College Students' FIRST TIME Hearing | Ashes to Ashes | David Bowie Reaction

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[@andyandalex]

Hey guys after hearing that this track was a continuation of Major Tom’s story, I had to check it out! Hope you guys enjoyed the video! See you all on Music Share Monday! 😁

[@mikeembleton8713]

Andy and Alex I've been meaning to ask you this question I ask my friends sometime ago. If you went up into space and you were only allowed to take one cd album one dvd which would you take? Mine would be Alice Coopers Billion Dollar Babies because every track on the album is different and it's a fantastic album. And Back To The Future dvd it's just one of those movies I watch again and again I don't know why. So there you have it guys. Stay lucky stay safe Mike UK.

[@andyandalex]

@Mike Embleton Wow man, super hard question, probably Dark Side of the Moon, not saying it’s my favorite record, but it would fit the vibe! 😁

[@hannyhawkins7804]

Mike Embleton Great question! CD: Beethoven’s 9th symphony - containing the most beautiful piece of music ever written. (sob, god, I’ll miss The Band’s The Last Waltz, though). DVD: Casablanca. No matter how many times you watch it, it’s still better the next time. If I could take 2, the second would be Withnail and Son. How’s that for rounding up the usual suspects?😉

[@JoeBlow_4]

Our parents weren't ready for this ;) kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJeTl6CnjLhgoas This was the early 70s but speaks as if it was today. he was genius. i grew up in Detroit and it was right after the Detroit riots. Leave it to a Brit to sing about race relations in America in the early 70s. Plus he was androgynous. My dad flipped out when I brought this vinyl home.

[@mikeembleton8713]

@@hannyhawkins7804 great choices it is really hard to choose but well done there's lots of albums and movies I would like to take but when it boils down to it Alice Cooper Billion Dollar Babies and Back to the Future would always be my choices. Stay lucky stay safe Mike UK.

[@synthpulse1]

Just for perspective: His output includes 27 studio albums, 11 live albums, 51 compilation albums, eight extended plays (EPs), 128 singles, including five UK number-one singles, and four soundtracks. Bowie also released 14 video albums and 72 music videos. 72 MUSIC VIDEOS!!! He was a pioneer of the form. His late period (post-2000) is masterful. He was the quintessential showman live. Soaring voice and pitch-perfect, especially in his later years. With Bowie's musical output, you can play any random song and it will be brilliant. Try his version (on Pinups from 1973) of Pink Floyds "See Emily Play" for a psychedelic rush.

[@hannyhawkins7804]

Brian Cypher Nice stats, Brian.👍

[@progqueen5952]

Brian Cypher , hi Brian! I loved Bowie always, having graduated high school in 1977, however, now that we have videos of old footage, etc., it makes music more interesting! I’m learning guitar now at age 59 and one of the first songs I will play will be Queen Bitc*. I think Bowie was one heck of a guitar player, although he’s more known for lyrics. My 4 year old grandson calls him Bowie David and loves his music! Relateable to every age! I enjoyed your comment. Greetings from Illinois!

[@lynnhamps7183]

And live he was astounding..his charisma on stage took my breath away.

[@Pntngbrn]

Dude I thought I was a fan, I'm not worthy!

[@grifftastic2745]

Out of curiosity, does that include his Tin Machine output?

[@april1969simnel]

OK, can I just give a shout out to Dennis Davis here? His drumming on this track is SPECTACULAR. Unfortunately, he passed away from cancer about 3 months after Bowie did, In April 2016. So underrated.

[@robertwillison6076]

FROM THE #1 DAVID BOWIE FAN!!! The third is Hallo Spaceboy it's from the album "OUTSIDE" you must listen to it. Then of course (SIGH) their is BLACKSTAR!!! HIS FINAL ALBUM. You see he started himself on a musical journey with SPACE ODDITY,and ended his journey in music and IN LIFE WITH BLACKSTAR! THIS MAN IS,WAS,AND ALWAYS WILL BE A MUSICAL GENIUS!!!

[@Azabaxe80]

I don't think I can bring myself to listen to Blackstar. I'm not ready emotionally. Even two years later.

[@TinaReggie]

👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@patriciamorgan6545]

@@Azabaxe80 Or nearly 5 years later...

[@monskiethemonsk6461]

@@Azabaxe80 I can't bring myself even now... I have heard a lot about it, but even now, years later I can't listen to it.

[@hellsbells8689]

I recommend you listen to Bowie's: Young Americans, Diamond Dogs, Ziggy Stardust, Starman, Life On Mars, Suffragette City, Changes and many, many more.

[@loosilu]

I approve of ALL of these suggestions

[@Steve-cc4tl]

Just play EVERYTHING BOWIE!!!

[@murraybozinsky7067]

I recommend every song he released. My number one!

[@richlisola1]

Don’t Forget Rock n’ Roll Suicide!

[@NightmarePlanet88]

Dont forget lady stardust, moonage daydream and the bewlay brothers!

[@RESTITVTOR_TOTIVS_HISPANIAE]

The third song is blackstar, but you need to watch the music video

[@johnr8095]

Truly a creepy video.

[@bleachhouse1090]

Wasn't it Hallo Spaceboy?

[@Azabaxe80]

Third song was Hallo Spaceboy.

[@IJustHitTheFan]

Hallo spaceboy was somewhat of a third song, but just before his 69th birthday Bowie released Blackstar which closes down the series. The album was released ok n his birthday, w days later he died. You DEF have to watch the Blackstar video

[@RyanFresh]

Exactly, 3rd song was Hallo Spaceboy, 4th and final (and POWERFUL) Blackstar

[@mori1bund]

Major Tom is meant to be David Bowie himself - there are four songs: 1. Space Oddity: an astronaut who loses connection to earth as a metaphor of him losing his own connection to the things that keep him grounded, about feeling more and more isolated. 2. Ashes to Ashes: from 1980, around the time when he finally became clean the song states he's still a junkie. 3. Hello Spaceboy: from 1995, the Album version which is a pretty heavy industrial song (Bowie hung out a lot with industrial legend Trent Reznor at that time ^^) doesn't mention Major Tom, but there's the single version that's a pop remix by the Pet Shop boys that does mention the astronaut. The lyrics can be interpreted as Bowie being insecure about his role as an aging rock star and his audience. 4. Blackstar: his second to last video before his death. The video show the corpse of Major Tom stranded on an alien planet where the natives worship his remains (that's how I interpret it). A commentary on Bowie's own alien/starman image and his death?

[@ericarmstrong6540]

Many call this album (Scary Monsters) Bowie's last great album. It features many great artists in a support role, but prominent among them is one Robert Fripp, famous as the leader and guitarist for the band, King Crimson. Take a listen to "It's No Game" and listen to the searing guitar work of Mr. Fripp. It will peel paint off the walls and burn all the hair off your body.

[@hannyhawkins7804]

Eric Armstrong King Crimson❤️

[@halloweenjack95]

Well actually many call it his "last great Album" till "Heathen". Heathen became a fan Favorite. He was such a godly Artist. Even his "bad" Albums contain some good numbers.

[@ratso1963mikel]

Many would be wrong imo. Let's Dance moved into new territory while revealing SRV guitar work and Nigel Rodgers production.

[@cremetangerine82]

I would argue his last great album was “Blackstar”, released just two days before his death.

[@danielrochelle2044]

@@halloweenjack95 I would say his greatest album is “never let me down”

[@simply_psi]

Another great reaction vid guys, Sordid means shameless, dirty, perverted. This puts a twist on the original, which everyone thought was about space travel, but this puts it into perspective in that Major Tom is the euphemism for drugs and being stuck in space was Bowie getting high and not coming down, Ashes to Ashes is the come down and the realization that doing too many drugs can ruin your life, hence "my momma says to get things done you better not mess with Major Tom". The final Major Tom song is Blackstar from the Blackstar album, this reverts back to Major Tom as an astronaut his remains are found and brought back to Earth where is is revered like a god, I think this is to do with Bowie's career and how he always struggled with fame and how some fans worshiped him. To cope with the fame he invented characters for himself, Major Tom, Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane etc. and took tons of drugs

[@strawbrryfld1]

Simon Austin and the Thin White Duke

[@gunhedd5375]

Kimberly Sikorski • Don’t forget Screaming Lord Byron. 😎

[@anthonyward8587]

Nailed it buddy.

[@budmaynard5952]

Sordid (spelling)

[@thancrow]

I got to see Bowie twice. Once when he just became the thin white duke, and the second time was for the Glass Spider tour. They were both fantastic concerts. His voice in concert was always perfect. R.I.P. David Bowie, you will be missed, but your music lives,

[@mechelemanno1750]

thancrow seen him three times. Epic experience

[@thancrow]

@@mechelemanno1750 yes it was

[@markvandermyde4361]

One of my all time favorite songs. Funky groove. Hip. Bowie was on fire. My favorite phrase "strung out on heaven's high, hitting an all time low" just gets me everytime.

[@hiridavidfeign]

Major Tom is a stand-in for Bowie. "Want an axe to break the ice, want to come down right now" is Bowie ready to put his icy persona behind him, as well as his drug and alcohol addictions. "I've had so much cool it's just left me cold," he said in an Eighties interview. It wasn't really until he married Iman that I think he really found what he was looking for.

[@2112jodi]

Thanks guys Bowie is a musical and visual genius, he has tons of videos, including one for this song. The next song is Hallo Spaceboy and the final is Blackstar. He is and will always will be my all time favorite artists.

[@JoeBlow_4]

Aladdin Sane was my first Bowie album. It's when i fell in love with his music, "Panic in Detroit" especially.

[@marysweeney7370]

This was a big hit on MTV back in the day when MTV was the end all and be all. And the video was ultra "cool" .

[@jvictorss4031]

The third song is Hallo Spaceboy from 1995. The last one is Blackstar, but you need see the videoclip to understand this one. Just a point: Major Tom is about David Bowie. He is a metaphor of himself.

[@TheBlackQueen]

jvictor ss Not originally. If anything, it's the other way around. Bowie wrote Space Oddity after watching 2001 A Space Odyssey while high. Bowie later crafted his entire personality and most of his songwriting on that of a Space Man and/or an Alien.

[@jvictorss4031]

@@TheBlackQueen Yes, well we don't know. Because i think Bowie put a lot of himself on Major Tom, all the isolation perception and existentialism. But just in Ashes to Ashes we can be sure indeed.

[@davidm7847]

The Major Tom elements of Hallo Spaceboy were tacked on by The Pet Shop Boys. Clearly Bowie must’ve approved but it’s worth saying. As for Blackstar, I think the video purposefully invokes Major Tom but I’m not sure it’s meant to be taken as a literal continuation.

[@mori1bund]

@@davidm7847 My interpretation of Hello Spaceboy is his insecurity about his role as an aging artist and rockstar and his audience's perception of him. And Blackstar: Major Tom's corpse stranded on an alien planet, and the natives take his remains and start to worship them, is imho a commentary on his image as an alien fallen from the stars and how people might react to his death. Of course that's my personal interpretation and might be total bullshit... :-)

[@crescentfreshbret]

I never noticed those little hi-hat flourishes before. Dennis Davis was an amazing drummer. He and bassist George Murray had such an incredible run with Bowie throughout the late 70’s, easily adapting to each new and innovative style he took on. This album was the end of that and full of shining moments for them.

[@chrisbarlow2131]

"Strung out in heavens high, hitting an all time low". Wonderful.

[@The1queencollector]

Great track, they unveiled a blue plaque here in Sunny Maidstone( UK) a couple of years ago as he played here with his band when he first started his music, we admire and are proud of that bit of history and keeping his memory alive.

[@Pulsar77]

Bowie's music is incredibly diverse. He was a chameleon, hopping with each album from one genre to another. Here's my attempt at a list; the songs are in chronological order, grouped together in musical periods. I've put an asterisk behind my favourite songs: Space Oddity (1969) * The Man Who Sold the World (1970) * Changes (1971) * Starman (1972) * Suffragette City (1972) Ziggy Stardust (1972) * Moonage Daydream (1972) The Jean Genie (1972) Life on Mars? (1973) * Sorrow (1973) Rebel Rebel (1974) * Diamond Dogs (1974) Young Americans (1975) * Fame (1975) * Golden Years (1975) Station To Station (1976) Stay (1976) Sound and Vision (1977) * 'Heroes' (1977) * Beauty And The Beast (1978) Boys Keep Swinging (1979) Ashes to Ashes (1980) * Fashion (1980) Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps) (1981) Under Pressure (with Queen) (1981) * Wild Is the Wind (1981) * Cat People (Putting Out Fire) (1982) Let's Dance (1983) * China Girl (1983) * Modern Love (1983) * Blue Jean (1984) Tonight (with Tina Turner) (1984) This Is Not America (1985) * Dancing in the Street (with Mick Jagger) (1985) Absolute Beginners (1986) * Underground (1986) Day-In Day-Out (1987) Jump They Say (1993) * Hallo Spaceboy (with Pet Shop Boys) (1996) Little Wonder (1997) * I'm Afraid Of Americans (1997) Everyone Says 'Hi' (2002) Where Are We Now? (2013) Lazarus (2015) *

[@hannyhawkins7804]

Pulsar77 Thanks, well done, really nice list but WHERE IS SUFFRAGETTE CITY????? No Bowie list is complete without Suffragette City. And probably Moonage Dream.

[@andyandalex]

@Pulsar77 Thank you so much for the list!!

[@hannyhawkins7804]

AndyReacts But add Suffragette City to it, Andy!

[@Pulsar77]

Hanny Hawkins alright, I've added them :)

[@melindajolly496]

Sorrow?

[@stuartwray6175]

"I need an axe to break the ice" - the numbing effect of cocaine. He wants to feel; to have an emotional connection. "My mamma said...you'd better not mess with major tom" - sung in a slightly menacing nursery rhyme type mantra.

[@shenanigans3710]

I believe that he is also paraphrasing Kafka here : "A book must be an axe to break the frozen sea within us."

[@jsan3743]

One of my all time fav lyrics

[@halloweenjack95]

Check out Bowie's Song suit "Sweet Thing/Candidate/Sweet Thing Reprise". It's a masterpiece!

[@jessicaanderson3d]

Agreed!

[@mattkenary]

Actually they should check out the whole Diamond Dogs album.

[@halloweenjack95]

@@mattkenary hell Yeah ! It's a fantastic Album. One of my favorites

[@delorangeade]

My favourite.

[@pamelalavigne1018]

@@delorangeade mine as well. I loved Diamond Dogs!!!

[@clare1061]

David Bowie went through so many stages in his life of music. Absolute Genius.

[@johnnyborealis]

"sordid details following" means I'm about to spill the tea

[@maggiejayne1248]

Even as a musician, I don't know much about percussion, so it's fun to hear little drum facts from Alex! Please add Lazarus to the Bowie list 😊

[@alexfromandyandalex8032]

Maggie Jayne I’m glad I can give some amount of good insight

[@NZLatic]

This was from the Scary Monsters and Super Creeps album released in 1980 which also had the classic track Fashion on it. I played this album until the tape cassette wore out as a 15-16 year old. I highly recommend that you also have a listen to Fashion, especially with the outlandish guitar style of Robert Fripp, which as a muso will blow you away.

[@remohio]

You don't have to react to it but you MUST watch the bizarre official video sometime

[@bostonwhofan]

Indeed. Toward the end, Bowie dressed as some sort of alien is walking along a beach getting scolded by an old lady in a house dress.

[@nosadsongs]

Let's Dance. "Put on your red shoes and dance the blues". Fabulous dance track. One of my Bowie favorites.

[@patdonnelly9392]

'I want an ax to break the ice...I want to come down right now'. Anyone dealing with serious anxiety issues (not pointing to self) can totally feel this song.

[@karenleedom3354]

Thank you for giving good attention to this song, it deserves it...Bowie, RIP, deserves it🕊

[@r33cearn0ld8]

The 3rd song isn’t really a continuation despite it mentioning Major Tom it was released 15 years after ashes to ashes. Please react to life on mars.

[@hannyhawkins7804]

Art is the Weapon Yes, Life on Mars!

[@BlueRator]

I mean, Ashes to Ashes was released 11 years after Space Oddity, so it's not that far a stretch.

[@r33cearn0ld8]

BlueRator you are right it isn’t, although I still wouldn’t consider it a continuation from ‘Ashes to Ashes’

[@BlueRator]

@@r33cearn0ld8 Maybe you're right. I absolutely love Hallo Spaceboy, but it's not really a continuation as you mentioned.

[@FrankRobinsonGillis54]

Ed F booboo It barely is a continuation. The pet shop boys version is a remix of the album version of hallo space boy which doesn’t mention major tom at all. It has a dystopian detective narrative to it. And even most of the 1.outside album Bowie used his famous “cut-up teqnique , where he put lyrics into a computer and rearranged the words. It’s not a continuation of the story

[@CBGB_1977]

“Sorted “ in his use is “confused / perverse “. His very last album is a song called “Lazarus”. David Bowie was such a true enigma. His music is continually pieces of art and context. He wrote all the songs and all the music arrangements. A great example of this is a song called “Right” (from the Young Americans album). In the studio he introduced the world to a very young singer named, Luther Vandross. His influence on electronic/punk/ industrial music is massive. Find a list of all the artists he’s inspired! It’ll blow your minds! There’s one that he did with Trent Reznor called, “I’m afraid of Americans “ that discusses the gun issue. The video adds the essence to the tale. Enjoy your voyage into the vast universe of Bowie! ⚡️

[@oldBourney]

the word is "sordid". It means distasteful or tacky. From the Latin verb "sordere" meaning "to be dirty".

[@alexfromandyandalex8032]

Danelle Covey thank you I really should dig deeper into who he’s inspired I’m sure it’s a massive list

[@halloweenjack95]

@@alexfromandyandalex8032 the list is indeed massive. From Elton John to Trent Reznor and Lady Gaga.

[@braxious]

there is a double whammy - Queen and David Bowie "Under Pressure" 2 for the price of 1

[@TFEnright5]

chris rowley I can’t believe they haven’t done Under Pressure. Probably my favorite Queen song.

[@donaldb1]

Definitely check out the video. From the early days of music videos this was was one of the most famous and striking videos of its time and certainly contributed to the success of the song.

[@MrAitraining]

Yes. Very artsy and Trippy vid

[@steveratcliffe2181]

As a metal guy, whose stream is constantly deluged by reactions to the same old songs, you guys are are such a breath of fresh air. Love the choices and reactions. Stay different and bravo.👍👍👍

[@andyandalex]

@steve ratcliffe Thanks man! I’m just trying to explore all over and humble myself to all these different areas of music, I’m glad you’re enjoying the theme! I’ve got a video coming soon of us checking out more Tool by the way! If you dig them! 😁

[@alexfromandyandalex8032]

steve ratcliffe thank you 🔥🔥

[@Pntngbrn]

One of my many favorite Bowie songs. A masterpiece to me. Even though I'm not a musician you can hear SO much going on instrumentaly in this song. You should listen to Stay and Fashion

[@sarahdaw6648]

Bowie was famous for bringing in musicians and allowing them the freedom to do what they do best.

[@JoeScottish]

Major Tom is mentioned in 4 songs "Space Oddity", "Ashes to Ashes", "Hallo Spaceboy", and "Blackstar".

[@kathleen109]

Have you guys watched Labyrinth? Listening to this song makes my heart hurt...his voice was just so beautiful.

[@hannyhawkins7804]

Kathleen Or Starman as Ziggy.😍

[@strawbrryfld1]

Kathleen 🤓I LOVE THAT MOVIE LABYRINTH 😎😛

[@TheRubyG]

A must see! I guess I was about 10 years old when ik came out and there my crush on Bowie started 😊... my god he was so sexy in the movie

[@kathleen109]

@@TheRubyG - His absolutely sexiest, IMO! And he's just darn sexy always.

[@TheRubyG]

@@kathleen109 cannot argue with you 😁

[@ccjmusic]

You still need to check out Moonage Daydream. Preferably the live version from the Ziggy Stardust movie.

[@ccjmusic]

ziggystardust 1947 kzbin.info/aero/PLVPGzOHIIgz8fgtWbnJDyxuwwmn9AGnmY here is a link to a playlist for it

[@mechelemanno1750]

Yes... moonage daydream

[@Johonnac]

I freaking LOVE that song!

[@mikeembleton8713]

Another classic that once again caught me out Ashes to Ashes was used by a BBC tv series of the same name which followed a series called Life On Mars which was about a cop who is run over and wakes up in the 1970s Won't spoil it but both series are well worth a watch. Everything you and Alex said about this song from Bowie I totally agree with another classic what else can I say. Great reaction guys. Stay lucky stay safe Mike UK.

[@The1queencollector]

I loved Life on Mars, yet to see Ashes to Ashes, great British TV shows

[@mikeembleton8713]

@@The1queencollector I've seen Ashes to Ashes tv series and if you've seen Life on Mars it's a must follow up. Stay lucky stay safe Mike UK.

[@The1queencollector]

@@mikeembleton8713 I shall make the effort thank you

[@hannyhawkins7804]

Loved loved loved Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes. What an incredible cast!

[@hellsbells8689]

I agree, Mike. Life On Mars and Ashes to Ashes are my favourite TV shows of all time. So well written and acted. Growing up in the 70s I know the things that were fine to do and say back then are not today and this show allows us to see those things but not is a hateful way. Please make sure you watch the UK version not the absolutely dreadful US version. Which was a mix of both programs. I actually cried while watching it but not in a good way. I cried "What have they done to my shows?"

[@NSHM122]

The line he repeats at the end, "My mamma said to get things done, you better not mess with Major Tom." is sung in the tone of a nursery rhyme which tells me, Major Tom has been up in space a long time and he's become something of a legend. Parents tell their children the tragic story of Major Tom to teach them a lesson. You know, don't be like Major Tom. I thought it was a nice touch.

[@a2zme]

Song is about Heroin addiction .. still blows my mind.

[@NebulizerChi]

With a little help from his friends, Bowie at 25 produced the second solo album of one of his guiding musical lights, Lou Reed. The album is called Transformer and includes such indelible tracks as Vicious, Andy's Chest, Perfect Day, Walk on the Wild Side, Satellite of Love (featuring Bowie on backing vocal in the outro), and Goodnight Ladies. I wouldn't steer you wrong...

[@gwynedd-1]

David Bowie. What can you say. Once in a life time. Miss him. Miss him. Miss him.

[@poppad331]

you asked for our favorite line, mine is " sordid details following" sordid means sleazy, dirty etc. maybe its just a word us Brits use lol we got a lot to be sordid about

[@Happyheretic2308]

No, we don't.

[@hotelfoxtrot4979]

"My momma said to get things done, you better not mess with Major Tom. My momma said..." Still haunting and heartbreaking after all these years.

[@bmet47]

Just watched the video now. Why do I weep at the end!? I guess the Mom would represent my Mom!. Andy and Friend! Check out David's left eye! That one eye's pupil is permanently open, due to a injury suffered in a fight when he was a teenage.The other eye can be seen as dilated.

[@hannyhawkins7804]

Bruce Metcalfe Which makes them look like different colours.

[@WarrenCromartie2]

This is probably my favoutite Bowie single, after Life on Mars. Such a unique, freaky feel and atmosphere, and yet somehow poignant.

[@Codex7777]

There's not just a reference to the earlier song/character, there's also a reference to an ear album, 'Low'... low low low... ;) There are often layers, upon meanings, upon layers, in Bowie songs. Then again, in other songs he purely pours out emotion. For one of his best vocal performances I'd recommend, 'Wild is the Wind'. Achingly emotional and oh so beautiful! :)

[@kenbarber6592]

So, guys, this was one of the best breakdowns of a song. I speak as a non-musician who can’t help wishing he had picked up a guitar or drumsticks 50 years ago. But someone has to be the appreciative audience, I guess. I feel every note and every beat deeply. Your insights speak to why I love rock music (and other genres). The thing that brings it home is your friendship, which, unlike the anger-peddling of George Carlin, feels like the club we can all join. Suggestion: ‘Come up and see me make me smile’, Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel.

[@vernonallen3370]

This song features the keyboard talents of Andy Clark from Be Bop Deluxe another band well worth checking out and Roy Bittan on piano from Bruce Springsteen's E. Street band.

[@williamamick1426]

Just found your site. I am 65 yo and have been a David Bowie fan since 1973. I saw him twice live and both were awesome concerts. Along with other tracks recommended I suggest his 4th album Hunky Dory particularly the songs Quicksand and The Bewley Brothers.

[@MrMoggyman]

Variety is the spice of life, and David always gave you that in his work. Superb artist.

[@jasonq111]

My fav Bowie song but there are so many good ones. Listen to it while u are hanging w Molly. It’ll blow your mind!

[@katec4369]

There is a back story to that song. It's his answer to why he didn't do space oddity live for a lot of years.And his Mom did advise him on that.

[@gavinreid8351]

Which tours , before this,did he not perform Space Oddity !?

[@dmille1959]

The video is very trippy. It's one of the few from that original music video era that's stood the test of time.

[@TheBlackQueen]

This was the only intended sequel to Space Oddity. Bowie made a lot of songs about Space related topics. The video for Blackstar, one of his last songs, has some references to Major Tom's fate, although the lyrics are not clearly linked to the video.

[@zenithoclock1048]

Major Tom is David Bowie. Creating characters is Bowie's way of singing about himself (Ziggy Stardust, Aladin Sane, Thin White Duke, etc.). Ashes to Ashes is him looking back over a period in his career when he was heavily adicted to cocaine - around the time he recorded Station to Station. He was so out-of-it he had no memory of the recording sessions. Following this period he moved to Berlin to dry out.The 'Berlin' period ended with an album called Lodger. Ashes to Ashes is from the album that follows Lodger, called Scary Monsters.

[@murraybozinsky7067]

The man released and album days before he passed. He was an entertainer to the last day. The best we have ever seen & heard,

[@AutomatikSystematik]

I forgot all about this song. Haven't heard it in 40 years. Just added it to my 80's playlist. Thanks for reminding me.

[@sukie584]

The guy from the earlier song is Major Tom and the rumor is that Ground Control has heard some sordid details about Major Tom.. He also wanted to create a child's rhyme with the "my mother said to get things done.." Bowie also did the movie "The Man Who Fell to Earth" and his character who was an alien from another planet is revised in "Blackstar" Bowie's last album. His play "Lazarus" is the follow up to Man Who Fell To Earth.

[@danieljodrey709]

David Bowie is a true-to-life musical genius. Prolific. Original. Eclectic. The real Ziggy Stardust.

[@sheikyebouti184]

Hey dudes. Another awesome breakdown of a classic. First time I listened to it I remember picking up on the 'Space Oddity' references but on further listenings, started understanding the drug metaphors within the track. Needless to say, it's a lot darker and deeper than the music portrays. Interesting Bowie fact that I remember from a documentary I watched years ago... In his very early days, he used to write phrases and/or lyrical lines down on paper and pull them out to piece them together. Looking forward to you guys diving deeper into the Bowie rabbit hole. Keep it up

[@jsan3743]

I love seeing people discovery Bowie. He deserves such a deep dive.

[@jdthebooster]

One of the real groundbreaking MTV videos in the first few years.

[@oceanbluebandflorida]

Commenting years later, but his producer Tony Visconti said Bowie came in with a groove, beat, backing tracks etc but without any lyrics 90% of the time

[@MikeRoftHolmes]

You Two!! Keep it up!!

[@andyandalex]

@Mike Johansson 😁😁😁

[@JordanOrlando]

Can I just say, you guys are great? There are lots of channels like this, but you guys are probably the best I've seen. It's just wonderful watching you discover stuff I've loved for decades. When I was in college there was no Internet but my friends and I would do basically the same thing, exploring the past together with vinyl records...it's one of my fondest memories. Anyway, keep up the good work!

[@Frankincensedjb123]

“Ashes to Ashes” is a follow up to “Space Oddity,” Major Tom revealed as a drug addict. The song is also about Bowie’s own experiences with drug addiction. In '77, Brian Eno brought Bowie to Berlin to kick his addiction. This resulted in three seminal David Bowie albums or what's called the Berlin Trilogy: Low, Heroes, Lodger.

[@badkitty4922]

I know this is and old reaction but, if you've ever heard of David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust days, this is yet a perfect example of that era of his music. It was later, in the 80s when he got the nickname of the Thin White Duke era, such as Modern Love, Let's Dance and China Girl. Much Love, guys.

[@nalinisequeira2503]

The guys who played rhythm on this album referred to themselves as the DAM trio: Denis Davis on drums, Carlos Alomar on rhythm guitar and George Murray on bass. Denis sadly passed away from cancer in 2016 just a few months after Bowie’s death. George Murray retired from music many years ago. The fabulous Carlos Alomar is a professor of music at the Stevens Institute and still playing. Check out Denis’s amazing drumming on the track Look Back in Anger.

[@progqueen5952]

I think you kids do such a great job because you dig in and get it! Great, great, great reaction! Greetings from Illinois!

[@stratcat3216]

The live version is amazing as well. cheers guys.

[@seerup101]

One other thing to add. Both Space Oddity and this song are influenced by the movie 2001:A Space Odyssey, directed by Stanley Kubrick, released in 1968. If you haven’t seen the movie, it’s worth a view, especially what the astronaut experiences at the end passing through the Star Gate (no spoilers). I’ll just say that the inexplicable ending informs both these songs in different ways: Space Oddity explores the space traveler leaving and never able to return, but Ashes to Ashes considers the space trip as a metaphor for a drug trip. Incidentally, after 2001 was released in theaters, some theatergoers dropped acid and/or other drugs towards the ending of the movie in order to enhance the psychedelic effects of the ending sequence. Oh, and the Ashes to Ashes video is amazing.

[@Codex7777]

As well as Space Oddity and Major Tom, the song also references 'Low' a previous album. That album was made at the height of Bowie's cocaine addiction, so fits with the theme of Ashes to Ashes. There's also a fleeting reference to Boie's next single, 'Fashion'. Basically there are a million different meanings and references, hidden in thousands of layers. :)

[@akhilvvv1925]

Low wasn't the album made at the height of his cocaine addiction, it was Station to Station.

[@sirperybLakeney]

This song is not a continuation of the story of Space Oddity. It's not about Major Tom, it's about David Bowie. Bowie was especially well known for playing the part of characters in his songs (Ziggy Stardust, Thin White Duke etc).

[@brotherhiram5682]

Lol, I love going back in time to when you were still in the dorms.

[@skridtractor875]

You guys have triggered old memories of Bowie's catalog for me. I need to go back and listen to his old albums and enjoy how amazing he was. As a new subscriber, I've really enjoyed what I've watched so far from your efforts and enthusiasm of this older music that I enjoyed when I was a youngster.

[@curtmichael7589]

I’m watching your older stuff. I can hardly get through the Bowie stuff. Makes me weep. I love him so much. His music got me through some shit.

[@bender21man]

Bowie is sooooo awesome...I can't explain..i.love his 80s work too like Let's Dance

[@markpalmer8083]

This genius song came 11 years after Space Oddity. (1969 amd 1980). After all this time, it seems to clarify the intended meaning of the Space Oddity song, which had, until then, seemed to be about a spaceman blasting off and getting lost in space. After he released Ashes to Ashes, it seems that Major Tom was, in fact, a junkie and Space Oddity was in fact a metaphor for a junkie (possibly Bowie referencing himself) getting high, getting lost with drugs and losing contact with his former life. In Ashes to Ashes, he appears to be admitting to himself his drug addiction. He wants to quit the habit and come down, but the lyrics and music capture the intense struggle to achieve this. Art at its finest. Conveying messages so powerfully through music and mepaphor, which aren't at all obvious, at first. Modern music has much to learn from this art.

[@ednicholson7839]

This song has one of the greatest music videos of all time. Listen to it while watching the video too

[@steve-rb9bm]

I remember hearing this when it came out,loved it, the video is great too.i herd he writes lyrics,then cuts them up and re arrange them.great reaction 😃

[@KARLOSVAMP]

Life on Mars is a 10/10

[@imaweerascal]

8 1/2 out of 10 is criminally low! The song is a freaking masterpiece.

[@IJustHitTheFan]

Btw... he DID write the lyrics very quickly. Also, the original lyrics said "time and again i tell myself I'll stay clean tonight, but the greedy dealer is following me" Since singing about drug dealers keeping you addicted was a no-no when this was released, bowie changed it right before recording to "but the little green wheels are following me"

[@nicholasunsworth4549]

In the early days Bowie was a big fan of Anthony Newley and used to mimic his voice to a certain extent . Anthony Newley sang a song which had a line " My mother said I never should play with the gypsies in the wood" maybe a coincidence not sure.

[@b2squared]

David Bowie wrote this song. It can hit as a bit melancholy. But it’s one of my fav Bowie songs. Sordid means sleazy, tawdry, seedy. Fav line, “Strung out in heaven’s high hitting an all time low.” Check out, Stay for amazing guitar (Earl Slick!). And The Man Who Sold the World, Life on Mars and Absolute Beginners.

[@robertwilloughby8050]

I heard that Bowie was touring America and bumped into Buzz Aldrin in a bar. And Buzz was hitting the booze HARD. Bowie mused on this, and this is one of the reasons "Ashes to Ashes" was written a few years later.

[@joemesa6745]

My favorite Bowie song, followed by China Girl. Thank you gentlemen.

[@unki3259]

the actual video to this song is way ahead of its time for that era...

[@Jasunni]

Reviewed on my 49th b-day. Bowie was a genius. He is SORELY missed.

[@maruka1716]

The band you're listening two is the second of Bowie's great trios. The first was the Spiders from Mars, consisting of Mick Ronson on guitar, Trevor Bolder on bass, and Woody Woodmansey on drums. They were Bowie's band for his early 70s albums, the glam rock period. The second trio was Carlos Alomar on guitar, George Murray on bass, and Dennis Davis on drums. They were with Bowie from the mid-70s to 1980, and Carlos Alomar for even longer. The Alomar/Murray/Davis trio is also on "Heroes," which might be worth a reaction video if you are among the very few people who haven't heard the song.

[@paulmiller6805]

There's a cracking story about Bowie filming the video for this song - here goes: David..... Well let me tell you about it. I had quit the attitude as a young pop star, its easy to get caught up in the hype. It changes you. So i was on the set of the music video Ashes to ashes, do you know the one. Me.........Yes Bowie... So we're on the beach shooting this scene with a giant bulldozer. The camera was on a very long lens. (Camera is along way away, but the artist fills the frame) In this video i'm dressed from head to toe in a clown suit. Why not.I hear playback and the music starts. So off I go, I start singing and walking, but as soon as I do this old geezer with an old dog walk right between me and the camera. Me.........Laugh Bowie....Well knowing this is gonna take a while I walked past the old guy and sat next to camera in my full costume waiting for him to pass. As he is walking by camera the director said, excuse me Mr do you know who this is? The old guy looks at me from bottom to top and looks back to the director and said.... Old Man....... Of course i do!!!! its some cunt in a clown suit Bowie.......... That was a huge moment for me, It put me back in my place and made me realize, yes i'm just a cunt in a clown suit. I think about that old guy all the time.

[@Kirkunik1]

Love you guys. Two intelligent you men, open minded musically and who actually listen. Your reactions are genuine and insightful.

[@andyandalex]

@S Kirk Thank you so much! We have loads of fun doing these vids for you guys! 😁

[@bellodrade]

This is absolutely brilliant. He creates an otherworldly atmosphere. You can feel the angst and confusion of his hero, Major Tom, as he seems to float in a gaseous cloud of miasma, wondering whether he'll ever touch ground again, as a metaphor for a heroin high. It's my favorite Bowie song. I was blown away by it as a kid when it first came out and instantly loved it.

[@donnabert]

My sister and I, when away from each other, would write and we'd end it - "I'm happy, hope you're happy too." Try station to station. I came and watched this because I saw how moved the two of you were the other day when you reacted to "Heros" live, Great to see this introduction. (Fame being your first DB song). Station to Station, wow, I was addicted to that song for like two months when I was in high school. It had come out years before but into his library I delved. Sordid means dirty or underhanded, btw.

[@bobglover949]

So many songs and sounds, with Bowie, to go through. For yourself, lay back with headphones and hear Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. Full no stops really loud.

[@PassengerMX]

I used to listen to regular commercial crap when this came out. Listening to it opened my ears and mind to a whole new world of beautiful, different, artful music and never looked back since then.