As soon as you think you've got David Bowie figured out, he'll morph into something else that forces you to start all over again! Even though at times it felt like living in a different version of reality, the world would not have been the same without him.
I agree with everything written below. I might add that MTV was once a force in music. There's a famous interview of Bowie being interviewed and basically telling MTV it should be ashamed for ignoring Black musicians. He was always ahead of his time and a true artistic genius.
Life On Mars? is supposed to be a metaphor about life in general. The message I got from the song is it's about a girl escaping reality to go watch movies & dreams about a better life. Very relatable! What's fascinating about some of Bowie's songs is he had a technique where he would cut up phrases & randomize them. A lot of times the lyrics didn't make sense. He went by the feeling of how it sounded rather than a clear message. I love that man & his music so much. Hope you explore him more💖
David Bowie was very theatrical. Actor and singer. Life on Mars was during the glam rock era. (70s) The Brits had a huge glam rock scene! Androgynous, flamboyant, and theatrical. I barely remember it because I was young, but I have always loved Bowie!
David, was always decades ahead of the musical scene. He was an artist to the very end. Deep rabbit hole, and i hope you explore it! Thanks. You always brighten my day, love. ❤
Some of the best modernist poetry ever written. Everything is metaphorical and inviting us to make our connections. Particularly apt for holding a mirror of analysis up to the modern world... still just as relevant 50 years later.
David Bowie was an English singer-songwriter & actor. He constantly reinvented himself to stay current over nearly 5 decades. His first big hit was "Space Oddity" in 1969. He had a lot of great songs including "Ziggy Stardust", "Rebel Rebel", "Young Americans", "Changes", "Fame", "Golden Years", "Ashes To Ashes", "Under Pressure", Let's Dance", "Modern Love", "China Girl", "Heroes" etc.
"China Girl" the lyrics were written by Iggy Pop ( inspired by an affair he had with a girl who did not speak English ). Bowie helped him make his first album.
Bowie is one of those artists so unique, original, tons of talent, they change music forever and you can't really go wrong with his back catalogue...Space Oddity, Ashes to Ashes, Changes, Heroes, Fashion...so many more. I was lucky enough to see hm at Glastonbury 2000 and recently saw Rick Wakeman live too, who's the pianist on this song.
Bowie was an artist in many areas actor,,painter collector,singer, songwriters , and performer. Basically, he covered it all.Nobody is quite like him.Bowieunique.I recommend original music video of Wild is the wind❤
The song is about a girl who goes to cinema to escape the reality of her life. She finds herself disappointed with reality and she wants the better life which is shown in movies. Cinema is showing her there's a far greater life somewhere, and she's bitterly disappointed that she doesn't have access to it. Also "Life on Mars" is a reference to the intense media coverage of the US-Soviet Union race to reach the planet.
I always thought of this song as an Englishman lamenting the world that England has created. For better or worse. This world is pretty much created by the British Empire of the 18th century on. David doesn't seem enamored and wonders if there's life on Mars for a do over. But art is open for individual interpretation.
@@hempluva Bowie summed up Life on Mars as "A sensitive young girl's reaction to the media". In 1997, he said; "I think she finds herself disappointed with reality ... that although she's living in the doldrums of reality, she's being told that there's a far greater life somewhere, and she's bitterly disappointed that she doesn't have access to it."
@@johnnyhmash Bowie summed up "Life on Mars?" as "A sensitive young girl's reaction to the media". In 1997, he said; "I think she finds herself disappointed with reality ... that although she's living in the doldrums of reality, she's being told that there's a far greater life somewhere, and she's bitterly disappointed that she doesn't have access to it." - His own words.
i love the song after this one which is Starman (Single Mix) my god he has some flow of songs..................Let's Dance (Single Version [Remastered]) is also amazing
David Bowie was a genius. He re-invented himself numerous times and every incarnation was incredible. My biggest regret, having lived through his unbelievable career was not seeing him live when I had the chance!
He had a unique 50 year career and this is from his early days . He changed looks and styles every couple of years. Fascinating curious and all encompassing genius. Keep it up, so many things to discover with Bowie.
You said it Sarah: pure art. His most mesmerizing song. I must have listened to it hundreds of times, and it still excites me: the lyrics, his presence, the musicality. Piano is by Rick Wakeman, keyboard player in Yes.
I didn't know RW was playing in this song. Mr. Wakeman is a seriously talented man in many, many ways. Did you ever hear his acceptance speech when Yes *finally* got into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame? It's absolutely hilarious and it can be seen here on RUclips.
I have had to hear this song over 1000 times and it still gives me chills when the chorus hits every time. He described our lives in 1972. I remember singing this with my parents as a kid and didn't get it. I remember in high-school thinking he's right, this is all BS. At 42, he was to accurate. It means things have never felt great for the youth and talks about the cinema controlling the things we see and do. He spike out a lot about censorship and different things. Scary he seen it in Hollywood then and most people just becoming aware in 2024. Be Blessed
I think this song is about escaping reality. Either by watching a movie ('hooked to the silver screen') or fantasising about living on another planet. Because this planet sucks, with police brutality ( 'the lawman beating up the wrong guy') and consumerism ('Mickey Mouse has grown up a cow, Lennon's on sale again')
I think it's about a comment on society and the world. We are like ants scurrying about living our lives and bumping into walls, watching movies, getting into fights, etc. We are oblivious of the big picture, which is what is the Universe about, where are we going, and so on. And it's illustrated by the "big question" of if there is life on Mars. It's just one in a long line of big questions about everything. Such that we pale into insignificance in terms of what is really going on "out there." Why are we fighting wars when it's all meaningless? We should be reaching out into the cosmos.
I believe this was the last song Bowie ever sang in public. Impeccably dressed in suit and tie, singing in a lower key, his left hand bandaged to cover the signs of iv lines, you could see he was dying. But one thing you'd always notice with Bowie, whether he was performing in drag, or projecting aggression in Tin Machine, or answering really stupid interview questions, or smiling at his lovely wife Iman in a photoshoot, he always projected dignity. There are some people who dared live their lives to the fullest, and Mr. David Jones was one of those. No regrets.
It's the music . I can't explain it, but if you ask someone who really knows music, they can tell you. I think it's something to do with the keys .Rick Beato could definitely tell you. He's got a site where he analyzes music and songs very thoroughly.
@@axiomist4488 I studied music for 3 years myself in college back in the mid 2000's and growing up I was surrounded by lots of different music such as Motown, rock, Jazz, metal, classical. I'm a 90s kid so I believe I got the last best decade of music before we got to this "rap" and Cardi B era rubbish.
Sarah. Bowie had numerous personas during his career. He kept reinventing himself, very successfuly. This was his breakthrough character from his Ziggy Stardust period. Don’t worry too much about trying to understand the meaning of the lyrics.
David Bowie would create characters that would live a certain type of life, fanciful, or sad.....a lot of his best songs are his own experiences expressed very purely through his characters....with such deep feeling, theatricality that you can get lost in the presentation when the music is so amazing it takes watching several times for it to really sink in and GET it. Once you do, you are hooked. So brilliant.
David Bowie: Greatest singer, songwriter, Producer you can find in the history of music. Absolute unique voice and unique music which no musician can re-produce. He was unique. He will be sorely missed.
Bowies lyrics could be quite abstact at times. Still if you make the effort they often make sense. The video was filmed in his "Glam" phase which made him famous. Bowie had 50 years of great music. He is a very deep dive.
A great song pointing out the injustices of life from a father kicking his pregnant daughter out of the house to police brutality. Life on Mars simply is something that was/is/would be very harsh and almost impossible. Such as a life being a victim of everyone in a position of power. The silver screen metaphor is simply the fictional world of cinema that often shows a perfect world, Disney cartoon films do this a lot by taking traditional stories and turning them into love stories ie Beauty and the Beast. Bowie was far and away ahead of his time. Not only from the music side but also when it came to morals and treating everyone fairly. He also saw both the benefits and hatred of the internet very quickly becoming one of the earliest investors in internet companies such as Google and Facebook.
Dylan produced a vast body of exceptional work, Joni Mitchell may have been the most brilliant singer-songwriter of all, and Leonard Cohen may have written the most poetic lyrics, but Bowie, imv., was the most potent cultural force for change of them all. Even the formidably starchy BBC devoted the first 15 minutes of the nine o' clock news to his passing on the day he died.
The first couple of verses are pretty straightforward, girl needs to escape her family by going to the movies. She's seen the same films and the same stories repeatedly. Then are few more wilder lyrics about pop culture and themes you'd find in media. Then it turns introspective when he sings "But the film is a saddening bore/'Cause I wrote it ten times or more/It's about to be writ again." I feel he's now reflecting on his own career as the guy writing space songs and wild topics. He's wondering if he, himself is the story and is there more out there? Like much of the greatest literature, you can interpret it many ways, but this is how it feels to me.
This is your introduction to David Bowie?? Wow interesting..no wonder you have so many questions. He is by far one of the most influential music artist of all time….you’ve entered a deep rabbit hole…enjoy your Bowie journey!!
Still gives me chills.. I laughed when you said “what am i listening to?” Once you adjust to his creativity, you’ll never look back. Absolute legend! ❤
Bowie songs to do: His first big hit "Space Oddity", "The Man Who Sold The World", "Heroes", "Cat People" ( movie theme song ), "Blue Jean", "Ashes To Ashes", Bowie with Queen ( album version, there is no live version of him singing it with them ) "Under Pressure", "I'm Afraid of Americans", "Blackstar" from his final album.
Oh yes, more Bowie please Sarah, this is a good intro to the power of his voice. "Space Oddity" is a great early piece, "Golden Years" a later funky tune. David's visage changed with each personality & musical direction change.
Bowie is a true original. So many of his songs seem to be surreal but it doesn't really matter. Listen to the music and enjoy the performance. Bowie went through so many different personas in his career that you never knew what was coming next. I first heard this song in 1973 when I was thirteen and it blew my mind. I still think it is one of the most amazing sounding songs I have ever heard.
I enjoyed your reaction to David Bowie's "Life on Mars". I'm sure the restart helped rehear the lyrics that pop up unexpectedly. I heard you date the song @ 1973 , but that must be the year the video was released because the LP Hunky Dory w "Life on Mars "was released in 1971. my freshman year in college. Bowie is worthy of full played Albums. A true chameleon as an artistic force
The piano is played by a very young Rick Wakeman. Bowie played him the song on a battered old guitar and then let him do his own thing. This is probably the first take as Wakeman had a reputation for nailing a song fast.
davids range in vocals is amazing .... just listen to the start of ..sweet thing on the diamond dogs album .. you would swear that its another person singing the first few sentences and then david starts singing .. but its all him .. go listen and correct me if im wrong
he was a brilliant artist with really catchy tunes, but you probably needed to listen to the songs and not get distracted by the 'getup' it was part of his act to do this, but it was nothing to do with his music which was quality, if you listen to his songs its all quality stuff.
Bowie may be the most amazing of my lifetime he is so good. He is as top rate as it gets. But do take a moment to see the stunning Aurora do this song live on the keyboards alone. It blew my mind.
I would never have thought that once in my lifetime I would acclaim that a cover of a Bowiesong could be called O.K..... Aurora's versions (live at the Nidarosdomen concert or the one you mention here) are O.K. but actually, they are superb! Stripped down to the bone they show that all the theatrics Bowie applied, distract us from the true art of his music. His composing and lyricycwriting are of course top of the bill and they are so much respected in Aurora's renditions. I applaude her for that. It shows she has the musicalty and art in her like Bowie did. ❤
@@j.k.1963 No. I don't know the tune. But I will listen to it. I did just hear the very first cover from her I didn't care for- "Scarborough Fair". It is too fast, and way too stringy.
Great choice Sarah but you should grab a lyric sheet for the songs you're reacting to. To me this is , in the 1st verse, about a girl in a dreary life who's only escape is the movies and even that's a drag. "Is there life on Mars ?" is her desperate cry to get as far away from her situation as she can. In the 2nd it's how everyone is stuck in a world of commercials, nationalism, politics and daily life. Although there are movies/TV/vacations etc to distract us we're still hoping for something more substantial like love and acceptance and peace of mind. Bowie has a lot of material for you to discover. All the best
The video was shot about two years after the song was released, retrospectively after the success of Ziggy Stardust. This was right in the middle of Glam Rock hence the make up and appearance
It was during the glam rock panic. That guy could wear a suit. His last hit Lazarus is required. It will bring a tear to your eye, not just the song, but how he looked. He was so frail. He turned his frailty into art. ruclips.net/video/y-JqH1M4Ya8/видео.htmlsi=h6ojVyd0t6PpxTTc
Congratulations for reacting to Bowie and it seems strange to me that you don't know anything about him and his work, taking into account that he was the artist who most influenced singers, musicians, fashion designers and artists in general and that continues to be the case until today. Pioneer of Glam Rock along with Marc Bolan of Tyrannosaurus Rex, a movement that was spreading as a symbol of fresh freedom of change. Singer, songwriter, producer, musician, actor (he started in the theater with the great Lindsay Kemp) and was the protagonist of several films. Always ahead of his time, creating new sounds and alter egos (Ziggy Stardust, Aladin Sane, Thin White Duke... that's why he is known as a chameleon.) You will listen to hundreds of songs and you will not find two alike. Check out images of his long career and you will be amazed. Rock'n Roll suicide Time, five years, lady stardust, ziggy stardust, changes, ashes to ashes, young americans, station to station, diamond dogs, cracked actor, space odity or Heroes and hundreds of more hits, If you manage to see any live I recommend Ziggy Stardust live Hammersmith 73, Diamond dogs tour and the Serious Moonlight (Paris) So welcome to Bowie's world , the starman . RIP😢 Allways love your honest reactions , keep on rocking beautiful ❤ Greetings from Barcelona Excuse my english 😊
This song seems to be a comment on the spectacle/ tabloid aspect of film and entertainment and how disenchanting that can be for a young critical mind. That's how I enterpret it lyrically anyway. The title of the song seems almost like it was taken right from the headlines of a tabloid magazine; Is There Life on Mars??
Nice vid. First heard Life on Mars on radio aged 13 when I was on holiday with the fam in the Wild West of Ireland. It was on the radio all the time and I just loved it! Mostly was into reggae then. I still don't know what it 'means.' My mum was looking after David Bowie for a few nights when she was a nurse in a private clinic and he'd had some kind of collapse after too much work and told him her son is a huge fan and she brought in my copy of Aladdin Sane for him to sign for me which he did!
I find it difficult to really get the feel of David's amazing lyrics when I watch his videos. I prefer to close eyes and listen first, then watch his theatrics on a later hearing. My take on the phrase "Is there life on Mars?", is that many of us who identify as misfits or social outcasts often wonder, is there anywhere that people are more like us, or more understanding of us than the people we find around us here on Earth 🌎🌍... Just a guess 😁 I love what you're doing with these reactions, looking forward to the next video ❤😊
I think its basically about alienation while living here on our planet. Feelling it is the wrong place for the young woman to live . So " Is there life on Mars is it better eleswhere ,..My take anyway,
I’ve been a fan of Bowie since I was 12. In 1973 and I always figured it was about someone fed up with the state of the world and looking at other options. As in if there’s life there maybe I’ll try it out. But you never know with Ziggy or the Thin White Duke or The Man whole fell to Earth or the Man Who Sold The World or Major Tom. Do You Mr, Jones (B.D.) cheers from Montreal
I saw him on February 25 1976 at the Montreal forum Station to Station tour. Cost $9.95. Great seats great show I was 15. It was the first time I tried weed. Lol.
You've picked an interesting era of music. So much talent was missed because of how many of them looked. Ziggy Stardust is an amazing song. At from this time frame also look up Marc Bolan another amazing talent. England had a lot of true talent back then.
The song is about a girl who has just left home and discovered the absurdity of the adult world. She feels detached and as if she is watching life from the outside like it is 'the best selling show'/
you know, i thought about this reaction & actually i had the same confusion when i 1st saw the video to this song. i'm a david bowie fan but, you're right, the 'expression' or 'feeling' he presents doesn't really have anything to do w/'the words' to this song & ALL of the makeup is distracting. tho' i do like the 'mood' this song evokes. i know some david bowie songs that would knock your socks off! . . .
Speaking of Bowie, please Listen to !! Wild as the Wind, 1974, and Lady Grinning Soul 1973, !! either one first, don't forget, !! Where Are We Now, 2013, !!. yes 50 years apart I'd like to see what you think ???
The opening verse about a girl being turfed from her house - for a "God-awful small affair", sets the tone. Life on Earth can indeed suck. That begs the question, is there life on Mars?
It's about a young girl feeling trapped in a negative home environment. Her only outlet is the popular culture around her such as movies. And the option that the popular culture gives her is consumerism and bad entertainment. Her mind wanders and imagines if there might be life on Mars? Something more than what she finds to be empty in modern society. It's quite a good song lyrically-the message is questioning and the answers aren't very satisfying.
David Bowie was truly The Man Who Fell to Earth. A genius from another dimension
David Bowie is an absolute legend. I can't believe this is the first time you have heard of him. You should listen to more of his stuff
Fully ageeeee !!!!😮
Have you listened to the legends of the music industry in her country?
@@michaelb2388why are you being nasty ????
@@michaelb2388 David Bowie is one of the most famous artists in the history of world music; how many Nigerian musicians are even known worldwide?
As soon as you think you've got David Bowie figured out, he'll morph into something else that forces you to start all over again! Even though at times it felt like living in a different version of reality, the world would not have been the same without him.
When art makes you think. It's good art .
I agree with everything written below. I might add that MTV was once a force in music. There's a famous interview of Bowie being interviewed and basically telling MTV it should be ashamed for ignoring Black musicians. He was always ahead of his time and a true artistic genius.
David was so original. Truly one of the best.
Life On Mars? is supposed to be a metaphor about life in general. The message I got from the song is it's about a girl escaping reality to go watch movies & dreams about a better life. Very relatable! What's fascinating about some of Bowie's songs is he had a technique where he would cut up phrases & randomize them. A lot of times the lyrics didn't make sense. He went by the feeling of how it sounded rather than a clear message. I love that man & his music so much. Hope you explore him more💖
I think when people settle on Mars, there should be a town there called Bowie.
That's great ! I think so too ."Where you headin' ?" "Oh, I'm goin' to Bowie for a couple days".
Bowieville Bowietown Bowieburg Bowie County Bowieborough
@@joejackson4627 Bowie City
@@pipe2devnull Missed that one :)
And the capital of Mars shall be called Suffragette City.
David Bowie was very theatrical. Actor and singer. Life on Mars was during the glam rock era. (70s) The Brits had a huge glam rock scene! Androgynous, flamboyant, and theatrical. I barely remember it because I was young, but I have always loved Bowie!
David, was always decades ahead of the musical scene. He was an artist to the very end. Deep rabbit hole, and i hope you explore it!
Thanks.
You always brighten my day, love. ❤
Please do more Bowie. You won't be sorry. Once you listen to Space Oddity, you'll understand his genius.
Some of the best modernist poetry ever written. Everything is metaphorical and inviting us to make our connections. Particularly apt for holding a mirror of analysis up to the modern world... still just as relevant 50 years later.
This is a masterpiece, and Bowie is prolific. His influence is staggering in popular music.
The lyrics are abstract and the opposite of simple....nothing like the "baby, baby, baby, baby, baby...OHHHH." garbage that we are subject to today.
Brilliant! Love all Bowie's stuff from this era!
RIP David. He was ...there are no words. Amazing just doesn't cover it.
This was from 50 years ago and it's still ahead of its time.
Truer words were never spoken about a (remarkably so) fellow human.
David Bowie was an English singer-songwriter & actor. He constantly reinvented himself to stay current over nearly 5 decades. His first big hit was "Space Oddity" in 1969. He had a lot of great songs including "Ziggy Stardust", "Rebel Rebel", "Young Americans", "Changes", "Fame", "Golden Years", "Ashes To Ashes", "Under Pressure", Let's Dance", "Modern Love", "China Girl", "Heroes" etc.
His Ziggy Stardust era was the best. Jim
I haven't seen you posting remarks lately, Dagmar. Hope all is well with you. 😃
Also a bit of a fashion icon.
"China Girl" the lyrics were written by Iggy Pop ( inspired by an affair he had with a girl who did not speak English ). Bowie helped him make his first album.
@@treetopjones737China Girl was originally sung by Iggy, and its about his jeroin addiction. China girl was a code for opium.
Bowie is one of those artists so unique, original, tons of talent, they change music forever and you can't really go wrong with his back catalogue...Space Oddity, Ashes to Ashes, Changes, Heroes, Fashion...so many more. I was lucky enough to see hm at Glastonbury 2000 and recently saw Rick Wakeman live too, who's the pianist on this song.
Bowie had a massive impact on modern music. You really need to listen more of him
Now you're delving into my era of 'pop music'. David Bowie 'transfixed generations of teenages' from the 1960's 2016 when he died...
Not just teens.
Bowie was an artist in many areas actor,,painter collector,singer, songwriters , and performer. Basically, he covered it all.Nobody is quite like him.Bowieunique.I recommend original music video of Wild is the wind❤
The song is about a girl who goes to cinema to escape the reality of her life. She finds herself disappointed with reality and she wants the better life which is shown in movies. Cinema is showing her there's a far greater life somewhere, and she's bitterly disappointed that she doesn't have access to it.
Also "Life on Mars" is a reference to the intense media coverage of the US-Soviet Union race to reach the planet.
I always thought of this song as an Englishman lamenting the world that England has created. For better or worse. This world is pretty much created by the British Empire of the 18th century on. David doesn't seem enamored and wonders if there's life on Mars for a do over. But art is open for individual interpretation.
@@hempluva Bowie summed up Life on Mars as "A sensitive young girl's reaction to the media". In 1997, he said; "I think she finds herself disappointed with reality ... that although she's living in the doldrums of reality, she's being told that there's a far greater life somewhere, and she's bitterly disappointed that she doesn't have access to it."
The "space race" was about landing on the Moon, not Mars.
Told you, did he?
@@johnnyhmash Bowie summed up "Life on Mars?" as "A sensitive young girl's reaction to the media". In 1997, he said; "I think she finds herself disappointed with reality ... that although she's living in the doldrums of reality, she's being told that there's a far greater life somewhere, and she's bitterly disappointed that she doesn't have access to it." - His own words.
i love the song after this one which is Starman (Single Mix) my god he has some flow of songs..................Let's Dance (Single Version [Remastered]) is also amazing
RIP a true legend.
David Bowie was a genius. He re-invented himself numerous times and every incarnation was incredible. My biggest regret, having lived through his unbelievable career was not seeing him live when I had the chance!
I've seen Bowie maybe two dozen times, and met him his first time Detroit.
David Bowie was from another universe!
I have just seen your reaction to this wonderful song.
Welcome to the worlds of David Bowie.
You will not, or ever regret the Journey.
Peace and Love.
He had a unique 50 year career and this is from his early days . He changed looks and styles every couple of years. Fascinating curious and all encompassing genius. Keep it up, so many things to discover with Bowie.
This is one of the most beautiful song ever composed
David Bowie is the best singer songwriter of the twentieth century, he even left some stardust in this century.
I figured out decades ago that Bowie was way beyond me, lol. I just jump on and enjoy the ride, he's a genius.
From a time when performers had real talent, wrote great songs with beautiful melodies and chord changes, and with powerful lyrics.
You said it Sarah: pure art. His most mesmerizing song. I must have listened to it hundreds of times, and it still excites me: the lyrics, his presence, the musicality. Piano is by Rick Wakeman, keyboard player in Yes.
I didn't know RW was playing in this song. Mr. Wakeman is a seriously talented man in many, many ways.
Did you ever hear his acceptance speech when Yes *finally* got into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?
It's absolutely hilarious and it can be seen here on RUclips.
@@stevennovakovich2525 Yes, that was absolute greatness! (the organization might not agree though, lol)
I've loved him since I was 9yrs old and still do to this day and I'm almost 63 now. One of the saddest days of my life when he died 😢😢😢
My Favorite Bowie song
Bowie also plays guitar, Sax, Piano and I'm sure another couple o instruments. He also speaks several languages and was an Actor.
Bowie is a journey, Every album had a new persona - sometimes arguably two or more - and then there's the Laughing gnome...Genius
In a nutshell:
"Is there life on Mars, because there isn't much here".
I have had to hear this song over 1000 times and it still gives me chills when the chorus hits every time. He described our lives in 1972. I remember singing this with my parents as a kid and didn't get it. I remember in high-school thinking he's right, this is all BS. At 42, he was to accurate. It means things have never felt great for the youth and talks about the cinema controlling the things we see and do. He spike out a lot about censorship and different things. Scary he seen it in Hollywood then and most people just becoming aware in 2024. Be Blessed
I think this song is about escaping reality. Either by watching a movie ('hooked to the silver screen') or fantasising about living on another planet. Because this planet sucks, with police brutality ( 'the lawman beating up the wrong guy') and consumerism ('Mickey Mouse has grown up a cow, Lennon's on sale again')
I think it's about a comment on society and the world. We are like ants scurrying about living our lives and bumping into walls, watching movies, getting into fights, etc. We are oblivious of the big picture, which is what is the Universe about, where are we going, and so on. And it's illustrated by the "big question" of if there is life on Mars. It's just one in a long line of big questions about everything. Such that we pale into insignificance in terms of what is really going on "out there." Why are we fighting wars when it's all meaningless? We should be reaching out into the cosmos.
That voice the charisma unmatched in todays standard.
I believe this was the last song Bowie ever sang in public. Impeccably dressed in suit and tie, singing in a lower key, his left hand bandaged to cover the signs of iv lines, you could see he was dying. But one thing you'd always notice with Bowie, whether he was performing in drag, or projecting aggression in Tin Machine, or answering really stupid interview questions, or smiling at his lovely wife Iman in a photoshoot, he always projected dignity. There are some people who dared live their lives to the fullest, and Mr. David Jones was one of those. No regrets.
This song makes me happy cry sometimes. I dont know why.
It's the music . I can't explain it, but if you ask someone who really knows music, they can tell you. I think it's something to do with the keys .Rick Beato could definitely tell you. He's got a site where he analyzes music and songs very thoroughly.
@@axiomist4488 I studied music for 3 years myself in college back in the mid 2000's and growing up I was surrounded by lots of different music such as Motown, rock, Jazz, metal, classical. I'm a 90s kid so I believe I got the last best decade of music before we got to this "rap" and Cardi B era rubbish.
Sarah. Bowie had numerous personas during his career. He kept reinventing himself, very successfuly. This was his breakthrough character from his Ziggy Stardust period. Don’t worry too much about trying to understand the meaning of the lyrics.
David Bowie would create characters that would live a certain type of life, fanciful, or sad.....a lot of his best songs are his own experiences expressed very purely through his characters....with such deep feeling, theatricality that you can get lost in the presentation when the music is so amazing it takes watching several times for it to really sink in and GET it. Once you do, you are hooked. So brilliant.
David Bowie: Greatest singer, songwriter, Producer you can find in the history of music. Absolute unique voice and unique music which no musician can re-produce. He was unique. He will be sorely missed.
Bowies lyrics could be quite abstact at times. Still if you make the effort they often make sense. The video was filmed in his "Glam" phase which made him famous. Bowie had 50 years of great music. He is a very deep dive.
A great song pointing out the injustices of life from a father kicking his pregnant daughter out of the house to police brutality. Life on Mars simply is something that was/is/would be very harsh and almost impossible. Such as a life being a victim of everyone in a position of power. The silver screen metaphor is simply the fictional world of cinema that often shows a perfect world, Disney cartoon films do this a lot by taking traditional stories and turning them into love stories ie Beauty and the Beast. Bowie was far and away ahead of his time. Not only from the music side but also when it came to morals and treating everyone fairly. He also saw both the benefits and hatred of the internet very quickly becoming one of the earliest investors in internet companies such as Google and Facebook.
Dylan produced a vast body of exceptional work, Joni Mitchell may have been the most brilliant singer-songwriter of all, and Leonard Cohen may have written the most poetic lyrics, but Bowie, imv., was the most potent cultural force for change of them all. Even the formidably starchy BBC devoted the first 15 minutes of the nine o' clock news to his passing on the day he died.
The first couple of verses are pretty straightforward, girl needs to escape her family by going to the movies. She's seen the same films and the same stories repeatedly. Then are few more wilder lyrics about pop culture and themes you'd find in media. Then it turns introspective when he sings "But the film is a saddening bore/'Cause I wrote it ten times or more/It's about to be writ again." I feel he's now reflecting on his own career as the guy writing space songs and wild topics. He's wondering if he, himself is the story and is there more out there?
Like much of the greatest literature, you can interpret it many ways, but this is how it feels to me.
This is your introduction to David Bowie?? Wow interesting..no wonder you have so many questions. He is by far one of the most influential music artist of all time….you’ve entered a deep rabbit hole…enjoy your Bowie journey!!
He was a great talent!
Learning David Bowie's "Life on Mars" on piano or keyboard can be challenging but rewarding for beginners.
Still gives me chills.. I laughed when you said “what am i listening to?” Once you adjust to his creativity, you’ll never look back. Absolute legend! ❤
Bowie songs to do: His first big hit "Space Oddity", "The Man Who Sold The World", "Heroes", "Cat People" ( movie theme song ), "Blue Jean", "Ashes To Ashes", Bowie with Queen ( album version, there is no live version of him singing it with them ) "Under Pressure", "I'm Afraid of Americans", "Blackstar" from his final album.
Oh yes, more Bowie please Sarah, this is a good intro to the power of his voice. "Space Oddity" is a great early piece, "Golden Years" a later funky tune. David's visage changed with each personality & musical direction change.
Bowie is a true original. So many of his songs seem to be surreal but it doesn't really matter. Listen to the music and enjoy the performance. Bowie went through so many different personas in his career that you never knew what was coming next. I first heard this song in 1973 when I was thirteen and it blew my mind. I still think it is one of the most amazing sounding songs I have ever heard.
I enjoyed your reaction to David Bowie's "Life on Mars". I'm sure the restart helped rehear the lyrics that pop up unexpectedly. I heard you date the song @ 1973 , but that must be the year the video was released because the LP Hunky Dory w "Life on Mars "was released in 1971. my freshman year in college.
Bowie is worthy of full played Albums. A true chameleon as an artistic force
The piano is played by a very young Rick Wakeman. Bowie played him the song on a battered old guitar and then let him do his own thing. This is probably the first take as Wakeman had a reputation for nailing a song fast.
davids range in vocals is amazing .... just listen to the start of ..sweet thing on the diamond dogs album .. you would swear that its another person singing the first few sentences and then david starts singing .. but its all him .. go listen and correct me if im wrong
Wild is the Wind is an amazing vocal!
he was a brilliant artist with really catchy tunes, but you probably needed to listen to the songs and not get distracted by the 'getup' it was part of his act to do this, but it was nothing to do with his music which was quality, if you listen to his songs its all quality stuff.
David miming to Rick Wakeman's piano at the end. It is one of the greatest songs of the 70s and stands as one of the greats of the 20th century.
Bowie may be the most amazing of my lifetime he is so good. He is as top rate as it gets. But do take a moment to see the stunning Aurora do this song live on the keyboards alone. It blew my mind.
I would never have thought that once in my lifetime I would acclaim that a cover of a Bowiesong could be called O.K..... Aurora's versions (live at the Nidarosdomen concert or the one you mention here) are O.K. but actually, they are superb! Stripped down to the bone they show that all the theatrics Bowie applied, distract us from the true art of his music. His composing and lyricycwriting are of course top of the bill and they are so much respected in Aurora's renditions. I applaude her for that. It shows she has the musicalty and art in her like Bowie did. ❤
@@j.k.1963 Indeed. Supurb is the correct word. I don't even like her music. But her talent level and covers are amazing to behold.
@@88pjtink have you eeen her doing Cohen's 'Famous Blue Raincoat'? Uncanny.
@@j.k.1963 No. I don't know the tune. But I will listen to it. I did just hear the very first cover from her I didn't care for- "Scarborough Fair". It is too fast, and way too stringy.
Great choice Sarah but you should grab a lyric sheet for the songs you're reacting to. To me this is , in the 1st verse, about a girl in a dreary life who's only escape is the movies and even that's a drag. "Is there life on Mars ?" is her desperate cry to get as far away from her situation as she can. In the 2nd it's how everyone is stuck in a world of commercials, nationalism, politics and daily life. Although there are movies/TV/vacations etc to distract us we're still hoping for something more substantial like love and acceptance and peace of mind. Bowie has a lot of material for you to discover. All the best
The video was shot about two years after the song was released, retrospectively after the success of Ziggy Stardust. This was right in the middle of Glam Rock hence the make up and appearance
It's about the eternal disconnection with the world around us, that we go through for a period in our youth. A little similar to 'Catcher in the Rye'.
this song is amazing
The large pupil of one eye was due to being hit in a fight as a kid.
You could try David Bowie's 50th Birthday concert, Hallo Spaceboy, with the Foo Fighters. The triple drums are insane. This guy was a genius.
It turns out David Bowie actually WAS the man who fell to Earth!
I would like you to see what you make of “Quicksand” or “The Bewlay Brothers” from this amazing album…..Hunky Dory. This is Bowie at his peak.
It was during the glam rock panic. That guy could wear a suit. His last hit Lazarus is required. It will bring a tear to your eye, not just the song, but how he looked. He was so frail. He turned his frailty into art. ruclips.net/video/y-JqH1M4Ya8/видео.htmlsi=h6ojVyd0t6PpxTTc
One of the all tiime musical greats. If you have not heard him before it means you have many fantastic musiical experiences awaiting. Enjoy..
Congratulations for reacting to Bowie and it seems strange to me that you don't know anything about him and his work, taking into account that he was the artist who most influenced singers, musicians, fashion designers and artists in general and that continues to be the case until today.
Pioneer of Glam Rock along with Marc Bolan of Tyrannosaurus Rex, a movement that was spreading as a symbol of fresh freedom of change.
Singer, songwriter, producer, musician, actor (he started in the theater with the great Lindsay Kemp) and was the protagonist of several films.
Always ahead of his time, creating new sounds and alter egos (Ziggy Stardust, Aladin Sane, Thin White Duke... that's why he is known as a chameleon.)
You will listen to hundreds of songs and you will not find two alike. Check out images of his long career and you will be amazed.
Rock'n Roll suicide
Time, five years, lady stardust, ziggy stardust, changes, ashes to ashes, young americans, station to station, diamond dogs, cracked actor, space odity or Heroes and hundreds of more hits,
If you manage to see any live I recommend Ziggy Stardust live Hammersmith 73, Diamond dogs tour and the Serious Moonlight (Paris)
So welcome to Bowie's world , the starman .
RIP😢
Allways love your honest reactions , keep on rocking beautiful ❤
Greetings from Barcelona
Excuse my english 😊
Rick Wakeman from Yes 'And You And I' played the keyboard on this song..
This song seems to be a comment on the spectacle/ tabloid aspect of film and entertainment and how disenchanting that can be for a young critical mind. That's how I enterpret it lyrically anyway. The title of the song seems almost like it was taken right from the headlines of a tabloid magazine;
Is There Life on Mars??
Pure art in music; as you said.
Nice vid.
First heard Life on Mars on radio aged 13 when I was on holiday with the fam in the Wild West of Ireland.
It was on the radio all the time and I just loved it!
Mostly was into reggae then.
I still don't know what it 'means.'
My mum was looking after David Bowie for a few nights when she was a nurse in a private clinic and he'd had some kind of collapse after too much work and told him her son is a huge fan and she brought in my copy of Aladdin Sane for him to sign for me which he did!
David Bowie isn’t cool. COOL is DAVID BOWIE.
Gave a listen to his song 'Moonage Daydream.'
you are listening to my all time fav song, love it
I find it difficult to really get the feel of David's amazing lyrics when I watch his videos. I prefer to close eyes and listen first, then watch his theatrics on a later hearing. My take on the phrase "Is there life on Mars?", is that many of us who identify as misfits or social outcasts often wonder, is there anywhere that people are more like us, or more understanding of us than the people we find around us here on Earth 🌎🌍... Just a guess 😁 I love what you're doing with these reactions, looking forward to the next video ❤😊
One of the best songs ever! 🎉
If you notice the piano, it's played by Rick Wakeman, legendary pianist and keaboardist.
I think its basically about alienation while living here on our planet. Feelling it is the wrong place for the young woman to live . So " Is there life on Mars is it better eleswhere ,..My take anyway,
I’ve been a fan of Bowie since I was 12. In 1973 and I always figured it was about someone fed up with the state of the world and looking at other options. As in if there’s life there maybe I’ll try it out. But you never know with Ziggy or the Thin White Duke or The Man whole fell to Earth or the Man Who Sold The World or Major Tom. Do You Mr, Jones (B.D.) cheers from Montreal
I saw him on February 25 1976 at the Montreal forum Station to Station tour. Cost $9.95. Great seats great show I was 15. It was the first time I tried weed. Lol.
He's still shocking people half a century later..
2024 - an there are still people wo don't know David Bowie - i am surprised
You've picked an interesting era of music. So much talent was missed because of how many of them looked. Ziggy Stardust is an amazing song. At from this time frame also look up Marc Bolan another amazing talent. England had a lot of true talent back then.
The song is about a girl who has just left home and discovered the absurdity of the adult world. She feels detached and as if she is watching life from the outside like it is 'the best selling show'/
David Bowie made his own rules, but was a master entertainer. try Space Oddity for a good introduction. this is a bit more confusing!
you know, i thought about this reaction & actually i had the same confusion when i 1st saw the video to this song. i'm a david bowie fan but, you're right, the 'expression' or 'feeling' he presents doesn't really have anything to do w/'the words' to this song & ALL of the makeup is distracting. tho' i do like the 'mood' this song evokes. i know some david bowie songs that would knock your socks off! . . .
the answer is in the opening lyrics
Speaking of Bowie, please Listen to !! Wild as the Wind, 1974, and Lady Grinning Soul 1973, !! either one first, don't forget, !! Where Are We Now, 2013, !!. yes 50 years apart I'd like to see what you think ???
Kudos to Mick Ronson & Rick Wakeman. Music geniuses in their own right.⚡
The opening verse about a girl being turfed from her house - for a "God-awful small affair", sets the tone. Life on Earth can indeed suck. That begs the question, is there life on Mars?
It's about a young girl feeling trapped in a negative home environment. Her only outlet is the popular culture around her such as movies. And the option that the popular culture gives her is consumerism and bad entertainment. Her mind wanders and imagines if there might be life on Mars? Something more than what she finds to be empty in modern society. It's quite a good song lyrically-the message is questioning and the answers aren't very satisfying.
This is the song equivalent to the movie 2001A space odyssey - subject to your own interpretation
Harlequin...Clown,,,,Nephilim
Just an observation. Beautiful song, of course.
Love your channel. ❤ from U.S.A.
Rick Wakeman played piano on this track.
Didn’t know that 👍🏻
Rick also played keys on Space Oddity one of his earlier hits@@FF04RDF
You have reacted to one other David Bowie track in the past, "Heroes". Please react to "Space Oddity" next. It's my favorite David Bowie song!