Although Clark Kent has had an iconic DC theme since the release of Superman in 1978, 2024 provided his archenemy Lex Luthor with a perfect anthem in the last episode of Superman and Lois. While many songs and melodies fit the brutal new version of Lex Luthor that Michael Cudlitz played in the series, a 2021 song from a well-known band made a very impactful contribution to the show.
With the series reaching its final episodes, Superman and Lois season 4, episode 6 used a stellar combination of music and action to contribute to one of its most terrifying and compelling scenes. Although it is almost certain, from James Gunn’s story of incredible needle drops, that the next Superman the reboot will use pre-existing songs in new and exciting ways, the perfect model for this was left in the latter Superman and Lois episode. One key moment used music to elevate Lex Luthor’s scene to one of the most memorable in the series thus far.
Superman & Lois Season 4 Gave Lex Luthor a Great Theme Song in a Dramatic Way
When The Lights Come On, by IDLES, reproduces an impactful scene
During an important moment Superman and Lois which precedes a massive power upgrade for Lex Luthor, IDLES’ ‘When the Lights Come On’ Is a Perfect New Song for Lex Luthor. The song follows the beginning of a huge fight between Luthor and Superman, where Luthor installed red sunlight on the street lights to weaken Clark and even the playing field so they could face each other. In this, the music makes an obvious connection to what is happening on screen, although the details of the music make that connection much clearer.
The red sun’s radiation has been a major weakness for Clark and his powers, and using it here along with a song that openly refers to that light is effective. The song, with a dark feel and unique vocals, plays over a deep, pulsing bassline. It’s a singularly unsettling feeling and convincingly highlights the conflict that occurs between the hero and the villain. Using this as a sort of theme song for this version of Lex Luthor seems immediately appropriate – but even more so once you dig into why.
Why When the Lights Come On is such a fitting theme song for Lex Luthor from Superman & Lois
The song IDLES makes sense to this Lex in obvious and subtle ways
Michael Cudlitz’s Lex Luthor is terrifying, bitter, and obsessed. The song, in turn, is about isolation and loss of self-control. These themes fit perfectly with this iteration of Lex Luthor, especially in the Superman vs. Superman fight. Lex from the episode. With the sound of the music and the darkness of the lyrics, the song seems tied to Lex Luthor in a way that is immediately obvious and helps communicate a lot about the character quickly and concisely.
Furthermore, when talking to Mojocomposer Joe Talbot has suggested that the song is partly inspired by the concept of addiction and its effects. Luthor’s obsession with Superman tends to border on addiction, as a compelling drive behind every action he takes. Lex is addicted to the grudge he holds against the Man of Steel and will do anything and everything he can to destroy him, no matter how much it may hurt or damage Lex himself or others around him.
Lex Luthor has been an iconic villain for years, and it’s about time he got his own theme. Although the song wasn’t written about Lex, many of the lyrics and details perfectly sum up the villain’s perspective and feeling.. Additionally, the tone and instrumentation suit this grizzled, angry version of Lex that the show presented. It will be interesting to see if this song continues to be played in association with him throughout the rest of the season. Superman and Lois.
Superman and Loisthe Arrowverse’s seventh spinoff series, will take the titular characters from Metropolis to Smallville. The CW series is set after the “Crisis on Infinite Earths” crossover, which saw the collapse of the multiverse and the merging of worlds on what is now Earth Prime. Superman and Lois sees Lois Lane (Elizabeth Tulloch) and Clark Kent (Tyler Hoechlin) dealing with all the pressures of their jobs, as well as being parents to two teenage children. Lois and Clark are no strangers to the Arrowverse, with Hoechlin’s Superman having been introduced way back when. Supergirl season 2. Meanwhile, Tulloch’s Lois made her debut in 2018’s “Elseworlds” crossover. The pair are joined by a growing cast of characters that includes a new iteration of Lana Lang.
- Release date
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February 23, 2021
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