Ashes To Ashes
´óÎÀ.±«ÒÁ(David Bowie) Lyrics
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In such an early song
I've heard a rumour from Ground Control
Oh no, don't say it's true
They got a message
From the Action Man
"I'm happy, hope you're happy too
All I've needed to love
Sordid details following"
The shrieking of nothing is killing
Just pictures of Jap girls
In synthesis and I
Ain't got no money and I ain't got no hair
But I'm hoping to kick but the planet it's glowing
[CHORUS]
Ashes to ashes, funk to funky
We know Major Tom's 4
A junkie
Strung out in heaven's high
Hitting an all-time low
Time and again I tell myself
I'll stay clean tonight
But the little green wheels are following me
Oh no, not again
I'm stuck with a valuable friend
"I'm happy, hope you're happy too"
One flash of light
But no smoking pistol
I never done good things
I never done bad things
I never did anything out of the blue,
Want an axe to break the ice
Wanna come down right now
[CHORUS]
My mother said
To get things done
You'd better not mess
With Major Tom
"Ashes to Ashes" is one of David Bowie's most iconic songs, released in 1980. It is famously a sequel to his earlier hit "Space Oddity," and explores the character of Major Tom, who has now become a drug addict. The opening lyrics are a reference to Bowie's first hit, "Space Oddity," adding more depth to the character's story. The song talks about a message that came from an old friend and astronaut, the Action Man, who assures Ground Control that he is happy but mentions sordid details. The phrase "sordid details" refers to Tom's life after his return from space: he has become addicted to drugs and even prostitution.
The song's chorus, "Ashes to ashes, funk to funky, we know Major Tom's a junkie," is a metaphor for Tom's ultimate demise. It implies that he is traveling in circles from planet to planet, never getting anywhere, and it is symbolic of the triumphs and tragedies of his life. The line "My mother said to get things done, you'd better not mess with Major Tom" is a reference to Bowie's own mother, who was worried about her son's drug use. She felt that by using Major Tom as a character in his songs, he was sensationalizing drug use, which was indirectly promoting it.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you remember a guy that's been
Do you recall that individual who was present
In such an early song
In one of the first written tunes
I've heard a rumour from Ground Control
I have become aware of some news from Mission Control
Oh no, don't say it's true
Oh dear, please do not confirm its validity
They got a message
They received a communication
From the Action Man
From the person of action
"I'm happy, hope you're happy too
"I am jubilant, trust that you are elated as well
I've loved
I have cherished
All I've needed to love
Everything I have required to adore
Sordid details following"
Unpleasant specifics ensuing"
The shrieking of nothing is killing
The screeching of emptiness is fatal
Just pictures of Jap girls
Simply images of Japanese girls
In synthesis and I
In unison with myself
Ain't got no money and I ain't got no hair
I do not have money, nor do I have hair
But I'm hoping to kick but the planet it's glowing
Although I aspire to achieve, the world is radiant
[CHORUS]
[CHORUS]
Ashes to ashes, funk to funky
Dust to dust, funk to funkier
We know Major Tom's a junkie
We are aware that Major Tom is a drug addict
Strung out in heaven's high
Overdosed in paradise above
Hitting an all-time low
Reaching a rock bottom
Time and again I tell myself
Repeatedly, I remind myself
I'll stay clean tonight
That I will refrain from indulging tonight
But the little green wheels are following me
However, the small green wheels are pursuing me
Oh no, not again
Oh dear, not a repetition
I'm stuck with a valuable friend
I am accompanied by a dear companion
"I'm happy, hope you're happy too"
"I am content, hope that you are satisfied as well"
One flash of light
A sudden burst of light
But no smoking pistol
But unfortunately, there is no clear evidence to prove anything
I never done good things
I have never accomplished any good deeds
I never done bad things
I have never committed any immoral acts
I never did anything out of the blue,
I have never done anything unexpected
Want an axe to break the ice
Desiring an axe to facilitate the introduction
Wanna come down right now
Wishing to descend immediately
[CHORUS]
[CHORUS]
My mother said
As my mother asserts
To get things done
To accomplish a task
You'd better not mess
It would be wise not to interfere
With Major Tom
With Major Tom
Contributed by Riley W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@brody_pr6568
Lyrics
Do you remember a guy that's been
In such an early song?
I've heard a rumor from Ground Control
Oh no, don't say it's true
They got a message from the Action Man
"I'm happy, hope you're happy too
I've loved all I've needed, love
Sordid details following"
The shrieking of nothing is killing, just
Pictures of Jap girls in synthesis and I
Ain't got no money and I ain't got no hair
But I'm hoping to kick but the planet it's glowing
Ashes to ashes, funk to funky
We know Major Tom's a junkie
Strung out in heaven's high
Hitting an all-time low
Time and again I tell myself
I'll stay clean tonight
But the little green wheels are following me
Oh no, not again
I'm stuck with a valuable friend
"I'm happy, hope you're happy too"
One flash of light but no smoking pistol
I never done good things (I never done good things)
I never done bad things (I never done bad things)
I never did anything out of the blue, woh-o-oh
Want an axe to break the ice
Wanna come down right now
Ashes to ashes, funk to funky
We know Major Tom's a junkie
Strung out in heaven's high
Hitting an all-time low
My mother said, to get things done
You'd better not mess with Major Tom
My mother said, to get things done
You'd better not mess with Major Tom
My mother said, to get things done
You'd better not mess with Major Tom
My mother said, to get things done
You'd better not mess with Major Tom
@theultimatejoost
“The filming was interrupted at one point by an old man walking his dog, looking for driftwood. Mallet asked him if he wouldn’t mind moving, and pointed out Bowie sitting outside the catering van. ‘Do you know who this is?’ he asked. Sharp as a tack, the old man responded with, ‘Of course I do. It’s some cunt in a clown suit.’ Sometime later, Bowie remembered, ‘That was a huge moment for me. It put me back in my place and made me realise, “Yes, I’m just a cunt in a clown suit.”
― Dylan Jones, David Bowie: A Life
@catdealer1144
@Sh3W3ntT0J4r3ds noone cares if someone else posted something and how is that fucked up?
@EasyEnigma
@Hmm Cat dude wtf wrong with your about page? You talking about no one cares and yet you write a whole ass paragraph for ppl who don't care ab you 😂 do you even know what spite means little kid
@catdealer1144
@Sh3W3ntT0J4r3ds First off, I literally cannot understand what that reply means, try improving your grammar, and secondly, why are you stalking my channel?
@erictroxell715
I saw an interview where he talked about this. The crew laughed there asses off. David supposedly asked the guy to be in the video in the background if the beach scene at the end but he declined. Heck for 200$ for 10 minutes work and to meet THE david bowie i would've paid him!!!
@EasyEnigma
@Hmm Cat Dude check out your discussion page. When Zonal Scar said "Dude you should change now because when you're trying to change in a year its hard to let go of that habit." he meant that you're shit and you need to get better.
And if you're having issues about me stalking your page, answer me this: What are you going to do about it?
@lunaolson2529
Currently struggling with a cocaine addiction. I know it's weird but it's extremely comforting to listen to his songs about cocaine. I have very little support so Bowie's music helps me get through the struggle
Edit: I'm 38 days sober as of 2/8/23 and I'm feeling great
Edit 2: thank you all for your support. I'm 50 days sober now as of 2/20/23 and still doing good. I won't lie, I still have cravings, but I know better than to throw away everything that sobreity has given me
Edit 3: It's been a while since I updated because I was pretty ashamed that I relapsed. My plug had contacted me from a different number and I relapsed on 3/1/23 on my 2 month mark. It wasn't a big relapse though and as of 3/24/23 I'm 3 weeks sober. I really didn't expect to get so much support over all these months from y'all but it has been very helpful and I'm so thankful of y'all
@tombrennan3973
I love you because you are human just like me :-)
@user-id6gv6dk2l
56, he-he-he. Always love DB!!!! This song - ONE OF THE BEST.
@mozzerianmisanthrope406
I wish you all the best, Luna. We all have our vices. I'm glad this brings you comfort. 💜