About the song
“Space Oddity” by David Bowie is a groundbreaking song that has left an indelible mark on the music world since its release in 1969. Written by Bowie himself, this track was inspired by the burgeoning space race and the 1968 film “2001: A Space Odyssey.” It tells the haunting and surreal story of Major Tom, an astronaut who becomes stranded in space, which served as a powerful metaphor for isolation and existential angst.
The song was first released as a single on July 11, 1969, just nine days before the Apollo 11 mission successfully landed the first humans on the moon. “Space Oddity” was also featured on Bowie’s second studio album, also titled “David Bowie” in the UK and later renamed “Space Oddity” for its re-release in the United States in 1972. The timing of the release, coinciding with the moon landing, helped propel the song into the public consciousness.
“Space Oddity” marked David Bowie’s first major commercial success. It reached number five on the UK Singles Chart and later gained significant traction in the United States, particularly after its re-release, where it climbed to number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1973. The song’s innovative use of Mellotron and stylophone, along with its eerie, otherworldly soundscape, showcased Bowie’s willingness to experiment with new musical forms and themes.
The song’s narrative follows Major Tom, who, after successfully launching into space, experiences a series of technical failures, leaving him disconnected from ground control and adrift in space. The lyrics, combined with Bowie’s haunting delivery, evoke a profound sense of solitude and detachment, which resonated deeply with listeners during a time of great technological and social change.
“Space Oddity” is often considered a pivotal moment in David Bowie’s career, establishing him as a pioneering artist willing to push the boundaries of popular music. The song’s success also paved the way for Bowie’s subsequent alter ego, Ziggy Stardust, and his rise to fame in the early 1970s. Over the years, “Space Oddity” has been covered by numerous artists and featured in various films, television shows, and even actual space missions. In 2013, Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield recorded a version of the song aboard the International Space Station, bringing Major Tom’s story full circle.
The song has received numerous accolades and remains one of Bowie’s most beloved and iconic tracks. In 2016, following Bowie’s death, “Space Oddity” re-entered the charts, a testament to its enduring appeal and the profound impact Bowie had on music and culture.
In conclusion, “Space Oddity” by David Bowie is more than just a song; it’s a cultural landmark that encapsulates the spirit of an era marked by exploration and innovation. Its haunting melody and poignant lyrics continue to captivate audiences, ensuring that Major Tom’s journey through the cosmos remains a poignant and timeless story.
Video
Lyrics
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 countdown
(Five)
Engines on
(Four, three, two)
Check ignition
(One)
And may God’s love
(Lift-off)
Be with youThis 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 dareThis 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 todayFor here am I sitting in a tin can
Far above the world
Planet Earth is blue
And there’s nothing I can doThough 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 knowsGround 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 he—Here am I floating ’round my tin can
Far above the Moon
Planet Earth is blue
And there’s nothing I can do