Space Oddity (original video, released in 1969). Happy Birthday, David Bowie!
• Released to coincide with the first moon landing, Space Oddity became instantly popular as backdrop for TV footage of the event. Bowie was amused because in the song, the unfortunate astronaut Major Tom, is cut off from Ground Control:
“Here am I sitting in my tin can far above the Moon
Planet Earth is blue and there’s nothing I can do.”
• The inspiration for the song came from the 1968 release of Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey . “Space Oddity” is a play on the phrase “Space Odyssey,” and the title does not appear in the lyrics. Did you notice that David Bowie’s name is remarkably similar to David Bowman of the film?
• Ashes to Ashes released in 1980 reports back with news that Major Tom is doing well: “I’m happy, hope you’re happy too”. But Ground Control is not buying it: “Ashes to ashes, funk to funky
We know Major Tom’s a junkie
Strung out in heaven’s high
Hitting an all-time low”
This song is hauntingly lovely (can’t get it out of my head!), watch his innovative video: David Bowie – Ashes To Ashes
Major Tom gets a final mention on Hallo Spaceboy : David Bowie – Hallo Spaceboy
madame scientist's not-so-mad musings 
Thank you for this video, Rajini Rao , I had no idea about it 🙂
Some weeks ago I saw a web with that song recreated like children’s book. I can’t remember who posted in G+ but this is the link.
http://www.comicsalliance.com/2011/08/30/space-oddity-david-bowie-andrew-kolb/
I think it’s nice. Hope you like too 🙂
No better way to start your day, than with some early Bowie.
Joan Hogol , what an interesting find..a comic book version of Space Oddity! Thanks!
‘Morning, Marc Ponomareff 🙂
Wow – he rarely looks that uncool. This song was a favourite request on those many hundreds of drunken guitar-around-a-cam-fire events – I know the chords intuitively now, so with fire-smoke-filed eyes, I could still play it.
I also remember an interview with an up-and-coming lead singer of an 80s band who said the when Ashes to Ashes was released, he saw the video and resigned from the band because “I could never do anything that perfect”. Quite a tribute.
Mike McLoughlin , I can’t figure out why a video still is at some random point and how/if it can be changed. Bowie is quite beautiful, IMO. I had not heard Ashes to Ashes before putting together this post. Now I’m stuck on it, and the video too 🙂
I’d also like to know if there’s a way around YouTube’s totally random screen-capture process. There should be an app for that.
The content owner has not made this video available on mobile.
Thanks Rajini Rao that is a wonderful post. …those words ring so true…Planet Earth is Blue and there is nothing I can do …smiling …wonder what Bowie thought when Apollo 13 happened.. Hope you are having a nice Sunday 🙂
Rajini Rao thanks for sending this song to my notification. Bowie is the best, in terms of his music writing skill and beautiful vocal. In the beginning he came across as some unsusual personality, was labeled as bisexual which later he publicly denied it. But that did not prevent many females in his era fell in love with his song and his voice, they even had a crush on him. He is a true talent, a rock n roll hall-of-fame recipient, and an idol to many. Happy b.d. D. B. !
Hey, Bowie fans, just for fun see this slide show of David Bowie’s style evolution through the years. He’s getting better all the time 🙂 http://www.stylelist.com/2012/01/06/david-bowie-style-evolution-photos_n_1190152.html#s594472&title=1965
Incredible David Bowies!
Thank you Rajini for sharing wonderful things with us!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Wonderful song!