Mars Attacks

Album: American Psycho (1997)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is based on the 1996 film Mars Attacks!, which is based on a card series by Topps that was criticized by parents and was pulled from shelves, but was very popular with children. A spinoff card series, Dinosaurs Attack!, was also made, yet was very inaccurate in describing certain dinosaurs and creatures.
  • In 1997, Glenn Danzig had departed the Misfits and bassist Jerry Only had legally won the rights to record and perform using the bands' name. American Psycho was the first Misfits album released without Danzig and with the addition of Michale Graves on vocals. The majority of the tracks on American Psycho are based on movies, including the catchy "Mars Attacks." The song was reportedly recorded for the 1996 film of the same name, but didn't get finished in time to be included in the movie.

    Regardless of whether the song was made for the film, the movie is prime material for Misfits inspiration. Both are campy, funny, over-the-top and rife with monsters from outer space.
  • In 1998, the Misfits released an exclusive three-song EP consisting of previously unreleased demo versions of "Mars Attacks," "Haunting," and "Dead Kings Rise," which would have been the title of the American Psycho album had the song actually made it onto the record. The EP was available only through the Misfits' website.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

La La Brooks of The Crystals

La La Brooks of The CrystalsSong Writing

The lead singer on "Da Doo Ron Ron" and "Then He Kissed Me," La La explains how and why Phil Spector replaced The Crystals with Darlene Love on "He's A Rebel."

Edwin McCain

Edwin McCainSongwriter Interviews

"I'll Be" was what Edwin called his "Hail Mary" song. He says it proves "intention of the songwriter is 180 degrees from potential interpretation by an audience."

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The Remasters

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The RemastersSong Writing

Brian has unearthed outtakes by Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Costello and hundreds of other artists for reissues. Here's how he does it.

Oliver Leiber

Oliver LeiberSongwriter Interviews

Oliver Leiber talks about writing and producing hits for Paula Abdul, and explains his complicated relationship with his father, the songwriter Jerry Leiber.

Taylor Dayne

Taylor DayneSongwriter Interviews

Taylor talks about "The Machine" - the hits, the videos and Clive Davis.