Ashes to Ashes | David Bowie + Lyrics

[@Thee_infinite_beat915]

I remember being deep in the pit of my own heroin addiction, just staring at the carpet in my room many nights playing this song on a loop. I wanted out of my addiction so badly, I didn’t know how, but in those moments when I listened to this song I found some comfort knowing someone else understood me where I was at. Bowie got me. That was ten years ago. I tear up now when I hear this song now it hits really close still. Yeah I remember where I was and I’ll never be going back again.

[@libralady1315]

I'm 12 years clean n sober. We're miracles 🙏❤️😘⚘️⚘️🙌🏼

[@JulianClosethewriter]

Got off heroin? Respect! I've lost years of my life to things they say aren't anywhere near as bad.

[@GPStrabaniamal]

I lost 5 years of my life on heroin and 3 years on a methadone programme meant to get me off it.

[@retrogamer_28]

"My mother said, to get things done....you'd better not mess with major tom" - good luck to those who are trying to get off it

[@Wolfwolveswolf]

Or suffering in the torturous physics of Pain.

[@cpnclack3297]

Aw....you lie around (pretty intense pain), vomit all over yourself...and the next day, you start to get better. Like Keef himself said, "After that, you're on your own."

[@crawlFace]

Captain Jack.

[@ElimGarakSpoonHead]

“I’m happy, hope you’re happy too.”

[@vascoapolonio2309]

I just loved it mate. Well, I did. Almost 18 years ago.. But I'm the same. Didn't changed

[@majortom4600]

"Im stuck with a valuable friend". Great line

[@maw9406]

Major Tom yup. but also kinda sad

[@jahnperez5060]

Well, sometimes going with the valuable enemy isn't great itself... Decisions, and weird creatures in front of doors.

[@jahnperez5060]

@@maw9406 but also not overly sad.. if it wasn't, would we be singing and quoting that line?

[@leotl4704]

Really magical and freak lisergic-fantastic song

[@TPATRICKT]

My Science teacher played this almost every day in HS... I thought he was a complete weirdo but now I love this song ! Top 3 Bowie song for me.

[@theother1406]

DAMN! What a cool science teacher! I would have been floored by that!!

[@hylndrfan]

Damn you must be a millenial! This was the jam in Jr High School halls in my time.

[@lorio5003]

i had an english teacher that had us read stephen king for the entire class. five novels. and i thought he was weird too. and now i know that's the best writer there is. sometimes weird is brilliant

[@OtakuDroidGamer-tm3pu]

What are the other 2?

[@worldsbiggestdirk5420]

This song is a masterpiece and I feel nostalgic and at peace every time I put it on.

[@Glittery.goddess.66reikimaster]

Me too. I loved this, still do!!

[@Rahel8811]

Me too

[@MrNessy811]

One of the best songs ever! With equally powerful lyrics

[@balderdash14]

I love how his voice is raspy in certain parts of the song

[@leoguerra4516]

item because of Magic powder

[@johnnybeasley3675]

@@leoguerra4516 Not in 1980 it wasn't.

[@maw9406]

The Procrastinators what

[@johnnybeasley3675]

@@maw9406 I misunderstood the OP. See, I took it to mean that he was still heavily using Cocaine in 1980, which isn't true.

[@maw9406]

@@johnnybeasley3675 ah I see!

[@daddydoodoo9089]

Deep lyrics man. I never knew this song was about addiction.

[@lachlank.8270]

Bowie was living off cocaine and milk for a while lol

[@myfriendjosie]

This seams to be about a heroine addiction. Heroine Junky.

[@lisajohnson1528]

That's one crazy breakfast

[@MisterSynyster]

He's strung out on heaven's high, then hitting an all-time low.

[@MisterSynyster]

@@lachlank.8270 Did Brian Eno get him the cocaine, the milk or both?

[@helmsylvanian]

i remember listening to this for the first time i was like wtf is this song?? now i appreciate more.. what a masterpiece

[@MartinJG100]

I hear David Bowie's dry quirky humour here. Major Tom, action hero and once the squeeky clean epitome of a brave new world born on a dream and full of optimistic expectation, over time, finds himself turning to the dark side for crumbs of comfort as a way of combating the cynical treadmill that his life has become and reconciling his new found anti heroic status. Doubtless influenced by his own experience of drug addiction.

[@mightisright]

Or maybe "Major Tom's" astronaut story was a junkie's dream.

[@liviupopescu7146]

You concentrated the story in very well chosen words . I bow ...🙏

[@MartinJG100]

@@liviupopescu7146 Thank you. That's very kind of you to say :). David Bowie was an interesting talent with integrity and left a considerable legacy. He followed his own stars to the end without ever harming anyone. A lesson to us all.

[@liviupopescu7146]

@@MartinJG100 YES ! I loved his Music since I was a teenager ( aprox 1978 ) and I think He Was & Is & Will be A GOD of Music ! He also RE-INVENTED Himself many times and always was for Better ! That was Not Easy At All !

[@theother1406]

Nicely said. Watch "Love is lost" the Steve Reich version video. Major Tom I think, has too much empathy for this world and has not much choice but to accept comfort from a sociopath, the "Thin white duke". Love your take on this!

[@sabertoothchronicles3850]

rip legend now you can go be with the starmen you truly are now a black star always missed

[@pippiarthur5211]

I LOVE YOU DAVID BOWIE WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU :(

[@WeAreWEiRDOS3]

Can't decide on liking this or starman more. Both just too good I love the bass licks in this song.

[@ObviousNeutron]

I'm in high school now and I remember playing keyboard on this song when I was in 5th grade. 16 measures of outro before the keyboard solo. I always remembered that. Such a great song! :)

[@rudivanrooijen7611]

My older brother, born in 1961, was a Bowie fan from the mid-70's and onward. He listened to Bowie in his own room on a daily basis and me, 6 years younger, would join in all the time. As such, Bowie just became part of my upbringing. Nowadays, I can't listen to his songs without choking up or even crying. I have taken it upon myself to re-listen and research his complete volume of work in an attempt to come to grips with his last transition into a Black Star.....

[@spencer4483]

This is the second part of Space Oddity :)

[@julienatwell2022]

And Hallo Starboy is allegedly part 3

[@carloscaparroslledo1130]

@@julienatwell2022 it's kind of interesting how the music gets weird and totally arrythmic, first with Space Oddity, then with Ashes to ashes, in hallo spaceboy it's starting to get weird and black star is the total disintegration of the whole thing

[@gaynorgregory2528]

Sheev el barman I’m a lifelong Bowie fan, and still haven’t been able to listen to all of Black Star yet. I just end up blubbering. What I’ve heard so far, I’ve loved - more than any Bowie album for a long time, though I did buy his penultimate album, The next day and liked it - and wanted to ask is Hallo Spaceboy on Black Star? I can look that up, so my more important question is, since it’s obvious that you are a true fan (and not everyone is on these KZbin comments), is the rest of Black Star as good as the songs I’ve listened to? So far I’ve only listened to the song Black Star (that made me cry), and maybe 1 or 2 others. I’m asking because I’m probably going to listen to it this week, I think enough time has passed since he died for me to be able to do that now. If anyone else is reading this and think that I’m trying to say that any fans who listened to Black Star as soon as it came out, aren’t as big a fan as I am? I’m not. I have Bowie fan friends who listened to it not long after it came out. We’re all different, and believe me when I say I cry easily. One of my close friend’s and I - who’s similar to me in that way - have a running joke about it, and say “we’re in the ‘Blub Club’”!

[@carloscaparroslledo1130]

@@gaynorgregory2528 well, it's nostalgic and it'll make you keep crying, I may be wrong but I think the album contains Blackstar, 'Tis a Pity She Was a Whore, Lazarus, Sue, Girl Loves Me, Dollar Days, I Can't Give Everything Away in that order, hallo spaceboy from Outside isn't on it. If blackstar made you cry, then prepare yourself for Lazarus, just the first line always gets me. A true legend

[@gaynorgregory2528]

Sheev el barman, thank you so much for your quick and fulsome reply. Your response has intrigued me even more, so I have to listen to it now. I’ll brace myself for Lazarus, someone else has mentioned that it is very moving. Yes indeed Sheev, Our David Jones is a true Legend. Thanks again.

[@andrewah15]

I love the bass licks in this song.

[@cmdm7094]

Masterpiece. When I Was 13 years old

[@leedomkathleenm.2357]

I was born a Bowie fan This song reminds me of when i were young,,gives me butterflies,,classic 1980. i was 16. first time i kissed a guy was to this song. its still there.

[@m.hermanni.6891]

Sentada no sofá, cantando essa música, adoro. ❤️

[@charlesglaser4868]

By all means, David Jones was an enigma and one of the best things to happen in the Spectrum of Rock-N-Roll!!! He is Certainly missed!!!

[@liana1645]

Charles Glaser who the heck is David jones

[@makomattzx5100]

rosequartz7 David Bowie is David Jones

[@liana1645]

Miguel torres so it's his real name?

[@makomattzx5100]

rosequartz7 yes

[@DervishSlime]

Ikr!

[@kapteenikalsarikanni8408]

That british accent

[@cindyburrell8426]

Kapteeni Kalsarikänni much better than American,I think

[@michaelkelly4280]

Britain has about 50 different accents depending on city or region

[@rubyhewitt1]

Well, he is British.

[@paolocoletti1574]

@@cindyburrell8426 well that's just a matter of individual preference now innit, with all the Brits that sang with American accents.

[@paolocoletti1574]

@@michaelkelly4280 Every European country has innumerable accents

[@Mranonymous2370]

This song reminds me of when i were young,,gives me butterflies,,classic

[@monotrious]

Who In The World Could Ever Write A Song Like This ? No One ! In My Top 10 Fave Bowie Songs Forever ! Love You David . Thanks For Uploading .

[@TheMicturation]

most probably a junkie from the songwriting team,they have teams,assistants to write,finish up ideas

[@martinrideau7348]

I Was a teenager with à friend in 79 when i first heard that song and he Showed me the picture album! I just discovered a genious 😊thanks so much Mr bowie

[@MelissaBarra-o7l]

Brings back some great memories of the early 80s hanging w/ my ol' neighborhood pals in Baytown, TX. We'd stay up all night and camp, party and listen to Bowie, AC/DC & Queen being our favs. Much better times than this mess now!

[@nivymartinez8487]

I love All the songs of David Bowie I can not believe that he is gone but in my heart still lover, he was a masterpiece!!! Forever fun.

[@melisssa7777]

Pure artistry, an original, I remember I was in high school when this song came out. It’s very magnetic and unique. Coming from a musical background and current musician that is centered on rock n roll,, I can’t dismiss artistic brilliance and raw talent. Here is what an artist can do when he blazes his own trail and no one else’s. This is where magic meets sound. You better not mess with Major Tom..

[@Rick-wx4md]

Couldn't have said it any better... Man this Bowie guy was insightful.

[@retroradkat]

When I first became a Bowie fan, It took me a few listens of this song to really "get" it. Now it's one of my favorites! Edit: Actually, I still don't get it. I'm not sure what story Bowie was telling with this one. But I get the love for it!

[@haliemaxine3734]

Rad Kiwi Productions ive determined (in my opinion) the song is about addiction.. with the terms "funk to funky" major toms a junkie. strung out in heavens high. hitting an all time low. i promised myself id stay clean tonight... all referring to using drugs. avoiding and then caving and using the drug/vice to deal to cope etc... i think its basically about addiction..

[@haliemaxine3734]

Rad Kiwi Productions yes definitly a great song. all bowies somgs are great. he sure was an amazing artist, performer, musician, and human in general. just awesome.

[@benrobinson3206]

Major tom was someone from an earlier song of bowies which was space oddity

[@sheamartin8369]

Rad Kiwi Productions listen to space oddity and then listen to this song. It'll make a lot more sense

[@rutherfojr]

Major tom ended up stranded in space oddity. These lyrics seem to revisit his predecament 10 years later cross referenced with drug inuendo and an aging major tom contemplating suicide. That's my take for what it's worth.

[@ladyhonor822]

❤ DAVID BOWIE FOREVER AND EVER AMEN PHILADELPHIA USA 🇺🇲☦️🙏😇❤️💋

[@homer5802]

"Strung out in Heavens high, hitting an all-time low." I felt that every time.

[@J.T.B24]

Can't decide on liking this or starman more. Both just too good

[@javierortegavillacanas7733]

I became a fan of Bowie when I was 13 years old. This song change my life. But before this song impressed me Heroes, Boys keep swinging and Look back in anger. I was so young but this man reaĺly shocked me. And still does...

[@trinatrice4003]

Look back in anger is one of my favorite songs by him!

[@luisflores7556]

Just happenning me this tonight. God blessed sir David forever to understand my feeling when I see the final nearer

[@johnswift-simpkin7483]

I was born a Bowie fan

[@sheapierce7229]

I used to listen to this in hi school, not high school, never really understood it , still don't, but lyrics say soo much

[@travisnunya7960]

In and out of rehab a few times..i wouldnt call it a struggle the damn drug keeps finding its way to me. This is my fav david bowoe songs...this one and no plan one of the last songs he put out before he died

[@alexandreteixeirabenjamin6539]

The rhythm of this song is very strange and vocal`s melody is so difficult,but the track is incredibly creative! Great tune!

[@willow-horses4579]

I love David bowie so much that even my mum has had to much of him and she is a big fan

[@cindyburrell8426]

Also I had herd about his passing at I:30 in the morning ,I listen to all night radio and could not believed he passed,I cried to myself♥️

[@Queendoobie]

Always come back to Bowie 🙌♥️

[@AnthonyMonetti-q1e]

Another Bowie gem from long ago when I hear this I’m happy too what a song❤

[@bianca83012]

Amazing song! God I love drums and bass in this!

[@Kelly14UK]

Adam Ant fan here. This is one of the greatest songs ever done. Started High School in Renfrewshire and this was Britains' Number One.

[@jasonkane454]

Me the same, Sandwell.

[@Kelly14UK]

@@jasonkane454 Cheers. I remember it raining a lot and i was scared of High School haha

[@jasonkane454]

@@Kelly14UK We started on Tuesday for some reason. Me, me Dad & me Uncle went crown green bowling. Am I mistaken? Hey, do u listen to Absolute 80s? It's superb Sunday nights.

[@jasonkane454]

One song that puts me back right in that time at school. Don't Stand so close, The Police.

[@Kelly14UK]

@@jasonkane454 Baggy Trousers da da da da. And Liverpool put Forest out the European Cup.

[@myfriendjosie]

"I'm happy. Hope you're happy too. I've loved all I've needed, love. Sordid details following ...."

[@cindyburrell8426]

Have no idea what I had to do to get tickets,and none of my friends liked him ,in 72 u ether got him or didn’t ❤️

[@williammatson9238]

Listen to this song with my Dad.❤ My dad's a special guy😻😁👌

[@seanburke5686]

And you're obviously a special son 💯😍🙏🤗

[@williammatson9238]

@@seanburke5686 thanks brother❤stay strong in these evil times hang in there🙏😻

[@alainpoindimie4789]

Hey, Forcément inoubliable et génial. Grand merci. 👍👏🎵💃🐉

[@danniwilder2198]

"I'm stuck with a valuable friend"......such a simple but brilliant line.

[@paulmckean5692]

More an un-valuable friend who won't leave!

[@donmcgee7142]

Fantastic a true treasure. Rip david

[@kaylacaz]

What a hidden genius behind all that glitter he was, such an imagination and creative power hardly found in present times, having been one of the greatest showmen on earth , that was the least of his talents as for his writting and composing will never be equalled. Missed but never forgaotten STARMAN

[@Wolfwolveswolf]

For what it's worth. Still remember the first time I listened to the album, not long after it had come out- Scary Monsters... Was in Florida, first time I'd ever met my first cousin Paul- he had a stereo/turn-table in the back of a 1960's Dodge Van. I was already very familiar with Major Tom in many ways (so many who wouldn't have the faintest clue in their positions of glorified rice paper).

[@medusajellyfish1310]

That sounds pretty awesome! Sadly, I didn’t really realise how amazing Bowie was until after his death. I wish I’d decided to listen sooner.

[@gaynorgregory2528]

Wolfwolveswolf, ditto. I remember it coming out, I was already a young Bowie fan. I couldn’t afford the album, because I was still at school, but I had cool older friends who bought it immediately, and we had it on replay on the record player, every day for about a month. Loved it then, and love it now.

[@gaynorgregory2528]

H E L P, FYI Bowie’s apex of creativity was the decade between ‘71 and ‘80. I’m not saying he did nothing good after that, just that that decade, he was at the highest point of his creative genius. I’m also not saying don’t listen to anything else - especially Black Star and The Next Day - just saying that as you’re a newer fan, you really should check out that decade’s albums first. Enjoy!

[@phillip5245]

A song that pleases the ear but leaves the mind well alone

[@MoniqueLodato]

I always knew what this song was about,, my uncle Tommy played this a lot,. And Space Oddity. Sadly his addiction took him. However I love this song it reminds me of him.

[@tedberry7053]

This was David Bowie 's come back, masterpiece album. I still have the original album/in PERFECT condition!

[@carloko08]

woooo dude, a treasure you have, keep it cos just now worth a fortune, in 30 years more will worht a lot more :D

[@hyrulehero7834]

“You’d better not mess with Major Tom”

[@philperkins6542]

Ahh...........Major Tom,you were a star that shone so brightly for us earthlings,for so little time.

[@romanigypsy7219]

My favorite song

[@nelcaldicott5353]

Just heard it thus morning and it gave me tingles down my spine. Sounds incredible total genius! X

[@TheMicturation]

best synthesizer groove

[@danielkopecny8652]

such a singer

[@qlxl-tsfv676]

I LOVE DAVID BOWIE HE IS AMZING AND I AM A CHILD AND I STILL LIKE HIM I LOVE ZIGGY STARDUST THE ALBUM

[@Look_Upon_The_Heart]

You dont have to put the im a child part.

[@fourteen34]

I got compliments doing the long version of China Girl by Bowie, in karaoke in the bars so i figured I'd try this song, which I ike more, vocals are a little high, but I think I can pull it of.

[@ignaciomartinez15]

The shrieking of nothing is killing

[@megiraffe79]

very interesting...what is David Bowie doing to his voice at the beginning of the song? I thought he was a definitive baritone...but that hs some wickedly well done high tenor.

[@fashionandbellatrixlover1057]

My name is Alex Drake , i've just been shot and that bullet has taken me back to 1981

[@kellie8851]

i love david bowie and it is a sad world now he has passed

[@sbeats971]

Yo love the bong hit in the middle of the song. RIP to the genius

[@donmcgee7142]

Just fantastic a true work of art

[@danaripley1200]

Always wondered what he said around 2:06. Sounded like, Not gonna play or Don't wanna play.

[@cindyburrell8426]

I appreciate your efforts,thank-you!

[@stevejelly3161]

I remember this track way back in school !!!!!!,,,,,,,,,UK,,,,,,,, we were like "jelly fish" (poor teachers),,,,,,,,,,,,, it's the initial start of the track I can't get over ?????,,,,,,,,,,,,,(there's silence and then it just happens),,,,,,,,,,,, Yeh, an orchestra "working" while doing "nothing" to get it "smack-on" !!!!!!!!!,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, yeh it's FANTASTIC but as much "art" as "music". The track "Life on Mars" was the same in 1973. "Golden Years" in 1975 (the guitar "riff"),,,,,,,, and "All The Young Dudes" (Mott the Hoople) ,,,,,,,, Yeh,,,,,,, he HAD to have been an "artist" laying out music !!!!!!!!

[@JimmyJacpots]

This song is from the future

[@kafonah]

Thank Thank so much for this post!

[@pasqualecapaldo9121]

Te ne sei andato troppo presto David Bowie! Adesso ci sono pagliacci in giro per il mondo! A parte qualcuno che viene bistrattato anche se fa ottima musica ma poco commerciale!

[@sisud5439]

Dude's trying to ween himself off of smack. It's a tough job.....trust me.

[@md1173]

ashes to ashes funk to funky

[@magistrumartium]

I'm so glad I was young then

[@tonijean7187]

The first song I discovered David

[@teharipatene8135]

Goodness me I thought for 50 what ever years when this song came out this legend was saying… god I’m next to Grave yards wanna come down right now 😅

[@elitemozes3531]

For Bowie you need to be ready,intelligent, open minded and a little bit from Mars🛸 As i young kid i could not understand but now i do and his music is just a big present

[@md1173]

time and again I tell myself

[@2puffs770]

ain't no on gonna say it's Funk to FLUNKY.... You gonna do Bowie Do It RIGHT!!!

[@brucebooher2288]

Check Bowie's movie "a boy and his dog". Don't know if it is that this song is old, or obscure, or what, but how did the PC police miss the line where he says looking at J@@ girl pictures. I guess there are still some things haven't been sanitized yet

[@donaldgarris1378]

Well I am in my 13th day of the most enormous heroin habit I have ever heard of and I think I want to live now

[@paulmckean5692]

Go for it! Bowie kept me living 3 times so far

[@feenix8461]

I've loved all I've needed love, sordid details following.....

[@heliotrope3345]

Such a sad song.

[@MathewBall]

In the song Ashes To Ashes, Bowie mentioned Major Tom saying, we know Major Tom's a junkie strung out in heaven's hight hitting an all-time low. That does make sense because Bowie saw the film 2001: A Space Odyssey in the cinema while high a year before he sang Space Oddity. In that song, Bowie sings about a made-up character called Major Tom floating in space while high above the world. Space Oddity has nothing to do with the moon landing which took place in the same year 1969 as Space Oddity was released it was just a coincidence both happened the same year.

[@md1173]

wanna come down right now

[@sussy5294]

His best Song...great😄😄😄

[@captainjohn7833]

" If there is hope, it lies in the Proles..." 🚬👓...

[@Anna-vs1ek]

Vi ricordate di quel ragazzo che stava In una canzone così vecchia Ho sentito una voce dalla Torre di Controllo Oh no, non ditemi che è vera Hanno ricevuto un messaggio dal Protagonista “Sono felice, spero che anche voi lo siate Ho amato tutti quelli che avevo bisogno di amare Seguono sordidi dettagli” L’urlo del Nulla mi sta uccidendo Solo foto di ragazze giapponesi in sintesi e io Non ho soldi e non ho capelli Ma spero di farcela ma il pianeta sta bruciando - RITORNELLO Cenere alla cenere, funk al funky2 Sappiamo che il Maggiore Tom3 è un tossico Confinato nell’alto dei cieli Raggiunge una depressione senza fine Spesso mi sono detto Devo rimanere “pulito” stanotte Ma le piccole assuefazioni mi inseguono Oh no, non un’altra volta Sono cotto di un amico prezioso “Sono felice, spero che anche voi lo siate” Un lampo di luce ma nessuna pistola fumante Non ho mai fatto cose buone Non ho mai fatto cose cattive Non ho mai fatto niente di inaspettato Voglio un’ascia per rompere il ghiaccio Voglio tornare immediatamente giù RITORNELLO Mia madre mi diceva di portare a termine le cose Meglio che non perdi tempo con il Maggiore Tom4 Note: 1 Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust: “cenere alla cenere, polvere alla polvere” preghiera proveniente dal canone di preghiera della Chiesa Anglicana, in particolare usato nel rito del funerale. 2 E’ probabile che questo verso sia un nonsense per mantenere una certa assonanza con la preghiera originale “cenere alla cenere, polvere alla polvere” e nello stesso tempo fare rima con “junkie”. Il funk è un genere musicale e pertanto potrebbe esserci anche un doppio senso. 3 Major Tom è il protagonista di Space Oddity. Tutto il brano costituisce un aggiornamento della sua storia. 4 Bowie riscrive una filastrocca per bambini che dice: “My Mummy said/that I never should/play with the Gipsies in the wood” (“La mamma mi ha detto/che non dovrei mai/giocare con gli Zingari nel bosco”)

[@paulorobertotheodoroferrei3341]

Grazie per la traduzione e spiegazione!

[@md1173]

I stumble with a valuable friend

[@g4mm41t8]

how i love it

[@peterhoare3219]

Oddly, I've NEVER done the lyrics on this. I'm 56 and HUGE lyrics fan. I had quite a few arse up....😱

[@joserosadelcapullo1747]

"Im stuck with a valuable friend". Great line so did major tom get addicted to drugs? I love the bass licks in this song. Can't decide on liking this or starman more. Both just too good

[@davidsoffa7723]

I'm happy hope your happy too

[@md1173]

I'm stuck with a valuable friend

[@KennyBell-o7j]

3 weeks today without any cigarettes 8D