The original lineup consisted of vocalist Jason Cruz, guitarists Jake Kiley and Rob Ramos, bassist Jim Cherry and drummer Adam Austin. After releasing a self-titled 7" record, they became one of the first bands to be signed to Fat Wreck Chords, the record label owned and operated by Fat Mike of the band NOFX. Austin left the band in 1992 and was replaced by Brad Morrison who also left the band and was replaced on drums by Jordan Burns, formerly of fellow Simi Valley natives Ten Foot Pole. Their first album, Another Day in Paradise, was released in May of 1994. Suburban Teenage Wasteland Blues followed in 1996. In 1998 they released The Skinny Years...Before We Got Fat, a compilation album of their pre-Fat Wreck Chords material.
The band showed notable musical growth on their 1998 album Twisted by Design, which was both speedy and technical but also punk-based and with darker overtones. The album established a mixture of the fast, poppy sound the band had established with Suburban Teenage Wasteland Blues but mixed it with more atonality and more abstract song structures. Bassist Jim Cherry left the band in 1999 and went on to play in Pulley and Zero Down, but died of heart failure in 2002. He was replaced by Chris Aiken, whose musical background had a strong impact on the 2000 album The Element of Sonic Defiance, which continued in the fast, melodic punk tradition of the band while introducing more hard rock and metal elements.
In 2002 the band released their fourth full-length album An American Paradox, their first release to appear in the Billboard Top 200. The initial production run contained a bonus song entitled "Don't Look Back". A video was filmed for the song "Cemetery" and was included on several punk rock video compilations. In 2003 they recorded and released a live album as part of the Fat Wreck Chords Live in a Dive series. Exile in Oblivion, was released in 2004, with a video filmed for the song "Analog." Strung Out released their sixth full-length album, Blackhawks Over Los Angeles on June 12, 2007.
In March 2009, Strung Out released a compilation of B-sides, demos, and covers called "Prototypes and Painkillers" with material from all eras of the band's history. Many of these tracks have been on various punk compilations and/or were included in their "Live in a Dive" recording.
On September 29, 2009, Strung Out Released a their 7th studio album titled Agents of the Underground.
Satellite
Strung Out Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll understand if you've got way too many things to do
You see I've been sitting here for an hour trying to finish what I started
Now it seems every line gets harder and never really what I want to say
So I hope this letter finds you well
It's taken me a little while to sit and spell out everything I want to say
But I think I'm ready to convey
You got me thinking how a song can change it all
If there's any wonder how I made it through
Well I tell them that's between me and you, well
Someday I'll thank you if I see you around
But for now I'll just keep this letter to myself
And a song I'll probably never sing for you
Like a satellite
Spinning 'round my head in sound
You got me thinking how a song can change it all
If there's any wonder how I made it through
Well I tell them that's between me and you, well
Someday I'll thank you if I see you around
But for now I'll just keep this letter to myself
And a song I'll probably never sing for you
Like a satellite
Spinning 'round my head in sound
When you're sixteen and you're full of pain
Yeah nothing matters much but the sound of broken bottles and hearts
And the ties that bind you to what you can't ignore
In a world where I had no control I used my voice as a weapon that I could hold
I screamed and shouted until I played
I meant every single word I said
You're the reason that I care at all
You got me thinking how a song can change it all
If there's anyone that I want to hear
Well nothing's ever been so clear
Someday I'll thank you if I see you around
But for now I'll just keep this letter to myself
And a song I'll probably never sing for you
Like a satellite
Spinning 'round my head in sound
Like a song I won't forget
Oh satellite spinning 'round my head
Like a song I won't forget
When we're all grown up and looking for that anger nothing matters much
But the reassuring sound of a voice buzzing through the stereo
All this imagery and sound
With words that bite and tear out
So watch me for myself
Again now I found my voice again now.
The song Satellite by Strung Out is a reflection on the profound impact that music can have on a person's life, both as a form of personal expression and as a source of comfort in times of pain and uncertainty. The opening lyrics express the difficulty of finding the right words to say to someone who has had a significant impact on one's life. The singer struggles to finish writing a letter to this person, emphasizing the importance of communication and the power of words.
The chorus of the song underscores the transformative power of music, how it can change everything and be a lifeline for someone who is struggling. The phrase "like a satellite spinning 'round my head in sound" suggests the idea of music as a cosmic force, a constant presence in one's life that can provide guidance and solace. The second verse describes the personal struggles of the singer, using music as a way to cope with pain and anger. The lyrics culminate in a declaration of gratitude and appreciation for the person who inspired the singer to pursue music as a means of creative expression.
Overall, Satellite is a deeply personal and introspective song that highlights the transformative power of music in people's lives. It emphasizes the importance of communication, expression, and gratitude, and underscores the role that music can play in providing comfort and guidance during difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll understand if you're not feeling well enough to write
Acknowledging the fact that the recipient may not be well enough to respond to a written letter.
I'll understand if you've got way too many things to do
Recognizing that the recipient may be too busy to respond to a written letter.
You see I've been sitting here for an hour trying to finish what I started
Expressing the frustration of not being able to articulate what is meant to be conveyed in a letter.
Now it seems every line gets harder and never really what I want to say
Feeling that expressing the intended message in writing is increasingly difficult, with each line not perfectly conveying the desired thoughts.
So I hope this letter finds you well
Wishing the recipient good health.
It's taken me a little while to sit and spell out everything I want to say
Acknowledging the time and effort that went into crafting the letter.
But I think I'm ready to convey
Feeling confident that the desired message can now be communicated effectively.
You're the reason that I play at all
Recognizing the source of inspiration that motivates the singer to make music.
You got me thinking how a song can change it all
Reflecting on the power of music to transform lives.
If there's any wonder how I made it through
Addressing anyone who may be curious about the struggles the singer has overcome.
Well I tell them that's between me and you, well
Implies that the details of the struggles are private and will not be shared.
Someday I'll thank you if I see you around
The singer anticipates meeting the recipient in the future and expressing gratitude for their influence.
But for now I'll just keep this letter to myself
Acknowledging that the singer is not yet ready to share the letter with the recipient.
And a song I'll probably never sing for you
Implies that the singer may not be comfortable expressing their feelings in person or through song.
Like a satellite
Compares the unsung song to a satellite revolving around the singer's mind for the recipient to never hear.
Spinning 'round my head in sound
Reinforcing the idea of the unsung song being like a satellite that keeps rotating and producing sound in the singer's mind.
When you're sixteen and you're full of pain
Recalling the difficult and tumultuous phase of one's teenage years.
Yeah nothing matters much but the sound of broken bottles and hearts
The only things that matter to a sixteen-year-old dealing with pain are physical and emotional suffering happening around them.
And the ties that bind you to what you can't ignore
Recognizing the strong emotions that tie teenagers to their pain and do not let them ignore it.
In a world where I had no control I used my voice as a weapon that I could hold
Reflecting on how the singer felt powerless and helpless as a teenager, but found a weapon in their voice that provided a sense of control.
I screamed and shouted until I played
Describing how the singer used music to give an outlet to loud, intense feelings through singing, screaming, and shouting.
I meant every single word I said
Reinforcing the heart felt nature of the singer's music and lyrics.
If there's anyone that I want to hear
Expressing the desire for someone particular to listen to their music.
Well nothing's ever been so clear
Implies clarity about the singer's purpose with making music for that particular person.
When we're all grown up and looking for that anger nothing matters much
A call to mind the pains of teenage years and how small anger-related things can have big and long-lasting impacts.
But the reassuring sound of a voice buzzing through the stereo
Recognizing the impact that music had in soothing the pain and serving as an emotional support during difficult times.
All this imagery and sound
Reflecting on the powerful combination of sound, lyrics, and emotions that music evokes.
With words that bite and tear out
Describing the sharp and cutting quality of certain lyrics and how they are powerful enough to pierce and cut through pain.
So watch me for myself
Asserting the belief in one's own ability to create music that is characterized by unapologetic and raw expression of one's true self.
Again now I found my voice again now.
Reflecting on the experience of finding one's authentic voice again after going through a period of silencing or self-doubt.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PHIL THORNALLEY, NATALIE JANE IMBRUGLIA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind