Space Shuttle Discovery will make its 39th and final launch. The 11 day mission to the International Space Station is scheduled to begin November 1, weather permitting. First flown in 1984, Discovery is the oldest orbiter in service. After retirement, NASA has offered it for display at the National Air and Space Museum.
Our intrepid Discovery deserves a space-inspired soundtrack for her final mission. Here are a few suggestions, mostly old and older, since there aren’t a lot of new space tunes. What music might you blast in honor of Discovery?
“Galaxy Song” by Eric Idle of Monty Python
Pray that there’s intelligent life somewhere up in space
‘Cause I’m afraid we’ve been cheated here on Earth.
“Is There Love In Space” by Joe Satriani (instrumental)
“Space Oddity” by David Bowie
Here am I floating round my tin can
Far above the Moon.
Planet Earth is blue
And there’s nothing I can do.
“Purple People Eater” by Sheb Wooley
Well I saw the thing comin’ out of the sky
It had one long horn and one big eye
I commenced to shakin’ and I said, hoo-eee
It looks like a purple people eater to me.
“Rocket Man” by Elton John (or Wm. Shatner’s legendary version)
And all this science I don’t understand
It’s just my job, five days a week
I’m a rocket man.
“It Came Out Of The Sky” by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Oh, it came out of the sky
Landed just a little south of Moline
Jody fell out of his tractor
Couldn’t believe what he seen ..
“Standing On The Moon” by Grateful Dead
There’s a metal flag beside me
Someone planted long ago
Old Glory standing stiffly
Crimson, white and indigo – indigo.
“Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft” by Klaatu
With your mind you have ability to form
And transmit thought energy far beyond the norm
You close your eyes
You concentrate
Together that’s the way
To send the message
We declare World Contact Day.
“Hillbillies from Outer Space” by Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimmy Vaughn (instrumental)
“Walking On The Moon” by The Police
Giant steps are what you take
Walking on the moon
I hope my legs don’t break
Walking on the moon.
“Flying Saucer Rock ‘n’ Roll” by Robert Gordon
Well the little green men, they were real hep-cats
Rockin’ and rollin’ doin’ their crazy flats.
“Spaceman” by Harry Nilsson
You know I wanted to be a spaceman
That’s what I wanted to be
But now that I am a spaceman
Nobody cares about me.
“Space Truckin” by Deep Purple
The fireball we rode was movin’
But now we’ve got a new machine
‘Yeah yeah yeah yeah’ the freaks said.
“Higher And Higher” by Moody Blues
Blasting, billowing, bursting forth
With the power of ten billion butterfly sneezes
Man with his flaming pyre
Has conquered the wayward breezes.
I’ve been a fan of Peter Schilling’s “Major Tom is Coming Home” ever since I first heard it, but I don’t know if I’d want to wake up to it. I did hear it on the radio playlists frequently in Houston, though, so maybe.
I’ve been a fan of Peter Schilling’s “Major Tom is Coming Home” ever since I first heard it, but I don’t know if I’d want to wake up to it. I did hear it on the radio playlists frequently in Houston, though, so maybe.
I can’t remember ever hearing “Major Tom is Coming Home.” Thanks!
I can’t remember ever hearing “Major Tom is Coming Home.” Thanks!
This is a great list of songs!!!
This is a great list of songs!!!