Space Oddity
David Bowie · Deram Anthology 1966-68
Ground control to Major Tom
Take your protein pills and put your helmet on
Ground control to Major Tom
(10, 9, 8, 7)
Commencing countdown, engines on
(6, 5, 4, 3)
Check ignition, and may God's love be with you
(2, 1, liftoff)
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 the most peculiar way
And the stars look very different today
For here am I sitting in a tin can
Far above the world
Planet Earth is blue, and there's nothing I can do
Though I'm past 100,000 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...
Here am I sitting in a tin can
Far above the moon
Planet Earth is blue, and there's nothing I can do....
Space Oddity
David Bowie's "Space Oddity" stands as a landmark in progressive rock and space pop, released in 1969. The track features the iconic "Major Tom" character, a fictional astronaut stranded in space, exploring themes of isolation and the human condition against the backdrop of the Apollo era. With its distinctive synthesizer work and dramatic vocal delivery, the song became a defining sound of the late 1960s. It was originally recorded for the Deram Anthology 1966-68 compilation and has since been reissued on various collections, cementing its status as a cultural touchstone. The recording showcases Bowie's ability to blend theatrical performance with innovative studio techniques, influencing countless artists who followed.