A Real Hero

"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 on Electric Youth's debut studio album Innerworld. The track was used as a main theme in the 2011 film Drive, directed by Nicolas Winding Refn and starring Ryan Gosling and Carey Mulligan.[1]

"A Real Hero"
Single by College and Electric Youth
from the album Innerworld
Released11 January 2010 (2010-01-11)
Genre
Length4:27
LabelValerie Records
Songwriter(s)

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.[2][3] Garrick's grandfather referred to Sullenberger as "a real human being and a real hero", which became the song's refrain. The second verse of the song, which includes the line "155 people on board", refers 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."[3] The first verse of the song is more along these lines, and could be taken to be about Mad Max himself, although it could also be about Sullenberger.

Cover versions
  • Indie rock band Alt-J released a cover version of the song for their “iTunes Session” EP on April 16, 2013 through Atlantic Records.[4]
  • Indie pop group Smallpools released a cover version of the song on May 12, 2015 through RCA Records and Sony Music Entertainment.[5][6] The cover was uploaded to audio distribution platform SoundCloud on May 13.[6]
  • 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.

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

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. Vehling, Aaron (7 September 2016). "Drive: Revisiting the Neon-Noir Masterpiece". Vehlinggo. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  2. Dobbins, Amanda (27 October 2011). "College and Electric Youth Explain the Captain Sully Inspiration for Drive's 'Real Hero'". Vulture. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  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.
  4. "iTunes Session by alt-J". iTunes Store. United Kingdom: Apple. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  5. Payne, Chris. "Smallpools Premieres 'A Real Hero' Cover: Hear Their Take on the 'Drive' Soundtrack Jam". Billboard. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  6. "Smallpools "A Real Hero" (Official Single Cover)". Ultimate Music. 19 May 2015. Archived from the original on 21 August 2016. Retrieved 29 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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