Space. The final frontier.
If you recognize these words, you must be someone who is drawn to the mysteries of our universe.
After all, space has always been inspiring all kinds of people, from scientists to artists and musicians.
Therefore, it comes as no surprise that there are countless songs related to space in one way or another.
So for today’s article, we selected the best songs about space, stars, and the universe for you to explore.
1. “Space Oddity” by David Bowie
“Major Tom, are you able to hear me?”
It’s possible that this song is the most well-known of all the space songs, yet it’s really more of a song about being lonely and isolated than it is about space.
In the song, Major Tom chooses to disengage from his ship and just drift away into the void of space.
The fact that it was published around the time of the moon landing undoubtedly contributed to the song’s ascent to cult status.
It did not hinder Bowie’s career in any way, shape, or form. Soon after that, he presented us with his Ziggy Stardust alter persona, and the world of music was never quite the same again.
Another excellent tune from later in Bowies’ career is titled “Dancing Out in Space” (from The Next Day).
2. “Fly Me to the Moon” by Frank Sinatra
Who could ever forget such a timeless classic? When Frank Sinatra performs a song about falling in love while stargazing and floating through space, his silky smooth voice causes everyone’s heart to skip a beat.
How very lovely would it be to be traveling across space when you get that old-school euphoric feeling?
Kaye Ballard was the original singer of the song, and it was first named “In Other Words.”
3. “Rocket Man” by Elton John
Legend has it that a falling star served as the creative impetus behind Elton John’s timeless song.
This song from 1972 takes the concept of working as an astronaut and portrays it as being no different from any other nine-to-five job.
The main character talks about being alone in space and not fully comprehending how all of the science works in the song. Even this one has a plethora of different cover versions.
4. “Space Truckin” by Deep Purple
“Well, we had a great deal of luck on Venus, and on Mars we never lacked for a good time.”
The album Machine Head by Deep Purple begins with a song titled “Highway Star” which is about automobiles and ends with a song that is about traveling into space.
Tragically, astronaut Kalpana Chawla brought a copy of the CD with her onto the doomed Space Shuttle Columbia in 2003. The shuttle was involved in a catastrophic accident.
Therefore, guitarist Steve Morse paid tribute to her and the rest of the band by penning the song “Contact Lost,” which can be found on the band’s album titled “Bananas.”
5. “Spaceman” by The Killers
We’ve all heard some pretty wild tales of humans being kidnapped by aliens and used as test subjects for their research.
Is it possible that one of the band members really went through something similar and was inspired to write a song about it? Who could say?
A guy is dragged from his bed and kidnapped by extraterrestrial beings, who then attempt to convince him that everything he perceives is only a product of his own imagination. It would be quite difficult to put such a distressing event out of one’s mind.
This song was a smash hit on the radio and it was also utilized as the theme music for the trailer for the animated film Planet 51.
The lead singer of the band, Brandon Flowers, has said that he was attempting to write a song that would combine “Space Oddity” with “Rocket Man.” I suppose it seems sensible for songs about space to draw inspiration from one another.
6. “Space” by Murder by Death
Murder by Death is always pushing the limits of what’s possible.
During a conversation with Adam Turla, he explained the source of his creativity as follows:
“I basically have been toying with the idea of doing a space opera for a long time. When I was a teenager, I embarked on the process of creating one. The narrative developed in a natural way, more or less song after song, and line by line.”
7. “The Space Program” by A Tribe Called Quest
“It’s going to hit us with a vengeance. We’ve got to get our s*** together.”
The first song to be released from the highly anticipated album We Got It from Here… Thank You 4 Your Service album was released in 2016.
According to NPR, the lyrics illustrate a version of the United States that is “hostile to African-Americans, Mexicans, Muslims, gays, and the poor.”
The band member Phife Dawg, who tragically died suddenly after the production of this song, is honored with a moving tribute in the form of a beautiful and space-themed music video (his lyrical interplay with Q-Tip was the backbone of the group).
The outstanding music video includes guest appearances from a number of well-known musicians, including Pharrell Williams, Anderson Paak, Erykah Badu, and many more.
8. “Starlight” by Muse
This alternative rock song was released in 2006, and its main character imagines that he is being taken away by a spacecraft from all of the people he knows and loves.
Even if she is far away and separated by “black holes and revelations,” he will never be able to forget the one and only lady he has ever loved.
9. “Bad Moon Rising” by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Despite what the majority of people believe, this band does not see the moon as a lovely and illuminating beacon in our life.
The song, which is bouncy and pleasant, doesn’t give the impression that it’s about anything troubling at all.
John Fogerty created the song on purpose using this structure, but he refused to explain why he did it.
10. “Space Cowboy” by The Steve Miller Band
In contrast to Elton John, the vocalist in this song is preoccupied with his existence in space and venturing into the farthest regions of the cosmos.
A word of caution: Space Cowboy is often confused with another song by the Steve Miller Band called “The Joker.”
11. “All The Stars” by Kendrick Lamar and SZA
“All The Stars” is a lead single from the “Black Panther: The Album”, a soundtrack for the 2018 Marvel movie.
The song was nominated for the Oscars for Best Original song, but lost to “Shallow” from “A Star Is Born”.
Either way, the song is captivating and sentimental, and it talks about reaching for your dreams.
12. “We Are All Made Of Stars” by Moby
“We Are All Made Of Stars” is a song about stars and people. It’s also about hope; in one of the interviews, Moby said that he wrote the song in New York after the September 11 attacks. It was his way of expressing a sense of hopefulness.
But the lyrics are generally inspired by the scientific principle that all matter in the universe is made up of stardust. And that’s somehow a very comforting notion.
13. “A Sky Full Of Stars” by Coldplay
Another popular song about stars is “A Sky Full Of Stars” released on Coldplay’s album “Ghost Stories” in 2014.
The song is incredibly uplifting and lively. And as Chris Martin said in one of the interviews, it represents “the release after you’ve climbed the mountain – after you’ve done anything challenging.”
14. “Space Song” by Beach House
Just like most of Beach House’s songs, “Space Song” is relaxing and dreamy. It will make you feel like you’re floating in space.
The band released it on their studio album “Depression Cherry” in 2015.
15. “Out Of Space” by Prodigy
Another song about space with a slightly different atmosphere than the previous one is “Out Of Space” by Prodigy.
The song is featured on Prodigy’s 1992 debut album “Experience” and it was one of the band’s signature songs.
It’s a captivating, catchy song with a sing-along verse (not so typical for their music) and a trippy music video (that’s more typical).
Either way, it’s a fantastic tune that will probably keep reminding people of this iconic band for many years to come.
16. “Walking On The Moon” by The Police
How about taking a nice little walk on the moon?
This is arguably one of the most iconic songs about the moon. It was released in 1979, on The Police’s album “Reggatta de Blanc”.
However, this is actually a typical love song, and walking on the moon presumably represents the feeling of being infatuated with someone.
17. “Harvest Moon” by Neil Young
Another iconic moon song is “Harvest Moon” by Neil Young.
The song is very simple and straightforward: it’s about dancing with someone you love under the light of the moon.
The melody of the song also seems rather simple, but it’s incredibly beautiful and memorable – it just doesn’t get old.
18. “Black Hole Sun” by Soundgarden
“Black Hole Sun” was one of Chris Cornell’s most popular songs. And it’s a brilliant one too.
The song was released on Soundgarden’s fourth studio album “Superunknown” in 1994. Cornell supposedly wrote it in his car while he was driving home one night.
Besides being a chart-topping hit, “Black Hole Sun” received the award for Best Hard Rock Performance at the 1995 Grammy Awards.
19. “Mr. Spaceman” by The Byrds
“Mr. Spaceman” was released in 1966, on The Byrds’ album “Fifth Dimension”. And back then, the song was described as ‘space rock’.
Lyrically, “Mr. Spaceman” really is a song about space. It talks about an encounter with extraterrestrial life, with a twist that the protagonist asks the aliens to take him with them.
Well, if you get a chance to take a ride on a nice, little spaceship, you have to take it.
20. “2000 Years From Home” by The Rolling Stones
Speaking of space rock, we can’t skip this unusual, trippy tune by The Rolling Stones.
It’s unusual because the beginning of the song almost sounds like Pink Floyd, but it progresses to an interesting rock song about the universe and, well, all the other things that Mick Jagger and Keith Richards came up with at the time.
The song was first released on the band’s album “Their Satanic Majesties Request” in 1967.
21. “Space Monkey” by Patti Smith
Released on Patti Smith’s 1978 album “Easter”, “Space Monkey” delivers a different perspective on the concept of space in music.
The song sounds more fun than many other Patti Smith songs, so its title is somewhat suitable.
22. “Dancing In The Moonlight” by Toploader
And if you’re looking for a danceable song about space, let us remind you of this popular hit.
Toploader’s “Dancing In The Moonlight” is an ultimate feel-good song that just doesn’t get old.
The song was actually written by musician Sherman Kelly in 1969, and the English band Toploader recorded the famous cover in 1999.
23. “Supersonic Rocket Ship” by The Kinks
“Supersonic Rocket Ship” by The Kinks is a true space jam. We can easily imagine ourselves floating in space while listening to this tune…
The song was also featured in the 2019 film “Avengers: Endgame”, and that’s probably when a lot of younger people heard it for the first time.
24. “Goodnight Moon” by Shivaree
Shivaree was an Americana band formed in 1997. They are best known for their track “Goodnight Moon”.
It’s a smooth, catchy tune featured in several movies and TV shows including “The Silver Linings Playbook”, “The Kill Bill Vol2”, and “Dawson’s Creek”.
25. “Space Baby” by The Tubes
“Space Baby” by the San Francisco-based band The Tubes is definitely a song that deserves more attention.
It could very well be categorized as space rock, or at least be on the same playlist as The Kinks’, David Bowie’s, and The Rolling Stones’ songs we mentioned today.
26. “Space Station #5” by Montrose
The vocalist of this song Sammy Hagar is better known as a one-time vocalist for Van Halen. Nevertheless, his voice fits this space-themed rock song perfectly.
And as Hagar said in one of the interviews: “You know how big the universe is? It’s freakin’ huge! If we’re really the only ones out there, that’s scarier to me than thinking there are aliens.”
27. “Space Jam” by Quad City DJs
This is probably one of the most iconic songs about space from the 90s. It was written for the 1996 American animated sports comedy film “Space Jam”.
The film stars Michael Jordan as a fictional version of himself in a combination with Looney Tunes characters.
The movie received mixed reviews, but despite that, it became the highest-grossing basketball film of all time.
28. “Space Bound” by Eminem
Eminem released “Space Bound” on his studio album “Recovery” in 2011, and it’s definitely one of the most sentimental songs on the album.
One of the interpretations of the song and the video explain that Eminem was trying to portray the reality of relationships and the fact that even the strongest of relationships can eventually fall apart.
29. “Airplanes” by B.o.B. and Hayley Williams
Can we pretend that airplanes in the night sky are like shooting stars?
This popular 2010 tune by B.o.B. and Paramore’s Hayley Williams always sounds fresh and nostalgic at the same time.
“Airplanes” peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, and it was also nominated for a Grammy.
30. “Across The Universe” by Rufus Wainwright
Rufus Wainwright released this beautiful, familiar ballad about the universe in 2002. It’s a cover of The Beatles’ tune released on their album “No One’s Gonna Change Our World”.
There are many more covers of this song, and each one adds something special to it. It’s simply a timeless song with an iconic melody that everyone seems to know and love.
31. “Looking For Astronauts” by The National
In this mellow indie rock tune, The National’s Matt Berninger claims that we are all here looking for our astronaut. The astronaut is presumably our soulmate – and perhaps someone who is a bit too perfect.
Either way, it’s one of the songs about astronauts that can fulfill your daydreaming moments.
32. “Cosmic Love” by Florence and The Machine
This maybe isn’t a typical song about space, but it’s a song about a special kind of love. A cosmic love.
In this 2009 indie hit, Florence Welch sings about a woman who has fallen passionately in love when she wasn’t expecting it.
She also sings about the stars and the moon, and everything that will make you feel like you can fly away across the universe.
33. “Space Is The Place” by Sun Ra
“Space Is The Place” is a long and captivating jazzy tune about the vastness of space. At least that’s how it sounds.
It’s also the opening title of the SF movie of the same name made in 1972. The film is about the space age prophet who lands his spaceship in Oakland after being presumed lost in space.
34. “Man On The Moon” by R.E.M.
Another timeless song about space and the moon is R.E.M.’s “Man On The Moon”.
The song is a tribute to the comedian and performer Andy Kaufman. And the song’s title and chorus refer to the Moon landing conspiracy theories which is an allusion to the rumor of Kaufman’s faked death.
Either way, it’s one of the band’s signature songs and an absolute space-themed classic.
35. “A Shining Star” by Nneka
It’s time for a hidden gem (and a shining star) among the best songs about space and stars.
Nneka is a talented Nigerian singer and songwriter, and “A Shining Star” is a soulful R&B tune she released in 2011.
This is definitely music that deserves more attention. And it’s a nice addition to your space playlist.
36. “Astronaut (Something About Your Love)” by Mansionair
Another great tune for your astronaut playlist is this captivating track by the Australian indie trio Mansionair.
The song is captivating, catchy, and somewhat nostalgic. And the video of an astronaut floating in a spaceship somehow fits the atmosphere of the song perfectly.
37. “Two Planets” by Bat For Lashes
Another great indie tune that you might not be familiar with is “Two Planets” by the Pakistani British singer/songwriter known as Bat For Lashes.
The song really sounds like it’s about space and the universe, so it’s a perfect addition to our list.
Sometimes it’s all about the vibes in a particular song, and the song’s title and the lyrics only add up to the whole atmosphere.
38. “Sail To The Moon” by Radiohead
Well, this song definitely has a suitable atmosphere. It’s dreamy and melancholic, and it will take your mind somewhere else – perhaps you’ll sail to the moon.
But since we’re talking about Radiohead, “Sail To The Moon” is probably not a song about space, moonbeams, and shooting stars, although you can hear all of that in the lyrics.
39. “Star Trek: The Next Generation”, Star Trek OST
What would a list of songs about space be without a couple of soundtracks?
And Star Trek is definitely one of the best TV shows about space ever made. It’s not only about starships and the exploration of space but also about different cultures and humanity.
And this song immediately transforms us to captain Picard’s U.S. Starship Enterprise. So, turn the volume up, and engage!
40. “The Expanse Main Title” by The Expanse OST
One of the TV shows about space that made a huge success recently is The Expanse.
And there’s something special about the show’s main title song made by the Canadian composer Clinton Shorter.
The song is captivating and powerful, and it can make you think about the vastness of space and your own role in it in a completely new way…
41. “Star Man” by David Bowie
This one featured on “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars”, an album that told a story set post-apocalypse that many thought would have little commercial success as it had no potential hit singles.
How wrong they were.
In the early days, few people had seen Bowie perform and when he showed up on Top of the Pops dressed as this flame-haired alien, his stage presence stole the show.
“There’s a starman waiting in the sky
He’d like to come and meet us
But he thinks he’d blow our minds”
42. “Intergalactic” by Beastie Boys
Next up is a space song from the early hip-hop world as the Beastie Boys flex their capabilities. Telling us in no uncertain terms that they are out of this world.
“Now when it comes to envy y’all is green
Jealous of the rhyme and the rhyme routine
Another dimension, new galaxy
Intergalactic, planetary”
The space ties are pretty loose but it’s a famous song about space nonetheless and some of the lyrical references are humorous as is the music video.
“If you want to battle you’re in denial
Comin’ from Uranus to check my style”
43. “Contact” by Daft Punk
In the world of electronic dance with another song about space, this time from the french masked duo Daft Punk.
The track was recorded for their 2013 “Random Access Memories” album and is a typical musical offering from the pair.
The interesting thing is the lyrics which have a definitive space theme were a genuine audio sample from the Apollo 17 mission.
In the sample, you can hear the late Eugene Cernan the eleventh and last man to walk on the moon reporting back to ground control about what he can see.
44. “Spaceman” by Babylon Zoo
On to a slightly earlier space song from Babylon Zoo.
In all honesty, the group rose and disappeared quickly and were more or less one-hit wonders.
But the hook was strong with this one and it featured in commercials propelling the previously little-known rock band into the limelight momentarily.
The reason they flopped so heavily was that the ten-second hook that Levi’s used for an ad campaign was nothing like the rest of the track at all.
Millions went out and bought it to hear what the band had to offer and were utterly disappointed!
45. “Supermassive Black Hole” by Muse
To be fair, Muse has a handful of songs about space, but here is the second one we picked for our list, for the interest it presents musically.
When it was released it was pretty experimental for the group known for their alternative edge, Bellamy and the rest of the band really branched out with this one in terms of genres lacing it with electronica, dance, and funk vibes.
“You set my soul alight
Glaciers melting in the dead of night
And the superstars sucked into the super massive (you set my soul alight)
Glaciers melting in the dead of night
And the superstars sucked into the super massive (you set my soul)
Super massive black hole”
46. “Cosmic Girl” by Jamiroquai
With its disco throwback vibes and psychedelic spacey lyrics, we have the making of a great entry from acid-funk-jazz artist Jamiroquai.
The track is even listed as space disco as a genre!
Lyrics include a mountain of references to the heavens above as the guy describes his celestial match who has his heart at “zero gravity”.
“‘I’m scanning all my radars
Well she said she’s from a quasar
Forty thousand million light years away
It’s a distant solar system”
47. “E.T.” by Katy Perry
Within the songs about space category we inevitably have a lot of songs about aliens.
E.T. by Katy Perry is a song about a love interest who is from another world be it literally or metaphorically speaking.
When we fall for someone we often hold them on a pedestal where nobody compares.
Perry is “ready for abduction” and describes what they have as transcendental.
“You’re not like the others
Futuristic lover
Different DNA
They don’t understand you
You’re from a whole ‘nother world
A different dimension”
48. “Alien” by Britney Spears
Similarly but from a polar position, Britney confesses how she felt lonely and different until someone special came along who understood her. Before she felt “like an alien”.
She describes the journey to finding one person, comparing it to space travel with her lyrics.
“Crossed through the universe to get where you are
Travel the night, riding on a shooting star
Was lonely then, like an alien”
49. “Levitating” by Dua Lipa
If you are after modern pop songs about space then how about Dua Lipa’s “Levitating”?
Although not specifically space-centric it makes comparisons between the rush of emotions associated with love and relationships, additionally, a lot of interstellar terminology is littered throughout the lyrics.
“If you wanna run away with me, I know a galaxy
And I can take you for a ride”
This electronic, space rock-come-nu-disco track is funky as heck with a popping bassline that drives it and a fast-paced rhythmic melody line.
“You want me, I want you, baby
My sugarboo, I’m levitating
The Milky Way, we’re renegading”
50. “Space Man” by Sam Ryder
While we are mulling over the modern entries, we have to mention the UK’s recent (2022) Eurovision track. Sang by social media singing sensation Sam Ryder.
It is a solidly written tune with all the makings of a contemporary commercial hit, simplistic enough to win over international crowds.
The track was the highest-scoring UK Eurovision entry to date and almost secured the UK the winning spot.
Each verse opens with If I was an astronaut” and concludes with the fact that he is “only human”. It is a reflective piece and very relatable, we are all in some ways “up in space”.
“Up in space, man
I’ve searched around the universe
Been down some black holes
There’s nothing but space, man
And I wanna go home”
It is one of those songs about astronauts with a deep underlying message.
51. “A Spaceman Came Travelling” by Chris de Burgh
Not your typical De Burgh track, but this art-rock tune that was a bit of a flop has undeniable space ties throughout and the synthesizer gives it an extra-terrestrial edge.
He has previously stated that he was inspired by reading Von Daniken’s Chariots Of The Gods after he became amused by the notion proposed within the book that the star of Bethlehem could have been a spacecraft!
“A spaceman came traveling on his ship from afar
‘Twas light years of time since his mission did start
And over a village, he halted his craft
And it hung in the sky like a star, just like a star”
52. “Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft” by Carpenters
When it comes to songs about spaceships this odd offering from the Carpenters crops to mind…
It was originally a track by Klatuu, a lesser-known Canadian rock band, but the Carpenter’s version hit the charts.
In place of Klatuu’s animal and nature sound samples, the Carpenters opened their version with a radio DJ voice-over and the song uses over 160 musicians in its recording.
The original inspiration for this spaceship song is based on a strange concept written about in The Flying Saucer Reader book where the “International Flying Saucer Bureau” urged all of its members to participate in an international interstellar contact experiment.
53. “Andromeda” by Paul Weller
“The dying planet grew dark and still
My feisty engines took me up and then
I could see?
Oh, Andromeda”
Originally recorded in 2008 but redone for his 2021 album and well received by ‘dad-rock’ fans, this track has a fair few space references within its lyrical content and a dreamy orchestral reimagining that gives it a space-like feel to match.
It has heavy strings and synth sound choices with an ominous breakdown from the 1-minute mark.
Weller obviously made good use of his time during the pandemic lockdown!
54. “Jupiter Crash” by The Cure
“She follows me down to the sound of the sea
Slips to the sand and stares up at me
“is this how it happens? is this how it feels?
Is this how a star falls?”
This 4-minute musical journey from The Cure is pretty contradictory, we have a lot of music for so few lyrics and the music presents a real juxtaposition.
The chord progressions and musical decisions are beautiful but it tells a disparate tale about the reality of a disappointing sexual experience that has been built into something wonderful beforehand and the disillusionment or “crash” that follows.
“was that it? was that the Jupiter show?
Kinda wasn’t quite what I’d hoped for, you know”
Expectations aren’t always met.
55. “The Space Race Is Over” by Billy Bragg
This track is full of space references from the get go;
“When I was young I told my mum
I’m going to walk on the Moon someday
Armstrong and Aldrin spoke to me
From Houston and Cape Kennedy
And I watched the Eagle landing
On a night when the Moon was full
And as it tugged at the tides, I knew deep inside
I too could feel its pull”
If you are in the mood for listening to songs about space travel then this one is a sweet and relaxing soft-rock track that should hit the spot.
56. “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen
Okay, so this one might be a stretch whilst it’s not exactly a song about space per-say the verses are filled with nods to the cosmos and it’s such a killer track we are sure no one is going to bang us to rights.
“I’m a shooting star leaping through the sky
Like a tiger defying the laws of gravity”
A beautiful composition that starts like a piece of musical theatre with a legato intro that builds until kick-in full throttle and it’s an exhilarating ride from there on out…
Just like one would imagine blasting off into space would be.
“Yeah, I’m a rocket ship on my way to Mars
On a collision course
I am a satellite I’m out of control”
57. “The Final Countdown” by Europe
“We’re headin’ for Venus”…
We have seen some pretty cool space songs but songs about space travel don’t come half as epic as this glam-metal synth-sensation.
It was an instant hit for the Swedish group with a now iconic keyboard riff recognized by the world over.
Funnily enough, the band wasn’t sold on the synth to begin with they, thought it was too different and not rocky enough. Fortunately, they bit the bullet.
What better final song to feature in our countdown of songs about space!
Songs About Space – Final Thoughts
As you can see, our list of the best songs about space is quite versatile.
Many songs about space were made around the first landing on the Moon in 1969. And of course, people are still very intrigued by space travel and all the possibilities it could bring.
After all, space is still a huge mystery to us, but we learn something new about it each day.
Nevertheless, we hope this article helped you discover a lot of good songs for your space playlist!
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