What's That Song From the Lincoln MKZ Commercial?

Posted on Jan 29th 2010 4:30PM by Cristin Maher
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'Major Tom (Coming Home),' by Shiny Toy Guns

For its newest ad campaign, Lincoln boldly goes where no auto manufacturer has gone before -- into outer space. With starry backdrops and cars that seem to blast off into space as if they were rocket ships, it is no wonder the ad uses an ethereal, science-fiction song as its soundtrack.

The song heard in the commercial for the Lincoln MKZ is 'Major Tom (Coming Home),' by the Oklahoma-born synthpop band Shiny Toy Guns. However, the song is actually a cover of Peter Schilling's original track. Schilling, a German electronica artist, became internationally recognized after releasing 'Major Tom (Coming Home)' in 1983.

'Major Tom (Coning Home)' plays off David Bowie's 1969 hit 'Space Oddity': Bowie's classic consists of a conversation between "ground control" and an imperiled astronaut, with the character of Major Tom saying his last words before he drifts off into space -- and, presumably, the afterlife. Schilling took the story a step further, creating a backstory that explains why Major Tom is in distress. Both Schilling's and Shiny Toy Guns' version of 'Major Tom' feature heavy synthesizer and a quickened tempo. Check out the video above.

Next: 'Big Love' Intro

Can't find that song from that commercial? Send the commercial, movie or TV show to us at whatsthatsong@aim.com.