Life on Mars?

About this song

Originally released on the Hunky Dory album in 1971, the song was made a single in 1973 during the height of Bowie's Ziggy Stardust era. Bowie wrote it as a parody of Frank Sinatra's recording of "My Way", which was itself a rewrite of a French song that Bowie had earlier tried to use for his own lyrics. Bowie has described writing it quickly at the piano, with Rick Wakeman adding to the piano part and Mick Ronson creating a string part. Neil McCormick of The Daily Telegraph ranked it number one on his 100 Greatest Songs of All Time list, and Pitchfork rated it the best song of the 1970s. The music video was shot by Mick Rock backstage at Earls Court to accompany the single.

What it's about

The song tells of a young girl who wants to go to the movies while her parents are not fully supportive, and she goes anyway to escape, only to find the film a dull and poor imitation of her everyday life. It raises the question of whether any life or art exists beyond what we already see, and whether escapism through art is possible when art itself represents reality.

Fun facts

• Sampled in 4 other songs, like “Essere donna oggi (Gattini Version) by Elio e le Storie Tese”.
• Covered 40 times, including “Life on Mars? by The Flaming Lips”.
• Written by David Bowie.
• Produced by David Bowie and Ken Scott.
• Recorded at Trident Studios.