Life on Mars? - David Bowie | College Students' FIRST TIME REACTION! 

I forget who said it on the day that David Bowie died: "If you're sad today, remember the world is over 5 billion years old and you somehow managed to exist at the same time as David Bowie"

Rick Wakeman, of Yes, played the piano on this song. When he got home afterwards, he told his wife that he'd just played on the best song ever written. Not sure I agree, but it's certainly a brilliant piece.

This is an S tier song every day of the week. It’s an absolute masterpiece.

Featuring Rick Wakeman of Yes on piano & strings arranged by guitarist Mick Ronson. Often recognized as one of the great compositions of the 20th century, "Life On Mars?" was famously written by Bowie in under 30 minutes. And the lyrics - a takedown of corporate greed, political corruption, police brutality, & media artifice - may be more relevant today than they were in 1972. Keep going with Bowie, you haven't even scratched the surface of his genius. Next, check out: 👉 "Width Of A Circle" (the 1971 _Man Who Sold The World_ album would 💯 be your thing)

There is a great BBC series called "Life on Mars" that uses this song in the pilot episode in the scene where the main character finds that he has been transported into the past (1972 I am guessing), with the camera spinning around showing how the familiar places have all changed, giving that dizzy, ground-shifting under your feet feeling and the song's swirling strings and pleading cry from Bowie really work to amplify the disorientation/epiphany feeling.

Imagine being 14 in 1973 and hearing this. There had been nothing like it. It's great to see your own reactions 49 years later.

Not only is this a good song, it's important in Bowie's evolution. In addition, it shows off guitarist Mick Ronson's talent for seeing Bowie's vision and arranging the music to rise to the level of the lyrics!

Bowie was unparalleled, he was a genre unto himself.

"Every Bowie song is a gateway drug"! Best quote ever!

I think it’s Bowie’s greatest lyric. One of his best melodies too. Thanks so much for this, guys.

Y’all need to do lyric dives again. This would’ve been the song to look into. It’s a beautifully complex story.

My dad still claims seeing Bowie live in the Seventies was the greatest live show he ever saw.

I LOVE "Oh! You Pretty Things" from Hunky Dory. Bowie is incredible and one of a kind in my opinion. I hope everyone is having a great Monday. -Amber

The greatest song composition of his entire career... Mick Ronson's Wagnerian string arrangements & Wakeman's piano is sublime

"Queen Bitch" is another absolute banger from this album. Hope you hit the album but also can't wait for you to get to the "Station to Station" album and the Berlin Trilogy albums.

OMG, it's Life on Mars??? 🙀 Such an excellent song. 😻

My fav Bowie song. S-tier for me.

I have seen Bowie 3 times, starting in the 70’s. His concerts are sheer artistry… even at the beginning of his career, his genius was already well developed. A true poet who also mastered the texture of sound is only one facet of the Late, Great Bowie.

Goosebumps: That's Bowie. Maybe try "Golden Years." It has a cool guitar riff and shows his vocal prowess.

If you listen to the full album and the song a few more times, it will certainly be S. It is one of Bowie’s masterpieces.

The harmony Bowie builds with these changes is iconic. With the lyrics it's an easy S.

I just can't imagine never having heard this before! Rick Wakeman's piano on this is beyond words. I was lucky enough to see Bowie live on his last set of performances in the UK. Magic. Hunky Dory is astonishingly good.

Bowie was such a chameleon and a freaking genius. Going through his music is a fantastic journey.

The whole "Hunky Dory" album is great. And has anyone else brought up the "Diamond Dogs" album? Easily my 3rd favorite and great start to finish.

David Bowie 💙🎸🥁 CHANGES is one of my favorite Bowie songs

"Hunky Dory" is straight through a brilliant album, one of Bowie's best. As others may have mentioned, this 1973 song was used in the great BBC-TV series, two seasons long, called "Life On Mars?" A 21st century English police detective is listening to an MP3, in his car, of the title song. He steps out of his car for a moment and is hit by another car. When he awakes by the side of the road, his clothes and car are out of 1973, and instead of an MP3, his car radio has the 8-Track tape of the same song as before. He makes it to his office building, only to feel lost. His office is full of dirty, corrupt cops, and he finds that he reports to the most violent,drunken Chief Inspector on the force. Everybody is racist, sexist, plants evidence, most of them take bribes and they beat confessions out of suspects. Our hero doesn't know why he is displaced thus. He hears voices through radios, TVs and telephones, voices of his surgeon and his mother, of his girlfriend breaking up with him after months in a coma. They discuss "pulling the plug" and letting him die. The cases he must solve are somehow related to his situation, and he knows the history of many of them. He is constantly fighting with his new boss, trying to teach his fellow-cops more modern policing and detective methods. The big mystery is that the hero doesn't know if he has traveled back in time, or if he is in a coma in the 21st century, or if he has died and gone to hell. It is gripping and exciting, full of great characters of many different types, among both the cops and criminals.

“He turns every song into a gateway drug”. Fucking AWESOME quote! So...yeah. Whole album...BRILLIANT! Again...I’d recommend whole Bowie albums in chronological order...this way you can see the twists and turns and stylistic changes that he became known for. Last thing...mick Ronson...not only one of the best guitarists ever at playing for the song (his solos often tell a story), but a fabulous arranger. Legend has it that after ‘the man who sold the world’ album tanked (commercially) he went back home to hull, thought himself to score for strings, came back...did string arrangements for this one and ‘quicksand’. First attempts at string arrangements. Not too shabby! There is an ongoing argument among Ronson fans that the world would not have heard Bowie if Ronson didn’t show up when he did, my take...the world would certainly have heard Bowie....but in a very different way. I sure glad things turned out as they did. Great reaction guys! Peace

One of my favorites. Danced to this for the first dance at my wedding in 1984. At the very end of the song, it's Bowie saying "I'd like a glass of water."

Absolutel classic. Bowie's masterpiece. The piano used on this song is the same one used for the Beatles' "Hey Jude" and Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody."

This was my introduction to Bowie and to rock it changed my life literally.

I couldn't help buy listen extra closely to Bowie's vocals after recently watching a documentary on Netflix where the producer talked about how he was the best singer he ever heard and that almost all of Bowie's studio tracks are first takes. It was the "This is Pop" documentary. The second or third episode where they talk about autotune.

Thank you for renewing my will to live after learning that college students still listen to Bowie, Dylan, et al. Am an elderly 46 y.o. who grew up on metal/grunge/Jurassic-rawk & later indie-rock/punk/trip-hop…

Man, I would LOVE if you guys did a full album reaction to this album.

As one gets older one forgets about such brilliant songs that sound brand new once again. This is his best album.

Let’s all take a moment to appreciate the genius and contribution to music of Mick Ronson

Ronson had the advantage of writing the orchestral arrangement, and then writing his guitar parts to sit perfectly in the mix. Not a lot of tunes inspire TV shows, but this one inspired a really great one.

The song certainly makes you fall in love with "the girl with the mousy hair", the way she sees through things. Highly recommend you move on to the entire album. So many extraordinary songs. One of the best albums there is!

I was born in 1960 so I was 11 years old when this album came out. I had a sister who was four years older than me so she was into all of the rock ‘n’ roll of the day and exposed me to all of the great bands that time. I was 12 years old in 1973 and she and her friends took me along with them to see Pink Floyd at Tampa Stadium, needless to say it was my first time smoking weed. Such a great era to grow up. Can you imagine what it was like to be listening to these bands for the first time when you were either just a pre-teen or a young teenager? Smoke a few bowls then go into your room, turn off the lights, turn on the black light and just listen to all of the amazing music of the time wearing headphones… it was truly amazing!

David Bowie is a musical Phenomenon!! He will be remembered for generations to come!!

After listening to Bowie my whole life (I’m 56) I can honestly say this has been my fav song of his for a few decades now. Thnx for hitting it! 🔥 👨🏼‍🎤 ❤️

I've personally written close to 1400 songs in my life, and to me Life On Mars is the pinnacle of what a perfect song should be. To me it's a double-S tier song, but that's just me. Rick Wakeman was interviewed about playing on this song, and he did the track during the day, then met friends at the pub in the evening. He told them "I believe I've played on the greatest song ever written" or something to that effect. The chord changes are other-worldly, as is the melody line. (From Mars? LOL) Of course the lyrics are worth a long discussion as well. Maybe you need to hear it multiple times to appreciate it on other levels.

S-Tier all the friggin' way! The first time I heard this track, this made the hairs on my arm stand up. This song is so unabashedly dramatic -- in its songwriting, production, and in Bowie's delivery -- one of his best.

Was fortunate enough to have seen David Bowie live in 1987 on his Glass Spider tour. He did this song. When he hit those notes, live on stage, it literally blew me away. HIs voice is uniquely incredible. Siouxsie and the Banshees opened for Bowie that evening. Amazing spring So Cal night.

Hunky Dory is Bowie finding his voice -- the album before the one that would make him a superstar. "Changes" and "Queen Bitch" are the other radio staple songs on this album -- easily among his best stuff. A lot of Bowie fans say this is their favorite album -- which is probably his first great album.

I saw Bowie live in 1985 he is a Total Rock God

For a man who wrote so many absolutely brilliant songs, this was exceptional. a true great.

All i can say is "Goosebumps" boyz! Every single time I hear this song! ❤️

Bowie is always a rewarding listen...

This is the song that made me love Bowie at 13 years old. Look up the Frank Sinatra Connection. Similar Ending to this is "Whizz Kid" by Mott the Hoople.

I saw him live 3 times. I never loved an artist's music more than his. I started painting in the 70s as a teen because of the inspiration he brought into my life. He been my muse for 50 years

The 1999 live Paris version brings me to tears. His best live performance ever!!!

This, to my mind, is Bowie's best album. It would be a great Patreon listen. Such dynamic range in this tune. I highly recommend "The Bewlay Brothers" from the same album. THANK YOU

So happy that y’all hit this! I was surprised at the ratings because I thought Andy was digging it as much as Alex. Would love for y’all to do “The Man Who Sold the World”. I saw Bowie twice in the ‘80’s.

I❤❤❤❤David Bowie! Ever since the first time my ears heard him and my eyes adored him. RIH DB 😔

I saw Bowie during his Diamond Dogs tour and remember thinking “I would have gladly paid more” the Diamond Dogs-1974 album is one you should definitely put on your list, along with Aladdin Sane-1973.

First single I ever bought. The b side - The Man Who Sold The World is world class too. Now watch the TV show named after it (the UK one ). It's a fantastic concept.

My absolute favorite Bowie song. Love it SO MUCH.

Song's been giving me chills since 1972

Bowie's guitarist, Mick Ronson, also did the arrangement which is why his guitar fits in so well among those strings. Hunky Dory was the album where Bowie really hit a new plateau as a songwriter. Every song on there is distinctive and amazing. So you should check it the whole album.

This was the first record that I ever bought and my love and adoration for this man began. RIP Starman x

Ahhhh. Finally back to the 70s!

Bowie sounds so young here. I heard Midge Ure sing Vienna live just a few years ago, and his older voice changed the whole song. Makes me want to search RU-vid for older Bowie singing this live.

He is the greatest of all time. Please do all of his albums. You'll never hear the same thing twice. He's a genius. Never a dull moment. No one will ever be cooler than David.Bowie.

Hunky Dory is my favorite Bowie album

I honestly think Aladdin Sane is the next Bowie album to go to… so well performed

My favourite Bowie album and favourite track on it. Whole album is brilliant and I haven't stopped playing it over the last 40yrs!

1 sentence you said there basically sums up every Bowie song, "it's not perfect, but it's beautifully imperfect" That's Bowie, a great quote

This is my fav David Bowie Album ..as a young kid I thought he was singing them to me so cool. First heard it when I was 7 in 1977...even though I love them all

Hunky Dory is fantastic. It’s the Bowie album I listen to the most

Hunky Dory is still my favourite Bowie. It's also a much more cohesive album than Ziggy Stardust (which, excellent though it is, does pull in several different directions). HD has a terrific acoustic production before building to the last few rockers like Queen Bitch. Well worth a full listen.

The song STAY from the Station To Station album is one of Bowie's greatest rockers - - it has an amazing riff & playing from guitarist Earl Slick.

Have you seen older folks reaction to Bowie in that RU-vid series? It cool from the standpoint of seeing their reaction to him. Real heartfelt tears for the man who meant so much to so many. Even if that was not their type of music they listened to they still recognized his importance to the music and the culture. When he died the emotions were so raw. I got admit I shed more than a few tears that day. But because of that last video of him as ascending to heaven I’m guessing it was like saying I’m ok , don’t worry and he did it his way . Doing the thing he loved to do. And doing it his way to the end. It’s a fitting conclusion to a life well spent RIP

Easily one of My favorite Bowie Songs of all time, a total Anthem

I believe it was producer Eddie Kramer who recorded all the british greats, who said in an interview that Bowie, out of allof them was the easiest day in the studio. He knew exactly what he wanted, and did minimal takes compared to the other acts. Which i found super surprising

This is the BEST David Bowie song in a sea of great David Bowie songs.

One of my favourite albums of all time, one of my favourite songs of all time.

Always gives me shivers. Anyone else get that?

I had tears in my eyes watching you hearing this song for the first time - a real classic! I can’t say any more than that.

I feel so blessed to have been along with Bowie on his journey… through his many phases from nearly the beginning. He has always touched me and always amazed me. I sure do miss him, but I’m so grateful for the beauty he left behind.

I would suggest "Diamond Dogs" as a good concept album. Dark and futuristic. And from that album "Big Brother/Chant of the Ever Circling Skeletal Family" might be something you'd find interesting. "Chant..." is cool on its own. But "Big Brother" is a necessary lead into it to get the full message.

If you want a different side of Bowie check out rebel rebel. One of his finest songs. It also rocks hard.

Good example of the Rick Beato philosophy that big interval changes between consecutive notes leads to appealing and attention capturing melodies. Big interval change between the notes corresponding to the words "on" and "Mars" in the chorus.

The ‘Old Joanna’ (piano, if you’re not from London Town) on this track was played by Rick Wakeman of Yes fame. He likes to remind everyone of this whenever he’s interviewed.

This is one of the better reactions I’ve seen, excellent job Andy & Alex, peace and love to you both!!😃👍☮️❤️

You should do "China Girl". One of my favorite vocal performances plus a tasty guitar solo by a young Stevie Ray Vaughan

Hunky Dory is my favorite Bowie record. It brings me back to a great time of my life, plus great songs. Thanks, guys! Keep up the good work!

Bowie always keeps people there with his songs. There always so unique. This is one of his best songs always loved it. He has no bad records from space oddity to his 80s stuff.

Another one from 1971, greatest year in rock history hands down

For another whole Bowie album, try this albums ( Hunky Dory ) predecessor, " The Man Who Sold the World"....It is dark, metallic, mysterious....& brilliant!

Now try, from the same album, 'Oh You Pretty Things'. Bowie at his creative best, in my opinion. He travelled in so many different directions though, refusing to be tied down to others' expectations, there's something for everyone among his many albums. He even did a great album of covers - Pin-Ups.

One of my favorite Bowie songs

David Bowie has a few songs that build up to goosebumps territory, This is definitely one of them.

A&A, you'll love his "Modern Love" and "Changes"!!!

Bowie is so different with each album that I never know what to expect other than something amazing. His voice is so unique also. Lyrically this song was very interesting and compelling. If you have never had the opportunity to do so, you should listen to Bowie playing Saxaphone.

Bowie recorded this song at famed Trident Studios in Soho in August 1971. In the following week, Elton John cut Tiny Dancer. Two songs, that weren't big hits at the time of their release that today echo so dramatically around popular music, were recorded in exactly the same place just a weekend apart.

YESSSS! You MUST do the whole album immediately!!!

Glam-era Bowie is extremely influenced by the Rolling Stones. This particular song, which is before he really went glam, sounds very Beatles-esque. It sounds like a George Martin production. The strings and the guitar tone reminds so much of that style.

Rick Wakeman on piano. The story goes he got the offer to join Yes at the same time he got the offer to join Bowie on Ziggy Stardust. He went on to Yes and Mick Ronson (guitar and string arrangements) went on to do the piano on Ziggy. Hunky Dory is a pretty terrific record too, although my recommendation for the next album would've been Diamond Dogs.

5 decades of Bowie were not a mistake. He paved the way for so many other artists and genres An absolute genius. And nobody else ever really cared about The Girl with The Mousey Hair. ❤

Thank you guys, one of my favorite Bowie songs. Love his vocals, the guitar solo & the strings are awesome, S-tir for me. Up next, from the same album, Changes. Or Rebel Rebel, Cat People with Stevie Ray Vaughan from the Let's Dance album. Cracked Actor or Queen Bitch, also from Hunky Dury.