Early on, Jesse carved out an independent direction for himself in the rock genre, very different from the world music style developed by his father. He strived to express himself in the most authentic way possible and understood the importance of being able to perform live. He experimented with a number of different instruments - which included saxophone, clarinet, drums and piano – until he settled and focused mainly on guitar. By seventeen, songwriting was his chief musical focus and it was in this period and the years to follow that he honed his writing skills and put together the songs recorded on the first album.
The single "Today" which was released on radio in mid August 2008 debuted at number one on the Highveld Homebrew Chart, a considerable feat for a debut artist with a debut single and an historical first for Homebrew. The album "When I Wake Up" is due for national release on 1 October.
Life On Mars
Jesse Clegg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To the girl with the mousy hair
But her mummy is yelling, "No!"
And her daddy has told her to go
But her friend is nowhere to be seen
Now she walks through her sunken dream
To the seat with the clearest view
And she's hooked to the silver screen
But the film is a saddening bore
For she's lived it ten times or more
She could spit in the eyes of fools
As they ask her to focus on
Sailors fighting in the dance hall
Oh man!
Look at those cavemen go
It's the freakiest show
Take a look at the Lawman
Beating up the wrong guy
Oh man! Wonder if he'll ever know
He's in the best selling show
Is there life on Mars?
It's on America's tortured brow
That Mickey Mouse has grown up a cow
Now the workers have struck for fame
'Cause Lennon's on sale again
See the mice in their million hordes
From Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads
Rule Britannia is out of bounds
To my mother, my dog, and clowns
But the film is a saddening bore
'Cause I wrote it ten times or more
It's about to be writ again
As I ask you to focus on
Sailors fighting in the dance hall
Oh man!
Look at those cavemen go
It's the freakiest show
Take a look at the Lawman
Beating up the wrong guy
Oh man! Wonder if he'll ever know
He's in the best selling show
Is there life on Mars?
uh... uh-uh...
Is there life on Mars?...
Jesse Clegg's "Life on Mars" is a cover of David Bowie's classic tune that tends to be open to multiple interpretations. It famously opens with the iconic lyrics "It's a god-awful small affair, to the girl with the mousy hair", which describes a sense of insignificance, confusion and despair that can often be associated with youth culture. The song captures the feeling of being lost, confused and overwhelmed by life, as well as the search to find meaning in the madness that surrounds us. The repeated line "Is there life on Mars?" seems to be a rhetorical question, indicating the futility of searching for answers in an otherworldly way. The description of sailors fighting in the dance hall and cavemen present in a modern world is a metaphor for the tussle between our primitive and advanced nature as humans.
This song is a vivid portrayal of the confusion and hopelessness of life in the modern world. The chorus "Sailors fighting in the dance hall" and the verses loaded with cultural references compel listeners to connect the dots and make sense out of the intricate mystery of youth culture. The song also contains a good dose of irony and sarcasm, particularly through the characterisation of the Lawman, who is seen beating up the wrong guy, thought to be Bowie himself. The Lawman represents the power structure that is at odds with the youthful rebellion that the song encapsulates. Therefore, the song can be seen as an ode to youthful rebellion and a critique of the capitalist system that governs our world.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a god-awful small affair
Life is insignificant and weak
To the girl with the mousy hair
Everyone is unremarkable and lacking beauty
But her mummy is yelling, "No!"
Parents try to control their children's lives
And her daddy has told her to go
Family members sometimes reject each other
But her friend is nowhere to be seen
People can't always rely on their friends
Now she walks through her sunken dream
The girl feels lost and hopeless
To the seat with the clearest view
She is searching for a way to escape
And she's hooked to the silver screen
The girl uses movies to forget her problems
But the film is a saddening bore
Movies can't provide a lasting solution
For she's lived it ten times or more
Repetition breeds boredom
She could spit in the eyes of fools
She is frustrated by others' ignorance
As they ask her to focus on
People try to distract her from her thoughts
Sailors fighting in the dance hall
Life is full of graceless conflicts
Oh man!
An exclamation of frustration or wonder
Look at those cavemen go
People can act uncivilized and primitive
It's the freakiest show
Life is unpredictable and bizarre
Take a look at the Lawman
Justice can be misguided
Beating up the wrong guy
Injustice can happen to anyone
Oh man! Wonder if he'll ever know
The victim may never understand why he was wronged
He's in the best selling show
Injustice can make someone famous
Is there life on Mars?
Is there hope for humanity beyond Earth?
It's on America's tortured brow
The United States has its own problems to face
That Mickey Mouse has grown up a cow
American culture has become shallow and commercialized
Now the workers have struck for fame
People will do anything for a taste of celebrity
'Cause Lennon's on sale again
Even dead artists can be commoditized
See the mice in their million hordes
Humanity is insignificant and numerous
From Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads
People seek pleasure and adventure everywhere
Rule Britannia is out of bounds
Patriotism has lost its meaning and appeal
To my mother, my dog, and clowns
Everything has lost its humor and dignity
But the film is a saddening bore
Movies are a temporary escape from reality
'Cause I wrote it ten times or more
Human creativity has its limits
It's about to be writ again
The cycle of life and repetition continues
As I ask you to focus on
The artist tries to engage the listener's thoughts and emotions
Is there life on Mars?
The artist still hopes for something greater than this world
Contributed by Noah I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Brennan Kennedy
Was reminded of Jesse recently, talent i wish i had never forgotten. Back into it now. Love yours songs.
Helena van Eden
Where we are in God’s timing in the world history now we cán’t afford to not heed his Word and warnings...stay véry, véry clóse to Him my brother....Gal 6 and espécially from v.14 and i lóve the MSG 🙏🌅🙏🏿
Linda De Wet
This song reminds me more of The Martian. Go Jess. 🎸😊
Fog Mist
Much love mate u gat a great voice
Sakhi Gcabashe
5fm played a huge part in my childhood memories. I used to love "white people's music", as my friends used to say. 😂 I loved this song so much.
Andrew Meyer
Great local Music.
Helena van Eden
Robby...are you alright...? Or is it Jesse...? 😔 pléáse forgive me for hurting you...its the lást thing i would éver want to do...i wóúldn’t éver have wanted to!!!!!!!!!!!! my déárest, móst incrédible friend, soulmate and brother...keep your eyes on Jesus my béáútiful and dárling-brother...give the steering-wheel of your life to Him Jesse...He will work éverything together for the good of those who love Him🌈🌈🙏🌅🙏🏿✨✨✨✨✨✨✨🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🤗😍🥰😘🤚🏼its ahigh-five my belóved brother...not a shut you out sign....
Helena van Eden
Thís is my gréátest comfort in life...He is my/our Father and no mátter what s mess i make of life He loves me/us with súch a gréát love snd because of that my gréátest comfort and rest in Him is in his love and provision...He has made a way for us...He has dóne it my belóved brother...He has a bléssed and wónderful future planned for éách one of us...Jer29:11-14 i lóve you déárly my précious, précious brother...if it is Robby, my belóved Robby...i lóve you só múch...dón’t be overcome by negative thoughts pléáse my tréásured friend...your family nééd you móre than éver...i once read a véry, véry góód book on marriage by Dr.Emerson...i will look it up...the introduction réálly brought me to my senses...