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Life on Mars - The ‘Original’ Soundtrack Thanks to BBC.co.uk

Posted on February 5, 2006
Filed Under Daily Links |

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.

$Life On Mars\' Disco$

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…

Comments

23 Responses to “Life on Mars - The ‘Original’ Soundtrack Thanks to BBC.co.uk”

Steve Litchfield on February 5th, 2006 17:57

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
Ewan on February 5th, 2006 23:05

Well Steve, you should be happy that I had more than half the tracks in iTunes alread.
Sue K on February 13th, 2006 17:04

If you go onto limewire you can download The Upsetters & Drum Song riddim by Willie Lindo.
Martin Harnevie on February 15th, 2006 1:56

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.
Mikey on April 28th, 2006 21:42

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????
MoRich on August 18th, 2006 13:33

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.
alan on October 14th, 2006 15:25

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.
alan on October 14th, 2006 15:35

p.s. apparently it’s Frankie Miller’s “I Can’t Change It”
Ewan on October 14th, 2006 20:23

MoRich… Wild Horses by The Rolling Stones.
Hans on January 9th, 2007 17:42

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.
Danny on February 22nd, 2007 13:21

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
Annie Harrison on March 14th, 2007 17:21

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?
Steve on March 23rd, 2007 13:13

The track that features twice in series 2 episode 4 is “lay down” by The Strawbs from “Bursting at the seams”. Great stuff.
Lorna on March 23rd, 2007 14:07

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.
andy on April 1st, 2007 23:45

Fantastic. Looked for this song for ages (Lay me down).
Ta
pete on April 3rd, 2007 13:00

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
Claire on April 11th, 2007 0:43

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
ronnie on April 14th, 2007 11:35

Hi guys, help me out, who was singing over the rainbow at the end of series 2 ?

Thanks
Ewan on April 14th, 2007 14:49

That would be Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, Ronnie.
Jon on August 10th, 2007 18:35

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!!
Ewan Spence on August 26th, 2007 10:35

Jon, as far as I know the main theme tune was composed for the BBC directly.
Ross on February 13th, 2008 11:46

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
Coop on February 26th, 2008 18:07

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.