"Satellite of Love" first started off as a song that Reed originally composed in 1970 while he was still a member of The Velvet Underground. In a 2005 interview with Velvet Underground member Doug Yule, Yule recalled Reed first mentioning the song to him in the Summer of 1970 while he was riding in the back of a limousine with Reed and Steve Sesnick: "Steve [Sesnick] was there going on about "how we needed airplay", and Lou said "I have this song "Satellite of Love", and he mentioned the satellite that had just gone up which was a big deal in the news at the time, cause the space race was happening, and Steve Sesnick said "Yeah, yeah – that'll do it!" While the band soon recorded a demo track of the song in the Summer of 1970 during the sessions for Loaded, the song didn't make the final album.
Lyrically, the song is about a man who observes a satellite launch on television and contemplates what Reed describes as feelings of "the worst kind of jealousy" about his unfaithful girlfriend. The chorus is:
I watched it for a little while
I love to watch things on TV
Satellite of love
Satellite of love
David Bowie, who produced the album, can be heard providing background vocals, especially at the final chorus. Reed would write later: "He has a melodic sense that's just well above anyone else in rock & roll. Most people could not sing some of his melodies. He can really go for a high note. Take 'Satellite of Love,' on my Transformer album. There's a part at the very end where his voice goes all the way up. It's fabulous."
The existence of the original Velvet Underground version was largely unknown until the release of the box set Peel Slowly and See in 1995, and it also appears on the 1997 Rhino Records 2-CD version of the Loaded album.
In addition to being more up-tempo, the VU version contains a significant change in the lyrics. The lines:
I've been told that you've been bold
With Harry, Mark, and John
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday to Thursday
With Harry, Mark, and John
were originally recorded as:
I've been told baby you've been bold
With Winkin, Blinkin, and Nod
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday to Thursday
To Winkin, Blinkin, and Nod
On the original lyrics, Reed said, "Jesus. Best left forgotten. Obviously, I didn't want to use real names yet. I probably wanted to make sure I wasn't using a name that really meant something to me."
This song is also featured on the soundtrack of the film, Adventureland (2009).
Satellite of Love
Lou Reed Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Things like that drive me out of my mind
I watched it for a little while
I like to watch things on TV
Satellite of love
Satellite of love
Satellite of love
Satellite's gone way up to Mars
Soon it'll be filled with parkin' cars
I watched it for a little while
I love to watch things on TV
Satellite of love
Satellite of love
Satellite of love
Satellite of
I've been told that you've been bold
With Harry, Mark and John
Monday and Tuesday, Wednesday through Thursday
With Harry, Mark and John
Satellite's gone up to the skies
Things like that drive me out of my mind
I watched it for a little while
I love to watch things on TV
Satellite of love
Satellite of love
Satellite of love
Satellite of
Satellite of love
Satellite of love
Satellite of love
Satellite (satellite) of love
Satellite (satellite) of love
Satellite (satellite) of love
Satellite (satellite) of love
Satellite (satellite) of love
The lyrics to Lou Reed's song "Satellite of Love" tell the story of a man who is obsessed with watching television, particularly channels that show images of outer space. The satellite imagery that he watches drives him out of his mind and he becomes fixated on the thought of the satellite disappearing from his view. The chorus, "Satellite of love," is a play on words, as the man is using the satellite as a substitute for love, using it as a way to escape his real life issues.
The second verse takes a turn towards social critique, as the satellite is soon to be filled with parking cars, leaving no room for the beauty of outer space to be observed. The man laments the loss of this beauty and the increasing superficiality of the world around him. The final verse reveals that the man has been told that his partner has been unfaithful with three other men, named Harry, Mark, and John. The repetition of the chorus reinforces the idea that the satellite has become a substitute for love and intimacy in this man's life.
Line by Line Meaning
Satellite's gone up to the skies
The satellite has been launched into space
Things like that drive me out of my mind
Thinking about the vastness of space and what is beyond earth's atmosphere is overwhelming to me
I watched it for a little while
I stared at the satellite for a moment
I like to watch things on TV
I typically observe things through a screen
Satellite of love
This satellite is something I admire or love
Satellite's gone way up to Mars
This satellite has journeyed far from earth and now orbits Mars
Soon it'll be filled with parkin' cars
Maybe one day people will be able to park their cars in outer space
I've been told that you've been bold
I have heard rumors that you have been intimate with Harry, Mark, and John
With Harry, Mark and John, Monday and Tuesday, Wednesday through Thursday
You have been involved with Harry, Mark, and John on multiple occasions throughout the work week
Satellite of love
This satellite still holds a special place in my heart despite everything else going on in my life
Satellite of
This is the start of the chorus and the singer is repeating the title of the song
Satellite of
The singer is continuing to repeat the title of the song in the chorus
Satellite (satellite) of love
The singer is emphasizing the importance of this particular satellite, which holds great meaning to them
Satellite (satellite) of love
Again, the singer emphasizes the emotional significance of this satellite
Satellite (satellite) of love
The chorus is repeated to further drive home the idea that this is a 'satellite of love'
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lou Reed
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@felsing137
Greatest outro ever. Aaaaoooooooo.. RIP Lou and David. Two of the greatest.
@NormAppleton
Not even the best on the same record. Andy's Chest is much better.
@Goatchild90
@Norm Appleton Stop it bro
@jakebrandt420
Goose bumps for sure
@halcyon289
Check out Silent Sorrows in Empty Boats by Genesis.
@nookiebroon4424
Mick's dead too, you know.
@toddfoster8705
David Bowies contribution on back ups... inspiring and powerful over Lou's poetry.
@TootsieB
Todd, yes perfect unity of two individually unique voices. Love those high notes Bowie does at the end. So glad they worked together on such an amazing album, we are so lucky to have had them both.
@Wladislav
I love playing this together with Gimme Shelter since both songs are elevated to masterpiece level by the backing vocals.
@qwj68boots
Todd Foster
That's a real good producer, along with Mick Ronson.