Superstar is a song written by Bonnie Bramlett and Leon Russell in 1969. It was first recorded by Delaney and Bonnie and Friends featuring Eric Clapton, released as the B-side to the December 1969 single Cominβ Home. The track - originally titled Groupie (Superstar) - explores the world of rock-star groupies and was inspired by Rita Coolidge. The Delaney & Bonnie version surfaced on the 1972 album D&B Together, and Bramlett later re-recorded it as a slower torch song for her 2002 album Iβm Still the Same. The best known version is by the Carpenters, whose 1971 rendition on the Carpenters album became a major hit, reaching number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on the Easy Listening chart. Karen Carpenterβs vocal performance was highly praised, and the recording featured members of the Wrecking Crew. Since then the song has been covered by many artists including Luther Vandross, Sonic Youth, Cher, Bette Midler, Colleen Hewett, and Ruben Studdard, and has appeared in films and on tribute albums.
