Space Oddity, International Space Station Edition

Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield performs David Bowie’s classic “Space Oddity” from outer space.

May 13, 2013

Comments

Commander Chris Hadfield is no David Bowie. But the Canadian astronaut who got aboard the International Space Station via a Russian rocket re-recorded Bowie’s classic “Space Oddity” from outer space. Thus far, over a million people have viewed the video since its posting yesterday:

Several other of Hadfield’s videos are also available on his YouTube channel. Oddly, this one where he demonstrates that you can’t cry in space, is not among them:

Here’s what purports to be the original 1969 video of Bowie singing “Space Oddity.”

5 responses to “Space Oddity, International Space Station Edition”

Hal 10000

May 13, 2013 at 7:50 am

Pure awesome. One of the benefits of a career in science is that I’ve gotten to meet several astronauts and Hadfield is more the norm than an exception. They are unusually bright and creative people and make me proud to be human.
Franklin

May 13, 2013 at 8:58 am

Perfect.
L.C.

May 13, 2013 at 9:41 am

I must be the only individual on this planet (or, off it, for that matter) that is miffed that he changed the words.

The original words would have been fine.
george

May 13, 2013 at 9:52 am

@L.C.:

I must be the only individual on this planet (or, off it, for that matter) that is miffed that he changed the words.

The original words would have been fine.

He’s a big hit with the school kids in Canada, and I suspect he sees himself more as a teacher than a budding rock star trying to cover an old song – I’d guess the changes are part of his efforts in that respect. He doesn’t seem to take his musical efforts very seriously apart from the teaching aspect, and would probably be surprised to hear that anyone else would enough to care that he changed a few lyrics.

Anything that gets kids interested in studying science, even for a short time, is cool with me.
Rick DeMent

May 14, 2013 at 5:56 am

@L.C.:

Except for the part about the in space disaster … would have put a damper on the whole groove.