Song of the Day: Space Oddity (11th January 2016)

Admittedly, I have been rather remiss in not listening to lots of David Bowie's music. Unfortunately, it was announced today that Mr Bowie has died, and as such, millions have been flocking to social media to pay their respects and give their thanks for the excellent entertainment which he has provided over many decades.

As I say, I was not very well versed with David Bowie's songs (perhaps to my shame), but one that I did know, and very much enjoyed was 'Space Oddity'. Released as a single in 1969, the song documents the launching into space of 'Major Tom', a fictional character, though it also marked the launching of David Bowie into the UK's Top 5 tracks, and later, after being re-released under license by RCA records in 1975, it was also his first #1 hit.

As for the life of David Bowie, spanning nearly seventy years, it must be said that the star's career was varied. As well as being a multi-talented, multi-instrumental musician, Bowie is famous for his appearances in film, such as in the cult-classic 'Labyrinth' (complete with questionably tight attire) and his other-wordly stage appearance complete with colourful hair and ridiculously 80s glam fashion, posing as the 'ultimate popstar', Ziggy Stardust.

Bowie is survived by his wife, Iman, and two children, Alexandria and Duncan.

You can take a listen to Space Oddity on YouTube, below:

Lyrics:

Ground Control to Major Tom
Ground Control to Major Tom
Take your protein pills
and put your helmet on

Ground Control to Major Tom
Commencing countdown,
engines on
Check ignition
and may God's love be with you

[spoken]
Ten, Nine, Eight, Seven, Six, Five, Four, Three, Two, One, 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 a 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
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....

Here am I floating
round my tin can
Far above the Moon
Planet Earth is blue
And there's nothing I can do.