Free “Space Oddity”: Open Letter to Matador Records
As many of you may know, we recently posted an article informing our readers that Cat Power is indeed behind the song for Lincoln’s new commercial. In fact, it’s a cover of David Bowie’s “Space Oddity.” The only problem is that NO ONE can find a copy of the song anywhere. Like many of our readers, the Stranger Dance staff is left wondering WTF?
Due to the popular response, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to email Matador Records about the song to find out what the deal is and when, if ever, it will be released. In the meantime, you can help by leaving a comment on this post to show that you want “Space Oddity” and you want it now!
Here’s a copy of the email we sent to Matador Records:
To Whom it May Concern,
The staff of Stranger Dance, as well as its readers, are so excited about the use of Cat Power’s cover of the David Bowie song “Space Oddity” in the new Lincoln MKS commercial that we’re wondering where we can get a copy. (Yes, we’d even pay for it!)
Can you provide us with any information regarding its availability? As you can see, fans of the commercial are upset that you’re keeping such a gem all to yourself:
http://www.strangerdance.com/commercial-madness-cat-power-is-a-cover-fiend/
Failure to release said song will only result in more blog posts lamenting your poor judgment.
Sincerely,
Vague Panther & the Entire Stranger Dance Staff
I’ll keep you posted, but for now all we can do is watch: [UPDATE: We received a (very prompt) response from Matador Records.]
Eh. The Bowie version wins, always. Still, we’ll give you that it’d be nice if it was at least available.
I would love to purchase Cat’s cover of David Bowies Space Oddity.
I would love to purchase this song of Space Oddity. Every time I hear the commericial I blast my tv! I would love to sing this around the house or in the car at my leisure.
@HAD: I don’t think anyone’s saying her version surpasses the Bowie original, but it’s the very rare cover that accomplishes this (Hendrix’ “Watchotower,” Joplin’s “Bobby McGee,” etc). We’re just saying that this is a damn good song in it’s own right. I for one would love to have a full version too.
She also did a really beautiful version of “Somewhere” (from West Side Story) for a TIAA-CREF commercial a few years which never came out.
I love Bowie and I love Cat Powers. Please release her version of “Space Oddity” so I can purchase!
Thanks,
Mike
I would love a full version of this song! It is really good!:)
I want this song too. T
LOVE THIS SONG AND WANT IT NOW!!!!
Ever since i heard Cat sing “Wild is the Wind” Cover i dreamed that she would take on “Space Oddity” but just like the de beers comercial where she covers cat powers “how can i tell you” and know its her only to be denied the full track. Please dont let this most wonderful cover by one of the best female voices fade away into trivial pursits.
Dammit, give us the full version of this song!
The “Wild in the Wind” cover is also excellent, if suuuper dark. (But just to be clear, that song is much older – Bowie’s version was a cover too.)
Please, Matador, other powers that be, please release a full version of this song.
P.S. Natalie Merchant’s live version isn’t bad either.
You all are assuming that there is a full version…seems to me that Cat Power is just selling their/her ass for some extra cheese.
This is a good song but I have done some research and some vocalist and bands usually go unnoticed on commercials because they have not recorded a full version. It’s just what the companies want and pay for.
If any company had the funds to do this with whomever band or singer, it would be Lincoln.
And don’t give me that BS about Cat Power not ’selling out’, if you will, I gave up on that argument long ago about a lot of other respected musicians. They all sell out in some form or another.
I’m sorry but this seems to me like a very smart and well polished ploy for both Lincoln and Matador Records.
Damn!, haven’t any of you learned anything from Pink Floyd’s message?
I really hope I’m wrong on this one, but this just may be nothing more than a Lincoln commercial, with ear and eye catching bait.
[...] there isn’t a full version of the song in existence. That saddens me. It saddens other people too. If the full version is even half as spellbinding as the 30 second cover, I’ll [...]
The Radio Shows in Georgia always play a clip of this song, and listeners call in wondering where we can but that cover. Please let us!
*I meant buy!
I’ll buy it, just say when and where!
Please release this song. Hearing the commercial is torture when we cannot find the full length version.
I would buy it in a heartbeat!!
Please… this 30 sec. is so a tease…
Like everyone else, I heard it and was riveted. Please get this on an album and SOON! I want it, and so do lots of other people. It took me quite awhile to track it down, so there’s definitely motivation!
I completely agree. I just saw the commercial and recently and I went straight to the iTunes to look it up thinking it would be slamn dunk. I was very much looking forward to listening to it until I searched and found absolutely nothing. Then I went online and still nothing but more people looking for like me. Then I landed here and I found others very much disappointed as I am. Ugh…man I hope they find a way to make the full version. Seems like it would be a cash cow for the producers if they could pull it off.
I would pay a hundred dollars for just this one song! Incredible! Reminds me of the Pink Floyd days :) Come on record label – I thought you guys were all about making bank
Please, just sell us the f#@$@ song!!! I love it. I’m not sure about a 100$, but I would pay 10$!
Hey, Matador Records! Let us buy the song, okay?! Thanks!
It was just on TV again, and I want it.
I am a distance runner and I am always looking for a song that can help give me a push or help me push a bit harder this is perfect PLEASE HELP with the release.
I’d love a full version of this song
the most excited i’ve been at seeing a car on t.v. in a long time…
most definetly need, want, would pay for the full version.
how about it lincoln?
I’ve fallen in love with this version of Space Oddity. Please, please put in on a cd.
I heard this on the commercial and wanted it bad. Please record the full version asap, awesome voice!
[...] Cat Power Covers David Bowie#39;s Space Oddity in New bLincoln Car/b b…/b [...]
shocking that it hasn’t been released yet!
30 seconds is a tease leaving me wanting more, please
more more more
I would love the full length version!
OMG I LOVE THIS SONG.
I love this cover. It fits so well witht eh commercail
id difanlity pay for it
It’s a remarkable cover, please make yourselves and the artist some money and release the rest of the song. And apparently it will make a lot of people happy to listen to it, that alone should be reason enough. Thank you
[...] [UPDATE: We wrote an open letter to Matador records requesting that they free "Space Oddity"! Show your support by commenting.] [...]
Please release the space oddity by Cat Power. I can afford the cd
just not the Lincoln, yet.
Please oh please cut a cd of cat power space oddity. I’m on a quest to get the song or album
There is simply no way this artist hits the studio with her guitar and a drummer to lay down 30 seconds of a song without finishing it. I am AMAZED the power of the interwebs has not captured the full version(yet). It will happen, Al Gore didn’t invent this powerful tool for nothing, ya know!
To Matador Records & Cat Power,
I love this song. Please let me give you my money.
Love,
Bev
Do as I did
Buy the car only if they get you the full song from Cat Power.
Good Luck
We want this song by Cat Power.
This is an unusual situation when people are lining up to buy a song that is not on the market.
Please release this song I’ve watched it on YouTube 10 000 times and 30 secs is not enough please release this song.
I want it too!!
I’ve been singing this song since I’ve seen the commercial. I need to get my hands on that song! I did not go out and get a lincoln but I did go and pick up all of Cat’s album.
She is Great!
Would love to be able to buy this song, have searched every where for it dont know cats work but I love(the space oddity commercial)
I’ll buy the car if they give me the full song, well, maybe just a toy model of it =)
Please. . . for the Love of God. . . release the friggin song!! Just think of how much money is lost while sitting on a number one, billboard hit! Is it worth considering???
Hey I knew nothing of Cat Power accept her name, but I really dig her version of space oddity which has made me check out more of her music.
Best song ever.
Must release!
Greatest song in Commercials. I want it.
Release the song please…..
full version please !!
OMG! As soon as I saw the commercial I ran a search! I LOVE THIS SONG!!!!! Free this song!!!!!
I would definitly buy this single. It’s great. The ad itself is not enough.
Would definetly buy the song. Might even the car because of the song. Cut the red tape and let the song go.
I need more of the song! Please help us!
Have you guys heard Shiny Toy Guns’ cover of the song? I have to say I really really like it. Love it, actually. :)
Again, check it out. It’s unlike any other cover I’ve heard.
wrong song buddy
Peter Schilling is the original maker of the one your thinking of..
its so 80’s XD!
not the german guy
I am sure it is a copyright issue. I imagine Ford Motors paid for the rights to use the song for commercial exploitation. These things can be very expensive and Matador Records would have to pay the hefty fee whether they re-coup or not. Bowie might wave or reduce the fee, however that path has no doubt been frustrated by Bowie’s sale of his royalties as a bond fundraising mechanism he groundbreakingly executed over a decade ago. Life is complicated; just ask Major Tom.
get me a full version please
i love this song its absolutely amazing and i only heard a couple seconds if anyone gets nfo please lets us know =]
I would like to be able to find this song SOMEWHERE! Please release it.
yeah I absolutely love this song, it is the best cover that I have ever heard of space oddity, in fact I actually like it more than the original, please release this song!!!!
Man this cover is amazing but i cant believe its unavailable
Put all the bowie covers on a cd!
I work in advertising and often times a musician is hired to record a remake of a famous song for use in a new commercial and the artist is paid for rights to use the remake of the song for very, very specific, agreed upon purposes only. I’m sure this is what Lincoln and their ad agency have done so I doubt a full track will ever be released for fear of what the monetary damages/costs that Lincoln may have to pay Cat Power should the song be released without paying Cat Power to do so. So unfortunately the Cat Power full version may never see the light of day, if it even exists.
I want to buy this song – I cant believe it’s not available!
Hey Eveyone if you really need to Know the song badly it is not Cat Power it is Shiny Toy Guns and Its on the interweb. I hope you all find it lol
No Aaron, its Cat power! its not shiny toy guns, their song is major tom
Is there a petition somewhere? i think we should petition to get this made into a single!!! its epic!!!! =D
I have been looking for that song (to even buy) for months!! please make it available =)
I personally prefer her version, from those bits on the ad. I do love the original tho :D
I need it
I NEED THIS SONG RIGHT NOW.
best cover ever