Remastered “Moonage Daydream”

This remastered version of “Moonage Daydream” from Ziggy Stardust: The Motion Picture was released in just the past few days. It doesn’t sound dramatically different than the version that’s been part of the soundtrack since 1984, but I think I detect a little more clarity and crispness (which also seems to be the case with the video quality).

“Moonage Daydream” has never exactly been an obscure song, but last year’s documentary of the same name seemed to breathe new life into it. This year’s re-release of Ziggy Stardust: the Motion Picture is bringing it more attention still.

Of all Bowie’s songs from the period, none captures the moment more than this one. The “Moon Age” is itself anachronistic, as are terms replete throughout the song— “far out,” “freak out,” references to “ray guns” and “electric eyes.” It isn’t that these things aren’t with us today, but the terms seem to be property of the early 70s (when was the last science fiction movie that called a weapon, a “ray gun?”)

To that end, it’s funny to glimpse at the young girls in the audience and think of them as being in their 70s and 80s today. So the video really is a snapshot of a moment in time. And it is more evidence that your grandma was cool (and sexy).