The Brian Jonestown M… Read Full Bio ↴San Francisco, United States (1990 – present)
The Brian Jonestown Massacre was formed in San Francisco in 1990. The band has had over 40 members since then, but its driving force and main songwriter is Anton Newcombe. Prominent ex-members included Matt Hollywood, Dean Taylor, Jeff Davies, Brian Glaze, and Joel Gion. Their sound is heavily influenced by the psychedelic sounds of the 1960s, but also carries influences from shoegaze, jangle pop, garage rock, and lo-fi sonorities. The band is probably most famous from their mid-90s friendship/rivalry with The Dandy Warhols, and ensuing documentary, DiG!.
Satellite
Brian Jonestown Massacre Lyrics
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satellite
flying high
hello
keep it cool
break the rules
beg for light
love flies above
while you're low
evil eye
teaches lies
beg for light
it goes
keep it cool
break the rules
know its time
to go
love flies above
while you're low
love flies above
c'mon let's go
just passed
satellite
flying high
hello
keep it cool
break the rules
pray for light
hello
love flies above
now you know
love lives above
c'mon let's go
The lyrics of Brian Jonestown Massacre's song Satellite are relatively cryptic, but it seems to be describing a sense of longing for something greater, the need to break free from limitations and rules in order to connect with a higher sense of love, represented by the satellite flying overhead. The first verse talks about the singer seeing the satellite, which prompts them to say hello and acknowledge the higher presence above. The next verse suggests that the best way to connect with this higher love is to keep cool and break the rules, to beg for light, and to recognize that this love is always above, even when you're feeling low. The third verse repeats the same idea, but with a more ominous tone, as the singer talks about the "evil eye" that teaches lies and begs for light only to deceive you. But despite this, the singer remains hopeful that they can still connect with the true love that flies above by continuing to break free from limitations and pray for light.
Line by Line Meaning
Just passed
We have recently passed something important or of significance.
satellite
The object we have passed seems to be a satellite - something in orbit around the earth.
flying high
The satellite is in a high orbit around the earth.
hello
A simple greeting or acknowledgement of the passing object.
keep it cool
Remain calm and collected in the face of whatever comes.
break the rules
Do not be constrained by societal norms or established conventions.
beg for light
Seek knowledge, understanding, or direction.
you know
The artist is addressing someone who already understands the need for direction or guidance.
love flies above
Love is something higher, more elevated than we are.
while you're low
While we are down here, living in this world, love is something that exists above us.
evil eye
A force or entity that has malicious intent or wishes to impart harm upon us.
teaches lies
This force is deceitful and wishes to deceive us from the truth.
it goes
The force of evil and deception is something that comes and goes, but it is always present to some degree.
know its time
We understand that it is time to move on or leave a particular situation behind us.
to go
We must physically leave the situation and move forward.
now you know
We have gained new knowledge or understanding.
love lives above
Love may be above us, but it also exists and endures.
c'mon let's go
Let's move on or move forward, together.
Contributed by Savannah V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.