50th Anniversary “Life on Mars” 4K Video Upgrade

I don’t like to post the same video more than once in this blog, and unless I’ve done so accidentally I don’t think I actually have. That said, I’ve posted at least two versions of “Life on Mars,” which is one of Bowie’s most famous. This, then is a third version. It’s touted as having a 4K upgrade, and to tell you the truth, I don’t actually know what that means. It does intersperse concert footage in between more familiar images of Bowie, in heavy makeup and light blue suit, singing by himself. Without watching the original side by side, I think this one uses some slightly different shots (and might be based off the 2016 Mick Rock revised video rather than the original).

Bowie released the video and “Life on Mars” video 50 years ago, however the song first appeared on the album Hunky Dory, which was released in 1971. That album is today thought of as one of Bowie’s best, but it wasn’t a hit in 1971. Bowie was a bigger star two years later, so he finally got around to releasing the song as a single. Today it stands out as one of Bowie’s most iconic, beloved and covered songs. I used “Life on Mars” to finish my 365 song-a-day tribute in the early days of 2017. I also think of a comedic dialogue Bowie had with Ricky Gervais in which the comedian was talking to the singer about making a guest appearance on his show, Extras. Bowie did it and performed a song he wrote making fun of Gervais’ character. But in describing what he was looking for, Gervais suggested that Bowie write something original along the lines of “Life on Mars.” Bowie replied somethign a login the lines of, “You want me to write another ‘Life on Mars?’ I see.” In other words even Bowie relived that a song like this only springs forth a once in a career. There’s a reason why there’s an appetite for a slightly modified video half a century later…