David Bowie's Space Oddity

[Sean]

The 1969 David Bowie song Space Oddity featuring the autobiographical Major Tom seems to describe a Pyramus type fool: he's in space putting a space suit on if he dares, but eventually losing contact with Mission Control. It's a young man with an excessive sense of separation from the world, going ridiculously far out with his thinking or perspective on life when he should simply get a girl, be part of humanity and realize his degree of ordinary commonality; the suit is his protection he thinks he needs to go out with for contact with others, but he's way above the ground so gets completely lost. Released at the time of Apollo 11 but also among the most disturbing of popular songs.

[DavidW]

That's one of my favorite Bowie songs, but I'm having trouble saying anything because you don't invite discussion.  You're just lecturing us.  For what?  Did you want to talk about interpreting the song?  If so, ask a question please.  I would like to discuss it if you want to as well.

[Sean]

Sure, I'm asking if you agree. On this occasion I wasn't lecturing since I'm not sure what the song means, other than many people think there's a lot going on in it; Bowie reused the character in two further songs according to Wikipedia. I wondered briefly if the space suit was a reference to a condom, but I think its just a young man's confused reticence.

[DavidW]

Well I think it's a drug experience since he's floating in "a most peculiar way", and then in Ashes to Ashes the reference is "Major Tom is a junkie" which seems to confirm it.  The idea of floating in space and feeling like you can feel/see the rest of the world but are removed from it would be not uncommon experience if you're high (speculating of course I'm a sober fellow).

[Sean]

Okay. Alcohol is also as far as I go.