The Man Who Sold The World is a song recorded by The Alarm in 2024 and was the first single from Music Television Stepping Back Into The Future which was premiered as a video release. This was streamed on youtube on 24 March 2024, it is a psychedelic David Bowie-inspired / Nirvana-influenced acoustic cover of The Man Who Sold The World, which Mike Peters attributes to his fascination with the ground-breaking MTV Unplugged acoustic performance series. The end of the recording is the original MTV theme tune.
“Unplugged was a series that redefined music as we knew it,” he says. “I remember watching in awe at some of the incredible stripped-down arrangements of classic songs and, at the same time envious that I had been denied the opportunity to appear on the show back in the day – Mike Peters March 2024
The Man Who Sold The World was originally recorded by Davis Bowie and appeared on the November 1970 album The Man Who Sold The World an album produced by Tony Visconti who The Alarm would work with in 1989 on the Change album. Nirvana performed an acoustic version of this song on MTV Unplugged recorded at Sony Music Studios in New York City on 18 November 1993.
This cover of the song was recorded by The Alarm and released on the vinyl and CD album Music Television released on 19th April 2024 on The Twenty First Century Recording Company label.
Music Television album 2024 recording details
Running length 4:35
Written by David Bowie
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Vocals, Guitar
James Stevenson – Guitars,
Dave Morait – Drums, Percussion
Jules Jones-Peters – Piano, Organ, Strings, Backing Vocals
George Williams – Bass Guitar, Piano. Orchestration
Recorded at Rock Hard Studio Blackpool, England; Sain Stiwdio, Caernafom, Wales
Produced by George Williams
Click on image for official promotional video on The Alarm Youtube channel
Album appearances & discography of studio recordings
The following are Worldwide releases unless stated
The Alarm – Music Television Stepping Back Into The Future.
Released on 19th April 2024 on Limited Edition of 250 copies Yellow Vinyl album.
Released on 19th April 2024 on Limited Edition of 250 copies Purple Vinyl album.
Released on yellow or purple vinyl by Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C139LP
2024 original recording
The Alarm – Music Television Stepping Back Into The Future.
Released on 19th April 2024 CD by Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C140CD
Released April 2024 on CD. Repress intended for sale during the USA tour by Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C140CDNA
2024 original recording
Lyrics ~ Music Television
Narrator : A few seconds away from switching to the redundant send sequencer
5 4 We have gone for main engine start, we have main engine start
Ladies and gentleman rock and roll
We passed upon the stairs
We spoke of what 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
Oh no, not me
We never lost control
You’re face to face
With the man who sold the world
I laughed and shook his hand
Made my way back home
I searched for form and 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
Who knows?
Not me
I never lost control
You’re face to face
With the man who sold the world
Who knows?
Not me
We never lost control
You’re face to face
With the man who sold the world
Ohhhh Ohhhhhhh
Ohhhhhhh
Ohhhhhhh
(Page updated 28th September 2025)