M tom

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About this sound

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The opening of Peter Schilling's 1982 hit Major Tom (Völlig losgelöst), with its driving synth melody and German vocals, used in edits and space-themed memes.

This clip captures the instantly recognisable opening of Peter Schilling's Major Tom (Völlig losgelöst), the German synth-pop hit from 1982. A bright, driving synthesiser riff leads in before Schilling's cool, detached German vocal enters, giving the short excerpt a sense of lift-off, distance and quiet drama. Even in just sixteen seconds it feels spacious and cinematic, like the start of a journey away from Earth. Listeners who know the song immediately picture the astronaut drifting alone, while newcomers still catch its retro-futuristic mood, making it an effective musical shorthand for space, escape and cool detachment.

Peter Schilling released Major Tom (Völlig losgelöst) in Germany in 1982, with an English-language version, Major Tom (Coming Home), following the next year. The song takes its astronaut figure from David Bowie's earlier Major Tom character and turns the journey into a sleek synth-pop track, complete with electronic drums and a memorable chorus. It became one of the defining German-language hits of the early 1980s and has remained familiar through radio, compilations and retro playlists, which is why its opening still works instantly in short online edits about space and departure.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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What is the Major Tom sound?

It is a short excerpt from Peter Schilling's 1982 German synth-pop song Major Tom (Völlig losgelöst), featuring its driving electronic melody and German vocal. The clip captures the song's space-themed opening in just sixteen seconds.

Where is Major Tom (Völlig losgelöst) from?

The song was released in Germany in 1982 by Peter Schilling, a German musician associated with the early 1980s synth-pop and Neue Deutsche Welle scene. An English version, Major Tom (Coming Home), was released the following year.

Why do creators use this sound in edits?

Its instantly recognisable synth riff and astronaut theme make it a quick shorthand for launching, floating away, escaping or leaving. It adds a retro, cinematic feel without needing dialogue, so it works well over transitions and space-themed clips.