Satellite
Elliot Smith Lyrics
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You're a question mark
Coming after people you watched collide
You can ask what you want to, the satellite
'Cause the names you drop
Put ice in my veins
And for all you know
When they call it a lover's moon, the satellite
'Cause it acts just like lovers do, the satellite
A burned out world you know
Staying up all night, the satellite
In Elliot Smith's song "Satellite," the singer is discussing the confusion and uncertainty in his life. The song begins with the image of the hands on a clock pointing at midnight, a symbol of confusion and indecision. The singer is a "question mark" who is witnessing others colliding with each other, unsure of where he fits in amongst them. Despite feeling like an outsider, the singer still has the ability to ask questions and gain knowledge from what he observes, like a satellite orbiting a planet.
The lyrics of the song suggest that the singer feels a certain isolated-ness and the world around him doesn't align with him. The names that are dropped by others sends chills down his spine and the singer feels like an outsider in their company. The lyric "when they call it a lover's moon" suggests that the singer is either missing something fundamental in his own love life or, possibly, he feels unlovable. The satellite is acting like lovers do, by shining their presence on someone without intrusion, but the singer remains a satellite floating in space with no way to truly connect to anything or anyone.
Overall, "Satellite" is a song about feeling lost and uncertain in your place in the world, like a satellite orbiting in space. It is a song about longing for connection and intimacy, but feeling disconnected and unsure about how to get there.
Line by Line Meaning
While the hands are pointing up midnight
It's late at night and the clock is striking midnight.
You're a question mark
You're feeling uncertain and unresolved about something.
Coming after people you watched collide
You're seeking out conflict and drama between others.
You can ask what you want to, the satellite
You have the power to observe and inquire, like a satellite in space.
'Cause the names you drop
You have a tendency to mention certain people in conversation.
Put ice in my veins
Your words and actions have a chilling effect on others.
And for all you know
You're unaware of how your behavior affects those around you.
You're the only one who finds it strange
You're the only one who thinks your behavior is odd or out of place.
When they call it a lover's moon, the satellite
The full moon is often associated with love and romance.
'Cause it acts just like lovers do, the satellite
The satellite, like a lover, watches and follows its subject closely.
A burned out world you know
You're familiar with a feeling of exhaustion and emptiness in the world around you.
Staying up all night, the satellite
You're constantly on the lookout, like a satellite that orbits the Earth day and night.
Contributed by Ryan J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@roiybenkel682
While the hands are pointing up midnight
You're a question mark coming
After people you watched collide
You can ask what you want to the satellite
‘Cause the names you drop put ice in my veins
And for all you know you're the only one who finds it strange
When they call it a lover's moon
The satellite
‘Cause it acts just like lovers do
The satellite
A burned out world you know
Staying up all night
The satellite
@user-ip9yu7lp1q
While the hands are pointing up midnight
You're a question mark coming
After people you watched collide
You can ask what you want to the satellite
‘Cause the names you drop put ice in my veins
And for all you know you're the only one who finds it strange
When they call it a lover's moon
The satellite
‘Cause it acts just like lovers do
The satellite
A burned out world you know
Staying up all night
The satellite
@Horror-Man
As a 29 year old who's never been in a relationship, I can honestly say that this is the only song I've ever heard that perfectly captures those feelings.
@thomascraymer8712
As a 28 year old who has been in numerous failed relationships, I feel the same, and here we both are listening to this song!
@TheHarrisontemple
@@thomascraymer8712 29 here and same bro
@yesterdaydream
34 and back with my boyfriend who loves Elliott. It speaks to us all <3
@89.
Go to a strip club or do anything get a life.
@fbaraglia
This is the one that makes me cry when I need some crying. I don't even have to listen, I just have to remember it.
@clintjones9848
The emotion is immense. It makes me tear up not only cuz it takes me there, but that's what Elliott experienced all the time.
@tuanjim799
God, what a strange, beautiful mood this song has. It is something dreamy, and darkly lovely, like nighttime itself.
@SPARKLEDAZEY
I used to live outta my truck, and I would play this song on repeat as I laid in the bed looking up at the stars, long before cell phones. Still holds the same feelings after all of these years.
@zackjones1434
this is one of my favorite songs to listen to by myself in the dark