Five for Fighting’s John Ondrasik revises ‘Superman (It’s Not Easy)’ for Israeli hostages, calls out Macklemore

John Ondrasik, the singer-songwriter behind Five for Fighting’s “Superman (It’s Not Easy)”—an iconic song that united a country after the 9/11 terrorist attacks—has updated some of the lyrics in support of Israeli hostages, using it as a symbol of hope in troubling times.

“I’ve seen through my career how music can bridge divides, it can provide solace to those who are in need, and provide fortitude and clarity,” Ondrasik said on “The Jason Rantz Show” on KTTH. “(After 9/11) America came together in ways I’d never seen before, and haven’t seen since.”

I am Honored to collaborate with current hostage Alon Ohel’s mother Idit, brother Ronen, family and friends with this new version of “Superman” to support Alon, all the hostages, and their families.

May they all “Find a way to Fly – To a home I will soon see” 🎗️🧡 🇺🇸🇮🇱… pic.twitter.com/MymL79U3ZG

— John Ondrasik (@johnondrasik) April 14, 2025

‘Superman’ dedicated to Israeli hostages

Ondrasik revised “Superman” to better reflect the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, putting a focus on the hostages left in the wake.

“I was reached out to by a hostage who has been in Gaza for more than 620 days, and her son is a piano player,” Ondrasik said. “She said, ‘Can we do something musically to keep the spotlight on the hostages,’ and I thought a new version of ‘Superman’ would be appropriate.”

To Ondrasik, supporting the hostages and victims of the Hamas terrorist attacks on October 7 was a no-brainer.

“I’m not Jewish. You don’t have to be Jewish to condemn Hamas. You just have to be sane,” Ondrasik said. “We’ve seen such a horrible disgrace from the music industry. They stand for human rights and women’s rights, but their silence on October 7 has been disgraceful.”

Five for Fighting’s singer calls out Macklemore

Ondrasik said he’s been disappointed by the music industry’s response to the terrorism against Jews, with some artists, including Macklemore, for embracing antisemitism at a Palestine Will Live Forever Festival in Seattle last September.

“The first feeling is shame, it’s a shame that I’m a part of this industry,” Ondrasik said. “You see the younger acts like Macklemore and these bands that have been seduced by wokeism, and of course, that makes you angry.”

He argued that the artists who stood with him in New York after 9/11, should speak out again.

“They know better. They know that Hamas is evil, and they have remained silent. And that harkens back to 1938 when those with an influence remained silenced before the Holocaust,” Ondrasik said.

Listen to the full conversation below.

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