When you think of the particular planets astrologically, what comes to mind for you? For example, when you think of the Sun, what do you think of?

(If you’re not sure about what the Sun represents in astrology, see Susan Miller’s description at http://www.astrologyzone.com/tools/planets.html.)

When I think of the Sun, I think of the ultimate life source, vitality, a celebration of self, standing out from others.

Some people think in terms of myths. Some think in terms of colors. Me, I often think in terms of song lyrics. And while it’s impossible to sum up an entire planet in one song, certain songs do remind me of certain planets. I thought I’d share some of those songs here. To protect other people’s copyrights, I’ll include links to the song lyrics elsewhere on the net, rather than post the lyrics here.

The Sun

One song that embodies the spirit of the Sun for me is “I Got Life” from the musical "Hair." See http://www.lyricsondemand.com/soundtracks/h/hairlyrics/igotlifelyrics.html for the lyrics.

The Moon

When I think of the Moon, I think of emotional sensitivity, subjectivity, vulnerability, tenderness. Another song from "Hair," “Easy to Be Hard,” reminds me of the Moon. See http://www.lyricsondemand.com/soundtracks/h/hairlyrics/easytobehardlyrics.html for the lyrics.

Mercury

With Mercury, I think of dashing here and there, lots of activity, everyday moments, being stimulated or harried, fitting in as much life as we can, playing Beat the Clock. For him, how about "Manic Monday," recorded by The Bangles in the ‘80s? The lyrics are at http://natali.mine.nu/lyrics/bangles/manicmonday.html

Venus

With Venus, I think of the desire to connect and merge with someone else, the inclination to be supportive. Imagine how isolated from each other we would all be without Venus. For her, I offer “Being Alive,” a song from Stephen Sondheim’s musical Company. Check out the words to it at http://www.lyricsfreak.com/b/barbra-streisand/12614.html

Mars

The Warrior Planet is ready for a fight anytime, confrontational and competitive, bold and confident. In honor of him, I’ve got Pat Benatar’s “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” at http://www.song-lyrics-library.com/pat_benetar/pat-benetar-hit-me-with-your-best-shot-song-lyrics.html

Jupiter

Jolly Jupiter has irrepressible enthusiasm, the belief that something wonderful is just around the corner. Living on inspiration and high expectations, he stretches out to grasp something more than what he already has. For Jupiter, I offer “Something’s Coming” from Leonard Bernstein’s musical West Side Story. See http://www.westsidestory.com/site/level2/lyrics/something.html for the lyrics.

Saturn

This brings us to Saturn. For him, I felt a need to come up with two songs:

-one for the darker side of Saturn: sadness, resignation, the attempt to avoid inescapable realities, a general pervasive bleakness. (Every planet, like every zodiac sign, has a wide range of potential, some dark and destructive, some bright and creative.) For this, I came up with “Ballad of the Sad Young Men,” first recorded by Rod McKuen. http://www.franlandesman.com/code/lyrics/sadmen.html

-one for the brighter side of Saturn: determination, endurance, knowledge and wisdom of how the world works, making a sacrifice in order to gain something worthwhile. For this, I came up with “I Am Woman,” by Helen Reddy. http://www.lyricsdepot.com/helen-reddy/i-am-woman.html

Uranus

For Uranus, I thought I’d also mention two songs: one for Uranus on the level of the individual, and one for him on the level of the group or culture.

At the individual level, there’s “Not The Boy Next Door” by Peter Allen. The song resurfaced recently in a stage production about him, “The Boy From Oz,” starring Hugh Jackman. It touches on the sense of being “different,” of not fitting in, going through a radical change (even if appearances seem otherwise) and then resisting pressure from others to return to the way things used to be. (People who have been through transits from Uranus lately can probably relate to some of this.) http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/theboyfromoz/nottheboynextdoor.htm

At the group or cultural level, there’s “La Vie Boheme” from the musical "Rent." It portrays the idea of belonging among outsiders, of being part of the excitement and unconventionality that comes with exploring bohemian tastes and quirky creativity that “pushes the envelope.”

NOTE: In true Uranian fashion, some people may find the lyrics scandalous. If you haven’t heard the song before, then it could be kind of messy to follow them, but Uranus can be that way--chaotic!

http://www.lyrics.jp/lyrics/R007500010001.asp (part A of the song)
http://www.lyrics.jp/lyrics/R007500010002.asp (part B of the song)

Neptune

When I think of Neptune, I think of dreaminess, immateriality, spirituality, ethereality, the longing for an ideal state. For this planet, I offer another song from the musical Hair, "Walking in Space." http://www.lyricsondemand.com/soundtracks/h/hairlyrics/walkinginspacelyrics.html

Pluto

With Pluto, I think of life-and-death issues, transformation of one's life (for good or for bad), passion, struggling with a sense of meaninglessness, and striving to do something that will endure beyond a person's life. I also think of taboo subjects and stigmatized people, such as people with AIDS or who use drugs. For this little mysterious guy, I offer "One Song Glory" from the musical Rent.

http://www.lyricsondemand.com/soundtracks/r/rentlyrics/onesongglorylyrics.html

In this song, the character Roger, a songwriter and former drug addict, takes his AZT (medication) for his AIDS. Just before the song starts, he declines an invitation from his roommate to go out on the town, staying behind to try to write one final song, to redeem what he sees as his empty life. He looks for "a song that rings true / Truth like a blazing fire / An eternal flame."

The Hits Just Keep On Coming!

If you’d like to read some other people’s ideas for songs that reflect the various planets, check out the discussion thread at http://proudphoenix.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=220

And What's the Beat of Your Drum?

Now, how about you? Are there particular songs that remind you of the Sun or the Moon, Mercury or any others in the pantheon of planets?

If so, tell us all about ‘em on the message board.

And happy singing with the planets!

 
© Brian Habit - The Proud Phoenix, 2004 (All Rights Reserved)

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