While Clark Kent has had an iconicDCtheme ever since the release ofSupermanin 1978, 2024 provided his arch-nemesis Lex Luthor with a perfect anthem in the latest episode ofSuperman & Lois. Though many songs and melodies would fit the brutalnew version of Lex Luthorthat Michael Cudlitz has played in the series, a 2021 song from a familiar band has made a very impactful contribution to the show.
With the series coming into its final episodes,Superman & Loisseason 4,episode 6used a stellar combination of music and action to contribute to one of its most terrifying and compelling scenes. While it is almost assured fromJames Gunn’s history of incredible needle dropsthat the upcomingSupermanreboot will use pre-existing music in fresh and exciting ways,the perfect template for that has been left in this latestSuperman & Loisepisode. An important moment has used music to elevate a Lex Luthor scene to being among the most memorable in the series yet.
Superman & Lois Season 4 Just Gave Lex Luthor A Great Theme Song In A Dramatic Way
When The Lights Come On By IDLES Plays Over An Impactful Scene
During an important moment inSuperman & Loisthat precedes ahuge Lex Luthor power upgrade,“When the Lights Come On” by IDLES plays as a new perfect song for Lex Luthor. The song accompanies the start of an enormous fight between Luthor and Superman, where Luthor has installed red sunlight in the streetlights to weaken Clark and even the playing field so they can face one another. In this, the song makes an obvious connection to what is occurring onscreen, although the details of the song make this connection much clearer.
The radiation of the red sun has long been a great weakness to Clark and his powers, and using that here along with a song that blatantly refers to that light is effective. The music, with a dark edge and unique vocals, plays over a deep, throbbing bass line.It feels uniquely unsettling and underscores the conflict that occurs between the hero and villain compellingly.Using this as a theme song of sorts for this version of Lex Luthor feels immediately appropriate - but even more so after delving into why.
Why When The Lights Come On Is Such A Fitting Theme Song For Superman & Lois' Lex Luthor
The IDLES Song Makes Sense For This Lex In Both Obvious And Subtle Ways
Michael Cudlitz’s Lex Luthor is terrifying, embittered, and obsessed.The song, meanwhile, is about isolation and a loss of self-control. These themes fit in perfectly with this iteration of Lex Luthor, especially in the episode’sSuperman vs. Lex fight. With the sound of the music and the darkness of the lyrics, the song feels tied to Lex Luthor in a way that is immediately obvious and helps to communicate so much about the character swiftly and concisely.
In addition to this, in speaking withMojo, songwriter Joe Talbot suggested that the song is partially 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 that he holds against the Man of Steel, and will do anything and everything that he can to destroy him, no matter how that may hurt or damage Lex himself or the others around him.
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Lex Luthor has been an iconic villain for years, and it is about time that he received a theme of his own.While the song was not written about Lex, so much of the lyrics and details perfectly encapsulate the villain’s outlook and feel. In addition, the tone and the instrumentation fit this grizzled and angry version of Lex that the show has introduced. It will be interesting to see if this song continues to be played in association with him during the rest ofSuperman & Lois.
Superman & Lois
Cast
Superman & Lois follows the Man of Steel, Clark Kent, and journalist Lois Lane as they navigate the strains of contemporary parenthood while confronting threats from supervillains and alien invaders, blending personal challenges with heroic responsibilities in this 2021 television series.
