27 Songs About Planets and Space, from Holst to Space Oddity

What is the most famous music about the planets?

"The Planets" by Gustav Holst is the most famous music about the planets, a suite of seven movements written between 1914 and 1916. In pop music, "Space Oddity" by David Bowie and "Rocket Man" by Elton John are the classic space songs, and "Drops of Jupiter" by Train is the favorite song named for a planet.

Classical and film music about space

1. "The Planets", Gustav Holst: from the war of Mars to the mystery of Neptune.
2. "Also sprach Zarathustra", Richard Strauss: the famous opening of 2001: A Space Odyssey.
3. "The Blue Danube", Johann Strauss II: the waltz that plays as spaceships dock in 2001.
4. "Interstellar Main Theme", Hans Zimmer: built around a huge church organ.

Songs named for planets

5. "Venus", Shocking Blue: a 1969 number one, later a hit again for Bananarama.
6. "Saturn", Stevie Wonder: an escape to a better world, from Songs in the Key of Life.
7. "Saturn", Sleeping at Last: a quiet, wonder-filled song about the universe.
8. "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)", Train: a love song with cosmic imagery.
9. "Life on Mars?", David Bowie: a dreamlike 1971 classic.
10. "Planet Earth", Duran Duran: their 1981 debut single.
11. "I Vow to Thee, My Country", Gustav Holst: a hymn set to the melody of his Jupiter.

Classic songs about space

12. "Space Oddity", David Bowie: released days before the first moon landing.
13. "Rocket Man", Elton John: an astronaut who misses home.
14. "Starman", David Bowie: a visitor from the stars.
15. "Mr. Spaceman", The Byrds: a playful 1966 song about aliens.
16. "Astronomy Domine", Pink Floyd: the opening song of their first album.
17. "Space Cowboy", Steve Miller Band: a cosmic rock classic.
18. "Satellite of Love", Lou Reed: watching a satellite on TV.
19. "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft", Carpenters: a message to visitors from space.
20. "Major Tom (Coming Home)", Peter Schilling: an 80s follow-up to Bowie's astronaut.
21. "Across the Universe", The Beatles: in 2008, NASA beamed it into deep space.

Modern songs about space

22. "Intergalactic", Beastie Boys: a robotic hip hop classic.
23. "Spaceman", The Killers: a dreamy rock song.
24. "E.T.", Katy Perry: a love song about someone out of this world.
25. "Starships", Nicki Minaj: a high-flying dance hit.
26. "Astronaut in the Ocean", Masked Wolf: a viral hip hop hit.
27. "Saturn", SZA: a song about searching for something better.

Why do songwriters love space?

Space is the biggest unknown there is, which makes it perfect for songs about loneliness, wonder and escape. "Space Oddity" and "Rocket Man" use astronauts to talk about feeling far from everyone, while "Drops of Jupiter" and "E.T." use the universe to describe someone extraordinary. Holst's "The Planets" even shaped how movie composers sound when they score outer space.

Why Holst left out Earth and Pluto

Holst's "The Planets" has seven movements, not nine. He left out Earth because the suite was inspired by astrology, where each planet stands for a mood, which is why each movement has a title like "Mars, the Bringer of War" or "Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity". Pluto was not discovered until 1930, years after the suite was finished.

Songs about planets for kids and classrooms

For a science class or a space-themed birthday, the movements of Holst's "The Planets" are perfect for teaching the planets one by one: "Mars" sounds like a battle and "Jupiter" sounds like a celebration. Kids also love "Rocket Man", "Starman" and "Intergalactic" for a dance break between lessons, and a planet-by-planet playlist is an easy way to help them remember the order of the solar system.

A space-themed party playlist

For a space party or a launch-watching night, start with "Also sprach Zarathustra" for a dramatic countdown, add "Space Oddity", "Rocket Man" and "Starman" for the classics, and finish with "Starships" and "Intergalactic" for dancing. Glow-in-the-dark stars and a cardboard rocket complete the theme.

Songs about planets for a stargazing night

On a clear night, when Venus or Jupiter shines brightly, quiet songs like "Saturn" by Sleeping at Last, "Across the Universe" and the "Interstellar Main Theme" make a peaceful soundtrack. Venus is usually the brightest point in the evening sky after the moon, which is why it is often called the evening star. See our songs about stars and songs about the moon for more.

Space songs for a wedding

For a couple who loves science or science fiction, "Across the Universe" works for the ceremony, "Drops of Jupiter" makes a fun first dance and "Starships" or "Intergalactic" fills the dance floor. A starry backdrop finishes the look.

A song for the space lover in your life

For a child who wants to be an astronaut or a partner who never misses a launch, a personalized song can be their own space anthem: their name, their favorite planet and their biggest dreams, in a pop or rock style. It makes a great birthday or graduation gift.

How to create a personalized song

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: pop, rock, acoustic and more.
2. Add their name.
3. Share three things they love about space.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $24.99, or $29.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Launch a song all their own: create a song and hear four previews for free.