Moonage Daydream

The song is about the marrage of technology and decadence and the alienation and jadedness we feel when we replace real human touch and interaction with tech. The phrase "The church of man, love, is such a holy place to be" references the idea that, through technology, man does not need God, and becomes "holier" (I don't know where people are getting the "gay" reference - "The church of man" is about atheism in this "1984" world.) The chorus "Keep your 'lectric eye on me babe Put your ray gun to my head Press your space face close to mine, love Freak out in a moonage daydream oh yeah!" referes to the decadent use of future adult toys and drugs, and the two charactors seem jaded by there futuistic acutraments (electric eyes, ray guns), maybe engaging in a little rollplay. The phrases "Don't fake it baby, lay the real thing on me" and "Make me baby, make me know you really care Make me jump into the air" is the protaganist's sad atempt in finding happiness in this steril, sex-for-sex's sake, emotion-starved world.

This has social commentary like crazy. It's about the music industry. and the illuminati.

In 1969, young Mr. Bowie captured the public's attention with the simple psychedelic anthem "Space Oddity." He quickly went on to denounce fame once he realized how rigged the system was (the man who sold the world). he then began to experiment and develop his sound and get an identity as a musician on his own (hunky dory).

Ziggy Stardust was Bowie's way of approaching the mainstream without sacrificing his inner life... Bowie's thoughtform, or golem. Until then, he had no desire to work for the big guys. Finally he acquiesces, "I'll be a rock and roll bitch for you." Thus begins Bowie's prostitution career; he will accept fame, try to keep his soul, and try to inspire people.

"Keep your lectric eye on me babe" is an orwellian reference to the panopticon, the society that is ever-monitored and ever-controlled through use of force (put your ray gun to my head).

The Church of Man is a reference to the Luciferian doctrine, which worships above all else the human intellect, Reason. The luciferian doctrine is accepted in all masonic cults.

Bowie gives a better explanation on his previous album, Hunky Dory, in the song entitled "Quicksand". Look it up, but don't fall down the rabbit hole.

Per Wiki Story: The alien messiah is revealed/created, and his destiny to save the world from the disaster in "Five Years" is also hinted at, as well his fate as the quintessential "soul lover". In terms of the plot, this is one of the most important songs as it describes the creation of Ziggy from a combination of religion, romance, sexual freedom, rebellion, and passion; he metamorphoses into the archetypal rock star.

@bluescout:

Interesting perspective you've got there. Bear in mind, though, that Bowie has been known to sample phrases from other songs or poems. Life On Mars? contains the words "Look at those cavemen go" mirroring Dallas Frazier's early sixties hit Alley Oop and its line "Look at that caveman go!" Ashes To Ashes is also rumoured to have the eerie "My mother said, to get things done, you better not mess with Major Tom" inspired by a children's rhyme. Bowie was and is, as far as I can tell, culturally aware to a fault. Moreover, he's a collector. Ziggy Stardust himself was a collection of different real-life and fictional characters, and Marc Bolan was probably thrown in there somewhere. I know Bowie must have been influenced greatly by the androgynous rocker, and I firmly believe the imagery in Lady Stardust is concerned with Bolan. The entire song's probably an homage to him, but who can say?

As to the "man love" commentators, I couldn't agree more. "Mama-papa," for one, thing could refer to transgender or role-play. The fact that the narrator can be a "space invader" or a "rock 'n' rollin' bitch" would also suggest his ability and undeniable eagerness in playing top or bottom. And of course, there's the whole "put your raygun to my head." Looking at this song, it's easy to see why Velvet Goldmine nearly made the cut. I particularly like the second verse in reference to homosexual or other typically unconventional forms of sex. I don't think he's talking about faking an orgasm when he says "don't fake it, baby, lay the real thing on me." I'd speculate he's trying to say that you shouldn't fake being gay just to be trendy or wild. The "church of man, love," (said with a nod and a wink) is "such a holy place to be" - a tangible, honest form of love and sexuality that shouldn't be worn as some sort of fashion label by those who aren't truly into it. Interestingly enough, Bowie appeared to capitalise on his purported bisexuality early on in his career, and has since denied and confirmed the controversial statements multiple times. He could almost be talking to himself in this song, but then again, that's what artists do.

In any case, Moonage Daydream is a brilliant song no matter what it's about. It cuts into your soul from the first chord onwards, and shifts between nostalgia and cutting edge with a fluency that verifies its timeless status. Tears me up that I'll never get to hear all those great sixties and seventies bands live, seeing as most of them are dead or have long since quit touring. My dad saw Lou Reed twice in the early seventies. The best rock band I've seen so far was Steely Dan in concert. The band? They were gorgeous. The audience? Composed of fifty-to-sixty year olds remembering the good old days. Now, I've nothing against mature audiences - the depressing thing was that I was one of three teenagers present. None of those people had bothered to introduce their kids to this great music. Mind you, it was probably a blessing in disguise in this case, because nobody was allowed to get off their arses and even bloody well sway!

This is one of those songs that gives me goosebumps every time I hear it. Just a masterpiece wether live or studio. It's one of those songs that was way ahead of its time. For "Ziggy" to write a song in a first person point of view is simply magical.

i love the guitar thing at the end!

i agree with ElectricDylan. The Ziggy Stardust and Spiders From Mars Motion Picture live version is amazing! Mick Ronson always hits me with his powerfull riffs....and the solo..i cant describe it, just check it out! do your self a favour

I've always loved this song, since I could remember! and ofcourse, David Bowie too <33 and well, since he did dress up like "Ziggy", and Ziggy looked androgynous, it could be about a gay experience told by Ziggy's perspective, which i don't mind one bit ;)).

either way, You gotta love this song, it's one of the best in the entire world!!

I'm an alligator

This spacey space track is a part of the concept of the Ziggy Stardust album. Although the song doesn't specifically tell any story about Ziggy, I feel that it represents his space journey. It does work, too.