Format CDdigital download Length 4:27 | Genre Synthpopnew wave Label Valerie Records | |
Released 11 January 2010 (2010-01-11) Writer(s) Austin GarrickDavid Grellier | ||
"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.
Contents
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. Garrick's grandfather referred to Sullenberger as "a real human being and a real hero", which became the song's refrain. 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."
Cover versions
Indie pop group Smallpools released a cover version of the song on May 12, 2015 through RCA Records and Sony Music Entertainment. The cover was uploaded to audio distribution platform SoundCloud on May 13.
Personnel
Release history and reception
Spin magazine named "A Real Hero" one of the 20 Best Songs of 2011. The song was nominated for a 2012 MTV Movie Award in the category of "Best Music".