Space Oddity-a personal review:
Album: Space Oddity-(Nov.1969)
Single:-(Jul.1969)
Although struggling to build a career for five years or so, this
is how it all began. His first hit, later (in '75) to become his
first number one hit in Britain too, and what a stroke of genious
it was. Rush-released just a week or so before Armstrong's walk on
the moon. For those of you not born; it's hard to describe the
tension around the world. Man-walking on the moon-, incredible.
He has never described it much, but 2001: A Space Odyssey must have
brought forward part of the idea. And Major Tom is probably still
swirling around out there somewhere, may he find peace with himself.
Strange thing is that if you mention moon-walk to the younger
generation today, they think of Michael Jackson. Sad because it could
have been the start of a great adventure, if half of the money spent
on arms around the world, would be put into space exploration and
research thereon related, who knows where we could have been today.
And David would perhaps have had an opportunity to sing another
great song of his on the next planet man will walk upon.
Production delight:
The countdown and the lift-off.
Lyrics:
This one have been ripped apart and fondled with for years, and
a lot of different meanings have been put into it. I think it's
very straight forward, telling the tale of the astronaut left in
space, willingly or not. Just a brilliant song, very contemporary,
and not science-fiction but almost science-fact.
Music:
Much more pop music than most of David's late 60's work. A great
melody line with fine harmonies. Chords quite easy, but twisted enough
to make it exciting. Set in the time-frame it was made, I think it's
one the ten best songs he's ever made.
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Chords: (I guess all of you who plays guitar know it, but anyway)
FMaj7 - Em7 - FMaj7 - Em7
Bb - Am - G - F
C - F - G - A
C - F - G - A
(guitar solo, orchestral middle)
FMaj7 - Em7 - A - C - D - E(7)
(bridge)
G - E7 - Am - Am/g bass
D7 - C/g bass - G..(to chorus)
(guitar solo, orchestral end)
FMaj7 - Em7 - A - C - D - E(7) - E......(to fade)
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Live:
I heard this in Sweden in '83, unlikely that'll he'll do it this
summer. He has been toying around with it on the stylophone, so
you never know. Alone on the acoustic, perhaps, that would make a
surprising opener. Live version on Beeb.
On a personal note:
I play this one almost every night, if I forget, I feel like I've
left something behind while driving home. A very fine song to sing,
I like to do the first verse one octave down, come to think of it;
I've got no idea why..?..hmm. A sure winner if you play this one at a
party, and if by chance someone don't like it, you can always ask 'em
to leave.
perhaps one of the most beautiful live versions I've ever heard was from the 50th birthday bash. The end of the show, Bowie center stage, alone with the crowd- it was tearful.
seems to me that this is a song a Bowie fan can always go back to and get connected with.
Curious though, what doy ou mean by "science fact"?
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Life handed us a pay check and we said, 'We worked harder than this!'