Might As Well Be On Mars (Hey Stoopid, 1991)

Hey Stoopid, released in 1991, is Alice’s 12th solo album – a star-studded LP lined with many guests, including Nikki Sixx, Mick Mars, Ozzy Osbourne, Slash, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, and Vinnie Moore.

Arguably, the Hey Stoopid LP suits the Alice Cooper attitude more comfortably than its predecessor, Trash. It is grittier, harder-hitting, and more personal. In addition, producer Peter Collins (Rush, Billy Squier, and Queensrÿche) supported a more Alice, less producer-driven approach to the LP.

“Might As Well Be On Mars,” the sixth track on Hey Stoopid, is a beautifully written “power ballad” that finds Alice teaming up with songwriters Dick Wagner and Desmond Child. Weighing in at seven-plus minutes, it was too long for radio play, but it may very well be the most compelling ballad Alice has ever written.

I’m on the roof, and I’m starin’ at the stars
Lookin’ down at all the cars
I can see you
In the window of your favorite corner bar
But to reach you is just too far
And I might as well be on Mars

The city seems so old and grey and beat
It closes in and makes me wanna suffocate
And you just live across the street
But that’s a billion miles away

You’ve turned my world into a dark and lonely place
Like a planet lost in space, my light’s fadin’
I’d cross the universe to be right where you are
But I’m right in your backyard
And I might as well be on Mars

I might as well be on Mars
You can’t see me
I might as well be the Man on the Moon
You can’t hear me
Oh, can you feel me so close and yet so far
Baby, I might as well be on Mars

The song deals with a multi-faceted approach to loneliness and separation – that suffocating feeling that splits someone into fractured pieces. While humanity and the world around them continue to exist and turn, this person feels misunderstood, alienated, and alone. They “might as well be on Mars.”

“A talk of urban alienation and emotional estrangement, the track is noir-like in its images of city streets “wet with rain” and a woman – the object of the protagonist’s desire – unattainable behind the glass window of a “favorite corner bar” because “to reach is just too far, and I might as well be on Mars.” – Ian Chapman, Experiencing Alice Cooper: A Listener’s Companion

While it’s obvious the song refers to isolation and the inability to obtain the object of one’s affection, other parallels and narratives could also apply. For example, many might feel the same alienation within the scope of Christianity.

Who do we, as Christians, separate from ourselves? Who is out there saying I “might as well be on Mars” based on their interactions with the church and those that claim to follow Christ? It’s a difficult question, but it’s a crucial one.

First and foremost, we must ask ourselves a few more questions. Do we feel alienated? If so, by whom? Our families? Acquaintances? Colleagues? Our congregation, etc.? What about our interactions with others makes us feel that way? After giving this some thought, let’s reverse the scenario.

Are there people out there that may feel alienated by us? Again – our families, acquaintances, colleagues, our congregation, etc.? The equation goes both ways. However, we can only control one person and factor in this comparison – ourselves and our actions.

As we discussed last week, we are called to be who we are in Him and do our best to share His Light in a darkened world (1 Thessalonians 5:4-11). Unfortunately, each of us has fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23), but we have been offered the gift of salvation thru Jesus Christ, our Lord (John 3:16-18).

We are one big family. What separates us is minuscule in comparison to what binds us together. We are ALL brothers and sisters in a vast family of His Creation. However, many of us still feel alienated and alone in this world. If that’s you, there’s hope for a better tomorrow.

You are not on Mars. You are not unattainable. You are LOVED and part of something special. Maybe you’ve been told differently or haven’t entirely found your place in the church. That’s okay; it’s not about the church.

Finding our place is about the LOVE of our Lord – an unconditional Love that meets us where we are and surpasses all understanding. The world continues to tell us that we should divide and conquer, yet His Word tells us that we are created for more. We are called to unite and love.

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.- Philippians 2:1-4

To accomplish unity through love, we must understand that we are His, we have a purpose, and His DNA is found within us all. We long to know our Creator and that His healing touch will bring us into the fold, filling us with meaning and intention, but we must also remember we are a team.

There are misunderstandings and misconceptions attached to our relationships with each other. If we can’t quite comprehend a premise or fully understand someone’s purpose or meaning, we may ignore them or offer less or no encouragement.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28

When another brother or sister in Christ comes forward bearing fruit or offers another perspective on ways to engage this world and spread His Gospel, shouldn’t we listen and encourage them? God’s calling places us on the same team with the same goal – to glorify Him.

If we don’t agree or entirely understand someone, shouldn’t we discuss and learn from a different perspective or point of view (and vice versa)? Isn’t that the basic premise of working together – to uplift each other in Christ and avoid alienation?

Shouldn’t we offer prayer and support to one another?

Shouldn’t we seek the Holy Spirit’s intervention and guidance for one another?

So many of the problems associated with society and relationships are based on communication. We should be willing to talk to one another, but know that also requires us to listen. In fact, we may need to ask ourselves which is more critical, listening or being heard?

The Bible was written over a 1600-year span, across three continents and by over 40 primary authors – people from various professions and walks of life. They were prophets, scribes, cupbearers, shepherds, kings, singers, noblemen, priests, tax collectors, physicians, and fishermen.

While many of these individuals never knew each other, lived during different times and dwelled in different parts of the world, we find them cohesively writing God’s Word and advancing His Kingdom.

Sometime later, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. – Acts 15:36-41

Many authors and believers did not see eye to eye on things yet remained driven by the same purpose. For example, in the above-listed verses, we find Paul and Barnabas in “sharp contention” over whether or not Mark (the author of the Gospel of Mark) should assist them on their upcoming mission.

They could not reach an agreement and went their separate ways, but their mission and message remained the same. They stayed committed to the plan (it should also be noted that the conflict was resolved at some point – Paul called upon Mark later in the New Testament for ministry purposes (2 Timothy 4:11).

Is the Body of Christ any different today?

Aren’t we still comprised of many different thoughts, ideas, and mindsets yet with the same goal?

Isn’t it best to “agree to disagree” when there’s no consensus? But, then, continue pressing forward, spreading the Good News of His Word.

Variance and discord are not always driven by hate; if our messages are Biblically sound, we must learn to respect the fact that diversity is welcome.

By doing so, we promote unity when handled correctly and paint a beautiful mosaic of the Body of Christ – each person brings forth their ideas and perspective, yet all remain focused on the Gospel – Christ as the cornerstone.

The world is watching Christ’s followers. When they witness the infighting and judgment that is passed around the church from brother to brother, sister to sister, and denomination to denomination, we aren’t representing Christ. We must stop and think about that.

There are efforts to trivialize and silence the church as it is. So, shouldn’t we focus closely on our actions towards one another and those “in the world?”

What if we, the Body of Christ, were unified with one goal – to bring His Love, compassion, and mercy to not only one another but also those that need it most – those that don’t yet know Him (1 Colossians 3:8-17).

Our focus should have nothing to do with division but instead on the inclusion of God’s Love. “We become all things to all men…for the sake of the Gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:22-23). True healing restores our souls when we replace our motives with His motives.

No matter how guilty or unattainable we feel, Christ’s blood covers every multitude of sins. God can handle our sins and mistakes. First, however, He asks that we accept His gift – the gift of salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23).

The renewing of our hearts begins as soon as we accept Him.  As we grow in faith, our desire for worldly things diminishes as the old is replaced with the new. As that new life takes hold, you find healing and direction (not in possessions and wealth) but through your time with Him and fellowship with others.

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39

Wrapping this up, do we realize the magnitude of the above-listed verses? All of God’s creation has been invited, and once we’ve accepted that invitation, nothing separates us from Him and His Love. All alienation has been removed.

Along with His Love, we’ve been given a task. We are responsible for sharing what He’s given us – to be a reflection of Him in a world that needs Him and His Love, to love the unloveable, and to shed light on the bridge between God and humanity – Jesus Christ (John 13:35).

God LOVES His Creation. He wants His Creation to know and love Him. Yet, there’s this notion that God hates this world’s “wicked” and “evil” people. That doesn’t line up with His Love or gift to the world.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. – John 3:16-21

We must not forget “God So Loved The WORLD enough to send His Son.” God hates the sin and evil infecting His Creation, yet He continues to love us – enough to offer us mercy, grace, and salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. That gift is offered to anyone that receives Him.

As we spread His Good News, we are responsible for uplifting, loving, and encouraging anyone that believes they “Might As Well Be On Mars.” We should take that responsibility seriously. So that those willing may “see Him.”

In conclusion, “Might As Well Be On Mars” is a deeply emotional song. It is powerfully written and conveyed; you can feel the pain within the lyrics and the timbre of Alice’s voice.

There’s no one particular line or stanza that brings you to tears of dread. Instead, the song – verse after verse, chorus after chorus – builds and smothers you emotionally with the pain and agony of this character’s demise.

It’s fascinating to think about the state of the world from the spectrum of the song’s lyrics. Mars is all the hype today. Most people are captivated by the thought of going to or living there. Which leaves us wondering why?

Scientific discovery?

A new start?

An escape from life on Earth?

Instead of escaping life here, maybe we should pay attention to civility, well-being, and grace. Then, in turn, the Earth might be a much better place for all of us to live – a place where Love conquers all, and the divisions of hate are a distant thought.

That’s it for this week. Be well and catch you next Friday!

In the meantime, Keep Walkin’ in Faith and Rockin’ with Alice!