The song originally came out in 1969 right before the first moon landing. Bowie was a marketing genius. He got huge airplay around the world.

@marcushull12

Жыл бұрын

I have the 1969 single, I miss having physical copies music and movies.

@brupic8968

Жыл бұрын

he showed his marketing genius when his last album was released two days before he died

@geraldinecurran4215

Жыл бұрын

released twice, first time it was a sleeper. Bowie believed in the song so re-released and as they say, the rest is history

@brupic8968

Жыл бұрын

@@geraldinecurran4215 don't know how old you are, but i was 19 when it was first released. i do recall hearing it a few years as later tho. i saw him at the sky dome in toronto around 1989. terrible show. they'd allegedly just fixed the acoustics but they were terrible. i was so far from the stage he looked like an ant. however, i went to the 'david bowie is' exhibition in paris and it was very good. it was april 2015 and he was dying but we didn't know at the time.

@Sides3Sides

Жыл бұрын

Bowie was an artist. Even went to fine art school. Such a great writer and performer. I’ve been listening to this for decades. I enjoyed hearing your reaction

“Tell my wife I love her very much.” “She knows.” Major Tom is saying farewell. There is nothing he can do. Nothing they can do. That’s where it hits me. If I remember correctly, this song is on his Hunky Dory album. Then came Spiders from Mars, and David Bowie’s tours in the U.S. What an amazing show that was. He blew our teenage minds. (New subscriber)

@DudeSilad

Жыл бұрын

It was on his second album, originally just called David Bowie but after the success of this song, when it was re-released it was renamed Space Oddity. Hunky Dory was his 4th album.

@debrabeck9630

Жыл бұрын

@@DudeSilad Thanks so much for clearing that up. I wasn’t at all sure; I just knew it preceded Ziggy Stardust.

@littlemouse7066

Жыл бұрын

It was in his first album from 1969 not Hunky Dory which is from 1971.

@littlemouse7066

Жыл бұрын

@@DudeSilad It was his first album the second was The man who sold the world the third was Hunky Dory and the fourth was Ziggy Stardust.

@DudeSilad

Жыл бұрын

@@littlemouse7066 First album in 67 was called David Bowie. The next album was also called David Bowie on release but renamed Space Oddity. 3rd album was The Man Who, Hunky was 4th and Ziggy wa 5th.

David Bowie was a Pure Genius!! I remember having all his albums in The 70's and on... I feel he's one of the Most Amazing Musicians of our time RIP Legend Bowie 🚀

I am always impressed with this song. There is much of his works that are fantastic. I would recommend "Young Americans". There are so many lyrics in that song. Near the end of the song, he rapid-fire belts out line after line after line. How he was able to remember each of those lines and get them out so clearly and quickly stuns me. I do not think that most singers could manage their voice, breath, memorization, and cadence so well. It's stunning.

Two other Bowie masterpieces are "Changes" and his roll in the movie "Labyrinth" with a young Jennifer Connelly.

"The Martian" movie also had another Bowie song in it, "Starman". There are so many iconic Bowie songs - Fame, Ashes to Ashes, Rebel Rebel, Golden Years, TVC15, Young Americans, I'm afraid of Americans, Little Drummer Boy, etc etc. "Lazarus" was his last music video made shortly before he died. "Fame" has John Lennon singing background. Bowie can be a very deep rabbit hole.

@waltercrain2910

Жыл бұрын

some really funky, so cool stuff.

@DudeSilad

Жыл бұрын

Interesting you mentioned I'm Afraid of Americans. I liked the song but when I saw him do it live I thought it was the best song I've ever seen live. It's made for arenas.

@xScooterAZx

11 ай бұрын

"The Man Who Fell to Earth" was the movie he did about an alien coming to earth to find a place for him to being his family. Their planet had run out of water.

Bowie's lifelong themes were alienation and isolation - his brother turned him on to beatnik authors like Jack Kerouac, and then developed schizophrenia and eventually committed suicide - their parents never got over it and became withdrawn - Bowie made art out of the eternal threat of meaninglessness

@LeftysLefty

2 ай бұрын

"Take your broken heart - turn it into Art" - Carrie Fisher

One of the most talented and innovative musicians of all time. Constantly looking to push the barriers and challenge himself. So many great songs. Try "Heroes", "Rebel, Rebel", "Starman", "Ashes to Ashes", "Ziggy Stardust". A deep rabbit hole.

I was a little kid when this song came out and remember hearing it on the radio but didn't really grasp any of what it was about other than "Major Tom". It wasn't until well into my adulthood that I was able to understand the melancholy and sadness it contained, compounded by the lyrics which are not only sad, they're horrifying when you think about it. The idea of being so utterly and irretrievably lost is difficult to comprehend but this song does a beautiful job of expressing that feeling. Then, I was today years old when I put together that this can be exactly how some people feel during crisis and hopelessness. This brings the song and the story back to earth and becomes so relatable. This deeper connection makes the melancholy and sadness of the song even more poignant, humane, and beautiful because it's not just a story of a man lost in space, it's really a song about humanity and how people can be launched into space and cannot see a way back home. If we listen carefully, this may help us put ourselves in their place and maybe figure out a way to reach them. That's my interpretation. This isn't just a song. It's art.

@tomroome4118

Жыл бұрын

Love your interpretation, Bryan.

@suezeb4163

Жыл бұрын

Wow Bryan, you have encapsulated and verbalized the the feeling of this song better than I ever could. And like you I have only appreciated the deeper meaning now when I am older

@kristiejenner2642

Жыл бұрын

You explain brilliantly my almost identical reaction to this song. I loved it when it first came out but didn't really listen to the lyrics. Then a number of years later when I listened and understood, I was stunned and couldn't help but cry over the tragedy of it and picturing Major Y Tom and the horror of what he was going through.. To this day I still chock up when I hear it.

I’m a huge David Bowie fan. He was a huge influence on my musical tastes. Such a genius.

I love this song so much! This is when he was Ziggy Stardust.

@skooshy621

Жыл бұрын

The song was released way before the Ziggy persona, which first appeared on the album, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, but the film was shot by Mick Rock during the Ziggy era.

'Ashes to ashes, fun to funky, we know Major Tom's a junkie

You're hearing, the emotions of the original author. No one singing it after, will express it with such deep meaning.

Bowie had always been my favorite solo artist. Major Tom is a theme that runs through out his career. Next song with Major Tom is “Ashes to Ashes. His first character is Ziggy Stardust an alien rocker. Ps, I’m a new subscriber 🔥🔥🔥

Bowie was my first concert, he was clearly ahead of his time, he was even better live and so animated. I remember at high school his hair colour and style was the big deal and nearly every high school girl got the Bowie hairstyle and colour and plucked eyebrows lol. So he also influenced fashion.

Now check out 'Ashes to Ashes'......major Tom's journey continues !!!! ....and just do Every David Bowie song !!!!!1

These songs told stories...the music empathized the story. David was fantastic. Always changing. And, what a voice!

This is probably my favorite Bowie song and no matter how many times I listen to it I get chills throughout it numerous times.

This song is what made me a David Bowie fan way back then. He just kept me listening through the rest of his career. Now I'm an "old grandma" but still love David Bowie. I raised my kids on the old stuff, and now the grandkids!

Another rock legend. So happy to see you appreciate the beautiful art we grew up with. In the words of Neil Young "Hey, Hey, My, My, Rock and Roll will never die"

This made me so sad as a kid..i really worried about and felt so bad for Major Tom!💞✌️

Love your reaction ! I hope you listen to this whole album- Bowie is a musical genius; so innovative .

Judging by your reaction, you are now going to be a lifelong Bowie fan. Enjoy the journey, my friend. I've loved Bowie since I was a teenager in the late 70s. I was lucky enough to see him live in Rome on his Sound and Vision tour. What an artist. He enthralled everyone there and made them feel he was singing to them. I loved his inventiveness, his wit and sense of humour, his ability to predict or judge what was coming. I miss him being in the world so much. Feels like we've lost an important part of ourselves.

Yes - there was a time in my life when that launch countdown was among the most important th8ngs in my life. All of us down in the basement counting down with this, passing the joints, not realizing those would be among the very best times and memories of our lives. Embrace the little stuff, folks - often they are the times that really count and matter and that you long for once you get old. I would give anything for it to be 1972 again.

Keep the Bowie coming! He was to the 70s what the Beatles were to the 60s; the best musical innovator. Try Station to station and the heart’s filthy lesson for two other, very different sides to Bowie.

Layers for sure. It's definitely meant to be listened to with fully set up surround sound, or high quality headphones, rather than just a centralized or singular pc speaker setup. The instrumentals and vocals are artistically put on different channels and sometimes merged depending on the effect desired. You often have one voice on one side and the other side with another voice harmonizing so you hear the full harmony but can also focus on each voice, its really well done.

Yes, you are describing the feelings perfectly!!! And to think he was only 22!

I was able to see Bowie during this period. I think I was around 15 -early 70's- and he blew our minds. So unique and always reinventing his style up through his terminal illness and death. Peace to David. One of a kind.

I absolutely love your channel!! Thank you for being uplifting and positive! We so need this now in these trying times in our wonderful country❤

Bowie is amazing, The world got a lot bluer when he passed. I can't listen to his goodbye without crying like a child.

Seb love your enthusiastic and appreciative reactions to music from the past you truly are an old soul kudose🎉👍

Love this song, and also David Bowie. He made so many classic songs... Changes and the lesser known Fashion are some of my favourites. Thanks so much for this reaction video ☺

Subbed for more Bowie! I first discovered him about 5 years ago and fall more in love with his music every day. His discography is worth the dive! :)

Two cheers fir Rick Beato, love that guy… I always learn how little I understand music watching him… it’s so fun seeing someone experience something you’ve known for so long, makes the song exciting again to see through your reaction. Thanks for sharing.

Your understanding of the song was absolutely spot on to watch as you went through the journey of the astronaut. Gonna watch some more of your videos, Thank you.

This was before the moon landing. He watched the movie 2001, a space odyssey and wrote it from that. Bowie was one of the very greatest!

This was Bowie's first big hit. He references this song several times during his career. The song Ashes to Ashes in 1980 is also about Major Tom, but this time it's more of a metaphor for drug use. Then, on I Can't Give Everything Away, the final track on his final album, released just days before his death, there is a tiny piece of Space Oddity in the breakdown at the end.

@kevinchester0533

Жыл бұрын

Also in the video for Blackstar you see a reference too.

@corbydaniel4256

Жыл бұрын

@@kevinchester0533 I love that video.

I heard this song as a kid and it scared me. It wasn't until Bowie passed did I revisit it and discovered how beautiful it is.

I was about 16 when this first came out a couple of years before this. Playing in bands, including with my mate Pete Shelley in what would be Buzzcocks. It was a great time to grow up. I’m 69. If I go tomorrow I will challenge anyone to live the fabulous peace and love, mad drug addled youth. I’m so so lucky. We get one chance. I’m more than happy with mine.

@EC-dz3fb

Жыл бұрын

Hey! I remember The Buzzcocks! From Boston, right? ♡

I fell in love with David Bowie after my sister got me into him back in 1981 when i was 12 y/o living just outside London. He has remained my favourite artist to this day. He changed everything. And YES, he was harmonising with himself. Oh, btw, new sub. Going through your videos with enthusiasm.

Such a massive catalogue to go through. Bowie has been my favourite since I was 10 years old so I’m here for it 😊

I miss him❤

I first heard this song on a transister radio whilst on holiday in 1972. It made me wiser. Watching your reaction, Seb, was like a time-shift. Thank you.

70'S IS A GOLD MINE FOR IMMORTAL MUSIC Or more broadly 1965-1985, and especially UK music of the time such as Beatles, Rolling Stones, Queen etc.

You’re absolutely right ,I was in a band called Fargo(uk) in the seventies and we would change keys ,play with the tempo, etc , a song nowadays seems to go start and finish on the same level. Love your reviews.cheers.

The genius that was David Bowie. His music will live forevermore

I agree. So many layers and so many interpretations. Every time I hear this I think of more.

He is a legend! He, his voice and songs were absolutely special. Bowie was a genius and one of the best musicians we ever had.

Yes! At first he is “Sitting in my tin can” and then toward the end, when there is a problem he is “Floating ‘round my tin can” “far above the moon” (instead of “earth”). Great writing!

You came up on my feed this evening and after a few videos I subscribed, cuz I'm enjoying your reactions. But, dude, you really need to get yourself a pair of headphones. This song (as does Many others) takes a whole new life with the stereo taking over your brain and senses. 🎧 Especially if you start getting more into the late 60's through the 80's.

This song gave me the shivers the first time i heard it as a teen.. and it still does. The man was a once in a century genius

Hiya Sebs, I am a massive Bowie fan getting my first Bowie album 52years ago for my 10th birthday. Still playing all his music full blast in my car over here in the UK. Your appreciation for this true genius is beautiful to see. I hope that you continue on your Bowie adventure, believe me, you won't be disappointed 😉. Listen to his Young Americans album especially tracks, Win,Right and Can you hear me. This guy will always be missed by most,back catalogue is huge, pretty much all fantastic right up to his sad passing due to cancer. Check out his final album, Black Star,and watch official videos of the title track and Lazarus. Also official video for a track released after his death, No Plan,,one of his most poignant and yet beautiful songs he everwrote and sang. Cheers, Tony

It was great seeing your reaction to hearing this song and how this song's construction is masterful.

Love this song. Especially the live versions with Mick Ronson. I was a 14 when this came out and I was really into NASA and the space flights. It was perfect.

A beautiful classic. Bowie was amazing.

I knew David Bowie died but i don’t ever remember how i felt about his death. I just found out he died the same day as my husband very unexpectedly passed away. He was only 42.

@iwasfloyd

Жыл бұрын

So sorry for your loss.

@DiG900

Жыл бұрын

@@iwasfloyd Thank you, i really appreciate your comment 🌺

@AP-gb3eh

Жыл бұрын

Condolences

@DiG900

Жыл бұрын

@@AP-gb3eh Thank You.

@lindanichols3415

Жыл бұрын

Diana may your husband rest in Heavenly Peace and I wish you comfort and peace during this sad time. 🙏🏼💝

You can’t go wrong with Bowie. He was a genius! It’s fabulous watching you discover him.

In ”Ashes to ashes” Bowie sings ”We know major Tom’s a junkie”, which is fun.

Bowie was an original, his music constantly evolved. Check out Young Americans, Fame, Ziggy Stardust, and Heroes for just a few of his songs.

So glad you found him, Check out more of his old videos. I grew up on them - amazing!

Love your channel !

David Bowie loved & was interested in all types of music, a great example is the haunting jazz ballad This is Not America with Pat Methany. It’s pure magic & nothing has ever shown the full range of his voice better. I love only Bowie from Ziggy Stardust to his final album. There’s a reason he was able to sustain his career. Each change is organic built around his interest in different sounds & styles. The Thin White Dude even played an alien in The Man Who Fell to Earth, typecasting at its best.

David was fascinated with space. I hope he touched the stars when he passed.

Great reaction. And great that you're checking out Rick Beato!

You should check out the cover of this song from international space station. I can't remember the astronauts name. But the guitar floating away is so cool.

@davidcopson5800

Жыл бұрын

Chris Hadfield was the astronaut.

"Planet Earth is blue ..." David wrote this song right AFTER the famous photograph Earthrise was released--a photo taken by an Apollo astronaut. Before this photo, no one knew that Earth appeared blue from outer space and was indescribably magical and beautiful.

I love the whole album Hunky Dory. Each song a totally different vibe. Love Oh You Pretty Things, talk about key changes!

Your `heard of this song before' reaction reminds me of when I convinced my old guitarists from one of my bands to come and see Bowie with me (my 2nd time) and he like agreed just because of Bowie's `legendary' status, though he wasn't a `fan' and, in his own words, ``didn't know the songs''. My friend spent THE ENTIRE concert (with maybe two exceptions) going "Oh! I know this one!" haha Bowie is surprisingly everywhere

It's impossible to over-state the huge impact this had in the UK. Can you imagine - 16 years old and stuff like this was happening all the time! Great days.

Yes... Genius... This official recording of this epic song was released in '69... the famous producer, Gus Dungeon, went on to produce all classic Elton!

It’s a metaphor for the disorientation of becoming famous. Himself shooting to stardom and feeling remote from the reality of normal life.

I’m glad you were touched by it. Lesser known Bowie song I’d recommend is The Motel.

This was released in 1969, a couple of weeks before the Apollo 11 Moon landing mission. It was a major international hit then but Bowie re-recorded it and made this video for it, after the huge success of his alter-ego Ziggy Stardust. That's why the video date is 1973. It was inspired by the film 2001 A Space Odyssey and by the space race itself. It's literally the story of Major Tom, the astronaut. 11 years later, he released the next part of Major Tom's story, in the song 'Ashes to Ashes'. That song reveals that Major Tom is now a drug addict and RETROSPECTIVELY throws doubt on whether Major Tom was ever an astronaut. Was Space Oddity about a different kind of trip, or was he a real astronaut that has since lost his way? Is it about Bowie and his own addictions? Knowing Bowie, it's probably about all of these things. However, the song Space Oddity, when originally written, was definitely about space flight. :)

You have no idea what a momentous thing it was for humanity to look back and see those pictures of our little blue ball spinning there in space. It was on everyone's mind.

Mick Ronson..guitar player annd major player in early years..RIP

55 years young.... Glad you liked it. It's ambitious and it truly paid off. I'd stick Bowie up there with Stevie W, Joni, Bob Dylan and Prince in the genius solo tier. I'm exactly the right age to instantly have got him and enjoyed the glorious ride of 70's into early 80s records he made. I distinctly remember the anticipation, the buzz around him releasing Low when I was 17; it was equal and equivalent to Songs In The Key Of Life coming out. Records were precious and valuable at that time; investments even. Queuing up to spend money on unheard records is properly enthusiastic..

Welcome to the Bowie journey - my voyage started around 78….⚡️⚡️ still going 😊

I got to see Bowie in concert....it was when his song, "Fame", came out !

I love this song; we watched the moon landing on TVs in my 6th grade class. In 1969 I was 11 years old. I fact about David Bowie, his eyes were 2 different colors, I believe on was blue and the other was brown. It's a very sad song, but it can happen, years later, when I heard it again, my first thought was to the Challenger.

Spot on!! Film: The Man Who Fell to E Earth. David Bowie.

In the 80s and early 90s there were a ton of Disney musicals for kids and the syrupy sweetness if heard over and over about gagged me. When my kids discovered Bowie in Labyrinth, I could have broken down and cried in relief for my poor abused ears! He was literally a God send as once you get some of the sweet lyrics stuck in your head you want to smack yourself.

Really interesting to listen to this again - it kind of reminded me of Black Star in places.

I was 12yrs old when this was out and I had Bowie posters on every wall in my bedroom his Aladdin Sane album was awesome ❤

I remember living when TV mainly had westerns on. SciFi was rare. Songs about being in space ... who would do that. Those one man capsules were like a tin can. Beautiful. I don't know which came 1st, this song or Elton John's Rocket man. If you want more Bowie, I'd suggest you look up the Christmas video he did with Bing Crosby which I think neither were thrilled about doing. Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth. Beautiful. Also, I wonder if you ever have heard "Holding Back the Years" by Simply Red. It is a gem!

The Star Man will never die. Mr. Bowie was amazingly before his time. The connotations he hit with timing of the music being played, he kept doing it. Listen to his last album. Lazarus and Blackstar. They are so incredibly composed. Much love if yall got through this. ❤

@cynthiacurrie5589

Жыл бұрын

I Can't Give Everything Away. Tears.

This was recorded in 1969 and released before the Apollo 11 launch. The video for it was done in 1972. This has to do with David Bowie being signed by RCA Records the year before. RCA bought Bowie's contract with Mercury Records and with it, the two albums the artist released with them; which RCA then re-released. This promo was done to help promote the RCA's release of the album Space Oddity.

This was being played on the radio when I was 13. It was just normal music of that time. I grew up in a beautiful musical era.

Life on Mars, Ashes to Ashes, Let's Dance, Absolute Beginners -- a hugely influential guy and you are only beginning to scratch the surface of what David Bowie is all about.

I LOVE David Bowie! My brother bought The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust, he would play it over and over. It's such a great album. David Bowie Live, Young American albums are Great! 2 favs: Life on Mars and the man who sold the world

I heard this when it was brand spankn new and to this very day i hear it like its the first time. Thats how great david bowie is. Just a minor note davids ziggy stardust persona is still my most favorite and his double live lp is still at the top of favorites

I once saw an interview with David Bowie and he said that the thing that excited him about music was odd chords and key changes, when a music takes a turn you are not expecting. Today’s music is very formulaic and predictable, you almost know the next note before it is played, David Bowie never does this. He is a highly inventive and original artist who changed direction many times. Always inventive, always interesting and always original.

So recently episodes and performances from a 70's tv show called The Midnight Special have been released on You Tube. It was a show featuring current bands. Bowie appeared several times. They are high quality and worth checking out.

Such an artist

A LOT of what struck you as genius and interesting in this song is carried on in his Ziggy Stardust album. The layering, innovation, harmonizing with himself, lyrical depth, and, of course, Mick Ronson’s epic guitar solos. SO is a gorgeous album, but Ziggy was his breakout album and for good reason.

Have you ever noticed that David Bowie has two different colored eyes? It's lovely and wonderful! Being born in the 1950's I had the pleasure of hearing all of this music the first time around and I'm glad to be sharing it with you on your first time around! I loved your reaction of this awesome song!

@inekebaalman3320

Жыл бұрын

No he doesn’t! One pupil is more dilated than the other one, making it look like the color is different….

@debbers

Жыл бұрын

@@inekebaalman3320 Whatever the reason, it does appear to be two different colors. So why quibble about something so insignificant!

@dr.westwood

Жыл бұрын

@@debbersbecause it’s a false statement. His eyes were the same color. He had a medical condition that caused one eye to be permanently dilated. That is not the same as having two different colored eyes.

@debbers

Жыл бұрын

@@dr.westwood It's nothing to get upset about. I already acknowledged this statement, what do you want my blood? Have a great day!

@dr.westwood

Жыл бұрын

@@debbers it isn’t something “insignificant” as you so flippant called it and you asked a question and I answered you.

There's no expiry date on quality. Bowie was an innovator for decades, a master of so many musical and artistic styles. Pretty much a once in a lifetime talent.

Hey. So weird I was actually reading a book it'd called On Bowie by Rob Sheffield. He's a huge David Bowie fan, and I was big into him and was devastated when he passed. I'm going through my reaction videos and here I find you reacting to him. I remember hearing it in a movie too Maybe Mr Deeds and I've seen this and heard the studio version. Sorry for rambling. Great reaction

Original release was way back in 1969 I was 11 back then, preparing for high school in the UK and yes the space industry was just happening/happened so anything space was popular especially this great Bowie track.

Major Tom was a character that Bowie would revisit in three other songs: Ashes To Ashes (1980) Hallo Spaceboy (1995) and Blackstar (2015).

@richardgale4827

Жыл бұрын

There's roughly 10 years between Space Oddity and Ashes to Ashes, 15 years between A2A and HS, 20 years between HS and Blackstar. I guess we get a follow-up in 2040. (And no, I wouldn't put it past a man who dies on a Sunday, and on the album he releases at the same time, sings "Where the fuck did Monday go?")

@kevinchester0533

Жыл бұрын

Spot on Richard, the guy was a genius

David Jones (Bowie -as The Monkees, had Davy Jones) was born in Brixton, region of south London. Brixton has become a very diverse Caribbean/Asian neighborhood. His accent, unlike what you said, or guessed, “didn’t change” - Bowie sang with several vocal inflections and octave range. David would emphasize is London voice, sing more neutral, croon, change range mid-tune. Like is visual image and character he portrayed…who he “was”…how he sounded. A chameleon. His duet with Queen, and Freddie M’ on “Under Pressure” - duel of two incredible vocalists! The story of Major Tom continues in “ashes to ashes”. (See that video!!!) Last, David was a multi-instrumentalist, too. He could play guitar, piano, and saxophone.