David Bowie

Lyrics

[Instrumental Intro 00:00-00:30]

[Verse 1]
Ground Control to Major Tom
Ground Control to Major Tom
Take your protein pills and put your helmet on
(Ten) Ground Control (Nine) to Major Tom (Eight, seven)
(Six) Commencing (Five) countdown, engines on
(Four, three, two)
Check ignition (One) and may God's love (Lift off) be with you
[Verse 2]
This is Ground Control to Major Tom
You've really made the grade
And the papers want to know whose shirts you wear
Now it's time to leave the capsule if you dare
This is Major Tom to Ground Control
I'm stepping through the door
And I'm floating in a most peculiar way
And the stars look very different today

[Chorus]
For here
Am I sitting in my tin can
Far above the world
Planet Earth is blue
And there's nothing I can do
[Instrumental Break 02:36-03:03]
[Guitar Solo]

[Verse 3]
Though I'm past one hundred thousand miles
I'm feeling very still
And I think my spaceship knows which way to go
Tell my wife I love her very much she knows
Ground Control to Major Tom
Your circuit's dead, there's something wrong
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you?

[Chorus]
Here am I floating 'round my tin can
Far above the moon
Planet Earth is blue
And there's nothing I can do
[Instrumental Outro]
[Guitar Solo]

Space Oddity is one of the iconic songs of the late musician, David Bowie. The song features a fictional character named Major Tom, who was lost in space. Created in 1969, the song gained immense popularity for its space themes and storytelling. Following the success of this song, several artists created sequels and songs about the character.

In this article, we delve into the details and history of this song, from conception to creation and its significant impact on the music industry.

About Space Oddity

David Bowie wrote Space Oddity as a tribute to the space race that was at its peak in 1969. With the Apollo 11 moon landing, space travel became a topic of global fascination. The song's central theme of a person stranded in space resonated with many people.

The song tells the story of Major Tom, an astronaut who is launched into space. Initially, the experience is exhilarating, but eventually, a technical glitch occurs, which results in communication failure with Ground Control. Major Tom becomes stranded, and he communicates his thoughts back to Earth as he slowly floats away into space. The song ends with the line, "Can you hear me, Major Tom?"

The song was an instant hit among the masses and established David Bowie at the forefront of the music industry. The song's success led to Bowie's continued fascination with space, which would inspire several more space-themed songs in his career.

Notably, the song is widely considered a drug trip, with some critics alluding to the protagonist's journey resembling a heroin trip. While this has never been confirmed by Bowie himself, it adds to the song's enigmatic nature and has contributed to its lasting popularity.

Conception of Space Oddity

The idea for Space Oddity came to Bowie in 1968, inspired by Stanley Kubrick's focus on space in his film 2001: A Space Odyssey. David Bowie had been interested in space since he was a young boy watching Apollo launches on television.

It was around this time that Bowie was starting to gain some traction in the music industry, although he had not yet become the renowned artist we know him as today. Bowie was still searching for a hit song that would thrust him into the spotlight.

Space Oddity turned out to be just that. Seeking a unique way to turn the space theme into a distinct sound, Bowie turned to producer Gus Dudgeon, who helped him achieve his vision.

Creating Space Oddity

Creating Space Oddity had its fair share of challenges. Bowie initially struggled to find the right tone and sound for the song, with several versions of the song being scrapped in the recording process.

Ultimately, Gus Dudgeon played a crucial role in creating the final version of the song. He worked closely with Bowie to get the sound right, including the iconic sound of the Mellotron that is so central to the track.

Despite initial difficulties, the song became a hit on its release. Its success led to David Bowie's career taking off, and the song remains one of his most popular and beloved songs to this day.

Legacy of Space Oddity

Space Oddity's legacy cannot be overstated. The song helped establish David Bowie as one of the most significant artists of his time and has remained a fan favorite in the decades since its release.

The song's impact can be seen in the continued fascination with space and science fiction in popular culture, a fascination that undoubtedly started in the late 1960s with the global obsession with the Apollo missions and the space race.

Moreover, Space Oddity inspired several other artists to explore space themes in their music. And Bowie's character, Major Tom, remains a beloved fictional character in popular culture to this day.

Conclusion

Space Oddity is one of the most iconic songs in music history, and for a good reason. The song's captivating storytelling, layered themes, and unique sound helped establish David Bowie as a music icon.

The song's themes of space, exploration, and the human condition continue to resonate with people around the world, ensuring that Space Oddity's legacy will last for generations to come.

Whether you are listening to the song for the first time or have been a long-time fan, there is no denying the impact that Space Oddity has had on the music industry and on popular culture as a whole.

• Release Date: July 11, 1969
• Artist: David Bowie