The government’s advice and songs for astronauts
March 22nd, 2008 at 02:30am
Good morning John,
This line that the New South Wales government have trotted out about leaving Sydney during their half day shutdown of the city for World Youth Day seems to be rapidly developing in to their new excuse for everything. They used it for APEC, now World Youth Day, I suppose next it will be "the trains wouldn't be so crowded if you didn't all live here and try to catch them, so get out of town".
Also you were asking for songs to play to astronauts. Well I think it would have be a song which fills them with confidence that their mission will be successful, so I think the best option would be David Bowie's Major Tom (better known by its actual title “Space Oddity” — thanks for the reminder Pen 15). There's nothing more reassuring than "something's wrong, your circuit's dead, can you hear me Major Tom?"
And speaking of people named Tom, congratulations to your Tom on his move to the weekday show with Jim Ball. I chatted with him briefly a couple times during the week and he seemed to be enjoying it.
Regards,
Samuel Gordon-Stewart
Canberra
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3 Comments
1. Pen 15 | March 22nd, 2008 at 12:25 pm
I’m assuming you mean “Space Oddity”, Sam? I can’t recall a Bowie song called “Major Tom”.
Regardless, I don’t think that is a good song for an astronaut…the character Major Tom makes another appearance in the Bowie song “Ashes to Ashes”…except now he has become a junkie! Lets not condemn our astronauts to that kind of life!
2. Samuel | March 22nd, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Yes, “space oddity”, I couldn’t think of the title at the time.
3. Tony | March 31st, 2008 at 2:29 am
The space song from me would be I’m The Urban Spaceman by the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band.
A 60’s classic.