They say “Life on Mars?” is one of the greatest songs ever recorded, and I’m not one to argue. It’s tempting to call it David Bowie’s masterpiece, but he has at least 50 songs competing for that title. Rolling Stone magazine included “Life on Mars?” on its list of the 500 greatest songs back in 2021. Q magazine ranked it third in a list of the “10 most perfect songs ever.” Many shows and movies have featured it, and one popular show even borrowed its name. It’s been covered, referenced, awarded, and more. No one can doubt its place in the history of music. But what you may not know is that “Life on Mars?” was inspired by another legendary song. More accurately, it was an act of vengeance.
People far smarter than I am have commented on the complex chord structure of “Life on Mars?.” The verses are primarily in the key of F major but the chords change throughout. It’s a truly grand piece. Another truly grand piece with a notable chord structure is “My Way,” sung by Frank Sinatra. These are two songs I’ve heard many years throughout my life and never really connected to each other. It turns out that these two songs share an unusual history.
In 1968, one year before Major Tom began sitting in a tin can, his label commissioned Bowie to write a translation of a French song called “Comme d’habitude,” It was composed by Jacques Revaux, with lyrics by Claude François and Gilles Thibaut. The original lyrics by François tell of a troubled relationship inspired by his then-recent break-up with famed French pop star France Gall. Bowie translated the song to “Even a Fool Falls in Love.”
Bowie recorded a demo and submitted the lyrics, which the song’s French publishers rejected. Though he himself described his lyrics as “God awful” and “embarrassingly bad,” Bowie still expected to hear them when the tune came on the radio. Instead, he heard Frank Sinatra. Without Bowie knowing, Paul Anka had written the now-famous “My Way” lyrics and given the song to Ol’ Blue Eyes as a sort of swan song. “I was really pissed off,” Bowie said in a 2002 interview. And that anger led to his masterpiece of revenge.
While most artists would get their revenge by dropping a chandelier on their enemies, Bowie decided to get his by outdoing Sinatra. Using “Comme d’habitude” as a basis, he wrote “Life on Mars?” as a sort of half-parody of “My Way.” The first 7 bars of both songs are nearly identical, using the same chords. While “My Way” remains a traditional but powerful ballad, “Life on Mars?” goes in a unique direction only Bowie could’ve taken it. “Life on Mars?” starts with “My Way” but builds something entirely new out of it.
Bowie, of course, has acknowledged this connection many times over the years. In fact, he did this on the liner notes for “Hunky Dory.” Bowie states that “Life on Mars?” was “inspired by Frankie.” Both songs went on to be classics in their own right, but I’m sure you knew that. “My Way” was covered by Elvis and Sid Vicious; “Life on Mars?” was covered by Lorde and Barbara Streisand. They both have their place in the pantheon of pop culture.
They were right to call “Life on Mars?” one of the greatest songs ever recorded. Bowie took a disheartening defeat and turned it into something majestic. Even though it was an act of vengeance, the song’s surreal lyrics and cinematic sound are undeniably beautiful. Bowie did “My Way” his way.