1983 Songs: Major Tom (Coming Home)

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Hey, didn’t I mention this song in the teaser to this monthlong countdown of songs from 1983? Yes, I did, thanks for noticing! And that’s right, there’s still 18 more days of this look at songs turning 40 this year. So two and a half more weeks of shrugs. Get warmed up for a BIG shrug tomorrow with today’s tune. Major Tom (Coming Home) - Peter Schilling Yes, we’re back in the German world! Although this is actually the English rendition of Peter Schilling’s international hit. After it was a big hit with the German lyrics Schilling re-did the song in English, where it took off (pardon the pun) in the rest of the world. For reasons not completely fathomable to even me, I’ve linked the “official” video below. It’s pretty weird, with roller-skating carhops and a pile of junk cars. Fortunately, I heard this song long before I saw the video, so even it couldn’t dampen my love for the song. Based on David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” (maybe that’s why the weird video ), I’m a true oddball because I love this song so much more than the original Bowie song. A sad note: Picky Wedia says that William Shatner covered this song. I’m not going there, and I hope you don’t, either. Major Tom (Coming Home) Written by Peter Schilling Recorded by Peter Schilling From Error in the System, 1983 Earth below us, drifting, falling: