By Howard | Published February 18, 2007
Life on Mars has just started again on the BBC – I’ve not got round to seeing the new episode yet (Sky+ has it stored away safely for me) but it seems the new series has provoked renewed interest in my previous post about the excellent soundtrack the first series had. It looks like the BBC have taken down the page I referenced to get the music information, so for the benefit of the many people who have asked for it, here’s The Almost Complete Life on Mars Soundtrack (Series 1). I expect I shall get together the Series 2 music once it’s complete…
- Led Zeppelin – Immigrant Song
- David Bowie – Life on Mars
- Blue Oyster Cult – Stairway to the Stars
- Lou Reed – I’m So Free
- The Who – Baba O’Riley
- Deep Purple – Rat Rat Blue
- Deep Purple – Fireball
- Cream – White Room
- Wings – Live and Let Die
- Deep Purple – No One Came
- Willie Lindo & The Charmers’ Band – Drum Song
- Thin Lizzy – Saga of the Ageing Orphan
- Deep Purple – Lazy
- Pink Floyd – One of These Days
- Sweet – The Ballroom Blitz
- Uriah Heep – Gypsy
- Free – Wishing Well
- Atomic Rooster – Head in the Sky
- Hawkwind – Brainstorm
- David Bowie – The Jean Genie
- Jethro Tull – Cross-Eyed Mary
- Hawkwind – Silver Machine
- Slade – Gudbuy T’ Jane
- Rolling Stones – Wild Horses
- Sweet – Blockbuster
- Thin Lizzy – Call The Police
- Status Quo – Good Thinking
- Thin Lizzy – The Rocker
- Cream – White Room
- T Rex – Jeepster
- Roxy Music – Would You Believe
- Hawkwind – Urban Guerilla
- Roxy Music – Mother of Pearl
- Nina Simone – I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel to be Free)
- Louis Armstrong – What A Wonderful World
- The Hollies – I Can’t Tell The Bottom From The Top
- Peters & Lee – Welcome Home
- Nina Simone – Sinnerman
- Atomic Rooster – The Rock
- John Kongos – Tokoloshe man
- Atomic Rooster – Ear in the Snow
- Atomic Rooster – The Devil’s Answer
- Wizzard – See My Baby Jive
- Lindisfarne – Meet Me On The Corner
- Free – Little Bit of Love
That ought to keep you busy searching your music collections (and iTunes)!
Edit (10 April, 2007): Corrected spelling of Uriah Heep (not Heap!), thanks to Dave in the comments. :)
Edit (6 December, 2007): There is a BitTorrent file floating based on this (Series 1) list.
Kevin the song is Reflections of My Life by The Marmalade
http://www.tunesonthetube.com/Life_on_Mars.htm
Check out the above site for the LOM US Soundtrack details – I have all the songs other than the Dusty Springfield track – which ought to been fairly easy , but it’s not in my collection … yet.
If anyone is interested – I have compiled an Ashes To Ashes MP3 Disc with the undernoted tracks – presumably I can upload via megaupload – although not familiar with the the method of doing so?
I gave myself a bit of poetic license at the end :-)
Music featured in the Discs includes :
Ashes to Ashes – David Bowie
Are ‘Friends’ Electric? – Tubeway Army
Vienna – Ultravox
Same Old Scene – Roxy Music
No More Heroes – The Stranglers
I Fought The Law – The Clash
I’m In Love With A German Film Star – The Passions
Careless Memories – Duran Duran
Swords of a Thousand Men – Tenpole Tudor
The Prince – Madness
Body Talk – Imagination
Money (That’s What I Want) – The Flying Lizards
Fade To Grey – Visage
Souvenir – Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
We Are All Prostitutes – The Pop Group
Geno – Dexys Midnight Runners
(We Don’t Need This) Fascist Groove Thang – Heaven 17
Neon Lights – Kraftwerk
‘I Hear You Now’ – Jon & Vangelis
There There My Dear – Dexys Midnight Runners
Gertcha – Chas and Dave
Staring at the Rude Boys – The Ruts
It’s Different for Girls – Joe Jackson
Let’s Stick Together – Bryan Ferry
Over You – Roxy Music
Making Your Mind Up – Bucks Fizz
Ay Ay Ay Ay Moosey – Modern Romance
Planet Earth – Duran Duran
Happy Birthday – Altered Images
Autonomy – The Buzzcocks
Doors of Your Heart – The Beat
To Cut A Long Story Short – Spandau Ballet
Green Door – Shakin’ Stevens
Girls On Film – Duran Duran
Enola Gay – Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
London Calling – The Clash
Love Action – Human League
Reward – The Teardrop Explodes
Police and Thieves – The Clash
One Step Beyond – Madness
I Travel – Simple Minds
Sgt. Rock – XTC
Turn To Red – Killing Joke
I Feel Love – Donna Summer
Love Magic – John Davis
Don’t You Want Me – The Human League
I Lost My Heart To A Starship Trooper – Sarah Brightman
Where Did Our Love Go – Soft Cell
Tainted Love – Soft Cell
Into The Valley – The Skids
Same Old Scene – Roxy Music
Mirror In The Bathroom – The Beat
Chant No. 1 – Spandau Ballet
Kids In America – Kim Wilde
Vienna – Ultravox
Golden Brown – The Stranglers
Ghosts – Japan
Police On My Back – The Clash
The Man With The Child In His Eyes – Kate Bush
Whine & Grine – The Beat
One Day In Your Life – Michael Jackson
Fame – David Bowie
Too Much Pressure – The Selector
Reunited – Peaches and Herb
Dancing In the City – Marshall Hain
2-4-6-8 Motorway – Tom Robinson
Ashes To Ashes – David Bowie
Take The Long Way Home – Supertramp
Alex Drake – Intro
Acceptable In The 80′s Calvin Harris
John (aka djsteeley)
Hi Costas, the song you’re looking for is ‘CALL THE POLICE’ by THIN LIZZY and it’s featured on the album ‘Shades Of A Blue Orphanage.’
Just finished watching both series of Life on Mars (loved it) and was elated to find this blog. Thanks to all of you who worked so hard to find and put together all the songs from the show. I especially wanted to find out what that Strawbs song was at the quarry and I did. I’m an American in the U.S. who usually finds that UK shows are far superior to ours. Part of that is because they are less heavily censored. I’m going to watch Ashes to Ashes next and have a curiosity about the new U.S. version of Life on Mars. Occasionally we do okay with the remakes (i.e., The Office) but usually it’s a train wreck (i.e., Coupling) and often we wouldn’t even know what to do with it (i.e., Shameless, Skins). I read that ABC’s Life on Mars is a virtual scene for scene rehash though, so I’m not expecting much. Plus, I love Philip Glenister’s lovable rogue Gene Hunt and expect Harvey Keitel’s version to eliminate all likeability from the character. I’m not even going to check out our new version of Worst Week – that just cannot be any good. Oh, well, at least we have Weeds.
Okay, I just watched episode 1 of the U.S. version of Life on Mars, and it’s not bad. I think fans of the UK show will like it because even though it copies the storyline and is less complex than the latter (at least in the pilot), it is different enough to hold your interest, and it’s interesting to compare and contrast. For instance, this one’s set in NY where there is a big hippie scene and Vietnam is a big deal. When Tyler first “awakens” in 1973, he looks up to see the Twin Towers standing. That’s a pretty powerful moment. Also, you guys will like the songs. There are even more used per episode than in the UK version, and most are different. Of course the title song is the same.
Here is a list of the songs from episode 1:
* Chris Cornell – “Ground Zero”
(2008, played during opening scene set in 2008)
* David Bowie – “Life on Mars?” (1973)
* Five Man Electrical Band – “Signs” (1970)
* The Who – “Baba O’Riley” (1971)
* The Sweet – “Little Willy” (1972)
* The Rolling Stones – “Out of Time” (1967)
I just found the list of songs from the next four episodes of the U.S. version. Here they are, in order:
1×02 – The Real Adventures of the Unreal Sam Tyler
* Matt the Hoople – “All the Way from Memphis” (1973)
* Gilbert O’Sullivan – “Get Down” (1973)
* David Bowie – “Life on Mars?” (1973)
* Simon and Garfunkel – “I Am a Rock” (1966)
1×03 – My Maharishi Is Bigger Than Your Maharishi
* Tommy James & The Shondells – “Sweet Cherry Wine” (1969)
* The Turtles – “I’m Chief Kamanawanalea (We’re the Royal Macadamia Nuts)” (1968)
* Dusty Springfield – “Just a Little Lovin’” (1969)
* Marmalade – “Reflections of My Life” (1969)
1×04 – Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing in the Shadows?
* Paul Simon – “Mother and Child Reunion” (1972)
* The Velvet Underground – “Rock and Roll” (1970)
* T. Rex – “Bang a Gong (Get It On)” (1971)
* Jones Brothers – “Lucky Lady” (1969)
* The Kinks – “20th Century Man” (1971)
* The Hollies – “Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress” (1972)
* The Beach Boys – “Long Promised Road” (1971)
djsteeley – I would love the A2A compilation, if you’re still around and interested in sharing.
I watched the whole first series for the first time today, and though it’s not as good as LoM, I have to say I loved it quite a bit. And what can I say? Eighties music has a special place in my heart.
Agent57 drop me a line at djsteeley@btinternet.com and I’ll post you a copy of the Ashes To Ashes mp3 soundtrack disc
Okay, no, US version of LOM is not worth watching really. I think it will just make you angry, except for the songs which are cool. Upon closer examination, I think a lot of the songs are the same as the original. Changes are probably related to licensing and which songs crossed the waters at the time. But the show is just a watered down, dumbed down, censored, bloated version of the UK LOM. Just watched your Ashes to Ashes and loved that, too. Gene was so sexy in this one. Damn, those two had better get it on in series 2. We need a payoff. What was up though with Keeley wearing the same stupid clothes for the whole series? Even Gene changes his suits. Though he could have used a second pair of boots. And I understand the off-the-shoulder look but with a tank showing, not a bra!
Laney – I actually kind of like the fact that she was wearing the same clothes… it’s a lot more realistic than shows where a character is never seen in the same thing. No one really has an infinite wardrobe in real life. Maybe she figures what’s the point in buying new clothes, when she’s just caught in her own brain and hopes to be able to get out soon? (Though I did always wonder why she put so much effort into the eyeshadow and stuff. We didn’t see much of her in the present, but she seemed a little different.)
I’ve managed to put together a LoM music pack myself, based on these helpful lists and files and some of my own searching, and I’ve packaged it into a torrent file. (I hope to do the same with the A2A collection, as well as music from Supernatural, when I get those packs done) If anyone wants to download it, and is familiar with bittorrent, you can find the .torrent file here: http://eleventybillion.com/misc/torrents/
If you don’t know about torrents, this might give you an idea:
http://bittornado.com/newb.html (I couldn’t really find a better info page)
I should also warn that, in the spirit of completism, the pack includes “Toxic” by Britney Spears. Yeah, I know. Sorry. You can just delete it right away.
I hope this gets some downloaders, as it’s the first torrent I’ve made.
During the first 3 episodes, I can’t recall which one, but at the end of the show, Sam’s hippie neighbor asks him to dance with her. He finally agrees and they dance together, what was the name of that song? I remember it as I graduated around that time but could not recall it on the list provided. Can anyone tell me who the artist was also?
Hi ela1203. The song is called “Reflections of my Life” by Marmalade. You can get all the episode titles, songs, etc from this website http://www.tv.com/life-on-mars/show/69238/episode_listings.html. Love the show too.
I just watched an original Life on Mars Pilot that was never released. It was a copy of the UK episode, where Sam puts together clues to catch a serial killer while visiting a record store.
In a listing booth there was a Black Sabbath song playing. But, I cannot remember the name of that song. I went through all my cassettes but I cant find it. I know it as I have heard it millions of times back in the day.
Has anyone else seen that lost Pilots?
Update. To save people the time going back over previous comments, the links I uploaded on Megaupload with the complete LOM series 1 & 2 are still active and include all the tracks + the DVD substitutions.
Series 1 328Mb Winzip file
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=O4X1HV6P
Series 2 278Mb Winzip file 54 tracks
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=VOZ4VAVL
The songs are prefixed e.g. S1 EP3 T7 = Series 1 Episode 3 Track 7 for people who want to play them in order. Enjoy All
Onadius. Lost pilots? US or UK? Do you have any more details i.e. titles, track/artist listing, date of release?
Has anyone compiled a “US” version of a soundtrack yet, before I create one?
I have done a soundtrack for the first 3 US episodes – though haven’t had time to work on it since :-(
BTW I have completed Episode 1 Series 2 Ashes to Ashes Soundtrack (which includes the opera segments & the Charlie Rich (Behind Closed Doors) reference by Gene Hunt… (yes, I’m that sad ;-)
Track Listing
The Lunatics Have Taken
Fun Boy Three
Grange Hill Theme aka Chicken Man
Alan Hawkshaw
Non T’amo piu
Paulo Tosti
Rio
Duran Duran
Love Plus One
Haircut 100
Look of Love
ABC
Stand & Deliver
Adam and The Ants
La Wally
Alfredo Catalani
The Model
Kraftwerk
Rat Race
The Specials
You Sexy Thing
Hot Chocolate
Mirror Man
Human League
Behind Closed Doors
Charlie Rich
Does anyone know the artist that sang the closing song on the US series episode “Let all the children boogie?” The song sounds like Lou Reed-lyrics go something like this: “she was the last planet I kissed..she went, she really went when she went.” GREAT song-need to know who it is.
It’s “(She Was) The Last Planet I Kissed” performed by Sebastian Grace and The Electric Insects. Does anyone have LOM US version soundtrack in a torrent?
Stumbled upon this blog whilst researching music from the excellent series ‘Life on Mars’. Besides being some of the best television I have ever seen the music has renewed my interest in all things 70′s. In 1973 I was 13.
I am now trying to put together a collection of the songs from the shows and I bet someone, somewhere, has the lot on Cd in MP3. If they have, and would be willing to send me a copy I would gladly pay for it. garrycane@gmail.com Cheers.
Mike K says:
November 2nd 2008 at 02:44
Hi Costas, the song you’re looking for is ‘CALL THE POLICE’ by THIN LIZZY and it’s featured on the album ‘Shades Of A Blue Orphanage.’
I disagree with this, it’s defo not Thin Lizzy
it is a source music from old Library records, not sure what it is thou.
Any help for the music at begining of episode 5 Series one UK LOM.
Hi Guys,
What is the closing instrumental music to all the episodes Life On Mars USA?
What is the sound track playing on the fx advert for Life on Mars Series 2
Which artist played the closing instrumental music at the end of all the episodes of Life On Mars (US series)?????
Hi, Anyone got the complete soundtrack for ashes to ashes season 1,2 and 3 and wanna share it?
Br
Anders
hmmmm I have checked a lot of sites looking for a complete list of songs played in the series (Life on Mars -UK) and they all seem to miss the mark. No one has listed The Young Rascals – How Can I be Sure (Featured prominently in an episode in Series 2) as well as The George Baker Selection – Little Green Bag which was played as a snippet in one episode. And that’s just the ones that I was looking for so a lot more to be had than those listed. Many thanks to those who have listed what they can find though.
Does anyone know the name of the song playing aas a snippet in the first episode of the LOM first season, when Genie and Sam jump over the table and rush in Cortina to Ramsey’s apartment, to save Dora Keanes? You can still hear it playing on the record player when Hunt smacks the tone arm to make it stop in the subsequent scene.
@Omegaman
How Can I Be Sure is David Cassidy’s version.
Anyone have any ideas what the track at the start of ep 5 series 1 is? The sequence where the Capri is being chased across the football field. Cheers!
You have missed “When the City Sleeps”-credited to Bombadil but actually Barclay James Harvest-please add!
apologies in series 2
Nelson always seems to have some sweet old reggae /
rocksteady numbers playing in his bar, but they’re so much in the
background I wondered if all of them have been tracked down. They
sound a lot like what was coming out of Studio One in the
60s/70s… Jackie Mittoo etc. I would totally drink at that bar
just to hear his vinyl collection! Anyone got a list of what he
spins up?
Season One also has a song called “Little Willy Won’t Go Home”
Didn’t see it among the listed songs here, so I thought I’d give it a mention (it’s a great track).
There is a song that sounds like Led Zeppelin in the BBC second season. Episode with the Pakistani drug dealers where ST meets his ex girlfriend’s mother. The song the fall asleep to: sympathize…realize… something like that. What is that song?? Driving me bonkers. Any help?