Brad Meltzer's new thriller, "The Book of Lies," has arrived with a unique companion soundtrack. Because a key element in the book is Meltzer's theory about the origins of Superman, the CD includes several pop songs that reference the Man of Steel, including R.E.M.'s "Superman," Five for Fighting's "Superman (It's Not Easy)" and Bonnie Tyler's "Holding Out for a Hero."

"The Book of Lies" CD just scratches the surface — and it includes Joey Scarbury's milquetoast "Theme From 'Greatest American Hero' (Believe It or Not)." Superman fans deserve better, so we've assembled a highly subjective Top 10 list of the Man of Steel in pop tunes:

10. "You Don't Mess Around With Jim," Jim Croce (1971): "You don't tug on Superman's cape / You don't spit into the wind." Timeless advice.

9. "Kryptonite," 3 Doors Down (2000): The Mississippi rock band is more interested in the super guy's fatal flaws than his mission to protect truth, justice and the American way.

8. "Superman Lover," Johnny "Guitar" Watson (1976): The R&B-funk-rap set fantasizes about super powers in the boudoir.

7. "So Long, Superman," Firewater (1998): A pop-punk ditty anticipating Lois Lane's Pulitzer-winning commentary (in "Superman Returns") about a world with no need for the last son of Krypton.

6. "Superman (It's Not Easy)," Five for Fighting (2001): The emo crowd just can't get with the notion of invincibility, can it?

5. "Superman," The Game (2008): "It's a bird, it's a plane / Naw ... it's the ... Game." It is a sendup, right?

4. "O Superman (For Massenet)," Laurie Anderson (1981): Anderson turned to the caped one for her hypnotic meditation on modern life.

3. "Sunshine Superman," Donovan (1966): The Scottish Bob Dylan paid his respects to the son of Jor-El at a time when substance experiments made anyone feel like he could fly.

2. "Superman," R.E.M. (1986): In his band's cover of this obscure song from The Clique, Mike Mills (taking lead vocal duties from Michael Stipe) sounds a bit of a braggart, a bit of a stalker and a lot like Clark Kent in this jangling plea to an objet d'amour just beyond his reach.

1. "(Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman," the Kinks (1979): The Kinks' erudite Ray Davies takes the Everyman's viewpoint in this disco-rocker sung by a scrawny wimp yearning to be more like the Man of Steel.