He's grown up and his skills have increased 100 fold ! TO him its just a commentary a decade on. But from Bowie's perspective not that big a deal I guess. It means much more than 99% of the listeners who ever heard thought it meant. So, in short, a funeral for Major Tom - an alter ego or character.Ī cry out that some kind of addiction needs to be quit.Īshes to Ashes to the 70's - the decade that made him.ĭespite all this conjecture, its one of the best tracks recorded. So it means Major Tom wants to come back to Earth.īut Bowie is clever and not that direct, he changes Dust to Dust with Funk to Funky - then that nicely rhymes with Junkie. That basically means people "return to the dust from where they came from". What else is clear from the song title - Ashes to Ashes - is that its an English (UK) funeral reference: Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust. If Major Tom is the drug or the Vice then its straight forward. The song ends with a mantra - a lesson from your Mother. And time to quit his association with the valuable friend Major Tom? (maybe at the time, but then there is SpaceBoy) This is 1980 Bowie talking at the same time: time to quit the infamy and the addictions. This is Major Tom talking - he wants to land. I never done good things I never done bad things (being stuck with, but valuable nonetheless) Major Tom is a mix of the Drug and the character that created his fame and wealth. Just pictures of Jap girls in synthesis and Iīut I'm hoping to kick but the planet it's glowing" Dan_h9 from KuwaitBringing up Major Tom again as an alter ego and having a conversation around that alter ego is the songs main theme:.So this song represents a virtual conversation between the 19 Bowie, through the character of Major Tom.Ī lot has happened to Bowie in the last 10 years so this acts as some kind of panacea to his experiences: However, many things have changed, including Bowie's treatment of this character. He is back ! and wants to return to earth. Ten years later Major Tom re-surfaces in Ashes to Ashes. Ground Control represents the establishment Major Tom rejects and "floats away from". Major Tom goes from obscurity to infamy by turning "Hippy" and not completing the mission. Space Oddity introduces Major Tom - he is an alter ego or character Bowie is creating that represents anti-establishment. I think Bowie is re-surfacing ideas that probably were not dealt with first time around. Dan_h9 from KuwaitI had to register just to comment - I have read all the trail and find the views very interesting!Īshes to Ashes is clearly (to me ) a sequel to Space Oddity.Emma from Perth, Australia "My mama said to get things done you better not mess with Major Tom" where, I believe Major Tom was a byword for heroin.Wayde from Torrance CaDuring His Ziggy Stardust times? He was addicted to Heroine for years! He did drugs all His Life! still loved Him! nobody is perfect!!! He was very Talented!!!.Their version is available on the "Saturnine Martial and Lunatic" B-sides and rarities compilation. Eliseu Carvalho from Canoas, Rs, BrazilTears for Fears covered this.I guess it seemed so ghastly at the time but now I see it's beauty.The reference to Major Tom reminds me of the term Tommies ,which is what British soldiers were nicknamed,maybe a metaphor for Britain losing its way but the other comments ring so true. I personally hated the song but after a traumatic bout of depression I've grown to like it as much as his other work. Grant Solomon from New South WalesI was doing a lot of acid when Ashe to Ashes was released.Unfortunatly the circle of friends I was with were on the cusp of heroin addiction and thought the line "we know Major Tom's a junky" was a real hoot and it therefore became their anthem.Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind Publisher: Royalty Network, Songtrust Ave, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc. I never did anything out of the blue, woh-o-oh I never done bad things (I never done bad things) I never done good things (I never done good things) The shrieking of nothing is killing, justĪin't got no money and I ain't got no hairīut I'm hoping to kick but the planet it's glowingīut the little green wheels are following me
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