For decades, the question of who embodies “America’s greatest hero” has sparked debate and reflection. Is it a figurehead on the news, or perhaps an unsung community champion? While the answer remains subjective, a compelling contender emerges from an unlikely place: a bargain bin record, specifically, the album “America’s Greatest Hero” by Joey Scarbury. This album, and particularly its iconic theme song, offers a unique perspective on heroism that resonates even today.
The journey to rediscovering Scarbury and his work often begins with a sense of delightful obscurity. Information about the artist himself is surprisingly sparse. A quick online search reveals a somewhat self-authored-feeling Wikipedia page and a single in-depth interview from 2014 as primary sources. Beyond these, the digital trail largely consists of links to purchase his music and a modest IMDB filmography. These limited breadcrumbs reveal intriguing details: Scarbury transitioned from the music industry to the automotive sector, spending years at a Lexus dealership, and dedicated 15 years to coaching little league baseball. Adding to the charmingly ordinary narrative, he and his wife’s meet-cute happened while working in the Sears catalog department.
This down-to-earth persona sharply contrasts with the soaring, anthemic quality of his most famous creation: “Believe It or Not,” the America’s greatest hero theme song. This track, the undeniable highlight of the “America’s Greatest Hero” album, is instantly recognizable to generations. Its association with the beloved ABC sitcom, The Greatest American Hero, catapulted Scarbury to his only Top 40 hit and cemented his place in pop culture history. The song’s enduring appeal is evident in its numerous references in shows like Seinfeld and Gilmore Girls, proving its lasting cultural footprint.
The album cover itself perfectly encapsulates the quirky charm of the project. It features Scarbury, clad in a cream tuxedo against a backdrop of a stylized American flag split red and blue. This slightly awkward yet undeniably earnest image serves as a visual metaphor for the album’s overall feel: a blend of the generic and the genuinely captivating.
Joey and his pet Lion
While “Believe It or Not” shines brightly, the rest of the “America’s Greatest Hero” album presents a mixed bag. Tracks range from the familiar-sounding “Love Me Like the Last Time” to the more introspective “Down the Backstairs (Of My Life).” The album, clocking in at around 35 minutes, sometimes feels like a vehicle built primarily to showcase its hit single. Even Wikipedia notes its “hastily produced” nature. This might be linked to a lawsuit surrounding The Greatest American Hero, which, according to Scarbury, delayed the album’s release. The full story behind the album’s creation remains somewhat elusive.
Despite its imperfections and the overshadowing success of its theme song, “America’s Greatest Hero” remains a fascinating artifact. It’s an album that manages to be both utterly commonplace and strangely compelling. Ultimately, it’s a testament to the enduring power of a single, perfectly crafted theme song to capture the public imagination and define an artist’s legacy, even if that legacy is intertwined with a picture of Joey Scarbury and his wife holding a pet lion cub, a detail as unexpected and charming as the album itself.
