Playlist: Life on Mars?

Let's talk about how exciting it is that NASA's new rover, Curiosity, just landed on Mars after eight long months. Did you watch the cool video about how difficult landing was, Seven Minutes of Terror? Curiosity is about the same size as an SUV, and it's over there on Mars, 154 million miles from Earth, just wheelin' around, checkin' things out and sending us back pictures within 20 minutes. TWENTY MINUTES, you guys.

Okay, yes. Science. It's amazing.

To celebrate Curiosity's incredible existence, here's a playlist about Mars, outer space and general cosmic bodies.

The surface of Mars and Curiosity's little wheel.
via {NASA Mars website}

Life on Mars?

[STREAM THE PLAYLIST HERE]

Space Jam - Quad City DJ's
Space Oddity - David Bowie
Galaxies - Laura Veirs
I Wish I Was The Moon - Neko Case
Throw Me To The Stars - Elizabeth Rose
Starman - Mates of State
Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft - The Carpenters
Space Travel is Boring - Sun Kil Moon
Black Hole Sun - Soundgarden
When The Stars Go Blue - Ryan Adams
Life on Mars? - Seu Jorge
Starlight - Muse
Honey and the Moon - Joseph Arthur
Don't Stop Me Now - Queen
Rocket Man - Elton John

Life on Mars? from Autostraddle on 8tracks.

Tell me your favorite out of this world tracks below.

Want to suggest a playlist theme? Hit Crystal up on Formspring and someone on the team will make it for you.

17 responses to “Playlist: Life on Mars?”

Plargy
August 6, 2012 at 3:27 pm Permalink Reply

Alan Bean, the Fourth Man on the Moon – Hefner

“As we tumbled down to earth, we felt the capsule turn, we saw the blue skies burn. As we splashed down in the sea, you were praying on your knees – it brought a change in me”

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Rose (member)
August 6, 2012 at 3:40 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Nothing from Holst’s Planet Suite?

Also would recommend:
3rd Stone from the Sun – Jimi Hendrix
2000 Light Years from Home – The Rolling Stones

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Kat
August 6, 2012 at 4:03 pm Permalink Reply

Ooh, nice picks. I love Seu Jorge’s Bowie covers.

“Another Girl, Another Planet” by the Only Ones:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKuc3faQAEs

“The Ballad of Maxwell Demon” by the fake band Shudder to Think from the perplexing/terrible/awesome/gay movie Velvet Goldmine:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tJhxM4Qt6E

“Ballrooms of Mars” by T. Rex:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X46oHcSa5RA

and basically anything by Gary Numan ever is about aliens and/or killer robots:

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j-bird (member)
August 6, 2012 at 4:34 pm Permalink Reply Report user

I really like this playlist! I recommend “Bagpipes On Mars” by Enter the Haggis.

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UltraViolette
August 6, 2012 at 4:42 pm Permalink Reply

Wonderful playlist! I’d personally substitute ‘Space Dimentia’ in place of ‘Starlight’ however.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOCZFChafOQ – In which you wish you clicked on the Eva Green version.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lzfTW0z1HU – In which Eva Green prances around in ballet booties.

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Emily (member)
August 6, 2012 at 4:55 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Oh man, let’s talk about the picture you used for the playlist cover! Because guys that is one of my favorite photos of all time. It was taken by a previous Mars rover, Spirit, in 2005, and it shows the sun setting from Mars.

Like, that is a sunset. On Mars. It just completely blows my mind that even though it’s so completely different looking, it’s the same sun.

ajkfghalsk I just love space ok.

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hachiemachie (member)
August 6, 2012 at 5:30 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Here’s the thing, as much as a love “Space Oddity”, the strongly implied fate of Major Tom gives me a sad face. Good list though.

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Erin (member)
August 6, 2012 at 6:24 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Awesome playlist! There are so many good songs on there. Laura Veirs’ Galaxies is a favorite of mine.

Spaceman by Harry Nilsson is a good fit on this list I think.

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Carmen (member)
August 6, 2012 at 8:25 pm Permalink Reply Report user

thank you so much for using the version from life aquatic. thank you so much.

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Emily (member)
August 6, 2012 at 8:52 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Out of this world; I really dig the Mates of States cover. Thanks for making this playlist.

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antiant (member)
August 6, 2012 at 9:02 pm Permalink Reply Report user

How about a whole album? Or Sex In Zero Gravity?!?!

1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJxN_rFxh2g)

2. http://www.discogs.com/Martian-LBH-6251876/release/12482

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Mel Muffins (member)
August 6, 2012 at 9:58 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Outer space, Freezepop
In space, Ludo

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Creatrix Tiara
August 6, 2012 at 10:14 pm Permalink Reply

To The Moon and Back!!

Darren Hayes also has a b-side called “Touch” that essentially is a song about sex using outer space as metaphors.

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Samantha (member)
August 7, 2012 at 1:06 am Permalink Reply Report user

Arg. I will always prefer non-covers of David Bowie songs. Half of the pleasure of the song is just from listening to Bowie sing it. Oh well.

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Corinne (member)
August 7, 2012 at 7:29 am Permalink Reply Report user

Any sort of playlist with Don’t Stop Me Now on it is instantly something I will listen to for the rest of forever, because I’m a tiger defying the laws of gravity.

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Ash (member)
August 7, 2012 at 9:26 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Awesome playlist! Did anyone watch the landing live? It was nerve wracking, I was hugging my cat and I may have teared up when it was confirmed Curiosity landed and hadn’t exploded/crashed/was eaten by a sandworm.

Also, did anyone see the lady scientists at mission control? Adorbs.

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jenfriday (member)
August 9, 2012 at 5:29 pm Permalink Reply Report user

“major tom” by peter schilling!

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