David Bowie
"Life on Mars?" from the album "Hunky Dory"

Key: F

This transcription by markwkidd is based upon previous transcriptions from lovebolts, j03c,
nick_zubarev, and HD Piano. This transcription is harmonically compatible to the original piano version,
although there are certain simplifications due to the differences between the two instruments.

Note that the song uses a "walking" bassline on the piano in many sections. Chord voicings and inversions are
providied that allow a similar affect for the guitar. Many chords are embelleshed with arpeggiations and small
transitional flourishes that can also be emulated on guitar.


[Verse]

          
It's a god-awf

              
ul small affai

   
r
         
To the girl wi

           
th the mousy h


air
          
But her mummy 

              
is yelling "No

  
"
          
And her daddy 

              
has told her t

  
o go
           
But her friend

              
 is nowhere to

       
 be seen
         
Now she walks 

            
through her su

     
nken dream
          
To the seat wi

              
th the cleares

      
t view
          
And she's hook

              
ed to the silv

          
er screen


[Pre-Chorus]

          
But the film i

              
s a saddening 

      
bore
          
For she's live

         
d it ten times

         
 or more
          
She could spit

           
 in the eyes o

         
f fools
        
As they ask he

r to focus on


[Chorus]

      
Sailors fighti

ng in the danc

e hall
       
Oh man! Look a

              
t those caveme

        
n go
              
It's the freak

          
iest show
              
Take a look at

      
 the Lawman

Beating up the

 wrong guy
       
Oh man! Wonder

              
 if he'll ever

         
 know
              
He's in the be

             
st selling sho

    
w
              
Is there life 

          
on Mars?


[Post-Chorus]

            


[Verse]

          
It's on Amerik

              
as tortured br

   
ow
         
That Mickey Mo

            
use has grown 

     
up a cow
          
Now the worker

              
s have struck 

       
for fame
          
'Cause Lennon'

              
s on sale agai

 
n
           
See the mice i

              
n their millio

         
n hordes
         
From Ibeza to 

          
the Norfolk Br

oads
          
Rule Britannia

              
 is out of bou

    
nds
          
To my mother, 

              
my dog, and cl

     
owns


[Pre-Chorus]

          
But the film i

              
s a saddening 

       
bore
         
'Cause I wrote

          
 it ten times 

        
or more
       
It's about to 

             
be writ again
     
As I ask you t

o focus on


[Chorus]

      
Sailors fighti

ng in the danc

e hall
       
Oh man! Look a

              
t those caveme

        
n go
              
It's the freak

          
iest show
              
Take a look at

      
 the Lawman

Beating up the

 wrong guy
       
Oh man! Wonder

              
 if he'll ever

          
 know
              
He's in the be

             
st selling sho

    
w
              
Is there life 

          
on Mars?


[Outro]

                


[Chords]

NOTE: The Gm chord in the chorus mutes the bottom two strings in order to achieve a walking bassline down
through Gm/Gb, Gm/F, and Gm/E.


Ab/Eb:      x66544
Ab/Gb:      21111x
Abadd2:     xx4545
Bbm:        x13321
Bb/F:       113331
Bb:         688766
Bbadd9:     x10x10
Bbmadd9:    x12x21
C/E:        032010
C7/E:       032310
Cm:         x35543
Db:         x46664
Db/B:       x2x121
Dbaug/A:    x03221
Dsus4:      xx0232
D7:         xx0212
Ddim7:      x20101
D/Gb:       200232
Eaug:       0x6554
Eb:         x68886
Ebm:        x68876
F:          xx3211
F/E:        xx2211
F/Eb:       xx1211
Fm:         133111
Gbaug:      2xx332
Gbdim:      xx2212
Gm:         355333
Gm:         xx5333
Gm/Gb:      xx4333
Gm/F:       xx3333
Gm/E:       xx2333