Since 1980, Icehouse has released seven albums, several compilations, and music from collaborations with other artists including dance companies. Their 1987 album 'Man of Colours' was released at the apex of their fame and international success. It is considered by many to be the band's magnum opus.
As 'Flowers', Icehouse built up a strong following as a live act around Sydney, Australia, noted for their distinctive cover versions of songs by a wide range of acts including T-Rex and Brian Eno. After signing to the independent Regular Festival Records label, they released their debut single, "Can't Help Myself", which hit the Australian Top 10 in June 1980. This was followed by their first album 'Icehouse', which also made the Top 10 and became one of year's biggest selling albums in Australia. The album made use of synthesisers, especially the Sequential Circuits Prophet 5.
Further singles "We Can Get Together" and "Walls" both hit the Top 20. A European single from this album, "Icehouse", created some interest in the U.K., partly because of a memorable music video. Sensing the possibility of international success, the band decided to change their name in early 1981 to avoid confusion with Scottish group The Flowers. As Icehouse, they spent most of 1981 touring the UK, Canada and US, where "We Can Get Together" hit #62. A single release, "Love In Motion", recorded by Davies alone but the first to be credited to the band's new name, duly hit the Australian Top 10 in November 1981.
In January 1982, the band's original line up split, resulting in Davies recording Icehouse's much-anticipated second album, 'Primitive Man', on his own, with assistance from Keith Forsey, who later worked with Simple Minds. Released in August 1982, Primitive Man was another huge Australian hit and became Icehouse's international breakthrough. The hit single "Hey Little Girl" reached the UK Top 20 and has remained their most regularly played song. Another strong track from this album was "Great Southern Land", which made the Australian Top 5 and was later featured in the late 1980s film 'Young Einstein'.
In 1985, Davies' musical standing was further enhanced when he was commissioned to compose and record the score for the acclaimed Sydney Dance Company production of Graeme Murphy's dance work 'Boxes'. Icehouse's third album, 'Sidewalk', was far more sombre and reflective, featuring the tracks "I Don't Believe Anymore" and "Someone Like You". After this album the band made further inroads into the U.S. market with their 1986 release 'Measure for Measure', which featured none other than Brian Eno as a listed band member.
Icehouse's next work, 'Man of Colours', was their best-selling album. It contained the hit singles "Crazy" and "Electric Blue" (a song co-written by John Oates from the band Hall and Oates). Both singles reached the US Top 20, with "Electric Blue" hitting the #7 slot. With this album, the band reached an international zenith, never surpassing this level of popularity and exposure again.
In 1995, Davies was again involved with the Sydney Dance Company's production of Berlin. The musical score is a collection of cover versions of songs by David Bowie, Brian Eno, Simple Minds, The Psychedelic Furs, Frank Sinatra, Lou Reed, Roxy Music, XTC, Talking Heads, The Velvet Underground, PiL, The Cure and Killing Joke, which saw him collaborating with pianist Max Lambert in the development of the music.
As well as recording the score to the ballet, Davies performed these songs live with Icehouse at each show. He was an intrinsic part of the ballet, in a role similar to the one in Boxes. Iva was extremely successful in creating a translation from the dancers to the audience. Berlin was an instant success and ran for two seasons. Both shows were the most commercially successful that The Sydney Dance Company have had to date.
On 16 August 2006, Icehouse were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame along side acts such as Midnight Oil, Divinyls and Rose Tattoo. Also in 2006, Icehouse featured prominently on the Triple M Essential 2006 Countdown with 14 songs selected including:
*"Man Of Colours"
*"Electric Blue"
*"We Can Get Together"
*"Don't Believe Any More"
*"Great Southern Land" (which came in at number 12)
Satellite
Icehouse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Satellite, satellite
She`s got a wall full of pinups
And magazine photos
She teases her hair
As she tries on the poses
Just stands at the T.V.
And sighs, "Maybe"
And I am standing in line
With the other stuffed toys
While she`s checking her diary
And painting her toe
Is Friday or Saturday night?
Well, who knows?
She says, "Maybe"
And there`s space junk inside her head
And she`s, she`s somewhere out there
Spinning like a
Satellite, satellite
Oh, duzuduz ah darlin`
When are you coming down?
Satellite, satellite
Well, she`s studied the movies
Ordered all the right clothes
Is she modeling Gretta Garbo
Or Maralyn Monroe?
She can waste hours and hours
With her friends on the phone
They say, "Maybe"
Leaves her lipstick and perfume
All over the place
Only sweets in the daytime
Never wears the same dress
She`s in ecstasy now
She`s says, "Oo, that`s the best!"
I say, "Maybe"
And there`s space junk inside her head
She`s somewhere out there
Spinning like a
Satellite, satellite
Space junk inside her head
She`s somewhere out there
Space junk inside her head
She`s somewhere out there
The song "Satellite" by Icehouse portrays a woman who is fixated on her looks and the superficial aspects of her life. She spends her time posing in front of her wall of pinups and magazines, painting her nails, and trying on clothes while never knowing if it's Friday or Saturday night. The singer, who is seemingly infatuated with her, waits in line with other "stuffed toys" while she checks her diary. However, she is not fully present and has "space junk" inside her head. She is spinning like a satellite, unable to connect with the world around her.
The lyrics highlight how the obsession with outer appearances can leave one feeling disconnected and isolated, spinning out of control like a satellite. The woman in the song seems to be searching for something more meaningful, indicated by her friends saying "maybe" as if they are not fully committed to their conversations. The repetition of the line "space junk inside her head" could symbolize the accumulation of useless or detrimental thoughts that weigh her down, preventing her from truly connecting with those around her.
Overall, "Satellite" reminds listeners of the importance of grounding oneself in reality and seeking connection rather than solely focusing on superficial trappings.
Line by Line Meaning
Satellite, satellite
The subject is feeling lost and isolated, like a satellite in space.
She's got a wall full of pinups
The subject is consumed with images of beauty and perfection.
And magazine photos
The subject is constantly inundated with images of glamor and a life different from her own.
She teases her hair
The subject works hard to maintain her physical appearance.
As she tries on the poses
The subject models herself after these images of perfection.
Just stands at the T.V.
The subject often feels disconnected and is simply a spectator in life.
While she's filing her nails
The subject is often very idle and spends her time doing nothing productive.
And sighs, 'Maybe'
Despite her efforts to change her life, the subject feels helpless and unsure of what her future holds.
And I am standing in line
The artist is waiting for the subject's attention and affection.
With the other stuffed toys
The artist feels like just one of the many admirers of the subject.
While she's checking her diary
The subject is too busy planning her own life to make time for others.
And painting her toe
The subject is so preoccupied with her own life and appearance that she is ignoring those around her.
Is Friday or Saturday night?
The subject is undecided about her plans and is waiting for something better to come along.
Well, who knows?
The subject is indifferent to the singer's plans and desires.
She says, 'Maybe'
The subject is noncommittal and unsure of what she wants.
And there's space junk inside her head
The subject's mind is cluttered with superficial images and ideas.
And she's, she's somewhere out there
The subject is mentally distant and disconnected from those around her.
Spinning like a satellite, satellite
The subject has lost her sense of purpose and direction, like a satellite spinning in the void of space.
Oh, duzuduz ah darlin'
The singer is calling out to the subject, hoping for her attention.
When are you coming down?
The artist is pleading with the subject to pay attention to him and their relationship.
Well, she's studied the movies
The subject has shaped her own persona based on media representations of glamour and beauty.
Ordered all the right clothes
The subject has invested a lot of time and money into her appearance and wardrobe.
Is she modeling Gretta Garbo
The subject is constantly trying to emulate her idols and media representations of femininity, even if they are outdated or unrealistic.
Or Maralyn Monroe?
The subject struggles to find a sense of identity and may shift her persona and appearance frequently to try and find herself.
She can waste hours and hours
The subject struggles to find motivation or purpose in her life.
With her friends on the phone
The subject may feel more comfortable communicating via technology than in person.
They say, 'Maybe'
The subject's social circle is as noncommittal and aimless as she is.
Leaves her lipstick and perfume
The subject takes pride in her appearance and wants to be noticed and admired.
All over the place
The subject is careless with her appearance and possessions, making a mess but not caring to clean it up.
Only sweets in the daytime
The subject may be pretending to be happier or more wholesome than she really is.
Never wears the same dress
The subject is constantly trying to present herself as something new and exciting, even if her true self is not interesting enough.
She's in ecstasy now
The subject feels a momentary rush of happiness or excitement.
She says, 'Oo, that's the best!'
The subject is easily swayed by hedonistic pleasures and fleeting happiness.
I say, 'Maybe'
The artist is aware of the subject's noncommittal and indecisive nature, and is hesitant to push her too far or reveal his true feelings.
Space junk inside her head
The subject is lost in her own thoughts and desires, unable to see or understand the world around her.
She's somewhere out there
The subject is physically present but emotionally distant and disconnected.
Satellite, satellite
The subject is like a satellite, floating aimlessly through life with no clear purpose or direction.
Space junk inside her head
The subject's thoughts and desires are shallow and superficial, like space debris.
She's somewhere out there
The subject is lost and disconnected from reality, unable to find meaning or purpose in her life.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ROD DAVIES, GARY PINTO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Stuart Greenwood
Amazing song still 30 years later criminally underrated
Dun Can
28, doofus
XD346
I love this song *-* !
Milan Coric
I agree!
MrLuckyLegs
Saw Icehouse in Brisbane late 2012, 'twas great (never miss them and Iva's great line up of brilliant musicians!...all of them!) but unfortunately they didn't play this one with the very talented Christi McNicoll...you rock too Christi...!
Agma
Another lost 90's gem. So many bands couldn't carry the 80's vibe into the new decade and the scene branched out into a millon alternative directions. Overall the 90's were not as good as the 80's, but there was still a huge number of albums that just fell below the radar unaccounted for. Big Wheel is probably Icehouse's third best album after Primitive man and Measure for Measure. Certainly the best post 1990 album for sure. Feed The Machine and The System are the key tracks.
Edgardo Gregorini
One of my favorites albums of The All Times; Big Wheel (1993)
Milan Coric
Great song!
Rachel Knight
Gods... Such great memories with this song!
Jez Muscat
Love Icehouse, watched them in '15 @ Crown with Pseudo Echo.......the ? in the video Caitlyn Jenner?