Astronaut Chris Hadfield Breaks Down His 'Space Oddity' Video | Ars Technica

Retired astronaut Chris Hadfield breaks down how he made his famous "Space Oddity" music video.
ONE STRANGE ROCK premieres March 26, at 10/9c on National Geographic.
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Astronaut Chris Hadfield Breaks Down His 'Space Oddity' Video | Ars Technica

[@dphorgan]

I was upset that he retired. But when I heard he retired so younger Astronauts got a chance in space, I was ok with that! Great asset to the ISS and crew.

[@2410jrod]

I hope they can get him out of retirement for one last mission....going back to the moon they are hoping to go back in 2024 who better to lead a crew.

[@qbagsgdys7983]

@@2410jrod that would be amazing

[@badouplus1304]

​@@2410jrod Not sure he would want to return up there, I mean, his last mission took a huge toll on him when he came back on earth. With that said, I also wish he was still an astronaut.

[@TheJimprez]

Going to space. Is REALLY tough on your body. The bone density loss itself, is enough to make you think twice about a second trip, that lasts more than a day or two.. It IS a young person's game... The older you get, the MORE recovery time you need. And after a certain point. Its a game changer. Family and earth life vs. Space!

[@SlaaneshChampionMako]

@@badouplus1304 Going to the moon was his childhood dream so I think he'd be willing so long as his body was able.

[@d_skrilla6479]

You know your on another level of super human when you can talk in terms of "a friend back on earth"

[@jamesrogers3197]

it's going to be girls new saying for a guy flirting with her.

[@AceBurn90]

You'r not your.

[@barbarae-b507]

@@AceBurn90 you’re not you’r

[@quintonhowells299]

I will forever be happy that David Bowie got to see this version of this song before he passed

[@silent9859]

The most crazy Thing he said was "My Friends on earth sent it up to me" just Imagine being able to say "Yeah my Friends back in earth" LIKE COULD YOU IMAGINE. AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO GETS SO EXCITED AND MIND BLOWN BY THAT

[@yueqing666]

Silent this is cute but *imagine :)

[@silent9859]

Sharon Wah sorry

[@BrnBear]

Silent Elon held an open sign up for this first Mars mission, if, IF.. he is successful in landing man on Mars and keeping them alive we will have an entirely different world on our hands both literally and metaphorically.

[@clickpause8732]

"My friends on Mars" OH THAT FEELS TINGLY.

[@StelmachsWorld]

One day it’s gonna be normal to say what planet your friends are on ahaha

[@tristanmoller9498]

I love how he is recognizable by his mustache

[@Bartman954]

The Astronaut version of Freddie Mercury

[@KrampflOtto]

Chrupionca Skurka Did you ever see Hitler's face? He looked more like Chaplin

[@athlonen]

Bartman954 try more like the space version of Tom Selleck as Magnum P.I.!

[@athlonen]

Bowie died 2 years ago. Hadfield is still alive.

[@tsohgallik]

98Kaian Haaahaghh Chaplin..!! !! Oh man... Good one..

[@kiky.mp4]

He is the daddiest astronaut I've ever seen

[@tiggs03]

You caught the big gay

[@yourname7176]

kidthetiggs haven’t we all

[@tiggs03]

Izzy Mill Lmao

[@avistroian9598]

oh david saint-jacques is one too... and they're both canadians

[@piciallanana]

the ultimate crush indeed.

[@mooniejohnson]

It seems like such a simple thing, but having a "Recording in Progress" sign on the ISS because your commander is covering David Bowie _from space_ for _Earth_ is somewhat magical.

[@heather_857]

Chris Hatfield is just an amazingly sweet person

[@kingartichokexii7430]

hadfieild*

[@russman3787]

@@kingartichokexii7430 I love how you correct him and still spell it wrong.

[@kingartichokexii7430]

Blaze Firestone oof

[@jakobfeitzinger9587]

So is Chris Hadfield!

[@vb6601]

chris hadjdjdisjfbfidbwjdijghgfhfie

[@av4787]

"I did this project with my son, and a couple more friends, On Earth"

[@Jerry_F]

Well yeah, they have internet up there.

[@naf5567]

In fact, their internet is probably much better up there because they're closer to the satellites.

[@naf5567]

Actually, now that I think about it they're farther from the servers so I don't think it would be too good.

[@Mdnightsoldier]

@@naf5567 last year or the year before I watched Will Smith go live on instagram along with this dude from the ISS, and the funny thing was the ISS guy was uploading a much clearer video than Will Smith who was on earth lol

[@niclashansen2436]

The most badass sentence ever muttered. Makes me excited for the future of space travel.

[@wyattbuckbee7766]

“I did this by myself... and a couple of musician friends on earth” This is one of the most inspiring quotes , in my opinion. It shows how far we have come in this world and into space. I also think that is is especially cool to say that you did something with a friend “on earth”.

[@yummysatay]

the friends would say "we have a friend near earth"

[@kuromaru5344]

Wow, he got to talk to David Bowie and he loved his cover. Just wow

[@yordannydelvalle3301]

David Bowie is dead. So , that chance will never be met.

[@bynosaurus4024]

@@yordannydelvalle3301 that chance was already met, wtf are you talking about lol

[@setesh1294]

@@yordannydelvalle3301 David Bowie died six years ago, and the video of the song came out 9 years ago

[@lukemimnagh2594]

He fought with his own record company to stop a copyright claim, absolutely amazing man

[@PolarBear-ty7kw]

Chris Hadfield, if you ever see this, you are my greatest inspiration. I've told my family and my friends about you. You always give me such a calm and good vibe. I love science, space and most importantly, humanity. And you cover all of these topics. Thank you for being such an amazing man, father, astronaut, singer and human being. The world (and the space) needs more men like you. Keep up the good work!

[@thatcanadian3240]

Two years, 228 likes and yet I’m the only comment

[@TeslasTacos]

Three years, 243 likes and yet im only the 3rd comment.

[@duhman5554]

Couldn't agree with you more @Polar Bear. Hadfield is just such a cool guy and is one of my great inspirations as well. I didn't find the Space Oddity video until a couple months back and I just thought it was the coolest thing I have ever seen. I have been playing guitar and dreaming of space since I was only in the second grade, so seeing this is just extremely humbling.

[@Sednas]

Hadfield: "YOU come up here and play the guitar" Me: Hold my beer

[@spaceflightsimulatoradmini5901]

Vilhelmas ha found you!

[@NathanWakeman]

Takes it then immediately drops it because I am clumsy.

[@jasonsfeverdream]

Oh yeah sure

[@Sednas]

@@jasonsfeverdream dude wtf how did I get 600 likes on the dumbest comment ever. I was a dumb 15 year old wtf, I didn't and I still don't know how to play a guitar only a piano. Thank you for replying and giving me a notification so I could find this comment and realize how much people change in a few years.

[@Sednas]

@@spaceflightsimulatoradmini5901 Also, holy crap, hi.

[@gzbanazir]

This made me deadass cry. "It gave him a lot of pleasure in the last couple years of his life."

[@OriginalJetForMe]

Hadfield: "YOU come up here and play the guitar!" Me: OKAY!!!

[@javanfrench]

Rick I need to do that now

[@zoomstop]

His sons channel Rare Earth is some of the best edutainment on KZbin right now.

[@bes03c]

Rare Earth is seriously underappreciated. The amount of views they pull is completely disproportionate to the quality of the work they do. I would rather watch Rare Earth than 90% of the travel shows on television.

[@shade9592]

Hear, hear!

[@vinno97]

Wow I did not know that that guy was Hadfield's son!

[@alexanderblix6544]

Rare Earth was Chris Hadfield's initial channel if you look back in videos but since last year it changed over to his sons

[@edmundJung]

wait a min! that guy from rare earth is his son?! wow!!!!

[@YourDadYoda]

By making that music video he instantly made himself into a legend. Imagine in thousands of years from now when space travel might be normal for everyone, he will always be the first to make a song and music video in space.

[@RangerHouston]

*Chris Hadfield is a national treasure*

[@Ajehy]

He’s an international treasure! He represents all of us on Earth.

[@BrnBear]

Bro got props from Bowie. Legend

[@probablyabsent326]

I started working for NASA supporting the ISS program back in January, and some of my older coworkers will mention Commander Hadfield sometimes. All of them agree that the and kind, smart, and collected guy on all these videos is really just how he always was up there, which is impressive given how busy we have to keep them and how little free time they have. People say never to meet your heros but I think he's a safe bet.

[@timbushell8640]

Definitely THE BEST cover of Bowie's song.

[@denied7616]

imagine having the coolest dad in the universe. i love this guy

[@terryst9835]

In his book he mentions that it was actually a bit tough for his kids. When your dad is an astronaut, anything you are doing, no matter how special, doesn't quite measure up.

[@denied7616]

yeah, but he seems like a very good person who would encourage his kids in pursuing their dreams. of course having a busy and successful dad may mean he didn't have much time for them, but in general i think he's a good parent and has the best stories.

[@The_NSeven]

I love Chris Hadfield :]

[@badboy2316]

Nikolaj me too

[@laurak5838]

Coolest astronaut, EVER!

[@diobrando1823]

This man is the most uncliest uncle I’m all the universe

[@JennyMorash]

I think I agree with David Bowie, and this is the solo case of a Bowie cover being better than the original. It's not about talent (though Commander Hadfield has talent to spare), but about heart and inspiration. I am also so happy that David saw this.

[@Crlarl]

Astronauts are the best of humanity.

[@mikecimerian6913]

Whenever I feel down and vanquished, I listen to Chris and my spirit rises. Salute !

[@firefocusphotography]

I love listening to the album he recorded while up there, it’s honestly amazing listening to both great music, and something that wasn’t recorded on this planet

[@qbagsgdys7983]

Who are the 81 people who disliked this Chris Hadfield is such an amazing and nice person how could anyone be mean to him

[@Cuberider]

Imagine David Bowie saying that your version of his song is the most poignant and that he loves your version. That has to be one of the ultimate compliments.

[@annr7448]

While watching this, I thought, "I love him." Then I scrolled down and saw the other comments also proclaiming their love for him. ❤️ But I really do love him, even with the moustache 💕

[@assistanttotheregionalmana325]

Ann R I love him too!! (I'm a girl, btw 😉........my screenname is a little deceiving lol)! Chris is awesome!!

[@MrNoFaceGuy]

The mustache is the best part for me, even if im jealous of it

[@CosmicWaffles]

There was an ad before this video with Chris Hadfield in it

[@anastasiachristina]

Mr Hadfield, you're my idol

[@Constantinople-qx3bk]

Anastasia Christina up I got a teacher called mr hadfield lol

[@SuicideSeason4545]

1:38 I think it’s pretty cool I live in the same city where a legend like Chris and just about very other major astronaut lived, and the fact he fronted bands here is awesome. Our city has a very diverse and active music scene and it’s an integral part of what makes space city so special.

[@KougaJ7]

I need a "super like" button just for this man.

[@fifi7244]

5:19 - 5:48 love this

[@yetiarbiz1057]

Chris Hatfield is one of my favorite people in the planet!

[@ctafrance]

This is so vital and fantastic. How did I miss this when it happened??? Everything Chris says about culture is so... I have tears in my eyes.

[@kellyberkey7609]

I love this. Thank you for sharing your experience in making this video. I'm so glad that David Bowie actually enjoyed it. This truly is my most favorite video on the internet to date.

[@andmicbro1]

This is without a doubt the most epic cover of this song ever! When I think of song covers this one always gets me.

[@sjennica]

Whenever I feel like I can’t take another minute or whatever I’m dealing with in life, I look up at the stars or I watch a Chris Hadfield video, and I am restored.

[@patrickleahy9534]

That is the greatest humble brag to open in history

[@OhevTorathMoshe]

Can't give big enough of a like. Commander Chris' great talent is balanced with humility, intellect and achievement. So with great respect to Bowie, I actually enjoyed Hadfield's singing even more than Bowie's, as it has the greater depth of such a more well-rounded, educated, and accomplished person. Moreover this cover seems to be the fullest expression of Bowie's creation.

[@Polar_Bear7]

It's good but you're just sucking on his toes with this comment. Worthless

[@bluzshadez]

"Like, you come up here and play guitar. This is a hard place to play." Commander Chris Hadfield is a very rational and funny man.

[@jjstratford]

Can’t lie... I actually got a little misty the first time I saw the video, thinking about Bowie and what he would think. Then I found out he loved it and I smiled.

[@rosselli1986]

Wonderful! Appreciate the creativity!

[@johntrent018]

I think that when you're in space and sing Space Oddity, that's a so much beautiful act that the quality of video isn't important.

[@TheJimprez]

MAN! I WANT a bedroom like that! I had the sky made up of glow in the dark stickers on my bedroom ceiling when I was a kid. I come from a family of war and bush pilots and the only thing that kept me from doing that, was a bad eyesight.. It went Infantry for me.. NO REGRETS. The earth is ALSO full of wonders I'd never experienced before being in an outfit that went EVERYWHERE.. But .. This guy is NEXT LEVEL achiever.. The power of WANTING something better for yourself.. And having the DRIVE to make it happen.. WAY TO GO!!!

[@deanbarcomb2308]

I happened on this song right now looking for Bowie's version to try out my first Bluetooth headphones lol. I am so glad and geeked I watched it 3 times in a row amazing

[@terriblesilver87]

I wonder what the ping would be like there.. Still better than mine probably.

[@marcelldavis8513]

Actually not that long. Its just 400km up, USA and Europe are >7500km apart, so 400km (a bit more if not directly overhead) wont lead to a high ping. And signals travel faster in vacuum

[@lobmati5998]

Marcell D ́Avis all wise words from an expert who worked at 1&1

[@1_2_die2]

Actually IT IS quit long, because it traffics over several relay satelites to hit any groundstation. Remember, earth is a sphere and ruffly 70% is ocean with no atenna floating around! You can hear the delay at all time when they got a live conference, maybe with schools or so. Sometimes it is barely perceptible, other time quit serious.

[@pickle4332]

imagine having to change server every time you finish a game

[@renannaw]

Terrible Silver Well, the WiFi comes from the space stations (I’m pretty sure, correct me if I’m wrong).

[@janoschegal4052]

For me, I’m no musician, it sounds perfect and so much impressive pictures of the spaceship and Earth… it is like the first time I saw Star Wars with the eyes of a 12 years old boy… thank you 😊

[@andread4985]

The coolest man alive. My guy spent a casual saturday afternoon making acover of space oddity in actual space. Nothing will compare.

[@Rhoadie1]

This guy is unreal man. So so rock star cool.

[@brianmanden]

If in doubt .. be like Chris Hadfield !

[@jdkrasinki2214]

There aren't many things I'm proud of in my generation... especially with some many ugly things happening in 2018... but I will always remember Bowie being a legend, and Chris Hadfield being an icon and made this song popular again for the internet generation

[@yurdp]

Chris, you covered Bowie in SPACE! Of all of the songs you could have sung. If that wasn’t the ultimate flattery for him I don’t know what is. You sung a song about a spaceman while in space as a spaceman (I know it’s technically not space. But nonetheless.) If I were Bowie this would’ve brought me to tears. I’m not Bowie and your cover still brings me to tears.

[@tristancooper1442]

Chris Hadfield...Thank you for existing. You are one of my favorite people on this earth.

[@Langlin22]

I got the ad on his MasterClass.

[@DiabloVentureGames]

This video became one of my late fathers favorite videos after I sent it to him. He loved everything space and he loved David Bowie Space Oddity so of course he loved this video . Thank you Commander Hadfield.

[@Maximum974]

Legend has it that he is still floating till this day

[@StelmachsWorld]

One day it’s gonna be normal to say what planet your friends are ok lol 0:19

[@despoinaldr9220]

" i did this project with my son " i feel so happy and honoured and i ain't even his son T^T dang i ain't even a boy to begin with

[@radzillo]

I just keep watching this over and over again. Thanks so much for making this. We just watched a special on David Bowie on HBO. I still can’t believe he wrote this when he was 19 yrs old. Incredible song. Thanks for this breakdown on how you did it.

[@YakawssSeb]

chris is like one of THE best human beings right now lmao i love him

[@thereprehensible435]

Gods, I'm tearing up here.

[@bradleyg4877]

Nothing but respect for this legend

[@kevinsaucier6339]

Had the chance to meet the guy last week, I believe he's the most inspiring person that lives on or off this planet

[@starshot5172]

This is my favorite astronaut

[@michaeljaysonbanua4870]

What's handsome man. I imagine him as a cowboy.

[@One_Niko]

He would be dead only bad people people survived as cowboys

[@ShihammeDarc]

He is so talented, making that high quality of a music video in less than 2 hours. God bless sir!

[@rhonda5056]

Thank you. Given the events on earth now, 2024, this song has been swirling in my mind. So glad to hear your version and hear how you made the video.

[@nikiknowles7105]

Just before the video i got a ad with Chris Hadfield in it.😀

[@ny6846]

I truly love this man, everything about him is a freaking dream

[@ms.batman6087]

Thank you 😊 💓 Chris. Wonderful video and inspiring 👏 ❤ 😀 work.

[@Pejelo]

La gente Canadiense es bastante genial. Este es un ejemplo.

[@rabim5107]

I remember meeting him in 2015 such an amazing guy!

[@ArchFundy]

I recently saw a vid where he was described as the "coolest man on earth". I agree. Tks Chris.

[@sam93931]

I could listen to this guy for days!

[@madeinheaven8326]

when I first watch Space Oddity i was like "there's no freaking way he has auto tune up there"

[@lealippard1045]

What a phenomenal man. In every way,

[@muhammadbarakzai5402]

Chris hadfield is my idol.

[@ernst7704]

Me too, kinda I don’t have idols I just look up too people

[@geode8556]

Wonderful!👍 So glad Sir Bowie loved this!!! I'm even more happy about this video now!!! From earth and ground controll, THANK YOU!!! Sir Bowie thanks you! He's now with that monolith, exploring this universe. THANK YOU Commander Hadfield!!!✌😎👍 😜🙏😘💞💞💞💞💞 So wish Sir Bowie could have visited the ISS! He's now singing to the nebula...✌😏👍 💞💞💞💞💞

[@darthtrudeau4907]

Chris is one awesome guy luckily I’ve had the privilege of meeting him and getting an autograph

[@samd2013]

Chris Hadfield is the best, would love for him to go to space one more time.

[@sav1234]

this man is magical

[@takethembinsout6305]

When he said “Saturday afternoon” I was like whaaaa ur in space mate how do you know what day it is

[@endminer9217]

They calendars in space

[@MichaelBerthelsen]

Thank you for the break-down commander! Awesome cover/reimagining of an amazing classic. P.S. Love your son's work too! Awesome channel!

[@doop00]

Hadfield is amazing his videos was always interesting to watch.

[@C_C-G]

I love this! Well done!

[@FPVREVIEWS]

cool dude, and my favorite rendition of the song. Thanks for making it happen, Chris!

[@urias134]

Great video. It was wonderful to hear your recording for the first time and it's great to hear you explaining it, Mr. Hadfield.

[@abrahammussa4658]

It's amazing to mention in your story to your grand grandchildren i done this or that in (space and earth )

[@fandujar83]

I met Chris back in December what an awesome person

[@rodriguez63]

Fantastic Job...so much fun to watch...and great recording too

[@lowendvibeswesleyhorn8053]

I wish I could love like this a million times!

[@nicholasdiehl7368]

God bless you I love you so much and nasa it's so beautiful as inspiration

[@hirokira8335]

Chris:"you come up here and play" I will one day. I swear to god I will.

[@justinbuju]

love you songs so much sir!!

[@ALEJANDROGONZALEZ-nm2st]

I’m in love with this song, I will do a cover very soon ❤️ Thank you David Bowie. We miss you space cowboy 👨🏻‍🎤

[@gaylecheung3087]

Thank you ♥️🇨🇦🌎

[@qaysarsufian4864]

he looks like tom hanks in sully