What if... (Inspiration)

[V-Mink]

When I was a kid, they would fly overhead,
Doing things that weren't possible, that's what folks said,
Deflecting bullets, punching out trains,
Lifting stuff using just the power of their brains,
Every time that I'd see them,
I wanted to be them,
And I dreamed each night about all the things I'd do.

What... if...
I were a superhero with a cape and a mask,
Give me some kinda powers and give me a task,
Give me one little chance and that's all that I ask
And I promise I'd stand tall,
I'd be the greatest superhero of them all!

When I was a kid, I watched 'em all on the news.
And I swore that I'd be one, if they let me choose.
If I didn't have powers, I'd strengthen my mind.
I'd look within myself, and see what I'd find.
Every time that I'd see them,
I wanted to be them,
And I trained each night for all the things I'd do.

What... if...
I were a superhero, I'll give villains a fright.
With my cape and my gadgets and my signal light.
Give me one little chance, and I'd fight for what's right.
And I'd never let you down.
I'd be the greatest superhero in this town!

Some people say that we're psychotic,
Breaking laws that we claim to uphold.
But really, the costume's symbolic,
And all that we're breaking's the mold.

The bad guys like gaming the system,
With legal details they dance.
Our first job is justice, we don't ask that you trust us,
Just give us that one little chance.

When I was a kid, I would see people try
Just to work till they drop and not stop till they die.
And I promised to make the world better someday,
I swore I'd restore the American Way.
Every time that I'd see them,
I promised I'd free them,
And I think of them with everything I do.

I am a superhero, every one of us all
There's so much more to do than upholding the law.
Give yourself just one chance, and you'll leave us in awe
'Cause we know that you'll stand tall.
Inside every one of us is the greatest
Superhero of them all!

-- Tom Smith, "What if?" from The Last Hero On Earth

One of the finest supers anthems I've yet heard.  The album is also worth a listen to for the hauntingly and startlingly familiar flourishes of the Hero League theme.  More information at http://www.tomsmithonline.com/albums/10_tlhoe.htm including a download link for the first four songs (which includes the aforementioned flourishes.)

[Lithy]

Yes, yes, yes!  I've got this one in my collection, and frequently put it on while running a TF. I'm also very fond of the last verse of the last song:

You can be a superhero, you just have to care,
And leave everyplace better than when you were first there,
Give yourself just one chance, and you'll take to the air,
And you're never gonna fall,
Inside every one of you is the greatest
Superhero of them all!