Born on 9th March 1942 in Garnant, Wales, Cale spoke only Welsh until the age of seven, when he began to learn English at school. He went on to study viola at Goldsmiths College, University of London, where he became involved in avant garde music. He traveled to the U.S. to continue his studies, thanks to the help and influence of Aaron Copland, and met and worked with various avant-garde composers, including John Cage, while becoming fascinated with the new Anglo-American art movements.
In 1965, he co-founded the Velvet Underground with Lou Reed. Though best known for his work with the band, Cale has produced a massive body of work that ranges from tastefully arranged strings and piano over Dylan Thomas poetry to barely-suppressed, nigh-psychotic aggression set to high-energy avant-garde rock. Cale's style is almost impossible to pin down, as almost every album contains new experiments and influences. He is also well known as the producer of such works as the debuts of The Stooges, The Modern Lovers, and Patti Smith (the critically acclaimed 'Horses'). He also played a major role in Nico's 'The Marble Index'.
He's released some compilation works such as 'Seducing Down the Door: A Collection 1970-1990' that attempt to show the range and depth of his music. Cale was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as member of the Velvet Underground in 1996, and he was also appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2010. As the years have gone by, he's had a wide variety of tours, additionally dealing with his own personal demons.
Satisfied
John Cale Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Such a long time because of you
It's got all the hallmarks
Of a classic affair that we all know
It may surprise us still
For both of us until
You'll be wondering at it
You'll be smiling at it
I'll be wondering why
It will remind us of what's inside us
How closely things we feel
Will touch and make us whole
It may surprise us in the end
You'll be wondering at it
I'll be standing by
You'll be smiling at it
I'll be wondering why
Will it stand the test of time
It will stand the test of time
In the song "Satisfied" by John Cale, the singer expresses his desire to emotionally satisfy his partner. He begins by asking if they are alone, suggesting that he wants to speak candidly without any distractions. He then asks his partner to turn off her cellphone, indicating that he wants to have her undivided attention. The chorus serves as a mantra that repeats throughout the song, with the singer emphasizing that he wants to "get [his partner] satisfied."
Cale continues to express his desire to fulfill his partner's desires, but not just on a physical level. He acknowledges that "foreplay starts in the mind" and encourages his partner to think about things she's always wanted but has been unable to find. He continues with a metaphor of an explorer seeking treasure, saying he will continue to search until he discovers what his partner truly desires. Cale then goes on to suggest that he can bring his partner an experience that transcends the physical, saying that he can make her feel so satisfied that she'll feel like she's "dyin'."
Overall, "Satisfied" is a song about emotional connection and the desire to fulfill one's partner. The singer is focused on his partner's satisfaction and is willing to go to great lengths to achieve it, even if it means exploring uncharted emotional territory.
Line by Line Meaning
Before we got started
Prior to beginning this activity together
Are we all alone?
Is there no one else present in this location?
Cause I'm about to get open-hearted
Because I am about to be honest and vulnerable
It's time to send you're company home and turn off you're cellphone
It's time for us to be alone and undistracted
Baby, can't you see
My dear, do you not understand?
I just want to get you satisfied
I only desire to please and fulfill you
This is gonna be a long night (long)
This experience will take a significant amount of time
A little bit longer afternoon (afternoon)
It will also extend beyond our daytime hours
Girl, if we get this thing right
If we do this properly
Oh, you gonna get satisfied real soon
You will experience intense gratification shortly
(Can't you see)
(Don't you understand)
Baby, can't you see
My dear, do you not understand?
(I'm just trying)
(I am merely attempting)
I want to get you satisfied (satisfied)
I desire to give you pleasure and contentment
I ain't talking about nothing physical
I am not referring to anything purely sexual
Cause foreplay starts in the mind (in the mind)
Because the mental and emotional connection is the beginning of arousal
I'm just trying to get you to think about doing things
I am simply encouraging you to consider engaging in activities
That you've always wanted but could never find
That you have desired but never been able to experience
I'm gonna seek this thing like a buried treasure
I will search for this desire with great determination
Like Columbus sailing over the sea
Like the explorer seeking new lands
Until I discover, baby, the land beyond expertise and chastity
Until I find the territory that goes beyond technical skill and moral purity, my dear
Baby, can't you see
My dear, do you not understand?
I'm just tryin', tryin'
I am just attempting, attempting
I'm just tryin' to get you satisfied
I am simply striving to give you fulfillment
I'm sure you had another lover
I am certain you have been with other partners
But let me tell you baby, all tricks aside
However, let me assure you, with no deceit or manipulation
I can get you out of you're body
I can give you an out of body experience
Have you ever felt like you were dyin'
Have you ever experienced something so intense that you felt near death?
And felt satisfied
But in that moment, also felt incredibly content?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN DAVIES CALE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind