Electric Youth frontman Austin Garrick , along with David Grellier , who performs as College , have cited separate inspirations for producing the song . Garrick was inspired to write the song by a quote from his grandfather , who spoke of airline captain Chesley Sullenberger after the US Airways Flight 1549 water landing incident . Garrick 's grandfather referred to Sullenberger as " a real human being and a real hero " , which became the song 's refrain . " 155 people on board " may be a direct reference to the 155 survivors of US 1549 . Grellier , on the other hand , took inspiration from cinema , in particular the character Max Rockatansky of the '' Mad Max '' franchise . Grellier has stated that he " wanted to give a homage to that lonely hero that we see in movies like '' Mad Max '' . People who make their own choice and try to save lives . I want to give an homage . " Indie pop group Smallpools released a cover version of the song on May 12 , 2015 through RCA Records and Sony Music Entertainment . The cover was uploaded to audio distribution platform SoundCloud on May 13
US Airways Flight 1549
US Airways Flight 1549
A Real Hero