THIS IS TODAY’S ‘70s SONG OF THE DAY, 6/21/2014: SONG TITLE: “Life on Mars” ARTIST: David Bowie (Official) ALBUM: Hunky Dory RELEASE DATE: June 22, 1973 GENRES: Piano rock, glam rock, art rock, symphonic rock FAST FACTS: BBC Radio has described the song as having “one of the strangest lyrics ever” consisting of a “slew of surreal images like a Salvador Dali painting”. Bowie summed up the song as a sensitive young girl’s reaction to the media and finding herself disappointed with reality. It was later featured on the BBC television drama and its American remake, both titled ‘Life on Mars’. HOW ERICSSON COMMENTS IT: “When I first read the song title I was expecting references to actual life on the red planet until I listened to the lyrics of the song. I was not disappointed, however, that the lyrics of the central character losing touch in reality have connected to me in a similar way. The girl seeks for escapism from home through the movies she’s watched; I’ve done the same thing but as escapism from the loss of relationships and other hardships of my life. Sometimes I’ve longed for dreams of reliving my past memories but with better understanding of it just like when I watched the American version of BBC’s ‘Life of Mars’ in which a cop from the present is sent back in time to the ‘70s. (I have not seen the original version yet, though, but that’s something that I would like to see someday.) Even more interesting behind the fact that this song was used on TV was that Green Day singer Billie Joe Armstrong would like to have it played at his funeral decades from now but it’s too early to think about his senior years just yet. The lyrical mention to Lennon (John, to be exact) is definitely spot-on although it does sound more like Lenin than Lennon but for the former Beatle who sang ‘Working Class Hero’ it all makes perfect sense. It’s a metaphorical reference to communism if you ask me ‘now the workers have struck for fame’ for entertainment that, ironically, exploited them just for profit. This is a song that works as a critique for pop culture and is definitely worth listening if you love classic rock like me. Maybe one day when I watch man’s first landing on Mars this song will be played live on the news – and Bowie will be proud of it.” youtube/watch?v=6C0RmRGTePw
Posted on: Sat, 21 Jun 2014 22:41:45 +0000
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