Title
Space Oddity
Subject
Rock Music
Description
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GtDPVeDKl8
This is a link to listen to David Bowie's "Space Oddity" with lyrics provided by the maker of this video. Just click on the link to truly experience this song.
"Space Oddity," originally released July 11, 1969 as a single by David Bowie, is a song centered around an astronaut's voyage into space.
While "Space Oddity" does not directly deal with children in space, it seems to suggest against the idea of a child space explorers because of the lyrics' implicit messages about space exploration. While space exploration is portrayed as relatively simple and successful, it is still depicted as a military man's job and full of dangers.
Space exploration is portrayed as for only certain individuals in this song. The main character, Major Tom, is obviously a man in some branch of the military. With its implicit acceptance of military men as chief space explorers, it seems to dismiss other members of the population like civilians, women, and children.
"Space Oddity" also portrays space as full of unexpected dangers and hazards. The lyrics "leave the capsule if you dare," gives the listener the impression that something bad could possibly happen if he decides to explore outside of his spacecraft. The word dare seems to reinforce its danger. Also, the spaceship is described as a "tin can," which gives the listener the feeling that it does not provide much protection in space. A tin can is usually rather weak, flimsy, and not very durable. Thus the lyrics seem to suggest a minimal barrier between Major Tom and space. Another danger is noted in the lyrics "your circuits dead can you hear me Major Tom," portraying an unexpected problem with the ship. In Major Tom's case, he loses contact with ground control, and the listener is left with the impression Major Tom is lost to space, unable to return home. This sense of Major Tom being lost to space is furthered enhanced by the song simply fading out without any conclusion about its main character. The lyrics of the chorus "and there's nothing I can do," seem to imply the helplessness of a person in space.
With the way space is portrayed in "Space Oddity" it gives its listener a view of space exploration as dangerous and full of unexpected possibilities. It also leaves the listener with the idea that once in space, no one can help the astronaut if he falls into any troubles. Therefore, it advises space exploration is best left for military males.
While "Space Oddity" does not directly deal with children in space, it seems to suggest against the idea of a child space explorers because of the lyrics' implicit messages about space exploration. While space exploration is portrayed as relatively simple and successful, it is still depicted as a military man's job and full of dangers.
Space exploration is portrayed as for only certain individuals in this song. The main character, Major Tom, is obviously a man in some branch of the military. With its implicit acceptance of military men as chief space explorers, it seems to dismiss other members of the population like civilians, women, and children.
"Space Oddity" also portrays space as full of unexpected dangers and hazards. The lyrics "leave the capsule if you dare," gives the listener the impression that something bad could possibly happen if he decides to explore outside of his spacecraft. The word dare seems to reinforce its danger. Also, the spaceship is described as a "tin can," which gives the listener the feeling that it does not provide much protection in space. A tin can is usually rather weak, flimsy, and not very durable. Thus the lyrics seem to suggest a minimal barrier between Major Tom and space. Another danger is noted in the lyrics "your circuits dead can you hear me Major Tom," portraying an unexpected problem with the ship. In Major Tom's case, he loses contact with ground control, and the listener is left with the impression Major Tom is lost to space, unable to return home. This sense of Major Tom being lost to space is furthered enhanced by the song simply fading out without any conclusion about its main character. The lyrics of the chorus "and there's nothing I can do," seem to imply the helplessness of a person in space.
With the way space is portrayed in "Space Oddity" it gives its listener a view of space exploration as dangerous and full of unexpected possibilities. It also leaves the listener with the idea that once in space, no one can help the astronaut if he falls into any troubles. Therefore, it advises space exploration is best left for military males.
Creator
Bowie, David
Source
David Bowie
Publisher
Mercury Records (US)
Philips Records (UK)
Date
1969-07-11
Contributor
Olle Larson
Rights
Lyrics---David Bowie
Recording---RCA Records Inc
Image---Creative Commons
Relation
Space Oddity is the first track of David Bowie's album David Bowie.
Format
jpeg
Language
English
Type
Still Image
Identifier
Dewey: 679
Coverage
1969
Original Format
The still image is a photograph of the front side of an album sleeve to David's 1969 single "Space Oddity" released in the United Kingdom.
Physical Dimensions
6.9 by 6.94 inches