Real Hero' Cover: Hear Their Take on the 'Drive' Soundtrack Jam". Billboard. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  4. 1 2 "Smallpools "A Real Hero" (Official Single Cover)". Ultimate Music. 19 May 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  5. ↑ "High Highs", Wikipedia, 2018-05-18, retrieved 2018-09-19
  6. ↑ "Heatseekers Albus: October 18, 2014". Billboard. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  7. ↑ "A Real Hero - EP by College". iTunes Store FR. Apple Inc. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  8. ↑ "A Real Hero - EP by College". iTunes Store UK. Apple Inc. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  9. ↑ "A Real Hero - EP by College". iTunes Store US. Apple Inc. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  10. ↑ Aaron, Charles (9 December 2011). "Spin 20 Best Songs of 2011". Spin. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  11. ↑ http://www.mtv.com/videos/misc/763154/best-music-a-real-hero-college-and-electric-youth-drive.jhtml
  12. ↑ Jagernauth, Kevin (22 September 2012). "'Taken 2' Soundtrack Features Two Key Songs From 'Drive' & More". IndieWire. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
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