David Bowie

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
It's a god-awful small affair
To the girl with the mousy hair
But her mummy is yelling, "No!"
And her daddy has told her to go
But her friend is nowhere to be seen
Now she walks through her sunken dream
To the seat with the clearest view
And she's hooked to the silver screen

[Pre-Chorus]
But the film is a saddening bore
For she's lived it ten times or more
She could spit in the eyes of fools
As they ask her to focus on

[Chorus]
Sailors fighting in the dance hall
Oh, man, look at those cavemen go
It's the freakiest show
Take a look at the lawman
Beating up the wrong guy
Oh, man, wonder if he'll ever know
He's in the best selling show
Is there life on Mars?
[Verse 2]
It's on America's tortured brow
That Mickey Mouse has grown up a cow
Now the workers have struck for fame
'Cause Lennon's on sale again
See the mice in their million hordes
From Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads
Rule Britannia is out of bounds
To my mother, my dog, and clowns

[Pre-Chorus]
But the film is a saddening bore
Because I wrote it ten times or more
It's about to be writ again
As I ask you to focus on
[Chorus]
Sailors fighting in the dance hall
Oh, man, look at those cavemen go
It's the freakiest show
Take a look at the lawman
Beating up the wrong guy
Oh, man, wonder if he'll ever know
He's in the best selling show
Is there life on Mars?

Life on Mars? is a timeless masterpiece, created by the legendary musician and artist David Bowie. The song was first released in 1971 on the Hunky Dory album and later as a single in 1973 during the peak of Bowie's Ziggy Stardust era. It is often praised as one of the best songs of all time, ranking on many top charts and lists. The song's lyrics explore the idea of life beyond what we see and question the possibility of escapism through art.

About Life on Mars?

Bowie's Life on Mars? narrates a young girl's story who wants to watch a movie despite her parents' disapproval. She finds herself in a state of disappointment and frustration when she realizes that the movie is a "saddening bore" and just a poor imitation of the mundane reality she is trying to escape from. By posing a rhetorical question on whether there is any life worth living beyond the one she sees, Bowie brings forth a notion of escapism through art, only to question its possibility when art is merely a representation of reality, whether popular or obscured. The song's lyrics present a poignant commentary on the human need to escape reality and the inherent futility of such an action.

The song's lyrics were not the only interesting thing about “Life on Mars?”. The writing process was equally intriguing. In 1968, Bowie wrote a song called "Even a Fool Learns to Love," for which he borrowed the melody from the 1967 French song "Comme d'habitude," composed by Claude François and Jacques Revaux. Although Bowie's version was never released, the song became quite famous when Paul Anka rewrote it and Sinatra recorded it as "My Way." The success of Anka's version inspired Bowie to write "Life On Mars?" as a parody aimed at Sinatra's recording and style.

The song's creation was straightforward and effortless for Bowie, who had conceived the whole idea while lounging on the steps of a bandstand in a park on a beautiful day. The musician wrote the melody, lyrics, and harmonies all at once, as he worked on a grand piano. Jazz keyboardist Rick Wakeman later ensured the addition of embellished piano parts, and guitarist Mick Ronson contributed some of his best string parts, which have become a fixture in Bowie's live shows.

The song's popularity only continues to grow, and over the years, there have been remasters produced by Bowie experts. In 2016, a different version of the song was remastered and included in the compilation album The Legacy as the "2016 Mix." An HD remastered alternate cut of the video was also used to promote it.

Life on Mars? has remained one of Bowie's most iconic and memorable pieces, earning a well-deserved spot in people's hearts and on numerous charts and lists. It has been ranked #1 on the Telegraph's 100 Greatest Songs of All Time list, rated the best song of the 1970s by Pitchfork, and garnered countless accolades and acknowledgments from fans and experts alike.

All in all, Life on Mars? is a timeless classic that still resonates with audiences today, exploring themes of escapism, reality, and the human need to seek meaning and purpose beyond the mundane. Its impact on music and culture is undeniable, forever cementing Bowie's legacy as one of the greatest artists of all time.

• Release Date: June 17, 1971
• Artist: David Bowie