Androgyny looking at David Bowie- Life on Mars

It’s a God awful small affair
To the girl with the mousey hair
But her mummy is yelling, “No!”
And her daddy has told her to go
But her friend is no where to be seen
Now she walks through her sunken dream
To the seats with the clearest view
And she’s hooked to the silver screen
But the film is a sadd’ning bore
For she’s lived it ten times or more
She could spit in the eyes of fools
As they ask her to focus on

Sailors
Fighting in the dance hall
Oh man!
Look at those cavemen go
It’s the freakiest show
Take a look at the lawman
Beating up the wrong guy
Oh man!
Wonder if he’ll ever know
He’s in the best selling show
Is there life on Mars?

It’s on America’s tortured brow
That Mickey Mouse has grown up a cow
Now the workers have struck for fame
‘Cause Lennon’s on sale again
See the mice in their million hordes
From Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads
Rule Britannia is out of bounds
To my mother, my dog, and clowns
But the film is a sadd’ning bore
‘Cause I wrote it ten times or more
It’s about to be writ again
As I ask you to focus on

Sailors
Fighting in the dance hall
Oh man!
Look at those cavemen go
It’s the freakiest show
Take a look at the lawman
Beating up the wrong guy
Oh man!
Wonder if he’ll ever know
He’s in the best selling show
Is there life on Mars?

Life on Mars? was initially released in the 1971 album Hunky Dory, and was later released as a single in 1973 after Hunky Dory failed to do as well as Bowie desired. After its re-release as a single, the song reached the #3 spot on the UK charts and stayed on the charts for 13 weeks. Recently the resurgence of the single’s popularity occurred due to the BBC television program named after the song which liberally uses music within the show. The song was released during a tumultuous period of history when the Vietnam War was still raging, although it was nearing its completion.


Bowie is wearing make-up, has brightly dyed orange hair, and porcelian skin. He has restyled glam rock in a striking and almost effeminate way.

Bowie is a unique style icon, in this image you can see how he both clings to conventions of masculinity in his suit, but gives it an effeminate twist showing off his personal style but colouring it powder blue with a racy striped tie.


Bowie's effeminate style was not always accepted by society, in 1970 on Bowie first apperance on Top of The Pops, him and guitarist Mich Ronson caused controversy after viewers saw them 'cuddeling' up on stage, in relaity Bowie simply placed his hand on Mick's shoulder. Outraged homophobics called in and to this day many people are uncertain of Bowie's sexual prefrences, even though he has been happily married for many years now.