Song Of The Moment: Black Superman

This here's the story of Cassius Clay, who changed his name to Muhammad Ali.

Artist: Johnny Wakelin & the Kinshasa Band.

Released: 1974. (18 versions)

Label: Pye Records.

Charts: Peaked at #21 on Billboard Hot 100 in September 1975.

Compilation: Track 3 on Super Hits of the '70s, Volume 15.

Songfacts: "'Black Superman' was Wakelin's debut single; the Kinshasa Band did not exist, although events in Kinshasa the previous year were the direct inspiration for the song; in October 1974, Ali scored probably his most famous victory when he knocked out the previously undefeated George Foreman in the 8th round of the now historic 'Rumble in the Jungle.'"

The song:

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Lyrics:

This here's the story of Cassius Clay
Who changed his name to Muhammad Ali
He knows how to talk and he knows how to fight
And all the contenders were beat out of sight

Sing, Muhammad, Muhammad Ali
He floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee
Mohammad, the Black Superman
Who calls to the other guy
I'm Ali, catch me if you can

Now all you fight fans, you've got to agree
There ain't no flies on Muhammad Ali
He fills the arena wherever he goes
And everyone gets what they paid for

Muhammad, was known to have said
You watch me shuffle and I'll jab off your head
He moves like the black superman
And calls to the other guy
I'm Ali, catch me if you can

He says I'm the greatest the world's ever seen
The heavyweight champion who came back again
My face is so pretty you don't see a scar
Which proves I'm the king of the ring by far

Sing, Muhammad, Muhammad Ali
He floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee
Mohammad, the Black Superman
Who calls to the other guy
I'm Ali, catch me if you can

Sing, Muhammad, Muhammad Ali
He floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee
Muhammad, the Black Superman
Who calls to the other guy
I'm Ali, catch me if you can
I'm Ali, catch me if you can

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Cover: Track 15, Gear Daddies, Can't Have Nothin' Nice.

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How To Play It On Piano:

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The comic:

Ali was so great that @DCComics made a comic book where he boxed vs Superman & knocked him out. Think about that. 🐐 pic.twitter.com/KLixsYpvu7

— Mr. President (@AJFrancis410) June 4, 2016

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Songfacts P.S.: "In spite of his Reggae style and apparent 'blackness' of his vocals, Johnny Wakelin is a white man, and was born in Brighton."

Here he is performing "In Zaire."

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Bonus: "Stand By Me," sung by Cassius Clay, from his 1963 record I Am The Greatest.

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See also: The Many Contradictions of Muhammad Ali.

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Previously in Song of the Moment:
* Iron Man
* The Story of Bo Diddley
* Teach Your Children
* Dream Vacation
* When The Levee Breaks
* I Kissed A Girl
* Theme From Shaft
* Rocky Mountain High
* North to Alaska
* Barracuda
* Rainy Days and Mondays
* Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?
* Baby, It's Cold Outside
* Man in the Mirror
* Birthday Sex
* Rio
* My Sharona
* Alex Chilton
* Surfin' Bird
* By The Time I Get To Arizona
* Heaven and Hell
* Sunday Bloody Sunday
* Lawless One
* Tell It Like It Is
* The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
* Lake Shore Drive
* On, Wisconsin!
* Anarchy in the U.K.
* Ballad of a Thin Man
* White Riot
* Know Your Rights
* Chicago Teacher
* Youngstown
* Over The Cliff
* Almost Gone (The Ballad of Bradley Manning)
* Party at the NSA
* V.E.N.T.R.A.
* Plutocrat (The Ballad of Bruce Rauner)
* Fight The Power
* Baltimore
* Go, Cubs, Go!
* 16 Shots

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Plus:
* Mayor 1%.
* Songs Of The Runoff.

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See also:
* Songs of the Occupation: To Have And To Have Not
* Songs of the Occupation: Johnny 99

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Comments welcome.

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