Ashes to Ashes
David Bowie Lyrics


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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

Overall Meaning

"Ashes to Ashes" is David Bowie's sequel to his hit song "Space Oddity," and features reprises of some of the elements from that song. The song's opening line references a character from Bowie's earlier song "The Bewlay Brothers." The rumored news Bowie alludes to is the death of his alter-ego, Major Tom. Ground Control, the organization mentioned in "Space Oddity," confirms that Major Tom is now dead. The Action Man mentioned in the song is a reference to Major Tom.


Throughout the song, Bowie reflects on his own career and personal life. The line "The shrieking of nothing is killing" is likely a reference to the pressures of fame and the anxieties that come with that. He then mentions "Pictures of Jap girls in synthesis," most likely referencing the influence of Japanese culture on his music. The line "I ain't got no money and I ain't got no hair" may be a reference to Bowie's look at the time, which featured a brightly dyed, spiky hairstyle.


The chorus of the song brings all these elements together, as he sings "Ashes to ashes, funk to funky / We know Major Tom's a junkie / Strung out in heaven's high / Hitting an all-time low." Here, Bowie uses the death of Major Tom as a metaphorical representation of his own struggles with addiction, and comments on the sometimes seedy and dark world of the music industry.


Line by Line Meaning

Do you remember a guy that's been In such an early song?
Do you recall a man who was featured in a song from long ago?


I've heard a rumor from Ground Control Oh no, don't say it's true
I've received some information from Ground Control, but I hope it's not what I fear it might be.


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 Action Man sent them a message: he's content and wishes them the same. He's had his fill of love, and there are some questionable specifics he'd like to share.


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
I'm distressed by the lack of meaning in the world, and while I see robots and Japanese girls in synthetic imagery, I don't have the resources to make any changes. However, I maintain optimism despite the planet's dull condition.


Ashes to ashes, funk to funky We know Major Tom's a junkie Strung out in heaven's high Hitting an all-time low
The cycle of life goes from ashes to ashes, and we know that Major Tom is struggling with addiction, seemingly disillusioned with the heavenly heights he achieved, and is now at his lowest point.


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 keep promising myself I'll stay away from drugs, but temptation seems to follow me relentlessly. I'm accompanied by a friend who's valuable to me, but who may bring me down with their habits. Although I see something promising, it fails to live up to its initial appearances.


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
I've never done what one might consider good or bad things. There's nothing special about my existence, and I'd like to have a sudden change that will shake things up for me. I'm eager to make a move right away.


My mother said, to get things done You'd better not mess with Major Tom
My mother taught me that to accomplish anything, I must not get in Major Tom's way.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: David Bowie

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@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



All comments from YouTube:

@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?

58 More Replies...

@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. 💜

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