Sottaku logo Sottaku
Media

Space Oddity

David Bowie Rock English

Vocabulary from David Bowie: 'Space Oddity'.

Ground control to Major Tom

Ground control to Major Tom

Take your protein pills and put your helmet on

Ground control to Major Tom (ten, nine, eight, seven)

Commencing countdown, engines on (six, five, four, three)

Check ignition, and may God's love be with you (two, one, lift off)

This is ground control to Major Tom

You've really made the grade

And the papers want to know whose shirts you wear

Now it's time to leave the capsule if you dare

This is Major Tom to ground control

I'm stepping through the door

And I'm floating in the most peculiar way

And the stars look very different today

For here am I sitting in a tin can

Far above the world

Planet Earth is blue, and there's nothing I can do

Though I'm past one hundred thousand miles

I'm feeling very still

And I think my spaceship knows which way to go

Tell my wife I love her very much, she knows

Ground control to Major Tom

Your circuit's dead, there's something wrong

Can you hear me, Major Tom?

Can you hear me, Major Tom?

Can you hear me, Major Tom?

Can you?

Here am I floating 'round my tin can

Far above the Moon

Planet Earth is blue, and there's nothing I can do

Vocabulary

ground control

Noun

personnel and equipment on the ground directing a flight

Ground control lost contact with the satellite for several minutes.

Refers to the ground-based personnel and equipment that monitor and direct the flight and landing of aircraft or spacecraft.

to

Preposition

tuː

to (infinitive marker)

I want to read a book.

Used before the base form of a verb to form the infinitive.

Major Tom

Proper noun

ˈmeɪdʒər tɑm

the name of a fictional astronaut

Major Tom is a fictional astronaut in the song.

A proper name, especially associated with David Bowie's fictional astronaut character. It is not a general noun.

take

Verb

teɪk

to move something from one place to another; to use as a means of transportation

He takes the bus to school.

A versatile verb; here it refers to using a form of transport.

your

Determiner

jɔː

belonging to you

Is this your book?

A possessive determiner used to show that something belongs to the person or people being spoken to.

protein

Noun

ˈproʊtin

a substance found in food necessary for body growth and health

Eggs and beans are excellent sources of protein for a healthy diet.

Found in foods like meat, eggs, beans, and nuts. Essential for building muscle and repairing tissues.

pill

Noun

pɪl

a small solid piece of medicine to be swallowed

She takes a vitamin pill every morning after breakfast.

Used for medication or supplements. 'The pill' often refers specifically to oral contraceptives.

and

Conjunction

ænd

used to join words or groups of words

He likes apples and oranges.

Used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences.

Media

Please log in to add flashcards

Sottaku

About Sottaku

Sottaku is an app for learning a growing range of Asian and European languages with a strong focus on SRS. It includes automatic flashcard creation for hundreds of thousands of words, grammar breakdowns in example sentences, language-specific study packs where available, adaptive quizzes, mobile apps, a browser extension, and community features. Give it a try now! All learning content is free with no limits on flashcards or study time.

Sottaku is built to match the habits of successful learners. By using Sottaku, you will naturally learn in the most efficient way possible, as proven by countless success stories in the language learning community.

Free Forever

Access all grammar guides, quizzes, and flashcards without paying a cent. Quality education should be accessible to everyone.

Smart SRS System

Our flashcard system uses the FSRS algorithm (also used in Anki) to optimize your review schedule and maximize retention.

Comprehensive Content

From hanzi, kana, hangul, and European vocabulary basics to grammar and reading practice where available, we have lessons for every level. Practice with quizzes tailored to your skill.

Community Chat

Ask level-appropriate questions and get help from the community. Learn together with fellow learners across every supported language.