<P> Major Tom is a fictional astronaut referenced in David Bowie 's songs `` Space Oddity '' , `` Ashes to Ashes '' , `` Hallo Spaceboy '' , `` New Killer Star '' and music video `` Blackstar '' . Bowie 's own interpretation of the character evolved throughout his career . `` Space Oddity '' ( 1969 ) depicts an astronaut who casually slips the bonds of the world to journey beyond the stars . In the song `` Ashes to Ashes '' ( 1980 ) , Bowie reinterprets Major Tom as an oblique autobiographical symbol for himself . Major Tom is described as a `` junkie , strung out in heavens high , hitting an all - time low '' . This lyric was interpreted as a play on the title of Bowie 's album Low ( 1977 ) , which charted his withdrawal following his drug abuse in the United States . Additionally , the choked and self - recriminating tone used in the lyrics `` Time and again I tell myself I 'll stay clean tonight . '' reinforces an autobiographical and retrospective interpretation . A short time later , there is another reversal of Major Tom 's original withdrawal , turning ' outwards ' or towards space . </P>
<P> Major Tom is a fictional astronaut referenced in David Bowie 's songs `` Space Oddity '' , `` Ashes to Ashes '' , `` Hallo Spaceboy '' , `` New Killer Star '' and music video `` Blackstar '' . Bowie 's own interpretation of the character evolved throughout his career . `` Space Oddity '' ( 1969 ) depicts an astronaut who casually slips the bonds of the world to journey beyond the stars . In the song `` Ashes to Ashes '' ( 1980 ) , Bowie reinterprets Major Tom as an oblique autobiographical symbol for himself . Major Tom is described as a `` junkie , strung out in heavens high , hitting an all - time low '' . This lyric was interpreted as a play on the title of Bowie 's album Low ( 1977 ) , which charted his withdrawal following his drug abuse in the United States . Additionally , the choked and self - recriminating tone used in the lyrics `` Time and again I tell myself I 'll stay clean tonight . '' reinforces an autobiographical and retrospective interpretation . A short time later , there is another reversal of Major Tom 's original withdrawal , turning ' outwards ' or towards space . </P>
who sings this is ground control to major tom
who sings this is ground control to major tom
David Bowie
David Bowie