You’ve probably heard the name Terry Reid in a "what if" conversation at a bar. He's the guy who famously said "no thanks" to Jimmy Page when Led Zeppelin was forming. A massive mistake? Maybe. But before he was the king of missed opportunities, he was Superlungs. That nickname didn't just appear out of thin air. It came from a song—specifically Terry Reid Superlungs My Supergirl—and the story behind it is weirder than the fact that he suggested Robert Plant for the Zeppelin gig because he was "too busy" to do it himself.
Honestly, the track is a total 1960s time capsule. It’s gritty. It’s soulful. It's also deeply problematic by 2026 standards.
Who Wrote Superlungs My Supergirl?
It wasn't Terry. Most people assume it was his original because he owned the performance so completely. In reality, the song was penned by Donovan Leitch. Yeah, the "Sunshine Superman" guy. Donovan wrote it, but his producer, the legendary Mickie Most, thought the lyrics were a bit too "out there" for Donovan’s flower-power image.
The song is basically a tribute to a 14-year-old girl who spends her time "making the joints" and "drawing her pictures."
Most, who managed both Donovan and Reid, decided to hand the track over to Terry. It was a perfect fit for Reid’s raspy, high-octane vocals. When Terry recorded it for his 1969 self-titled album (often called Move Over for Terry Reid in the US), it became his signature. The power in his voice was so immense that people started calling him "Superlungs" before the needle even left the record.
📖 Related: The A Wrinkle in Time Cast: Why This Massive Star Power Didn't Save the Movie
Why the Song Still Matters
It’s about the vibe. The 1960s were messy, and this song captures that mess perfectly. You have this teenager singing with the soul of a 50-year-old bluesman about a girl who is clearly way too young to be doing what the lyrics describe. It's uncomfortable. It's catchy. It’s rock and roll history in its rawest, most unedited form.
Reid’s version takes Donovan's folk-leaning original and turns it into a soulful, heavy-hitting groove. The arrangement is sparse but loud. The bassline carries the weight, but Reid’s voice—that soaring, cracking, incredible instrument—is what makes it.
The Led Zeppelin Connection
You can't talk about Terry Reid Superlungs My Supergirl without talking about why he isn't a household name. In 1968, Jimmy Page was looking for a singer for the New Yardbirds. He wanted Terry. Terry was already booked for a US tour supporting Cream and The Rolling Stones.
"I can't do it, Jimmy," he basically said. "But check out this kid Robert Plant."
👉 See also: Cuba Gooding Jr OJ: Why the Performance Everyone Hated Was Actually Genius
Imagine that.
Reid was so confident in his solo career that he passed on what became the biggest rock band in history. He also turned down Deep Purple. He was a "musician's musician." Aretha Franklin once said there were only three things happening in England: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Terry Reid. That’s high praise. But praise doesn't always sell records.
The Lyrics and the Controversy
Let’s be real for a second. The lyrics of Terry Reid Superlungs My Supergirl are tough to swallow today.
- "She's only fourteen, but she knows how to draw."
- "She's my supergirl."
- "The teachers they ignore her / They would if they could."
Some fans argue it’s just a song about a "groupie" culture that was rampant in London at the time. Others say it’s a metaphor for the counterculture. Either way, it’s a peek into a time when the lines of propriety were blurred to the point of disappearing. Terry didn't write those words, but he sang them with a conviction that makes you believe he knew exactly who the "supergirl" was.
✨ Don't miss: Greatest Rock and Roll Singers of All Time: Why the Legends Still Own the Mic
How to Listen to It Today
If you’re looking for the best way to experience this track, skip the low-quality YouTube rips.
- Find the 2004 Remaster on the Super Lungs: The Complete Studio EMI Recordings compilation.
- Listen for the "break" in his voice around the three-minute mark.
- Pay attention to the drumming. It’s got that swinging, late-60s London shuffle that modern rock completely lost.
The song isn't just a relic. It's a reminder of a guy who had the world at his feet and chose to walk his own path. Terry Reid passed away in August 2025 at the age of 75, leaving behind a legacy that is often overshadowed by the "Zeppelin" story. But if you listen to Superlungs My Supergirl, you realize he didn't need a stadium band. He had the voice. He had the songs. He just didn't have the luck.
Actionable Insights for Music Fans:
- Explore the Discography: Move beyond the hits and listen to his 1973 album River. It’s a jazzy, Brazilian-influenced masterpiece that shows his true range.
- Check the Songwriting: Look up the original Donovan version of "Superlungs" to see how Terry completely transformed the energy of the track.
- Watch the Documentary: There is a 2016 film called Superlungs that features testimonials from Robert Plant and Graham Nash. It’s the best way to understand the man behind the voice.