Understanding 'Life On Mars?'

There weren't many artists in rock music more unique than David Bowie. His work spanned a variety of styles, and he brought his own voice to each one. His passing two years ago was a great loss for the art world, but at least he left us with over 40 years of music to appreciate, so to commemorate one of the titans of the genre, we're looking at one of his first big hits, Life On Mars?. It's a really cool piece of harmony that combines advanced devices with iconic progressions to create an unforgettable, ambient soundscape.

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[tone]

1) Didn't get a chance to talk about this in the main video, but it's also noteworthy that he mostly plays the line cliche in the bass. Normally, in a line cliche, the bass stays the same and one of the top notes moves, but doing it with the lowest notes in the voicing draws more attention to it.

2) I'm not sure I was clear enough in the Chromatic Mediants section, so just in case, the reason it's so significant is because it's one of the most common tools used in non-functional and atonal harmony in order to evoke relationships between chords without reference to a key center. F and Ab are like cousins.

3) This song is in what I like to call "Pantera Tuning", meaning the notes are all a quarter-tone flat. It doesn't change much, and I didn't have room to dive into it in the video, but it's worth mentioning.

4) Some of you have pointed out that the last chord of the prechorus is actually Db7/Cb, with the line cliche continuing up. That's correct: I misread the transcription I was working from and didn't catch the error. Thanks for pointing it out! The structure there is still largely the same, but it makes it a bIII7 in the target key, which is a weird but usable resolution that I'm sad I didn't get the chance to talk about. Sorry!

[MidtownSkyport]

The song was a response to Sinatra's 'My Way'. Before he made it big Bowie was a songwriter for hire and had been sent the music to My Way to put lyrics to. He sent his completed song back but didn't get the job. He later recognised the tune when he heard it on the radio and decided to do a better job than he had before - the result was 'Life on Mars'

[catetaylor]

You're musically so gifted, however, what continuously baffles me- is your ability to consistently draw a perfect treble clef every time

[doovooboowoo]

*I WAS WAITING SO MUCH FOR A BOWIE SONG* <3

[neurotransmissions]

Great video! I was so sad after Bowie passed. I listened to Blackstar on repeat for like a month. So much vibrancy and creativity, even at the end of his life.

[ericknechtges]

The F - Fm - Cm - Ebm7 bit is certainly an example of modal interchange, but I think it's also important to point out that there's another chromatically descending line hiding inside those chords -- A, Ab, G, Gb.
Love these videos!

[yellowlabsrule]

1. I love how jam-packed your videos are with information and yet you make it really accessible.
2. I really appreciate how you edit/speak to keep things moving! I often have to watch videos on 2x speed but yours are already perfect!
3. I am so thankful for you writing the notes as we hear them.
A+ work on combining so many learning devices together into such a succinct package!

[Awesomedude]

The song is also partially based on a French song called "Comme D'habitude". Bowie had written an English version of the song but before he released it Frank Sinatra had a big hit with another version of the song ("My Way"). So Bowie uses a very similar chord progression for a completely different song as a sort of joke.

[zanzibar]

I don't understand a single thing you just said, impressive video though

[travisjones]

Wow, this is so complicated it makes me laugh -- I understand everything your saying, I can play and read music, but this is on the highest level of aptitude and it's cool to experience it

[NortherlyK]

I love that the picture notation is right to left and the music notation is left to right; the contrast is visually appealing.

[dkbrantley]

I have high hopes of one day being able to keep up with these videos. Even in my ignorance, I enjoy them. Thanks for your work!

[monsieurbrochant]

3:37 isn't the last chord supposed to be a Db7/Cb, I clearly hear the 7th in the bassline of the original song

[MusicFed]

great analysis! the Eb minor on the coda gets me every time with those pumping orchestral hits that rise and rise to the I ... so melancholy and a masterful use of the iv - I cadence

[jonnuanez]

Life On Mars was probably the most complicated song I ever learned how to play. The chords were no big deal. But the sequence, the melody, and the progression-while all logical-threw me off. It's certainly not a true rock song-more like cabaret/Broadway/etc. If you're not used to that style, it can be intimidating. But it's like climbing the mountain top..."I did it!!!" feeling.

Btw, yeah it's more of a piano song. I learned it on guitar, acoustic at that. Your hands will hurt if you learn it on one.

[catherinelevison]

WOW, I’m gobsmacked! I read music and I LOVE Bowie so this was a real treat for me. I’m no where near your ability so allow me to applaud the note writing with the notes, nicely done. Loved this. Thank you.

[mushyw]

The modal interchange from F to Fm in the chorus is one of my favourite musical moments. So simple yet brilliant.

Orinoco Flow by Enya does something really similar in its transition from verse to Chorus going from C to Cm. However in Life on Mars the effect is more wistful, rueful, in Orinoco Flow it's more stormy or brooding.

[ErikWolowitz]

I've been writing software for 20+ years, not a dumb guy by any stretch, but I watch this video and my brain hurts.. I feel like the apes at the start of 2001 a space odyssey staring at the obelisk.

[dliessmgg]

5:30 I'd personally view that Gbaug as sort of a passing chord. It keeps most notes of the preceding chord, but moves the bass note a half step downwards, so that it creates a chromatic bass line between Gm and F. This is also the justification I'd give for the weird chords in the guitar solo. This technique is not too far away from a line cliche, but imo it's not quite the same.

[ducacalainho]

Amazing piece of music, thanks for helping us decode it.