Major Tom
Peter Schilling Lyrics


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Gründlich durchgecheckt
Steht sie da
Und wartet auf den Start
Alles klar

Experten streiten sich
Um ein paar Daten
Die Crew hat da noch
Ein paar Fragen, doch
Der Countdown läuft

Effektivität
Bestimmt das Handeln
Man verlässt sich blind
Auf den andern

Jeder weiß genau
Was von ihm abhängt
Jeder ist im Stress
Doch Major Tom
Macht einen Scherz

Dann hebt er ab und!

Völlig losgelöst
Von der Erde
Schwebt das Raumschiff
Völlig schwerelos

Die Erdanziehungskraft
Ist überwunden
Alles läuft perfekt
Schon seit Stunden

Wissenschaftliche
Experimente
Doch was nützen die
Am Ende
Denkt sich Major Tom

Im Kontrollzentrum
Da wird man panisch
Der Kurs der Kapsel der
Stimmt ja gar nicht

Hallo Major Tom
Können Sie hören
Wollen Sie das Projekt
Denn so zerstören?
Doch, er kann nichts hören
Er schwebt weiter

Völlig losgelöst
Von der Erde
Schwebt das Raumschiff
Völlig schwerelos

Die Erde schimmert blau
Sein letzter Funk kommt
Grüßt mir meine Frau!
Und er verstummt

Unten trauern noch
Die Egoisten
Major Tom denkt sich
Wenn die wüssten
Mich führt hier ein Licht
Durch das All
Das kennt ihr noch nicht
Ich komme bald
Mir wird kalt

Völlig losgelöst
Von der Erde
Schwebt das Raumschiff
Schwerelos

Völlig losgelöst
Von der Erde
Schwebt das Raumschiff
Schwerelos

Völlig losgelöst
Von der Erde
Schwebt das Raumschiff
Völlig schwerelo-o-o-o-s

Lo-o-o-o-s
Lo-o-o-o-s




Lo-o-o-o-s
Lo-o-o-o-s

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Peter Schilling's song "Major Tom" tells a story of a mission to space where Major Tom, the astronaut protagonist of the song, is sent on a mission to orbit around the earth but experiences a malfunction where he loses connection with ground control, leaving him stranded in space.


The song explores the loneliness and isolation that one can feel in space as Major Tom waits for his fate. He tries to joke about his circumstances, asking for a drink, but as time passes, he becomes increasingly aware of his circumstances. He sends a final message to his wife, realizing that he may not return to earth.


The significance of the song lies in the way it evokes a sense of isolation and loneliness despite the presence of advanced technologies, highlighting the vulnerability of humans when confronted with the vastness of space. Schilling's "Major Tom" has become an iconic figure, representing the anxiety of the Cold War era and its concerns about nuclear war that could eventually lead humanity to extinction.


Line by Line Meaning

Standing there alone, the ship is waiting
The ship is ready and waiting for Major Tom to launch into space.


All systems are go, are you sure?
Despite all systems being operational and ready for takeoff, there is still some uncertainty and doubt about whether to proceed.


Control is not convinced
Even though Major Tom is ready for takeoff, the control center still has some reservations and skepticism.


But the computer has the evidence
The computer system has confirmed that everything is in order and that there's no impending danger if the takeoff proceeds.


No need to abort
Since there's no potential danger detected, the launch should proceed as scheduled and shouldn't be stopped.


The countdown starts
The countdown begins to signal takeoff and prepare Major Tom for the mission.


Watching in a trance, the crew is certain
The crew monitoring the mission is assured and confident in Major Tom and the ship's ability to carry out the task.


Nothing left to chance, all is working
Every detail has been taken care of, and there's no chance of a malfunction during the mission.


Trying to relax, up in the capsule
Despite the tension surrounding the mission, Major Tom is attempting to stay calm and composed in the capsule.


"Send me up a drink", jokes Major Tom
As a light-hearted note amidst the serious tone of the mission, Major Tom makes a humorous request for a drink to ease his nerves.


The count goes on
The countdown for takeoff continues forward, and the mission is about to commence.


Four, three, two, one
The final countdown just before liftoff.


Earth below us
As the rocket ship takes off, Earth comes into view from their perspective in space.


Drifting, falling
As they detach from Earth, they feel a weightlessness sensation as they begin to float through space.


Floating, weightless
In space, there's no gravity, and the passengers in the capsule experience an effortless state of floating and weightlessness.


Calling, calling home
Despite being thousands of miles away from their loved ones, they feel a strong desire and urge to call home and check in with those they love.


Second stage is cut, we're now in orbit
The mission continues, and they've now entered the next stage where they orbit the Earth.


Stabilizers up, running perfect
In this stage of the mission, the stabilizers that keep the ship steady are working as they should be.


Starting to collect requested data
With the stabilizers perfectly operating, they're able to start gathering the specific data they were tasked with collecting.


"What will it effect, when all is done?" Thinks Major Tom
In the solitude of his capsule, Major Tom allows his mind to wander and wonders what impact the data collected will have once they return to Earth.


Back at ground control there is a problem
Despite a successful mission so far, there's an issue back at ground control that has arisen could prevent them from successfully returning home.


Go to rockets full, not responding
The rockets of the capsule that will propel them back to Earth are unresponsive, creating a serious issue.


"Hello Major Tom, are you receiving? / Turn the thrusters on, we're standing by" / There's no reply
Despite attempts from ground control to reach Major Tom and fix the issue, there's no response, leading them to believe something is wrong with the capsule or Major Tom himself.


Across the stratosphere / A final message, "Give my wife my love" / Then nothing more
As they pass through the thick layer of atmosphere, Major Tom sends a final message to his loved one before all communication and contact is lost.


Far beneath the ship, the world is mourning / They don't realize, he's alive
As people on Earth mourn the presumed death of Major Tom, he's actually still alive, albeit stranded in space.


No one understands but Major Tom sees / Now the light commands, this is my home / I'm coming home
Despite not having a clear solution for the issue that's left him stranded in space, Major Tom recognizes that his home is no longer Earth and that it's time to embrace his new environment.


Earth below us / Drifting, falling / Floating, weightless / Coming home
As he makes peace with his new reality, he begins his descent back to Earth with the same weightlessness and floating sensations as he had when he first launched into space.


Home
The one-word chorus represents Major Tom's newfound sense of belonging back in space where he's finally found his place, his home.




Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Pierre Schilling

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

@SigCipher

Standing there alone, the ship is waiting
All systems are go, are you sure?
Control is not convinced
But the computer has the evidence
No need to abort

The countdown starts

Watching in a trance, the crew is certain
Nothing left to chance, all is working
Trying to relax, up in the capsule
"Send me up a drink", jokes Major Tom
The count goes on

4, 3, 2, 1
Earth below us
Drifting falling
Floating weightless
Calling calling home

Second stage is cut, we're now in orbit
Stabilizers up, running perfect
Starting to collect, requested data
What will it effect, when all is done
Thinks Major Tom

Back at ground control, there is a problem
Go to rockets full, not responding
Hello Major Tom, are you receiving
Turn the thrusters on, we're standing by
There's no reply

4, 3, 2, 1
Earth below us
Drifting, falling
Floating, weightless
Calling, calling, home

Across the stratosphere
A final message, "Give my wife my love"
Then nothing more

Far beneath the ship, the world is mourning
They don't realize, he's alive
No one understands but Major Tom sees
Now the light commands, this is my home
I'm coming home

Earth below us
Drifting falling
Floating weightless
Coming home

Earth below us
Drifting falling
Floating weightless
Coming home

Earth below us
Drifting falling
Floating weightless
Coming coming home

Home
Home
Home
Home
Home
Home
Home
Home



@lauragabrieladiaz2016

Standing there alone
The ship is waiting
All systems are go
Are you sure?
Control is not convinced
But the computer
Has the evidence
No need to abort
The countdown starts
Watching in a trance
The crew is certain
Nothing left to chance
All is working
Trying to relax
Up in the capsule
Send me up a drink
Jokes Major Tom
The count goes on
Four, three, two, one
Earth below us
Drifting, falling
Floating weightless
Calling, calling home

Second stage is cut
We're now in orbit
Stabilizers up
Running perfect
Starting to collect
Requested data
What will it affect
When all is done?
Thinks Major Tom
Back at ground control
There is a problem
Go to rockets full
Not responding
Hello Maior Tom
Are you receiving?
Turn the thrusters on
We're standing by
There's no reply
Four, three, two, one
Earth below us
Drifting, falling
Floating weightless
Calling, calling home

Across the stratosphere
A final message
Give my wife my love
Then nothing more
Far beneath the ship
The world is mourning
They don't realize
He's alive
No one understands
But Major Tom sees
Now the light commands
This is my home
I'm coming home
Earth below us
Drifting, falling
Floating weightless
Coming home
Earth below us
Drifting, falling
Floating weightless
Coming home
Earth below us
Drifting, falling
Floating weightless
Coming, coming home home



@jaderbotelho5087

Standing there alone
The ship is waiting
All systems are go
"Are you sure?"
Control is not convinced
But the computer
Has the evidence
No need to abort
The countdown starts

Watching in a trance
The crew is certain
Nothing left to chance
All is working
Trying to relax
Up in the capsule
"Send me up a drink."
Jokes Major Tom
The count goes on...

4, 3, 2, 1
Earth below us
Drifting, falling
Floating weightless
Calling, calling home...

Second stage is cut
We're now in orbit
Stabilizers up
Runnning perfect
Starting to collect
Requested data
"What will it affect
When all is done?"
Thinks Major Tom

Back at ground control
There is a problem
"Go to rockets full."
Not responding
"Hello Major Tom
Are you receiving?
Turn the thrusters on
We're standing by."
There's no reply

4, 3, 2, 1
Earth below us
Drifting, falling
Floating weightless
Calling, calling home...

Across the stratosphere
A final message:
"Give my wife my love."
Then nothing more

Far beneath the ship
The world is mourning
They don't realize
He's alive
No one understands
But Major Tom sees
"Now the light commands
This is my home
I'm coming home."

Earth below us
Drifting, falling
Floating weightless
Coming home...
Earth below us
Drifting, falling
Floating weightless
Coming, coming
Home
Home



All comments from YouTube:

@drsmackdat

41 years since this song & music video first debuted, who else is here in 2024?

@Nighthill99

Happy New Year!

@angelvivan115

Yooo🎉

@scottbalts7559

sup!!

@Pitch8blac

I listen to this everyday and it never gets old

@johnbanks8269

here in 2024 brother

46 More Replies...

@cmdrdisintegrationluke2316

I think the only reason this video doesn’t have more views is due to people likely not knowing the name of this song

@zoolkhan

the german original was more popular and up in the charts for an insane long time

@lummx

@@zoolkhan what is the name for the german version?

@electrogestapo

@@lummx Also Major Tom. Nothing much to translate with the title, major is also major in German.

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