Ashes To Ashes

"Ashes to Ashes" is a single by David Bowie, released in 1980. It made #1 in the UK and was the first cut from the Scary Monsters album, also a #1 hit. As well as its musical qualities, it is noted for its innovative video, directed by Bowie and David Mallet. The lyrics revisit Bowie's Major Tom character from "Space Oddity", which he referenced once again in 1996 with "Hallo Spaceboy". Bowie has said that with "Ashes to Ashes" he was, "wrapping up the seventies really for myself, and that seemed a good enough epitaph for it".

[Verse 1] Do you remember a guy that's been 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 "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 this planet is glowing [Chorus] Ashes to ashes, funk to funky We know Major Tom's a junky Strung out in heaven's high Hitting an all-time low [Verse 2] 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've never done good things I've never done bad things I never did anything out of the blue, whoa whoa Want an axe to break the ice Wanna come down right now [Chorus] Ashes to ashes, funk to funky We know Major Tom's a junkie Strung out in heaven's high Hitting an all-time low [Outro] 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