Major Tom (Coming Home)
Encyclopedia
"Major Tom" ( Major Tom (totally disconnected)), is a song by singer Peter Schilling
from his album Error in the System
. With a character unofficially related to "Major Tom
", the theme of David Bowie
's 1969 album Space Oddity
, the song is about the character being caught in an accident in space.
The song was originally recorded in German, and released in West Germany on January 3, 1983. It reached #1 in West Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The English version was first released in the United States on September 24, 1983. It reached #1 in Canada, #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart in 1984, and #4 in South Africa. The English-language version of the song also reached number two on the dance chart in the U.S.
Ironically, the song proved to be a chart hit in most countries except Bowie's native UK.
Peter Schilling
Peter Schilling is a German synthpop musician whose songs often feature science-fiction themes...
from his album Error in the System
Error in the System
Error in the System is the first English album by German singer Peter Schilling, and is literally the English counterpart to the German album Fehler im System. The English and German version have been combined and sold as a single box set in several parts of the world.-Error in the System:*All...
. With a character unofficially related to "Major Tom
Major Tom
Major Tom is a fictional astronaut created by David Bowie, heard in his songs "Space Oddity," "Ashes to Ashes," and "Hallo Spaceboy." Bowie's own interpretation of the character evolved throughout his career. 1969's "Space Oddity" depicts an astronaut who casually slips the bonds of a crass and...
", the theme of David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
's 1969 album Space Oddity
Space Oddity (album)
-Release history:-7" open reel tape releases:There was only one release of Space Oddity on open reel, in 1972 duplicated by Magtec, North Hollywood, CA 91605. This is a high speed 7.5 ips release...
, the song is about the character being caught in an accident in space.
The song was originally recorded in German, and released in West Germany on January 3, 1983. It reached #1 in West Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The English version was first released in the United States on September 24, 1983. It reached #1 in Canada, #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart in 1984, and #4 in South Africa. The English-language version of the song also reached number two on the dance chart in the U.S.
Ironically, the song proved to be a chart hit in most countries except Bowie's native UK.
Charts
| Chart (1983) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Austrian Singles Chart Ö3 Austria Top 40 Ö3 Austria Top 40 is the name of the official Austrian singles chart, as well as the radio show which presents it, aired Fridays on Hitradio Ö3. The show presents the Austrian singles, ringtones and downloads chart. It premiered on 26 November 1968 as Disc Parade and was presented by Ernst Grissemann... |
1 |
| Canadian Singles Chart Canadian Singles Chart The Canadian Singles Chart is currently compiled by the U.S.-based music sales tracking company, Nielsen SoundScan . The chart is compiled every Wednesday, and is published by Jam! Canoe on Thursdays.... |
1 |
| Dutch Singles Chart | 2 |
| French Singles Chart Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique The Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique is the inter-professional organization which protects the interests of the French record industry... |
2 |
| German Singles Chart Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... |
1 |
| South African Chart | 4 |
| Swiss Singles Chart Swiss Music Charts The Swiss Music Charts are Switzerland's main music sales charts. The charts are a record of the highest-selling singles and albums in various genres in Switzerland.The Swiss Charts include:* Singles Top 75... |
1 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
42 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
14 |
Cover versions
- In 1983, the Belgian musician Plastic BertrandPlastic BertrandPlastic Bertrand is a Belgian musician, songwriter, producer, editor and television presenter, best known for the 1977 international hit single "Ça plane pour moi".-Early life and bands:...
recorded a cover with a variation on Schilling's lyrics. - In 2001, the band DealershipDealership (band)Dealership is an American indie rock band based in Berkeley, California. Since their inception in 1995, the band features all their original members.-History:...
recorded a cover of "Major Tom (Coming Home)". The track has been posted on the band's web site, but has not been released on an album. - In 2004, the DutchDutch peopleThe Dutch people are an ethnic group native to the Netherlands. They share a common culture and speak the Dutch language. Dutch people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United...
punk band Travoltas covered the song for their "Highschool Reunion" album. - In 2005, the band Fenix TX released a live cover of the song for their album Purple Reign in BloodPurple Reign in BloodPurple Reign in Blood is the third album released by the pop punk band Fenix TX. The album is a live recording and it marks their first performance together in almost four years. The album was released on November 8, 2005...
. - In 2007, the band I Hate KateI Hate KateDarling Thieves, formerly known as I Hate Kate, is an alternative rock band from Huntington Beach, California. The band was founded in November 2004 by former Zebrahead frontman Justin Mauriello.-History:...
released a cover of the song for their album Embrace the Curse, which did not feature the full lyrics. - MxPxMxPxMxPx is a pop punk band from Bremerton, Washington with connections to the Christian punk scene. The band has recorded eight studio albums, four EPs, four compilation albums, a live album, a VHS tape, a DVD and released 20 singles....
recorded a version of the song, releasing it as an iTunes bonus track for their On the Cover II album. - Chicago-based CanastaCanasta (band)Ned Raggett of Allmusic wrote that on this album the band "display both an ambition and a sense of range that any number of early 21st century American groups described in similar terms would be wise to follow"...
recorded a version of the song as a free download track. - In 2009, Shiny Toy GunsShiny Toy GunsShiny Toy Guns is an American indie rock band that formed in 2002 in Los Angeles, California. They released their first studio album We Are Pilots in 2006, after recording it two previous times. It featured three singles that peaked inside the top 30 in the Alternative Songs Chart. We Are Pilots...
recorded a cover of the song that was featured in a 2010 Lincoln MKZLincoln MKZThe Lincoln MKZ, initially named the Lincoln Zephyr, is a mid-size, entry-level luxury car from the Lincoln division of the Ford Motor Company. Lincoln revived the Zephyr name in the fall of 2005 as a platform-mate for the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan; the vehicles were based on the CD3 platform,...
commercial. It was later released as a single and on the remix album Girls Le DiskoGirls Le DiskoGirls Le Disko is a remix compilation by American band Shiny Toy Guns. It was released on December 15, 2009 on Ultra Records.The cover of "Major Tom " originally appeared in a 2009 commercial for the 2010 Lincoln MKZ and is the first single from this compilation. In January 2010, Shiny Toy Gun...
. - Chiasm (Emileigh Rohn) included a cover version on her 2009 album Apple Island.
- William ShatnerWilliam ShatnerWilliam Alan Shatner is a Canadian actor, musician, recording artist, and author. He gained worldwide fame and became a cultural icon for his portrayal of James T...
included a cover on the 2011 album Seeking Major Tom.