Tuning into the Cosmos: The Extraordinary Influence of Extraterrestrial Encounters upon Music

The concept of extraterrestrial life has been a source of mystery and fascination for centuries. This otherworldly curiosity has reached far beyond the realm of science, deeply embedding itself in popular culture, impacting a wide array of fields, most notably, music. When it comes to music inspired by extraterrestrial encounters, a fascinating array of subthemes and dimensions emerges.

Music as a Cosmic Language

Consider the quintessential role of music in conveying emotion and story. It becomes apparent why musicians often draw inspiration from the extraterrestrial realm for their compositions. Music transcends language barriers, reaching across cultures and species alike. By extension, it’s seen as a universal means of communication, which might apply to potential extraterrestrial intelligence.

Noteworthy Moments in Musical History

Highlighting key moments in the relationship between music and extraterrestrial encounters further demonstrates the fascination and inspiration drawn therefrom.

Gustav Holst’s ‘The Planets’

Quite possibly the earliest known example of music inspired by space, Holst’s suite of seven movements, each representing a planet in our solar system, was composed between 1914-1916. Its influence can be felt even today, seen most notably in modern film scores.

Pink Floyd’s ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’

The progressive rock band’s iconic album cover, displaying a prism and a band of spectral light, and music both, reflect cosmic themes and extraterrestrial wonder, pushing boundaries of audio-visual experience.

David Bowie’s ‘Space Oddity’ and ‘Starman’

Bowie’s extraterrestrial persona, Ziggy Stardust, was the embodiment of music inspired by extraterrestrial themes, amplifying the music scene with his otherworldly narratives and futuristic aesthetics.

Cosmic Sonic Boom: The Modern Wave

Contemporary music continues delving into extraterrestrial inspiration. The thematic riches of extraterrestrial interactions extend to genres ranging from electronic music to hip hop, pop, and beyond.

Electronic Music: Jean-Michel Jarre’s ‘Oxygène’

Jarre, known for his electronic compositions, created sonically pulsating atmospheres, evoking alien landscapes.

Pop, RnB and Hip Hop: Katy Perry’s ‘E.T.’ and Outkast’s ‘ATLiens’

Pop, hip hop and RnB, more mainstream genres, have also been significantly impacted by extraterrestrial encounters. Lyrics and videos often present otherworldly visuals, engaging the listener in a cosmic journey.

Bridging the Gap: A Cosmic Symphony

It’s evident the influence of extraterrestrial encounters on music is far-reaching and deeply ingrained within artistic expression. This mutual resonance endorses the concept that music could serve as an intergalactic language, linking our world to unseen galaxies.

MIC-ing the Universe

In an attempt to reach the stars, several projects, such as Voyager’s Golden Record or the METI’s (Messaging Extraterrestrial Intelligence) Musical Message, have incorporated music to communicate sentiments of our world to potential extraterrestrial listeners.

FAQ

Who are some notable artists impacted by extraterrestrial encounters?

Artists such as David Bowie, Pink Floyd, Jean-Michel Jarre, Katy Perry, Outkast, and many others have used extraterrestrial encounters as inspiration.

Are there any projects attempting to communicate with extraterrestrial life through music?

Yes, Voyager’s Golden Record and METI’s Musical Message are significant projects aiming to connect with extraterrestrial life through music.

Can you recommend music inspired by extraterrestrial encounters?

Yes! Aside from stellar classics you can explore contemporary artist like Coldplay’s “A Sky Full Of Stars”, “Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft” by The Carpenters, and “Supernova” by Mr Hudson.

As we continue our cosmic waltz, bear in mind that each chord and lyric bearing the echo of an extraterrestrial encounter is essentially our collective sonic fingerprint reaching out into the vast expanse of space, playing our tune in the grand symphony of the universe.

Article updated at Tuesday, October 8, 2024