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IT HAS BEEN watched over 22.5 million times and is undoubtedly the coolest video of an astronaut performing a rock classic in space.
However, in a few hours, Commander Chris Hadfield’s version of David Bowie’s Space Oddity will be taken down from the Canadian spaceman’s YouTube account.
The video, recorded while Hadfield orbited the earth, was given a one-year licence by Bowie, which expires within the next 12 hours.
US copyright law being as it is, it may be 2069 until the video can be freely posted to YouTube again.
Hadfield spent months negotiating the deal and its removal has been widely criticised by fans on the video’s comments section.
So, for one last time, grab your lighters and float in zero-gravity with the world’s most famous astronaut/Irish tourism ambassador.
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It’s the Internet nothing disappears.
This song is no longer Bowies. We all know the rightful owner of it now.
Surely David Bowie will step in and put an end to this nonsense? If he was sound he would.
He gave him a year. That’s pretty sound.
No is not. It’s petty.
I always assumed Bowie was sound, but if he doesn’t intervene here he’s officially a dick in my books.
And he doesn’t want that, does he?
Seriously though, it was a great moment for the world, in a “let’s all hold hands” way, and those moments are few and far between. So come on Bowie, sort it out!
You’ve enough royalties.
Did Bowie not sell the rights of his back catalogue a few years ago
Oh Jesus Sean – I think you’re right. Didn’t realise.
“As a way of generating income for himself, Bowie essentially packaged everything he had recorded prior to 1990 (that’s 287 songs over 25 albums, including such modern masterpieces as Space Oddity, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, Low and Let’s Dance) and pre-sold any future revenue he might make off that catalog (including income from royalties, sales and licensing).”
http://newsroom.mtv.com/2011/03/01/david-bowie-bonds/
Damn. Faceless share/bond-holders aren’t likely to succumb to public pressure. Oh the joys of capitalism!!!
Goddamn copyright law or Bowie, ya miserable swine,this mans a genius and probably adding a few quid to Bowies’ catalogue…..coulda given him more time in the limelight,he deserves it!
One cool guy. Would love a few pints with him.
Mind blowing, just watched the video for the first time, don t think it will be off YouTube for too long.
I find that guy more inspiring than any other living person!
Reading his book at the mo..quire good
I’d hate for that to be taken down. Come on Mr. Bowie leave it up.
These are the people we should celebrate, astronauts, doctors, scientist, inventors, artists. Not dis functional rock stars or Hollywood types!
If you like the video, just google “download youtube video” and keep it. Simple.
Best ad for a song ever! Madness taking it down.
Ah no! My 18 month old boy absolutely loves this song & video. It always works in calming him down if he has a strop. Will have to find something else now.
…or download it for free – forever :)
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