major tom
It’s a follow-up to David Bowie’s 1969 song “Space Oddity,” and continues the story of Major Tom, an astronaut who cuts off communication with Earth and floats into space. [1]
Major Tom is a fictional astronaut created by David Bowie, appearing in his songs “Space Oddity “, “Ashes to Ashes ” and “Hallo Spaceboy “. [2]
As for the song, I love both the David Bowie version (titled “Space Oddity” as mentioned below) and the Peter Shilling version. [3]
Due to some similarities in Elton John ’s “Rocket Man”, some presume this song might also be an allusion to Major Tom. [2]
“Major Tom (Coming Home)” (also known as “Major Tom” (V?llig losgel?st) in Germany), is a song by singer Peter Schilling from his album Error in the System. [4]
E.L.O. was a little like that especially with their sci-fi concept album “Time” among others, and with there flying saucer-like symbol on several album covers like “Out Of The Blue”, etc. [1]
The song was recorded in both German and English, with the latter released in international markets. [4]
There are multiple cover versions of the David Bowie songs mentioning Major Tom as well as Peter Schilling’s “Major Tom (Coming Home) “: In 1999 the band Helloween released a cover of “Space Oddity” on their album Metal Jukebox. [2]
In Europe, the first 1982 12″ release featured the original German version, ‘Major Tom (Vollig Losgelost)’. [1]
In “Space Oddity “, on the 1969 album also titled Space Oddity, Major Tom’s departure from Earth is successful and everything goes according to plan, but he then loses contact with Ground Control. [...] Other major artists who have featured Bowie’s character include Peter Schilling in his “Major Tom (Coming Home) “; “I’m A Soldier ” by Stef?n; “Mrs. Major Tom” by K.I.A.; “Rocket” by Def Leppard; and “Rain or Shine ” by Five Star; among others. [2]
I always thought sci-fi in rock was a cool idea. [1]
Also in 1983, Schilling’s song was recorded by Plastic Bertrand, but with slightly altered lyrics, in which Major Tom prefers to stay away from Earth and its selfishness and danger of nuclear war. [2]
With unofficial character relation of “Major Tom “, the theme of David Bowie ’s 1969 album Space Oddity, the song is about the character being caught in an accident in space. [4]
Shilling’s German version is identical to his English version except that it’s in German, so no huge bonus. [3]
Sources:
[1] Major Tom (I’m Coming Home) by Peter Schilling Songfacts
[2] Major Tom - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
[3] DAVID BOWIE - MAJOR TOM LYRICS
[4] Major Tom (Coming Home) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia