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Thursday, June 22, 2023

"Life on Mars?" by David Bowie

It was fifty years ago today that David Bowie's song "Life on Mars?" was released as a single. The song originally appeared on his 1971 album Hunky Dory. The song originated as a parody of "My Way" by Frank Sinatra. Despite the title, the song is not about the planet Mars or any life that might be there. When Hunky Dory was released, Davie Bowie summed "Life on Mars?" up as "A sensitive young girl's reaction to the media." This can be seen in such lyrics as "...And she's hooked to the silver screen"and "Oh man, wonder if he'll ever know/He's in the best selling show."

"Life on Mars?" went to no. 3 on the UK singles chart. Upon its initial release it did not chart in the United States. It remains one of David Bowie's best known songs and is considered by many to number among his best. The British TV series Life on Mars took its name from the song and featured it often. It has also appeared on various other TV shows and movies as well.

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