The Man Who Sold The World

The Man Who Sold the World is a song written and originally recorded by David Bowie. A live rendition of the song was recorded by the American grunge band Nirvana in 1993 during their MTV Unplugged appearance. It was released on the band's MTV Unplugged in New York album the following year. They regularly covered the song during live sets after their memorable acoustic performance up until lead singer Kurt Cobain's death in 1994. The song was released as a promo single for the album and received considerable airplay on alternative rock radio stations. It was also thrown into heavy rotation on music video stations such as MTV. In the wake of this cover, Bowie bemoaned the fact that when he performed the number himself he would encounter "kids that come up afterwards and say, 'It's cool you're doing a Nirvana song.' And I think, 'Fuck you, you little tosser!'"

[Verse 1] We passed upon the stairs We spoke of was and when Although I wasn't there He said I was his friend Which came as a surprise I spoke into his eyes I thought you died alone A long long time ago [Chorus] Oh no, not me We never lost control You're face to face With the man who sold the world [Verse 2] I laughed and shook his hand And made my way back home I searched for foreign land For years and years I roamed I gazed a gazeless stare We walked a million hills I must have died alone A long, long time ago [Chorus] Who knows? Not me I never lost control You're face to face With the man who sold the world [Chorus] Who knows? Not me We never lost control You're face to face With the man who sold the world [Guitar Solo]