Catherine Wheel formed in 1990, comprising singer/guitarist Rob Dickinson (cousin of Iron Maiden legend Bruce Dickinson), guitarist Brian Futter, bassist Dave Hawes, and drummer Neil Sims. Hawes had previously played in a Joy Division-influenced band called Eternal. They took their moniker from the firework known as the Catherine wheel, which in turn had taken its name from the medieval torture device of the same name. The band was often included in the shoegazing scene, characterized by bands that made extensive use of guitar feedback and droning washes of noise, as well as their continuous interaction with extensive amounts of effects pedals on the stage floor.
The band performed a Peel session in early 1991 while still unsigned; two 12" vinyl EPs were released on the Norwich based Wilde Club Records, named after the regular weekly Wilde Club gigs run by Barry Newman at Norwich Arts Centre. They signed to major-label Fontana Records after being courted by both Creation Records and the Brian Eno-run label Opal Records. The band's debut album, 1991/92's Ferment, made an immediate impression on the music press and introduced Catherine Wheel's biggest U.S. hit, "Black Metallic," as well as moderate hit "I Want To Touch You". The album features re-recorded versions of some of the Wilde Club-issued EPs.
The more aggressive Chrome followed in 1993, produced by Gil Norton. With this album, the band began to shed its original shoegazing tag, while still making skillful use of atmospherics, such as on the song "Fripp." In a 2007 interview, Rob Dickinson said that members of Death Cab for Cutie and Interpol told him that without this album, their bands "wouldn't exist."
1995's Happy Days saw the band delving further into metallic hard rock, which alienated a portion of their fanbase, even as it increased their exposure in the United States during the post-grunge era. The single "Waydown," and especially its plane-crash themed video, received heavy play in the U.S. A more sedate strain of rock known as britpop was taking over in the UK, causing C.W. to continue to have greater success abroad than at home.
The B-sides and outtakes collection, Like Cats and Dogs, came out the following year, revealing a quieter, more contemplative side of the band, spanning the previous five years. This carried over into Adam and Eve in 1997, wherein the band scaled back the sonic force of their sound from its Happy Days levels, with clean playing on some songs that featured extensive use of keyboards and acoustic guitars. Alternately, songs like "Satellite" and "Here Comes the Fat Controller" were lush and orchestral in scope.
In 2000, Catherine Wheel re-emerged with a new record label, a new bassist (Ben Ellis); a modified name (The Catherine Wheel); and a new album, Wishville. After mixed reviews, record company turmoil and lacklustre sales, the band went on a still-continuing hiatus.
In March 2010, Ferment was re-released, containing bonus tracks and extensive sleeve notes.
Satellite
Catherine Wheel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For a whole number of reasons
He never discovered
But soon he would be riding his wave
Coast to coast
All his life was rosy and pink
Fluffy in the middle a constant grin
But see that body shaking
See that body racing
Feel that body baking from inside
The boy's a satellite
He won't be home tonight
And we crown ourselves again
There's been no change since you and I were young
When we burned ourselves again
The spaceship days when you and I were young
When you and I were young, young
Coast to coast
The scene was for gene
All his life was mostly blue
And far more dangerous than he ever knew
But I didn't see the need to say so
See that body shaking
See that body racing
Same old painful aching bones inside
The boy's a satellite
He won't be home tonight
And we crown ourselves again
There's been no change since you and I were young
When we burned ourselves again
The spaceship days when you and I were young
When you and I were young
When you and I were young
He says he won't bore us anymore
It's the final straw a reason to rejoice
The boy's a satellite
He won't be home tonight, tonight
And we crown ourselves again
There's been no change since you and I were young
When we burned ourselves again
In spaceship days when you and I were young
When you and I were young, young
The song "Satellite" by Catherine Wheel tells the story of a man who feels like he's always been suffering, but he doesn't know why. He's had a good life, but there's something missing, and he's never been able to figure it out. The lyrics reference his constant smiling and how anyone would think he was happy, but in reality, he's hurting inside. The chorus refers to him as a satellite, implying that he's alone and isolated.
The second verse states that his life was mostly blue and far more dangerous than he knew. This line could be interpreted several ways, but it could mean that his life looked good from the outside but was really quite dangerous, or that it was unfulfilling, which was dangerous to his sense of self.
The line "there's been no change since you and I were young" suggests that the singer and the subject have known each other for a long time, and while their lives have moved on, they still feel the same sense of ennui that they felt when they were young. The song ends with the singer stating that the subject won't bore them anymore, and this is cause for celebration.
Overall, the lyrics of "Satellite" convey a sense of isolation and loneliness. The subject has always felt like he's missing something, and while he's tried to put on a brave face, he's never been able to shake that feeling.
Line by Line Meaning
Feeling only left him bleeding
The singer is emotionally wounded and in pain
For a whole number of reasons
There are many factors contributing to his pain
He never discovered
He hasn't figured out the reason for his pain
But soon he would be riding his wave
He has a sense of hope that he will overcome this pain and find happiness
Coast to coast
The artist has traveled across a large area
All his life was rosy and pink
The singer's life seemed happy and cheerful on the surface
Fluffy in the middle a constant grin
He always seemed to be smiling and happy in the middle of it all
Anyone would think so
From outward appearance, everyone would assume his life was perfect
But see that body shaking
He is physically affected by his emotional pain
See that body racing
His body is in a constant state of anxiety or stress
Feel that body baking from inside
He is burning up inside with internal turmoil
The boy's a satellite
He is disconnected from others, floating aimlessly
He won't be home tonight
He is not coming back to his previous self
And we crown ourselves again
We celebrate our victory over him, but it's not really a happy occasion
There's been no change since you and I were young
Nothing has changed, and we're back to our old ways of hurting ourselves and others
When we burned ourselves again
We repeat the same mistakes and suffer the same consequences
The spaceship days when you and I were young
The past was full of exciting fantasies and possibilities
The scene was for gene
It was a generation of creativity and innovation
All his life was mostly blue
His life was predominantly sad and lonely
And far more dangerous than he ever knew
The dangers of his situation were greater than he realized
But I didn't see the need to say so
Others were aware of his struggles but did not share their concerns with him
Same old painful aching bones inside
His emotional pain continues to hurt him
He says he won't bore us anymore
He has had enough and will no longer put on a facade of happiness
It's the final straw a reason to rejoice
This is a turning point, a reason to celebrate, and a chance for a new start
When you and I were young, young
The past was filled with youth and innocence
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: IAN JOSEPH HARSHMAN, SHANTI ELLIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jeff Threlfall
Damn, 22+ years later and it is still a sonic clarion, never mind a reminder of what concentrated-awesome sounded like.
Josef Miyasato
The best song to edit to right now!!!! Love Catherine Wheel. Just wish more people would come on board!
TheLummer66
saw them live in toronto on this tour . A great experience and great band.
Fessick
Song always brings tears.
Eugene Benjamin
Agree it's ecstatic....
Dewy Chung
They should of been as big as the hip. Totally underrated
dolgorukij
same for me. i remember when i bought this album twenty years ago
Michel Collet
Spaceship days, when you and I were young
Andrew Franzle
Rob where as re you? We need yuh out that voice angelic so we need you
Come back home and sing to us
JosephFrancisHolland
Now doing high end custom Porsche builds as Singer Porsche.