Since 1999, Longwave has been one of the New York City’s leading exports. A… Read Full Bio ↴Since 1999, Longwave has been one of the New York City’s leading exports. After the success of Endsongs , their 2000 independent release, the band signed with RCA Records and began work with producer Dave Fridmann, known for his efforts with the Flaming Lips and Mercury Rev. The resulting album, The Strangest Things, led to critical raves and tours across all parts of this earth with the likes of The Strokes and The Vines.

Longwave followed up on the success of The Strangest Things by entering the studio in 2004 with famed producer John Leckie, whose work with Radiohead and Pink Floyd endeared him to the critical taste of the band, and There’s a Fire was released in 2005.

With a return to the studio planned for late 2007, Longwave found itself on the list of indispensable listening for the first part of this millennium. Expect them to stay there. Longwave's latest album, Secrets are Sinister, was released in November 2008 on Original Signal Recordings.

Satellites
Longwave Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

There's a thunder in the distance, north, south, east and west
Your defenses are useless, your resistance meaningless
I've changed my appearance, I look like someone new
I've called on my friends for their assistance, I've called out to you

But any colours that you dream about
And any words that you tell yourself, all turn to something new
You're looking for allies, looking for satellites across the great divide

Moving in circles turning to someone else with nothing left to hide

I've run in all directions, north, south, east and west
I ran 'til my eye caught a reflection, north, south, east and west

But any colours that you dream about
And any words that you tell yourself, all turn to something else
You're looking for allies, looking for satellites across the great divide
Moving in circles turning to someone else with nothing left to hide

And strange conversations, the words that you tell yourself are words that you deny
You're looking for allies, looking for satellites to bring you back to life

Overall Meaning

In the song "Satellites" by Longwave, the lyrics describe a sense of confusion and desperation, as the singer searches for connection and understanding in a seemingly overwhelming world. The repeated phrases "north, south, east and west" suggest a feeling of being lost and directionless, while the line "your defenses are useless, your resistance meaningless" implies a sense of defeat and vulnerability. The singer seeks out friends and allies, as well as someone who can relate to their experiences ("looking for satellites to bring you back to life"). However, even these connections prove to be fleeting and unreliable, as "any colors that you dream about" and "any words that you tell yourself" are constantly shifting and changing.

The chorus emphasizes this theme of searching for stability and authenticity in a world that seems to offer only illusions and false promises. The phrase "moving in circles turning to someone else with nothing left to hide" suggests a cycle of seeking out new connections and then losing them, while the image of "strange conversations" and "words you tell yourself...that you deny" highlights the difficulty of finding genuine communication and understanding amidst the constant noise and confusion. Ultimately, the song suggests that while the search for connection and meaning may be difficult, it remains a crucial part of the human experience.

Line by Line Meaning

There's a thunder in the distance, north, south, east and west
There is danger and chaos all around, in every direction

Your defenses are useless, your resistance meaningless
You are powerless to stop what is happening

I've changed my appearance, I look like someone new
I have transformed myself to be unrecognizable and deceptive

I've called on my friends for their assistance, I've called out to you
I have reached out to my allies, including you, for help in this crisis

But any colours that you dream about And any words that you tell yourself, all turn to something new
Your hopes and beliefs are constantly changing and evolving, and may lead to disappointment

You're looking for allies, looking for satellites across the great divide Moving in circles turning to someone else with nothing left to hide
You are searching for support and connection, but may find yourself going in circles and hiding your true self

I've run in all directions, north, south, east and west I ran 'til my eye caught a reflection, north, south, east and west
I have searched everywhere for a solution, but ultimately saw myself reflected back

And strange conversations, the words that you tell yourself are words that you deny You're looking for allies, looking for satellites to bring you back to life
You have conflicting thoughts and emotions, and seek connections to revive your spirit

Contributed by Dylan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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