Life on Mars? / The Man Who Sold the World

by David Bowie

Life on Mars? / The Man Who Sold the World cover art
  • Type: Single
  • Released: 22 June 1973
  • Label: RCA
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Length: 7:43
  • Community rating: 4.39/5 from 8 ratings

Album Notes & Community Reviews

Originally featured on 'Hunky Dory' but released as a single at the height of Ziggy Stardust mania, 'Life on Mars?' represents a pinnacle of theatrical glam-pop. The sweeping cinematic arrangement is anchored by Rick Wakeman's grand piano and Mick Ronson's swelling orchestral strings, providing a dramatic backdrop for Bowie's surreal, media-critical lyricism. It is widely considered one of the defining anthems of 1970s British pop culture.

Genres

Descriptors: melodic, orchestral, theatrical, piano, ballad

Tracklist

  1. Life On Mars? (3:45)
  2. The Man Who Sold The World (3:58)

Credits

  • David Bowie - primary artist, written-by
  • Ken Scott - producer [uncredited]
  • Tony Visconti - producer

More from David Bowie: full discography