Life On Mars
Nicholson Shane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
traffic lights and stars
you got in for free
but it's not like on tv
this is life on mars
swing from rusted bars
take all you can find
there's nothing alive up here
there's nothing alive up here
there's only the truths that you fear
nothing alive up here
this is life on mars
rented rooms and borrowed cars
trace a line to every scene
paint colours in between
there's nothing alive up here
there's nothing alive up here
there's only the truths that you fear
nothing alive up here
this is life on mars
where we all wear scars
but if the feelings right
there'll be no sleep tonight
there's nothing alive up here
there's nothing alive up here
there's only the truths that you fear
nothing alive up here...
The song "Life on Mars" by Nicholson Shane paints a picture of a bleak and desolate world that people inhabit where nothing seems to be alive. The lyrics describe the mundane and unfulfilling routine of everyday life - driving through traffic lights, staring at the stars, occupying the mind with whatever distractions are available. The imagery of rusted bars and rented rooms creates a sense of confinement and limitation, further emphasized by the repetition of the line "there's nothing alive up here."
The chorus of the song is particularly striking, as it highlights the fear and uncertainty that people face in this world. Despite the lack of life and vitality, people continue to search for meaning and purpose, tracing lines to every scene and painting colours in between. The final section of the song introduces the idea of scars, suggesting that the struggle to find meaning in life can be painful and leave lasting marks. However, if the feeling is right, there may be an escape from this world and the possibility of a sleepless night.
Overall, "Life on Mars" is a poignant and thought-provoking song that explores the human experience in a world where life seems to be absent. It raises questions about the search for meaning and the choices we make in order to feel alive.
Line by Line Meaning
this is life on mars
Life is like an alien planet that is strange and new, with unfamiliar sights and sounds.
traffic lights and stars
The planet has elements of both the familiar and the unknown, with earthly symbols like traffic lights mixing with the vast expanses of space represented by stars.
you got in for free
Access to this 'planet' is not earned or deserved, but rather granted arbitrarily, as if the listener has stumbled upon it by accident.
but it's not like on tv
Despite the familiarity of certain symbols, the listener realizes that this world is not the same as the one portrayed in popular media.
swing from rusted bars
In such a strange environment, even ordinary things like playground equipment take on a new and exciting life.
take all you can find
In this new world, one must be resourceful and take advantage of any opportunities that present themselves in order to survive.
to occupy your mind
The mind must be constantly stimulated and engaged, in order to keep the dullness and isolation of the planet at bay.
there's nothing alive up here
Despite the activity and movement on the planet, there is a sense of emptiness and lifelessness that pervades the environment - as if something vital is missing.
there's only the truths that you fear
In the absence of concrete reality, there is only the listener's own fears and anxieties to fill the void.
rented rooms and borrowed cars
Even the listener's living situation is tenuous and unsteady, symbolizing the fragility and uncertainty of life in this new world.
trace a line to every scene
The listener feels the need to document and record their experiences, as if to make sense of the strange and unpredictable environment.
paint colours in between
In the absence of clear boundaries or definitions, the listener must create their own sense of reality and meaning, using colors as a metaphor for the richness and vibrancy of life.
where we all wear scars
Life on this planet takes a toll on everyone, leaving them marked and wounded by the experience.
but if the feeling's right
Despite the challenges and difficulties, there is still the possibility of finding something authentic and meaningful on this planet - but only if the listener is open to the possibility.
there'll be no sleep tonight
Finding something real and meaningful requires an intensity and focus that precludes rest or relaxation.
Contributed by Bella M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.