Following a music project in Africa organised by Glasgow’s Green Door Studios, Rick decamped his entire studio to a community-run barn in the Scottish Highlands. Sometimes alone, sometimes with visiting friends (inc Chris Hardwick- drums, Scott Cousins- bass, Eilidh Mcmillan- cello & backing vocals), Rick began sketching out and recording new song ideas inside a small hall in the barn. Two months later he emerged with seven fully-formed songs that after some further production tweaks in Glasgow, would become The Highest Mountains.
The album draws influence from Nick Cave, Sun Kil Moon, Sigor Ros and has an analogue, raw feel to the production thanks to Green Door studio’s Samuel J Smith who mastered The Highest Mountains. Tracks such as And I Know embody the uplifting, autobiographical melody featured throughout this mini-album which has bursts of fuzz, folk and pop.
Satellite
Unkle Bob Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The singer's got a sad, sad song
I think I'm gonna sing along
And I don't know what I'm doing
Don't know where the world went wrong
Don't know where the pain belong
You're not a star
You're just a satellite, a satellite
What do you think you know?
I'm letting go
Cause you're just a satellite, a satelite
I heard it on the radio
The singer's got a sad, sad song
I think I'm gonna sing along
And I don't know what I'm doing
Don't know where the world went wrong
Don't know where the pain belong
Who do you think you are?
You're not a star
You're just a satellite, a satellite
What do you think you know?
I'm letting go
Cause you're just a satellite, a satelite
Satellite, satellite
What do you want me to be?
What do you want me to be?
What would you say that I am?
What would you say that I am?
Who do you think you are?
You're not a star
You're just a satellite, a satellite
What do you think you know?
I'm letting go
Cause you're just a satellite, a satelite
In Unkle Bob's song "Satellite," the singer appears to be listening to a song on the radio and finds it sad. Despite not knowing what they are doing or where the world went wrong, the singer wants to sing along with the song. As the song continues the singer asks questions about the role of the singer in the song and questions the value of the person as they are " just a satellite." The questions addressed and the tone of the singer seem to imply that the singer on the radio may not be an important person or a true "star."
This song may be interpreted as a commentary on the music industry and its tendency to value appearance, image and fame over artistic substance. The song suggests that many singers and performers are merely "satellites," adrift in the music industry without much direction, purpose or meaning. It also reflects on the struggles of artists and their search for meaning in their work.
Line by Line Meaning
I heard it on the radio
The singer heard a song on the radio
The singer's got a sad, sad song
The singer's song is very sad
I think I'm gonna sing along
The singer intends to sing along with the song
And I don't know what I'm doing
The artist is unsure of their current actions
Don't know where the world went wrong
The artist is confused about the state of the world
Don't know where the pain belong
The singer is unsure where their pain fits in
Who do you think you are?
The singer is asking a question about identity
You're not a star
The person being addressed is not famous or important
You're just a satellite, a satellite
The person being addressed is insignificant and has no real influence
What do you think you know?
The artist is questioning the knowledge of the person being addressed
I'm letting go
The singer is releasing control or attachment to something
Satellite, satellite
Repeating the theme of insignificance and lack of influence
What do you want me to be?
The singer is asking for guidance on how to act or be
What would you say that I am?
The singer is asking for an identity or label
Who do you think you are?
Repeating the question about identity from earlier
You're not a star
Repeating the statement of insignificance from earlier
You're just a satellite, a satellite
Repeating the theme of insignificance and lack of influence from earlier
Contributed by Harper P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Charles Peacock
Absolutely fabulous! Why haven't I heard this before?
Michael
Same here Charles!! ❤️❤️👍👌
Michael
They are fab!! I too only found recently 🤘🤘🤘💙💙
Mike Wade
brilliant band, brilliant songwriters - lord, send them some luck
Timur Kurskiev
I will never get bored to listen to this song
Timur Kurskiev
Amazing song, amazing voice! Love it!
kay
extremely underrated artist!!!
TheTruskawka
kocham to. :)
Vladimir Gaydamakin
awesome, still listening to this song through years
Fabiano Pires da Silva
I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE this song! I don't like live music videos, but that's ok!