Tony Kakko (Sonata Arctica)
Marco Hietala (Nightwish, Tarot)
J-P Leppäluoto (Charon)
Jarkko Ahola (Teräsbetoni)
Background singing by Aleksi Parviainen (Soulcage)
The group is not an ordinary band, but a league of four vocalists, who are all frontmen of successful heavy metal bands. They wanted to create something special together and came up with an idea of arranging 80's classics to metal versions - sung by all the four together.
The tracks from their current album, "Reborn", include legendary pieces such as "I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight" by Cutting Crew, "Take On Me" by A-ha, "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey, "Wanted Dead Or Alive" by Bon Jovi, "My Way" by Frank Sinatra, "In The Air Tonight" by Phil Collins, "Brothers In Arms" by Dire Straits and "Sledgehammer" by Peter Gabriel.
Song arrangements by Aleksi Parviainen except "I Just Died In Yours Arms Tonight" and "Don't Bring Me Down" by J.Ahola and "Brothers In Arms" by Mikko P. Mustonen.
Ashes To Ashes
Northern Kings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
Oh happy, hope you're happy too
I've loved all I've needed love
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
And I'd quit but the planet it's glowing
Ashes to ashes, fun 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
Oh happy, hope you're happy too
One flash of light but no smoking pistol
I've never done good things
I've never done bad things
I've never done anything out of the blue, woh-o-oh
I want an axe to break the ice
I wanna come down right now
Ashes to ashes, fun to funky
We know Major Tom's a junkie
Strung out in heaven's high
Hitting an all-time low
My mama said to get things done
You'd better not mess with Major Tom
My mama said to get things done
You'd better not mess with Major Tom
My mama said to get things done
You'd better not mess with Major Tom
My mama said to get things done
You'd better not mess with Major Tom
And I'll wave to you with the arms of the mountain
I'll see you
Give the same to me then I'll be closer, closer
Give the same to me then I'll be closer, closer
Smiling with the mouth of the ocean
And I'll wave to you with the arms of the mountain
Give the same to me then I'll be closer, closer
Give the same to me then I'll be closer, closer
The song "Ashes to Ashes" by Northern Kings begins with a reference to a guy from an early song. This is a nod to David Bowie's "Space Oddity," which is about Major Tom, an astronaut lost in space. The lyrics then mention a rumor that has been heard from Ground Control, which refers to the people who monitor and control space missions. The rumor is that Major Tom is a junkie, strung out in heaven's high, which suggests that he has become addicted to some kind of drug.
The chorus of the song then repeats the phrase "ashes to ashes, fun to funky" several times. This is a reference to the phrase "ashes to ashes, dust to dust," which is often used in funeral services to signify the end of a person's life. In this case, the phrase is being used to describe the fall from grace of Major Tom, who was once a hero but has now become a junkie. The verse after the chorus talks about the singer's struggle with addiction, as they try to stay clean but find themselves being followed by the "little green wheels," which likely represents the temptation to use drugs.
The song ends with a series of repeating phrases, including "my mama said to get things done, you'd better not mess with Major Tom." This suggests that Major Tom is still seen as a powerful figure, despite his addiction. The final lines of the song talk about waving to someone with the arms of the mountain, which seems to be a metaphor for reaching out to someone who is far away. Overall, "Ashes to Ashes" is a haunting tribute to David Bowie's Major Tom character and a reflection on the dangers of addiction.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you remember a guy that's been
In such an early song
Do you recall a person that featured in a melody from earlier times?
I've heard a rumour from Ground Control
Oh no, don't say it's true
I've been informed by an authority figure, but it's too terrible to be factual.
They got a message from the Action Man
Oh happy, hope you're happy too
They have been in touch with the person who takes part in daring deeds, hoping they have positive news to share.
I've loved all I've needed love
Sordid details following"
Love has been given and received, but there are unsavory specifics that follow.
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
And I'd quit but the planet it's glowing
All that can be heard is silence, and even though the images are captivating, there's no wealth or hair. The urge to give up is strong but the planet continues to illuminate.
Ashes to ashes, fun to funky
We know Major Tom's a junkie
Strung out in heaven's high
Hitting an all-time low
We have seen the ashes of life, both good and bad, but now Major Tom is experiencing dire consequences from drug dependency.
Time and again I tell myself
I'll stay clean tonight
But the little green wheels are following me
Oh no, not again
Repeatedly trying to abstain, however, the lure of the narcotic persists and another setback is looming.
I'm stuck with a valuable friend
Oh happy, hope you're happy too
One flash of light but no smoking pistol
Loyal to a dear comrade who's complicit, but there is no definitive proof of their involvement.
I've never done good things
I've never done bad things
I've never done anything out of the blue, woh-o-oh
I want an axe to break the ice
I wanna come down right now
I have lived without virtuous or sinful deeds, and with no unexpected occurrences. Nonetheless, I am eager to make an impulsive decision to break through the monotony.
My mama said to get things done
You'd better not mess with Major Tom
My mother cautioned that I shouldn't intervene with Major Tom's issues.
And I'll wave to you with the arms of the mountain
I'll see you
Give the same to me then I'll be closer, closer
Give the same to me then I'll be closer, closer
As I extend my arms into the vastness, I'll have a vision of you. Grant me the same perspective, and I will be more intimately connected to you.
Smiling with the mouth of the ocean
And I'll wave to you with the arms of the mountain
Give the same to me then I'll be closer, closer
Give the same to me then I'll be closer, closer
Mirroring the vastness of the ocean with a smile, I will evoke an image of reaching to you from the mountain's embrace. Give me the same commensurate emotion, so that I may be closer.
Contributed by Christian I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.