I Don't Want To Go To Mars

Album: As I Try Not to Fall Apart (2021)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "I Don't Want To Go To Mars" is a space anthem that finds White Lies singer Charles Cave being taken away from Earth to live out a sanitized and mundane existence on a newly colonized Red Planet. He protests that he'd rather live out his days in the world he knows than in a sterile corporate-owned Mars colony.
  • The song questions the space ambitions of such tech entrepreneurs as Elon Musk. "I think technology ought to improve quality of life," Cave told The Sun. "And I can't see how rebuilding Dubai on a barren planet is going to be much of a vibe for any discerning human being. But, maybe I'm wrong. It feels like they're condemning Earth to ruin and moving on to the next orb to trash."
  • White Lies recorded "I Don't Want To Go To Mars" at Sleeper and Assault and Battery studios in west London, with long-term co-producer Ed Buller (Pulp, Suede).
  • White Lies released "Mars" as the second single from As I Try Not to Fall Apart. The band wrote and recorded the album during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a fatalistic mood running through the record. "The last two years have caused us all to ruminate too much on disappointments and failings," said Cave. "But it's healthy to explore that through music."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk: Rock vs. Televangelists

Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk: Rock vs. TelevangelistsSong Writing

When televangelists like Jimmy Swaggart took on rockers like Ozzy Osbourne and Metallica, the rockers retaliated. Bono could even be seen mocking the preachers.

Jonathan Cain of Journey

Jonathan Cain of JourneySongwriter Interviews

Cain talks about the divine inspirations for "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Faithfully."

Gentle Giant

Gentle GiantSongwriter Interviews

An interview with Ray and Derek Shulman of the progressive rock band Gentle Giant to discuss counterpoint, polyrhythms, and... Bon Jovi.

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors Examined

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors ExaminedSong Writing

Doors expert Jim Cherry, author of The Doors Examined, talks about some of their defining songs and exposes some Jim Morrison myths.

Album Cover Inspirations

Album Cover InspirationsSong Writing

Some album art was at least "inspired" by others. A look at some very similar covers.

Artis the Spoonman

Artis the SpoonmanSong Writing

Even before Soundgarden wrote a song about him, Artis was the most famous spoon player of all time. So why has he always been broke?