Classic Pop Icons

David Bowie’s “Life On Mars?” is “Song of the Week on Classic Pop Icons. “Life On Mars?” was first released on the album “Hunky Dory” in December 1971 and then on single in Europe, backed with “The Man Who Sold the World,” in June 1973.

Bowie was yet to adopt the Ziggy Stardust persona when “Life On Mars?” was released on “Hunky Dory,” but he was only one month away from retiring his alter ego at the Hammersmith Odeon by the time the single was released. This highly productive 18-month-period had seen Bowie release two further albums and firmly establish himself as an international rock star.

At the time of its release, Bowie referred to “Life On Mars?” as “A sensitive young girl’s reaction to the media.” We are introduced to this central character from the outset with the intriguing opening lines “It’s a godawful small affair/To the girl with the mousy hair.” The song continues in fairly conventional fashion, with the girl going to the movies to escape her argumentative parents and spend time with a friend, who stands her up. However, Bowie has provided the listener with a false sense of security, because at this point the song takes an unusual turn with a series of obscure and seemingly unconnected lines, including references to “Sailors fighting in the dance hall,” a lawman “beating up the wrong guy” and, more bizarrely, the notions that “It’s on America’s tortured brow/That Mickey Mouse has grown up a cow” and “Rule Britannia is out of bounds/To my mother, my dog and clowns.”

If Bowie’s simple and succinct explanation of the song’s intent is applied to the lyrics, we can assume that it is intended as an exploration of teen angst. The girl is frustrated by the injustices revealed to her by the media, and by the mundane, directionless nature of most people’s lives, including her own. “Is there life on Mars?” is another way of asking “Is this all that life has to offer?”

In addition to featuring some of Bowie’s most intriguing lyrics, “Life On Mars?” has one of his most accomplished, stirring and dramatic melodies.

David Bowie – “Life On Mars?”

A new generation would discover “Life On Mars?” in 2006 when it became the theme song for the hugely popular BBC drama series of the same name.

Authorship

The words and music for “Life On Mars?” were written by David Bowie. The song had its origins in Bowie’s 1968 song “Even A Fool Learns To Love,” which was an English language version of the French song “Comme, D’Habitude.” Paul Anka would soon steal Bowie’s thunder when he rewrote the French song as “My Way.” “Life On Mars?” was originally conceived as a parody of “My Way” and although the two songs finished up having little in common, the liner notes to “Hunky Dory” do state that the song was “inspired by Frankie.”

Recording date/location

“Life On Mars?” was recorded in April, 1971 at Trident Studios, London.

Musicians

The following musicians appeared on “Life On Mars?”:

• David Bowie – vocals
• Mick Ronson – guitar
• Rick Wakeman – piano
• Trevor Bolder – bass
• Mick Woodmansey – drums.

This was the first appearance on record of the band who the following year would become known as Ziggy Stardust’s Spiders From Mars.

Rick Wakeman was playing the same piano that Paul McCartney played on the Beatles’ “Hey Jude.” His contribution to “Life On Mars?” and the album as a whole was substantial.

Mick Ronson was responsible for the superb strings arrangement.

The “Hunky Dory” album was co-produced by Ken Scott who had recently moved from Abbey Road Studios to Trident Studios. The former Beatles engineer had previously worked as an engineer on Bowie’s “Space Oddity” (1969) and “The Man Who Sold The World” (1970), and would go on to co-produce Bowie’s next three albums – “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars” (1972), “Aladdin Sane” (1973) and “Pin Ups” (1973).

Chart performance

“Life On Mars?” peaked at number three on the UK singles chart in the summer of 1973. It was not released on single in the US.

Other notable recordings

The Flaming Lips – “Life On Mars”

The Flaming Lips’ cover of “Life On Mars?” was performed as part of a John Peel session in November 1992 and released three years later on their “This Here Giraffe” single. Bowie’s original arrangement is emulated here, but with just a solo piano for backing it is less dynamic. The vocal is also strongly influenced by Bowie, although there are a couple of missed notes here that more finicky artists might have repaired before release.

Rick Wakeman – “Life On Mars”

Rick Wakeman was well placed to cover “Life On Mars?” as he had played piano on the original recording. He featured the song on his 1995 album “The Piano Album”, which was released in extended form as “Simply Acoustic.” It’s a fine performance, but lacking the intensity of the original.

There will be a new Song of the Week on September 26.

David Bowie’s “Life On Mars?” is featured on the album “Hunky Dory” and a number of compilations.

Title
David Bowie – Hunky Dory (CD)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now

David Bowie box set prize draw – closes 15 Dec 2011

Up for grabs is an amazing selection of music, film, and memorabilia, including all of David Bowie’s albums, box sets, rarities, DVDs and some of his best films, including the Man Who Fell to Earth.

Click here for your free entry to the David Bowie prize draw