David Bowie’s Revenge Song Against Frank Sinatra – Grunge

had a distinguished career that was marked by versatility and personal tragedy. One of his most iconic songs is the 1971 classic “Life On Mars?” which featured the talented keyboardist Rick Wakeman and was recorded using the famous piano from the Beatles’ “Hey Jude.” This track, part of the renowned album “Hunky Dory,” became a chart-topping hit in the UK, reaching No. 3. The song delves into the speculation of extraterrestrial life, echoing Bowie’s previous work like “Space Oddity” and foreshadowing his upcoming album, “Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.”

Although “Life on Mars?” became synonymous with glam-rock and space themes, Bowie’s inspiration for the song was more traditional. The liner notes from “Hunky Dory” reveal that the ballad was “Inspired by Frankie,” a reference to legendary crooner Frank Sinatra. It turns out that Bowie wrote “Life on Mars?” as a response to Sinatra’s 1969 hit “My Way,” which was chosen over another song that Bowie had originally composed. Despite the differing lyrical themes, “Life on Mars?” was Bowie’s way of expressing his contempt for Sinatra and exhibiting his artistic growth.

The story of “My Way” has French origins, with singer Claude Francois hitting the French charts in 1967 with “Comme D’Habitude” (“As Usual”), a poignant depiction of a failing relationship. Bowie, still in the early stages of his career at that time, was commissioned by a publishing company to write new lyrics for the tune to release it to non-French audiences. Although he submitted his version, titled “Even A Fool Learns To Love,” it was rejected in favor of Paul Anka’s lyrics, leading to the creation of the iconic “My Way.” Fun fact: In the Philippines, singing “My Way” was once believed to bring bad luck.

After discovering that his version of “Comme D’Habitude” was passed over in favor of “My Way,” Bowie channeled his frustration into writing “Life on Mars?” as a form of retaliation. The critical acclaim and success of “Space Oddity” in 1969 didn’t diminish Bowie’s desire to respond to Sinatra’s track, resulting in the creation of a parody that deliberately incorporated elements of “My Way.” Despite its origins, “Life on Mars?” quickly outgrew its initial purpose and became a timeless addition to Bowie’s musical legacy.

In addition to “Life on Mars?,” Bowie engaged in other musical feuds. Another instance worth noting is when Bowie took a candid approach in addressing his disagreements with another musician through a different song.