Ashes
Tears & Marble Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

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 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

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 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

Overall Meaning

Tears & Marble’s song “Ashes” is a modern-day interpretation of David Bowie’s 1980 classic “Ashes to Ashes”. The opening lines reference the song “Space Oddity”, Bowie’s 1969 hit about astronaut Major Tom. Ground Control is the nickname given to the space station’s control center. The rumor that is heard is potentially about Major Tom’s drug addiction, a theme that is present throughout the song.


The next verse contains a message from the Action Man to Ground Control. The message reads: "I'm happy, hope you're happy too, I’ve loved all I’ve needed to love, Sordid details following." It is unclear who the Action Man is or what role he plays in the story. The following line “The shrieking of nothing is killing” is a reference to Bowie’s hit song, “Heroes” where the lyric is “the screaming of nothing is killing”. The phrase "Jap girls" comes from a song by Tin Machine, a side project Bowie was involved in.


The chorus of the song repeats “ashes to ashes, funk to funky, we know Major Tom’s a junkie”. The phrase 'Ashes to ashes' refers to the cycle of life and death, with 'funk to funky' implying the decay of the soul or creative output. Major Tom’s drug addiction is referenced, with the mention of him being “Strung out in heaven’s high, hitting an all-time low”. The verse that follows explores the singer's inner turmoil, focusing on the struggle of addiction and the constant temptation to use. The song ends with a reference to Bowie’s famous quote “you’d better not mess with Major Tom”, spoken by the singer's mother in the song's final lines.


Line by Line Meaning

Do you remember a guy that's been
Do you recall the person who has already appeared,


In such an early song
in an early work of art


I've heard a rumor from Ground Control
I have received some unofficial information from the control center on the ground


Oh no, don't say it's true
Oh no, please don't confirm it


They got a message from the Action Man
They received a message from a heroic figure


"I'm happy, hope you're happy too
"I am happy, and I hope you are happy as well


I've loved all I've needed to love
I have loved everything that I needed to love


Sordid details following"
However, there are unpleasant details that follow


The shrieking of nothing is killing
The screaming of nothingness is causing death


Just pictures of Jap girls in synthesis and I
Only photographs of Japanese girls and I, together


Ain't got no money and I ain't got no hair
I have no money and no hair


But I'm hoping to kick but the planet it's glowing
But I am hoping to recover while the planet is shining brightly


Ashes to ashes, funk to funky
Dust turns to dust, and funk becomes cliché


We know Major Tom's a junkie
We are aware that Major Tom is a drug addict


Strung out in heaven's high
He is high but in a heavenly state


Hitting an all-time low
But he is at his lowest point ever


Time and again I tell myself
Over and over again, I remind myself


I'll stay clean tonight
That I will avoid drugs tonight


But the little green wheels are following me
Yet the small green wheels are still pursuing me


Oh no, not again
Oh no, not another time


I'm stuck with a valuable friend
I am in a problematic situation with a close friend


"I'm happy, hope you're happy too"
"I am Happy, and I hope you are happy as well"


One flash of light but no smoking pistol
There was no proof or evidence, only a sudden flash of light


I never done good things I never done bad things
I have never done anything good, nor anything serious.


I never did anything out of the blue, woh-o-oh
I never did something suddenly, spontaneously


Want an axe to break the ice
I want a tool to create a good atmosphere


Wanna come down right now
I want to calm down immediately


Ashes to ashes, funk to funky
Dust turns to dust, and the old fashioned style becomes boring.


We know Major Tom's a junkie
We are aware that Major Tom is a drug addict


Strung out in heaven's high
He is high but in a heavenly state


Hitting an all-time low
But he is at his lowest point ever




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAVE APPELL, JAY SIEGEL, MITCH MARGO, PHIL MARGO

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@BUweB

Simply phantastic!!!

@peterjonkers1112

super relaxed

@mariannespinosa8245

I feel like Im walking in reverse... Good flow

More Versions