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

Hey Stoopid, released in 1991, is Alice’s 12th solo album – a star-studded album lined with many quest stars including Nikki Sixx, Mick Mars, Ozzy Osbourne, Slash, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, and Vinnie Moore. While the previous album Trash performed better on the Billboard charts, Hey Stoopid arguably fits the Alice mold a little more comfortably. It is grittier, harder-hitting, and more personal. Producer Peter Collins known for working with bands like Rush, Billy Squier, and Queensrÿche, was brought on board for the album. With Collins as the producer, the album was more Alice and less producer-driven, so to speak. A new direction after working with Desmond Child on Trash.

We have already covered the title track, “Hey Stoopid” and “Wind-Up Toy” from Hey Stoopid. This week we look at ‘Might As Well Be On Mars,’ a beautifully written ‘power’ ballad that finds Alice teaming up with his longtime cohort, Dick Wagner, and once again with Trash album producer, Desmond Child. Weighing in at 7+ minutes, it was too long for radio, but may very well be the most compelling ballad Alice has ever written.

The song deals with a breakup and the loneliness of separation. A suffocating feeling that splits one person (maybe both people) to pieces from the inside out. Humanity and the world around them continue to exist and turn, but it’s as if no one quite understands how this ordeal has tortured and scarred those that were in the relationship. Alienated and alone, they “might as well be on Mars.”

Looking at ‘Might As Well Be On Mars’ from the scope of God’s Word and the church. Who do we, as Christians, alienate ourselves from? Who is out there saying, I “Might As Well Be On Mars,” based on their interactions with the church and the Body of Christ? It’s a tough question, but it’s a crucial one. As someone that grew up in the church, I can honestly state that if you didn’t fit the church ‘mold,’ you weren’t exactly ‘Christian’ material.

For example, Heavy Metal and long hair were not things that most church folks would tolerate (or even try to understand). If your home church was not the proper denomination, then good luck with some ‘Christian’ groups as well. Fast forward some 20-30 years, and much of the same intolerance and misunderstanding still exist. Although Christ’s example and God’s Word promote unity and equality, we – the Body of Christ – still have a lot of work to do. We must fulfill our calling not only to those sects and parts of humanity we are most comfortable with – but to all humanity (Matthew 5:15-16).

First and foremost, ask yourself a question. Do you feel alienated? If so, by who – your family, acquaintances, colleagues, your congregation, etc.? What is it about those people and your interactions with them that make you feel that way? After giving this some thought, let’s reverse the scenario. Are there people out there that may feel alienated by you? Again – your family, acquaintances, colleagues, your congregation, etc.? The equation goes both ways. However, you really only have control over one factor in this comparison – yourself. Be who you were called to be in Him and allow the rest to see Him and learn through His example found in you (1 Thessalonians 5:4-11).

We are one big family. God’s children – men, women, and children that ALL sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Yet our Heavenly Father sent His only son, Jesus Christ, as our Savior from this broken world – the lone condemnation is brought upon those that don’t accept Him as Lord and Savior (John 3:16-18). 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. This isn’t about the church. This is about the LOVE of our Lord. An unconditional Love that meets us where we are. A Love that 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 so much more. We were called to unite and love. The first step towards that is by knowing you are His. That you have a place. You have purpose. The common denominator in this world is a yearning to know Him and His Love. Many of us don’t see or recognize that, but it’s ingrained in us all. We long to know our Creator. Reach out your hand and stand in faith – knowing that His healing touch will bring you into the fold and fill you with meaning and intention.

There are misunderstandings and misconceptions attached to our relationships with each other. It seems that if we can’t quite comprehend a premise or fully understand its purpose or meaning, we automatically write each other off or at the very least, pretend discussions never existed. It’s as if we forget the words uttered in Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” When another brother or sister in Christ comes forward bearing fruit or offers another perspective on ways to engage this world (bringing the Good News to the masses), shouldn’t we at least listen?

Then even if we may not agree or entirely understand their method, shouldn’t we discuss and learn from a different perspective or point of view. In turn, they should be willing to learn about and consider our points of view and ideas as well. Isn’t that the basic premise of working together – to uplift each other in Christ? Offering prayer and support to one another. Seeking the Holy Spirit’s intervention and guidance for His cause in the process. So many of the problems associated with society and relationships are based on communication. Just talk to one another, but know that also requires us all to listen as well. We can’t only speak and not be spoken to.

It’s intriguing when you start dissecting God’s Word (i.e., different authors, periods, walks of life, etc.) There were over 40 primary authors. Folks from various professions and walks of life – prophets, scribes, cupbearers, shepherds, kings, singers, noblemen, priests, tax collectors, physicians, fishermen – all evangelists, missionaries, and members of the faith (and two of Jesus’s brothers) – all contributed significantly to His word. Each of them working to advance the Kingdom of our Lord.

The Bible was written during an estimated period of over 1600 years and on three different continents. While many of these individuals never knew each other, lived during different times, and dwelled in different parts of the world, we find these authors beginning and finishing each others’ sentences. Not only that, but many of them did not see eye to eye on many things and were very different, yet remained driven by the same purpose.

In Acts 15:36-41, 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 trip. They were not able to reach an agreement and went their separate ways, but their mission and message remained the same. They stayed committed to the plan. Is the body of Christ any different today? Aren’t we still composed of many different thoughts, ideas, and mindsets, yet with the same goal? With disagreement, we can “agree to disagree” and continue pressing forward, spreading the Good News of His Word. Variance and discord are not always driven by hate. If the message is sound, we must learn to respect the fact that diversity is welcome. It actually promotes unity when handled correctly.

SIDE NOTE: Looking at the variety of the Bible’s authors, don’t you see a mosaic tapestry of the Body of Christ? Each person bringing forth their own ideas and perspective, yet all focused on one common goal – spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. Using another analogy, if we were to look at the eye versus the sole of the foot, would there not be a difference in the story? The trials and hardships of the eye – straining to see, avoiding the sun, etc. versus the foot – softening the hard ground, trying to find comfort in the padding of a shoe, etc. It may be a silly analogy on some levels, but consider this…we are in a battle to win souls against the destroyer of this world. The eyes and feet of the body are going to know how to navigate and speak to the other eyes and feet found in the world. While the eyes are located on the top of the body and the feet at the bottom, mutual respect needs to be given between the two, regardless of where it may seem their position lies. Matthew 20:16 states, “the last will be first, and the first will be last.” There’s much more to gain from unity than division based upon our roles, points of view, and placement within the Kingdom.

The world is watching us. When it witnesses 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 are just personifying the flaws of mankind. This should cut us deep – forcing us to reflect on our actions, not only towards one another but also towards those still “in the world.” Stop and think about the unified efforts currently underway to stop and trivialize the church. What if we, the Body of believers, were unified together 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 really have nothing to do with division but instead focus on the inclusion of God’s Love. In 1 Corinthians 9:22-23, Paul states, “I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.“ True healing restores our souls when we replace our motives with His motives.

There is no human being on this Earth that should ever feel that His Love is unattainable. That they somehow are alienated from Him and His Love. That they “might as well be on Mars” instead of here, walking this Earth. They need to know they are LOVED by their Heavenly Father. There’s this notion that God hates the wicked and the evil people of this world. Yet we find those ever-familiar words, “God So Loved The WORLD“ in John 3:16. God LOVES His Creation. He wants His Creation to know and love Him. God hates the sin and evil infecting our hearts, yet He continues to love us. Enough to offer us the greatest gift in the history of the world.

God can handle our sins and mistakes. What God doesn’t tolerate is unacceptance. Salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ, is a gift (Romans 6:23). Though, as Billy Graham would say this gift, “must be duly and properly received.” No matter how guilty you may feel, His blood covers every multitude of sins, and the renewing of your heart begins as soon as you accept Him.  As you grow in your faith, you will find your desires for the things of this world start to diminish as you seek and yearn for His Word – as you replace the old with His new. As that new life takes hold, you find healing and direction (not in possessions and wealth) but through your time with Him and other people who love Him – your family in Christ.

Wrapping this up, God’s gift of eternal salvation is one that is available to everyone on this earth.  Romans 8:38-39 reads, “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.” Do you realize the magnitude of that verse? All of God’s creation has been invited. Once you’ve accepted that invitation there’s nothing, no one, nada, that separates you from Him and His Love. You are HIS. You may feel alienated and alone in this world, but you are welcomed and loved by Him. Arms wrapped tightly around you – unwilling to let go. However, with that Love comes a task. For those that have accepted the call, it is our mission to shelter the abandoned. To share not a religion but the grace, love, and mercy of Christ. To love the unloveable. To help shed light on the bridge between God and our fellow brothers and sisters, created by Him. By showing God’s children Christ in us, through our actions (and to a lesser extent our words), we invite them in and offer them an avenue of acceptance instead of isolation. May we heed that mission and fulfill His calling. An objective the world may know by our Love for Him and each other (John 13:35).

In conclusion, “Might As Well Be On Mars” is a deeply emotional song. Powerfully written and conveyed, you can literally feel the pain within not only the lyrics but also 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 almost 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 lyrics. A good majority of people are captivated by the thought of going to or living on Mars. Which leaves one to wonder why? Scientific discovery? A new start? An escape from life on Earth? Instead of so much focus always being placed on escaping life here…maybe if we ALL focus on civility, well-being, and grace, Earth might be a much better place for all of us to live. A place where His Love reigns over all other emotions. A place we can all live together, striving to be better, until we are called Home to Him in all His Glory.

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

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