Heroes and Mortals in “Something Just Like This”

Who are the gods and superheroes referenced in “Something Just Like This,” and what are the connections between them?

Upon completion of this lesson, students will:

Know (knowledge):

• The basic stories of the Roman and Greek gods Achilles and Heracles/Hercules
• The origin story of Superman
• The origin story of Wonder Woman, and the feminist ideals on which she was created

Mastery Objective:

• Students will be able to discuss select Roman and Greek mythological figures and American superheroes, and analyze the similarities between them through source readings.

Perform "Something Just Like This" with your class using Modern Band Charts provided by Music Will.

On “Something Just Like This,” a 2017 collaboration between Coldplay and The Chainsmokers, vocalist Chris Martin compares himself in a self-deprecating manner to a host of Greek heroes, Roman gods and American superheroes before concluding, “I don’t see myself on that list.” The characters Martin mentions—Achilles, Hercules, Spider-man, Superman, and Batman—may seem disparate, originating thousands of years apart. However, when one considers why mortals are drawn to these characters and their stories, the distance between them narrows and similarities arise.

In this lesson, students use the lyrics to “Something Like This” as an opportunity to learn the stories of Achilles, Hercules, Wonder Woman and Superman. Students will explore similarities between these gods and superheroes, finally considering why mortals still need superhumans, thousands of years later.