Blows my mind how many of you aren't seeing the big picture of what songs like these are about. Get out of your senses.
This song is about alienation and distancing yourself away from people by getting so lost in your mind that you're high up above everyone else. It's about becoming cynical and seeing the world as a sad place but being unable to communicate with anyone about it. "Planet earth is blue and there's nothing I can do" - he realizes there's nothing he can do about all of the problems he sees in the world.
"Can you hear me Major Tom? Can you hear me Major Tom? - He's lost communication with those on the ground (i.e. in reality). "The papers want to know who's shirts you wear" - something small and insignificant normal people would worry about seems so small and unimportant to this man metaphorically up in space looking down on the world. "The stars look very different today" - the more you spend time in your mind thinking about things, the more your perception of everything will change.
Start to understand this principle of intuition, this is what a majority of the greatest songs are about. It's not about literal interpretation. This is what poetry is, the soul.
Your explanation makes sense and it made even more sense after watching the movie The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, there is a scene where the protagonist zones out of reality and imagines his crush singing this song Space Oddity, The protagonist is the one who always became distant from others because of his ADHD
Your explanation makes sense and it made even more sense after watching the movie The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, there is a scene where the protagonist zones out of reality and imagines his crush singing this song Space Oddity, The protagonist is the one who always became distant from others because of his ADHD
@jmsn2393 To start the meaning out by complaining about people not understanding the song was really stupid. The whole point of the site is because NOT EVERYONE understands EVERY song to its full extent. The rest was a very thoughtful piece on the meaning though. (Yeah, I know this was written in 2012.)
@jmsn2393 To start the meaning out by complaining about people not understanding the song was really stupid. The whole point of the site is because NOT EVERYONE understands EVERY song to its full extent. The rest was a very thoughtful piece on the meaning though. (Yeah, I know this was written in 2012.)
Yep, exactly what you said. It's a huge metaphor for experiencing a profound mystical experience. Like the old saying goes, "As above, so below." Exploring the macrocosm (outer space and beyond) can tend to get you lost, if you stray too far. In the same way, delving into the microcosm (one's innermost self) can be an enormous journey, capable of disconnecting you from others just as much as a trek into deep space can.
Yep, exactly what you said. It's a huge metaphor for experiencing a profound mystical experience. Like the old saying goes, "As above, so below." Exploring the macrocosm (outer space and beyond) can tend to get you lost, if you stray too far. In the same way, delving into the microcosm (one's innermost self) can be an enormous journey, capable of disconnecting you from others just as much as a trek into deep space can.
The people that have dived far enough into expanding their consciousness through meditation or various --ahem-- OTHER methods know: Sometimes you go so far, that you start to wonder if you'll ever make it back. Or maybe you do come back, but things are never quite the same again.
@jmsn2393 Only 3+ years late on this but damn.... lol. He wrote this song when he was high and saw 2001:A Space Odyssey, dude was just inspired by the movie. He said that himself ages ago.
@jmsn2393 Only 3+ years late on this but damn.... lol. He wrote this song when he was high and saw 2001:A Space Odyssey, dude was just inspired by the movie. He said that himself ages ago.
@jmsn2393 no you stork it's not a stupid metaphor for anything, it's a song about a guy in space so just... Don't treat everyone like your above them by being the guy who sees the "deeper meaning" when there is none.
@jmsn2393 no you stork it's not a stupid metaphor for anything, it's a song about a guy in space so just... Don't treat everyone like your above them by being the guy who sees the "deeper meaning" when there is none.
@jmsn2393 "The stars look very different today" has a double entendre. Yes it could be a reference to his now warped perception of the world and reality, but it could also be how now that he has lifted himself to their level, other famous people (stars) don't seem the same as they did before.
@jmsn2393 "The stars look very different today" has a double entendre. Yes it could be a reference to his now warped perception of the world and reality, but it could also be how now that he has lifted himself to their level, other famous people (stars) don't seem the same as they did before.
@jmsn2393 I agree with your analysis. This song has always struck me as being incredibly sad because you’re right, it is about alienation. I also see it as an analogy for a drug overdose. In fact, it many ways it reminds me of Pink Floyd’s ‘Comfortably Numb.’ However, this song is much more visceral and devastating than ‘Comfortably Numb’ because at the end he is lost. He just floats away in his tin can in the cold dark vacuum of space, gazing back at the faraway, planet Earth, which of course we know...
@jmsn2393 I agree with your analysis. This song has always struck me as being incredibly sad because you’re right, it is about alienation. I also see it as an analogy for a drug overdose. In fact, it many ways it reminds me of Pink Floyd’s ‘Comfortably Numb.’ However, this song is much more visceral and devastating than ‘Comfortably Numb’ because at the end he is lost. He just floats away in his tin can in the cold dark vacuum of space, gazing back at the faraway, planet Earth, which of course we know is the most beautiful thing out there, and there’s nothing he can do.
@jmsn2393 This is a very good interpretation. I can't deny it. The way you put it is also a pretty damn good example of exactly what you interpreted from the song meaning....
@jmsn2393 This is a very good interpretation. I can't deny it. The way you put it is also a pretty damn good example of exactly what you interpreted from the song meaning....
I was really thinking this was a song about a drug overdose, but I have to admit that I think you're right. It's about alienation from others.
I was really thinking this was a song about a drug overdose, but I have to admit that I think you're right. It's about alienation from others.
@jmsn2393 I've always hated poetry, and even more than that, the hyper-arrogant people who think they understand poetry the same way a person can understand hard science. The problem with poetry is that no two people can ever seem to agree what a written line means. There are always multiple ways to interpret it, and this song is no exception.
@jmsn2393 I've always hated poetry, and even more than that, the hyper-arrogant people who think they understand poetry the same way a person can understand hard science. The problem with poetry is that no two people can ever seem to agree what a written line means. There are always multiple ways to interpret it, and this song is no exception.
However, and first of all, Major Tom was a persona of David Bowie. This is not up for debate in any way.
However, and first of all, Major Tom was a persona of David Bowie. This is not up for debate in any way.
Bowie went on to clearly state that he was on drugs when he saw the movie "2001: A Space Odyssey", and that his drug use inspired the lyrics to "Space Oddity". Losing communication with Ground Control is about drug use, as is the entire reference to being in space.
And in Bowie's later song, "Ashes to Ashes", Major Tom re-establishes communication with Ground Control, and they call him a "junkie" in the line that says, "We know Major Tom's a junkie".
The parts about "made the grade" and the papers wanting to know "whose shirts you wear" can easily be taken to be a reference to Bowie's commercial success.
Blows my mind how many of you aren't seeing the big picture of what songs like these are about. Get out of your senses.
This song is about alienation and distancing yourself away from people by getting so lost in your mind that you're high up above everyone else. It's about becoming cynical and seeing the world as a sad place but being unable to communicate with anyone about it. "Planet earth is blue and there's nothing I can do" - he realizes there's nothing he can do about all of the problems he sees in the world. "Can you hear me Major Tom? Can you hear me Major Tom? - He's lost communication with those on the ground (i.e. in reality). "The papers want to know who's shirts you wear" - something small and insignificant normal people would worry about seems so small and unimportant to this man metaphorically up in space looking down on the world. "The stars look very different today" - the more you spend time in your mind thinking about things, the more your perception of everything will change.
Start to understand this principle of intuition, this is what a majority of the greatest songs are about. It's not about literal interpretation. This is what poetry is, the soul.
Your explanation makes sense and it made even more sense after watching the movie The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, there is a scene where the protagonist zones out of reality and imagines his crush singing this song Space Oddity, The protagonist is the one who always became distant from others because of his ADHD
Your explanation makes sense and it made even more sense after watching the movie The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, there is a scene where the protagonist zones out of reality and imagines his crush singing this song Space Oddity, The protagonist is the one who always became distant from others because of his ADHD
@jmsn2393 To start the meaning out by complaining about people not understanding the song was really stupid. The whole point of the site is because NOT EVERYONE understands EVERY song to its full extent. The rest was a very thoughtful piece on the meaning though. (Yeah, I know this was written in 2012.)
@jmsn2393 To start the meaning out by complaining about people not understanding the song was really stupid. The whole point of the site is because NOT EVERYONE understands EVERY song to its full extent. The rest was a very thoughtful piece on the meaning though. (Yeah, I know this was written in 2012.)
@jmsn2393
@jmsn2393
Yep, exactly what you said. It's a huge metaphor for experiencing a profound mystical experience. Like the old saying goes, "As above, so below." Exploring the macrocosm (outer space and beyond) can tend to get you lost, if you stray too far. In the same way, delving into the microcosm (one's innermost self) can be an enormous journey, capable of disconnecting you from others just as much as a trek into deep space can.
Yep, exactly what you said. It's a huge metaphor for experiencing a profound mystical experience. Like the old saying goes, "As above, so below." Exploring the macrocosm (outer space and beyond) can tend to get you lost, if you stray too far. In the same way, delving into the microcosm (one's innermost self) can be an enormous journey, capable of disconnecting you from others just as much as a trek into deep space can.
The people that have dived far enough into expanding their consciousness through meditation or various --ahem-- OTHER methods know: Sometimes you go so far, that you start to wonder if you'll ever make it back. Or maybe you do come back, but things are never quite the same again.
@jmsn2393 i agree with your your really thoughtfull answer
@jmsn2393 i agree with your your really thoughtfull answer
@jmsn2393 Only 3+ years late on this but damn.... lol. He wrote this song when he was high and saw 2001:A Space Odyssey, dude was just inspired by the movie. He said that himself ages ago.
@jmsn2393 Only 3+ years late on this but damn.... lol. He wrote this song when he was high and saw 2001:A Space Odyssey, dude was just inspired by the movie. He said that himself ages ago.
@jmsn2393 Exactly; Same metaphor as Bernie Taupin's "Rocket Man"-(Elton John)
@jmsn2393 Exactly; Same metaphor as Bernie Taupin's "Rocket Man"-(Elton John)
@jmsn2393 no you stork it's not a stupid metaphor for anything, it's a song about a guy in space so just... Don't treat everyone like your above them by being the guy who sees the "deeper meaning" when there is none.
@jmsn2393 no you stork it's not a stupid metaphor for anything, it's a song about a guy in space so just... Don't treat everyone like your above them by being the guy who sees the "deeper meaning" when there is none.
@jmsn2393 Wow I'm amazed at you were able to even hear the song with your head so far up your ass!
@jmsn2393 Wow I'm amazed at you were able to even hear the song with your head so far up your ass!
@jmsn2393 "The stars look very different today" has a double entendre. Yes it could be a reference to his now warped perception of the world and reality, but it could also be how now that he has lifted himself to their level, other famous people (stars) don't seem the same as they did before.
@jmsn2393 "The stars look very different today" has a double entendre. Yes it could be a reference to his now warped perception of the world and reality, but it could also be how now that he has lifted himself to their level, other famous people (stars) don't seem the same as they did before.
@jmsn2393 I agree with your analysis. This song has always struck me as being incredibly sad because you’re right, it is about alienation. I also see it as an analogy for a drug overdose. In fact, it many ways it reminds me of Pink Floyd’s ‘Comfortably Numb.’ However, this song is much more visceral and devastating than ‘Comfortably Numb’ because at the end he is lost. He just floats away in his tin can in the cold dark vacuum of space, gazing back at the faraway, planet Earth, which of course we know...
@jmsn2393 I agree with your analysis. This song has always struck me as being incredibly sad because you’re right, it is about alienation. I also see it as an analogy for a drug overdose. In fact, it many ways it reminds me of Pink Floyd’s ‘Comfortably Numb.’ However, this song is much more visceral and devastating than ‘Comfortably Numb’ because at the end he is lost. He just floats away in his tin can in the cold dark vacuum of space, gazing back at the faraway, planet Earth, which of course we know is the most beautiful thing out there, and there’s nothing he can do.
@jmsn2393 This is a very good interpretation. I can't deny it. The way you put it is also a pretty damn good example of exactly what you interpreted from the song meaning....
@jmsn2393 This is a very good interpretation. I can't deny it. The way you put it is also a pretty damn good example of exactly what you interpreted from the song meaning....
I was really thinking this was a song about a drug overdose, but I have to admit that I think you're right. It's about alienation from others.
I was really thinking this was a song about a drug overdose, but I have to admit that I think you're right. It's about alienation from others.
@eric951305
@eric951305
I just wanted to say, I never understood that phrase that way, and I'm glad I read your comment, I don't really know what else to say but, thank you.
I just wanted to say, I never understood that phrase that way, and I'm glad I read your comment, I don't really know what else to say but, thank you.
@jmsn2393 I've always hated poetry, and even more than that, the hyper-arrogant people who think they understand poetry the same way a person can understand hard science. The problem with poetry is that no two people can ever seem to agree what a written line means. There are always multiple ways to interpret it, and this song is no exception.
@jmsn2393 I've always hated poetry, and even more than that, the hyper-arrogant people who think they understand poetry the same way a person can understand hard science. The problem with poetry is that no two people can ever seem to agree what a written line means. There are always multiple ways to interpret it, and this song is no exception.
However, and first of all, Major Tom was a persona of David Bowie. This is not up for debate in any way.
However, and first of all, Major Tom was a persona of David Bowie. This is not up for debate in any way.
Bowie went on to clearly state that he was on drugs when he saw the movie "2001: A Space Odyssey", and that his drug use inspired the lyrics to "Space Oddity". Losing communication with Ground Control is about drug use, as is the entire reference to being in space.
And in Bowie's later song, "Ashes to Ashes", Major Tom re-establishes communication with Ground Control, and they call him a "junkie" in the line that says, "We know Major Tom's a junkie".
The parts about "made the grade" and the papers wanting to know "whose shirts you wear" can easily be taken to be a reference to Bowie's commercial success.
Have some humility. Especially when you're wrong.