Spaceship
by k-os

Album: Can't Fly Without Gravity (2015)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • A single from k-os' sixth album, Can't Fly Without Gravity, "Spaceship" finds the Toronto MC reflecting on youthful wonder, and remembering this time before things got complicated. He calls the song "a short biography of my rap life," and says it takes him back to the time of his second album, Joyful Rebellion, before he had to worry about protecting an image.
  • K-os had this song written for his 2013 album Black On Blonde, but he says he was afraid to release it, as he was still coming to grips with the song. Over time, it started to make sense to him. In our interview with k-os, he said, "It's a very childlike song. I think what has changed is my attitude towards it. Sometimes as an artist you create something and you're just a little bit shocked that you've created it. And whatever that creation is, it could be a happy song, a sad song, a weird song, sometimes you don't really expect that to come out of you at a certain time.

    So for me, the song has sort of changed in meaning over the last three or four years, because it's become something that's to be looked upon as a beautiful thing in the sense of the childlike aspects we all have when we start making music."
  • K-os is a creative type with a tendency to get lost in his head, which as a kid could frustrate his parents and teachers. When he raps, "My mom used to say, Get your head out the sky," he's reflecting on how as a kid, adults want you to stay grounded, which can be constricting. At some point, most of us give up our dreams of getting in the spaceship and flying away.
  • The line, "Mr. Salley, where's my demo?" is a reference to John Salley, a former NBA player who heard k-os when he was playing for the Toronto Raptors. Salley became k-os manager and helped kickstart his career.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

70s Music Quiz 1

70s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

The '70s gave us Muppets, disco and Van Halen, all which show up in this groovy quiz.

Al Jourgensen of Ministry

Al Jourgensen of MinistrySongwriter Interviews

In the name of song explanation, Al talks about scoring heroin for William Burroughs, and that's not even the most shocking story in this one.

The Punk Photography of Chris Stein

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.

Mike Campbell

Mike CampbellSongwriter Interviews

Mike is lead guitarist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and co-writer of classic songs like "Boys Of Summer," "Refugee" and "The Heart Of The Matter."

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s EditionMusic Quiz

You know the scenes - Tom Cruise in his own pants-off dance off, Molly Ringwald celebrating her birthday - but do you remember what song is playing?

Chris Squire of Yes

Chris Squire of YesSongwriter Interviews

One of the most dynamic bass player/songwriters of his time, Chris is the only member of Yes who has been with the band since they formed in 1968.