Life On Mars? (3:44)
1,241,335 plays (240,113 listeners)
In 1968, Bowie wrote “Even a Fool Learns to Love”, a song with lyrics by Bowie set to the music of a 1967 French song (“Comme d’habitude”). Bowie’s song was never released, but Paul Anka bought the rights to the original French version, and rewrote it into “
My Way,” made famous by Frank Sinatra in a 1969 recording on his album of the same name. The success of the Anka version prompted Bowie to write “Life on Mars?” as a parody of Sinatra’s recording.
Bowie described how he wrote the song in notes for a Bowie compilation CD that accompanied a June 2008 issue of The Mail on Sunday:
Workspace was a big empty room with a chaise longue; a bargain-price art nouveau screen (‘William Morris,’ so I told anyone who asked); a huge overflowing freestanding ashtray and a grand piano. Little else. I started working it out on the piano and had the whole lyric and melody finished by late afternoon.
Bowie noted that Rick Wakeman “embellished the piano part” of his original melody and guitarist Mick Ronson “created one of his first and best string parts” for the song.
The liner notes for Hunky Dory indicate that the song was ‘inspired by Frankie’.
My Way,” made famous by Frank Sinatra in a 1969 recording on his album of the same name. The success of the Anka version prompted Bowie to write “Life on Mars?” as a parody of Sinatra’s recording.Bowie described how he wrote the song in notes for a Bowie compilation CD that accompanied a June 2008 issue of The Mail on Sunday:
Workspace was a big empty room with a chaise longue; a bargain-price art nouveau screen (‘William Morris,’ so I told anyone who asked); a huge overflowing freestanding ashtray and a grand piano. Little else. I started working it out on the piano and had the whole lyric and melody finished by late afternoon.
Bowie noted that Rick Wakeman “embellished the piano part” of his original melody and guitarist Mick Ronson “created one of his first and best string parts” for the song.
The liner notes for Hunky Dory indicate that the song was ‘inspired by Frankie’.
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The Singles Collection
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The Singles Collection (disc 1)
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Best of Bowie (disc 1)
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The Best of David Bowie 1969-1974
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Shouts
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reality_bite wrote:
Oooh yeah, the memories
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pogopatterson wrote:
It's an overused moniker but he is a genius.
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Westie_X wrote:
Love this song, goosebumps everytime...
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pookagehayes wrote:
definately one of my favs...
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BulbCap wrote:
GREEEEEAAAATTTTT!
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doublelibra wrote:
I still remember being totally blown away by this song when it first came out. It's such a great song.
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plaidsheep wrote:
LOVE x 10.. Bowie with Rick Wakeman on piano.. perfection!
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Fornevermore wrote:
Reminds me of the songs on Scooby-Doo when they get chased by someone.
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neoJapan wrote:
Baya, Bowie, my 2 favs <3 im here-> http://www.last.fm/listen/artist/Baya%2BMichaelson
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Deformografy wrote:
I love screaming this song in my car. One of the happiest feelings. [2] yes and yes again!
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kmaja1 wrote:
this song still gives me goosebumps even after i've heard it hundreds of times <3
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Great_listener wrote:
Gaaaaaaaaawwd. I. Love. This. Song.
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Craigsly wrote:
I love screaming this song in my car. One of the happiest feelings.
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theviperchick wrote:
♥♫♥ ♥♫♥ ♥♫♥ ♥ ♫♥♥♫♥ ♥♫♥♥♫♥ ♥♫♥♥
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useless45 wrote:
hahaha so dramatic. makes me feel like i'm in a musical(:
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jordan10la wrote:
Found this from the US version of the BBC series. It remains the only Bowie song I can tolerate.
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sneggyuser wrote:
Makes me all goosepimply!!!!
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luke-is-here wrote:
Look at those cavemen go!
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corky64 wrote:
Great track....<3
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catienana56 wrote:
I adored this song to begin with .. then the BBC series of the same name came along......and well now I totally A D O R E it... takes on a whole new meaning....
David Bowie
Life On Mars?
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