The song was written by drummer/vocalist Brad Arnold in a mathematics class when he was fifteen and was one of the first songs he ever wrote.
In terms of the song’s meaning Arnold has said:
That song seems like it’s really just kind of like asking a question. Its question is kind of a strange one....
[Verse 1]
Well, I took a walk around the world to ease my troubled mind
I left my body lying somewhere in the sands of time
But I watched the world float to the dark side of the moon
I feel there's nothing I can do, yeah
[Verse 2]
I watched the world float to the dark side of the moon
After all, I knew it had to be something to do with you
I really don't mind what happens now and then
As long as you'll be my friend at the end
[Chorus]
If I go crazy then will you still call me Superman?
If I'm alive and well, will you be there a holding my hand?
I'll keep you by my side with my superhuman might
Kryptonite
[Verse 3]
You called me strong, you called me weak
But still, your secrets I will keep
You took for granted all the times I never let you down
You stumbled in and bumped your head
If not for me, then you'd be dead
I picked you up and put you back on solid ground
[Chorus]
If I go crazy then will you still call me Superman?
If I'm alive and well, will you be there a holding my hand?
I'll keep you by my side with my superhuman might
Kryptonite
[Instrumental Interlude]
[Chorus]
If I go crazy then will you still call me Superman?
If I'm alive and well, will you be there, holding my hand?
I'll keep you by my side with my superhuman might
Kryptonite, yeah
If I go crazy then will you still call me Superman?
If I'm alive and well, will you be there a holding my hand?
I'll keep you by my side with my superhuman might
Kryptonite
[Outro]
Oh, whoa, whoa
Oh, whoa, whoa
Oh, whoa, whoa
Kryptonite was written by Brad Arnold & Matt Roberts & Todd Harrell.
Kryptonite was produced by Paul Ebersold.
3 Doors Down released Kryptonite on Tue Jan 11 2000.
In a 2009 interview, Brad Arnold commented:
I think I was actually 15 when I wrote that song. And that’s like the third or fourth song I ever wrote, like, period. That skippy little drumbeat was just me beating on my desk [in math class]. That’s the beat we almost played, too, just kind of drumming...