Mission to Mars: from David Bowie to Kelis, seven songs inspired by the Red Planet

Mars has inspired songwriters to create experimental works for decades

David Bowie penned surrealistic lyrics inspired by Mars. Reuters

Just as Mars inspired generations of scientists and astronauts about what mysteries it holds, the red planet is also instrumental in pushing musicians to compose works equally as experimental and daring.

With the UAE's Hope probe scheduled to enter Martian orbit on Tuesday, we take a look at how the planet inspired nearly five decades of musicians to create works that are totally "out there".

1. ‘Life on Mars’ by David Bowie (1973)

The late singer used the planet as a blank canvas to pen surreal lyrics of cavemen, late-night film screenings and "sailors fighting in the dance hall". Bowie may have described the track as a love song, but it remains the quintessential rock ‘n’ roll ode to the red planet.

2. 'Approaching Pavonis Mons by Balloon' by The Flaming Lips (2002)

Where Bowie took on the red planet surrealistically, the US experimental rock group went right into the details. The song title references Pavonis Mons, a large volcano found on the planet. The instrumental track has The Flaming Lips using synthesisers, jazzy drumming and surf guitars to imagine Mars as futuristic, mysterious and fun. Approaching Pavonis Mons by Balloon landed a Grammy award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance in 2002.

3. ‘Venus and Mars’ by Paul McCartney and Wings (1975)

Venus and Mars is a song that inspired a plethora of self-help titles. Long before men and women were compared to planets, McCartney spelled out that argument in this charming ballad.

Over clarinets and chiming guitars, the former Beatle languidly reflects on an astrologist friend who declared "Venus and Mars are alright tonight". And while he denied the title refers to him and late wife Linda McCartney, diehard fans remain unconvinced.

4. ‘A Martian’ by Ennio Morricone (2000)

The only real saving grace of the disappointing 2000 film Mission to Mars was the film score by the late Ennio Morricone.

Under the baton of the Italian maestro, the music goes deeper than the usual spacey electronica defining other Mars related tracks. Instead, A Martian uses synthesisers, voice snippets and warm orchestration to render the planet in a more tender and reflective light.

5. 'Blues on Planet Mars' by Sun Ra (1968)

Blues on Planet Mars is one of many songs about Mars composed by the jazz man and Afro-futurist Sun Ra. Powered by a shuffling Latin beat, the instrumental track broods with its piercing guitar licks and dissonant keyboards. In Sun Ra's hands, Mars is imagined as desolate and foreboding.

6. ‘Mars’ by Kelis (1999)

What is it about Mars that inspires such colourful lyricism? This is singer and rapper Kelis at her fiercest, as she details a fiery relationship with references to "money, science, space and Mars".

This time around, the planet is used as a metaphor for physical and emotional distance. When Kelis tells her partner she will "send you to Mars", it is not a term of endearment.

7. ‘Girl From Mars’ by Ash (1995)

An infectious rocker details a fleeting romance that was out of this world in the track Girl From Mars. For singer Tim Wheeler, that means a partner who likes to stay up late, play cards and watch fireflies buzzing while they both clasp hands by the river's edge. "And I still dream of you," he sings in the end. "I still love, girl from Mars."

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