Life on Mars – The ‘Original’ Soundtrack Thanks to BBC.co.uk
Richard commented in one of my posts about the BBC’s Life On Mars:
I’m so sad, I went and made my own Life on Mars Soundtrack based on the published track list from the Life on Mars BBC website! And it rocks! The seventies may not have had PC Terminal or Mobile Phones, but did they have music!?
Nope you’re not on your own, I know I’ve done the same thanks to the power of the Internet, but I think kudos goes to the BBC for actually putting up a soundtrack page and specifically saying ‘there’ll be no soundtrack.” Which given the rights clearance would be a nightmare is no surprise. So time to build your own.
Anyone out there got a copy of Drum Song by Willie Lindo & The Charmers Band or Dream Land by The Upsetters? I’m missing these ones from the episode two. What’s strange is that there’s one track missing from the listing. Episode 4 closed off with “I Don’t Believe In If Anymore” by Roger Whittaker – acknowledged in his macho way as a favourtie track by DCI Gene Hunt. Tsk tsk tsk BBC, I thought we could trust you. Especially with lyrics like
Oh I don’t believe in if anymore
It’s an illusion, it’s an illusion,
Oh I don’t believe in if anymore,
If it’s for children, if it’s for children,
Building daydreams
Listen to the music…
As someone who’s been reminding Ewan and others(!) about how good the 70s were away from the ‘pop’ charts, all this attention (including Hawkwind on BBC – wow!) on 70s rock brings a glow to my heart.
8-)
Now go though and watch the Woodstock DVD again. And yes, I know that was in the late 60s, but it’s where a lot of this music started, spiritually…
Steve
Well Steve, you should be happy that I had more than half the tracks in iTunes alread.
If you go onto limewire you can download The Upsetters & Drum Song riddim by Willie Lindo.
Life on Mars, clearly one of my favourite David Bowie tracks, was a big fan of Bowie back then…and evenmoreso the piano arrangement and playing is by another favourite, Rick Wakeman.
BUT…..there was a short extract from a track in one if the last two episodes, just as the credits were rolling, which you haven’t listed. Not sure what it is called and can’t find it. It was a bit ‘folky’ / ‘Dylan’esque. Anyone got any ideas????
Same question as Mikey … near the end of Episode 4, while they find the dead girl, there is a very folky, Dylanesque tune, something about “trying to change” perhaps, that I didn’t recognize but really dug.
Yup — same prob. as Mikey and MoRich. In fact, it was seeking that intriguing track that led me here. Belatedly, because they’ve only just started showing the series here in Ontario. i thought maybe Chris Farlowe or someone, but no luck so far.
p.s. apparently it’s Frankie Miller’s “I Can’t Change It”
MoRich… Wild Horses by The Rolling Stones.
To my opinion, you must like Roger Whittaker, because it’s playing right now on your iTunes. If you are looking for the missing peices, I have them for you. Very good serie, Life On Mars. It started on last sunday in The Netherlands.
you can find all the information about the Life On Mars soundtrack by going to the official Life On Mars Album website which is http://www.lifeonmarsalbum.com. Also if you have a Myspace then you can add the Life On Mars Album Myspace Page which is http://www.myspace.com/lifeonmarsalbum
What was the track played twice during last night’s episode (13th March) Something like, ‘Out, let it out’? I remember it back in the 70s, but I don’t know who it is by. Can you help?
The track that features twice in series 2 episode 4 is “lay down” by The Strawbs from “Bursting at the seams”. Great stuff.
To Annie Harrison (comment March 14 2007)
The track is “Lay Down ” by the Strawbs.What sounds like “out, let it out” is actually ” Down, I lay me down”. It drove me mad for ages too, until I found out what it is.
Fantastic. Looked for this song for ages (Lay me down).
Ta
What’s the track from episode 6 (series 2). Think they played it at the beginning when the cortina is racing through the backstreets and again in rocket the drug dealer’s bedroom – lots of heavy drums – sounds a bit led zep but probably isn’t. Any ideas? Cheers
Hi
Does anyone know who the opening music to Life on Mars is by? its drving me crazy trying to find it ha!
Thanks
Claire x x
Hi guys, help me out, who was singing over the rainbow at the end of series 2 ?
Thanks
That would be Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, Ronnie.
Me too – please, who the heck did the opening music and is it torrentable or otherwise obtainable?
At this rate I’m going to have to demux an AVi to get it!!
Jon, as far as I know the main theme tune was composed for the BBC directly.
Jon & Claire!!!
Are both of you still after The main theme from Life On Mars???? If so do you mean the one at the begining where the screen splits up cos I have it & it’s actually on the ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK at the very end of the last track!!!
Hope this helps!!
Ross
Here you go. This is about 95% of the songs from series 1 & 2:
[Edit from Ewan] Just wondering if you (ahem) have the licence to distribute these, Coop.
Who does the blues instrumental when Nelson is giving the bar tending lesson to Gene and Sam?