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


Lyrics submitted by numb, edited by demosthenes2

Ashes To Ashes Lyrics as written by David Bowie

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, O/B/O DistroKid, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Ashes to Ashes song meanings
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  • -2
    General Comment

    As for ashes to ashes, I have several things to say: first of all it's an unvelievably good song. Second of all, I have my own interpretation of the lyrics. The mood of the song is a lot more resigned and given in to everything. He almost sounds like he's pleading in the last three verses. I think the drug references are not literal. This is someone who wanted to change who they are and what they're doing but their purpose follows them ("the little green wheels are following me") After that, here's the story just right down to the literal bones: major Tom called earth again, saying he's happy in space ("they got a message from the action man: i'm happy, hope you're happy too") and asked for their help to come back to earth ("wanna come down right now") but ground control came to the conclusion he was a junkie ("we know major Tom's a junkie" sang by ground control) and ignored his communications, leaving him out there.

    Overall, awesome song, brilliantly performed and sang, amazingly done.

    songinterpreter123on August 31, 2010   Link

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