Satellite of Love

"Satellite of Love" is one of Lou Reed's best-known songs from his solo career. It is the second single from his 1972 album Transformer. At the time of its release, it achieved minor chart success, though it later became a staple of his concerts and compilation albums.

Background and recording

"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!"^[1] 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.^[2] The chorus is:

I watched it for a little while

I love to watch things on TV

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."^[3]

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."^[4]

Lou Reed personnel

Lou Reed - guitar, lead vocals
David Bowie & The Thunder Thighs - backing vocals, handclaps
Trevor Bolder - trumpet
Herbie Flowers - tuba
Mick Ronson - piano, recorder
Klaus Voorman - bass
John Halsey - drums

Morrissey cover

"Satellite of Love"

Single by Morrissey

Released

December 2, 2013

Format

Digital download, 7", 12"

Genre

Alternative rock

Length

3:46

Label

Parlophone

Producer(s)

David Millward, Mick Ronson

Morrissey singles chronology

"The Last of the Famous International Playboys"
(2013)

"Satellite of Love"
(2013)

"World Peace Is None of Your Business"
(2014)

Morrissey's live cover of the song was digitally released on December 2, 2013 as a tribute to Reed, following his death in 2013. The song was recorded on November 25, 2011 in at the Chelsea Ballroom of Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Nevada.^[5]^[6]^[7] The 7" and 12" vinyl version and a three-track digital version were also released on January 28, 2014.^[8] All three versions of the single were supported by additional live tracks, including a rendition of The Smiths song, "Vicar in a Tutu," a cover of Buzzcocks song "You Say You Don't Love Me" and his 1992 song, "You're Gonna Need Someone on Your Side."^[8]^[9] The cover topped the U.S. Billboard Hot Singles Sales chart.^[10]

Track listing

12"
A-side

"Satellite of Love (Live)"
"You're Gonna Need Someone on Your Side"

B-side

"Vicar in a Tutu (Live)"
"All You Need Is Me (Live)"

7"
A-side

"Satellite of Love (Live)"

B-side

"You're Gonna Need Someone on Your Side"
"You Say You Don't Love Me (Live)" (Buzzcocks cover)

Digital download

"Satellite of Love (Live)"
"You're Gonna Need Someone on Your Side"
"Mama Lay Softly on the Riverbed (Live)"

Personnel

Morrissey – lead vocals
Boz Boorer – guitar, mixing
Jesse Tobias – guitar
Gustavo Manzur – piano, backing vocals
Solomon Walker – bass
Matt Walker – drums
David Millward – recording, production
Scott Minshall – design
Bill Inglot – mastering
Dan Hersch – mastering
Renaud Monfourny – photography
Mick Ronson – production ("You're Gonna Need Someone on Your Side")

Chart positions

Chart (2014)	Peak position
US Billboard Hot Singles Sales^[10]	1

Other cover versions

Issay of Der Zibet covered it live with Yoshiki of X Japan on piano and a small orchestra at Extasy Summit '91 at the Nippon Budokan. The performance was later included on the home video release of the concert.
U2 released a cover version on the "One" singles in 1992. The song was given added exposure in 1992-1993 by its regular use on U2's satellite-themed Zoo TV Tour, where Bono sang it as a duet with a prerecorded video image of Reed (and on a few occasions Reed appeared on stage to sing it in person).
A remake of the song made by Groovefinder, titled "Satellite of Love '04", was released in the United Kingdom in 2004, making it to #10 on the UK Singles Chart.
Actress and occasional musician Milla Jovovich performed a cover for the film The Million Dollar Hotel with the MDH band – a group whose members included Bono and The Edge.
Beck played the song at the Rock n' Roll Hall Of Fame 2015
Other artists who have covered the song include The Bravery, Martin Plaza, The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, Leo Sayer, Porno for Pyros, Eurythmics, The Polyamorous Affair and Danny Saber.

Cultural references

The Satellite of Love spaceship is the primary setting of the TV comedy series Mystery Science Theater 3000. The song itself, with lyrics reflecting the characters ("Gypsy, Tom, and Crow" instead of "Harry, Mark, and John", for example), was sung at the end of all live shows featuring the cast.
The song is mentioned in the Def Leppard song "Rocket".
The Ron & Fez Show closes every show with the song. Sometimes the show's cast and producers will sing along.
In Adventureland, Mike Connell's (Ryan Reynolds) claims that he was formerly a musician with Lou Reed are proven false when he periodically demonstrates ignorance of Reed's music, including referring to "Satellite of Love" as "Shed a Light on Love".
The song was used in the fourth season of the TV series Gilmore Girls. In the episode "Raincoats and Recipes," the song plays as Rory Gilmore (Alexis Bledel) loses her virginity to her married ex-boyfriend Dean (Jared Padalecki).
The Lou Reed version of the song is played in the 1998 movie Velvet Goldmine, with Ewan McGregor lip-synching the backing vocals.
The Austin, Texas shot 2012 film Satellite of Love borrows its name from the Lou Reed song, directed by Will James Moore.

References

↑ The Velvet Underground – Doug Yule Part 7 on YouTube
↑ Reed, Lou, interviewed by David Fricke. Peel Slowly and See liner notes, p. 73
↑ Lou Reed. "100 Greatest Artist: David Bowie". Rolling Stone. Consulted on October 3, 2011.
↑ Reed, Lou, interviewed by David Fricke. Peel Slowly and See liner notes, p. 73
↑ McGovern, Kyle (November 11, 2013). "Morrissey Will Orbit Lou Reed's 'Satellite of Love' on Live Single". Spin. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
↑ Battan, Carrie (November 11, 2013). "Morrissey to Release His Live Version of Lou Reed's "Satellite of Love" as a Single". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
↑ "Morrissey to release cover of Lou Reed's 'Satellite of Love'". Fact. November 11, 2013. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
1 2 Grow, Kory (November 26, 2013). "Morrissey Reveals Full 'Satellite of Love' Single Details". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
↑ "Morrissey announces B-sides for 'Satellite Of Love'". NME. November 30, 2013. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
1 2 "Hot Singles Sales – February 22, 2014". Billboard. Retrieved 14 April 2014.

Lou Reed

Discography

Studio albums	Lou Reed Transformer Berlin Sally Can't Dance Metal Machine Music Coney Island Baby Rock and Roll Heart Street Hassle The Bells Growing Up in Public The Blue Mask Legendary Hearts New Sensations Mistrial New York Magic and Loss Set the Twilight Reeling Ecstasy The Raven Hudson River Wind Meditations

Collaborations	Le Bataclan '72 (with John Cale and Nico) Songs for Drella (with John Cale) The Stone: Issue Three (with John Zorn and Laurie Anderson) Lulu (with Metallica)

Live albums	Rock 'n' Roll Animal Lou Reed Live Live: Take No Prisoners Live in Italy Live in Concert Perfect Night: Live in London American Poet Animal Serenade Berlin: Live At St. Ann's Warehouse The Creation of the Universe

Compilations	Walk on the Wild Side: The Best of Lou Reed Rock and Roll Diary: 1967–1980 City Lights Walk on the Wild Side & Other Hits Different Times: Lou Reed in the '70s The Best of Lou Reed & The Velvet Underground A Retrospective Perfect Day Retro The Definitive Collection The Very Best of Lou Reed Legendary Lou Reed NYC Man (The Ultimate Collection 1967–2003) The Essential Lou Reed

Box sets	Between Thought and Expression: The Lou Reed Anthology

Related articles	The Velvet Underground John Cale Nico Metal Machine Trio

Morrissey

Discography Personnel

Studio albums	Viva Hate Kill Uncle Your Arsenal Vauxhall and I Southpaw Grammar Maladjusted You Are the Quarry Ringleader of the Tormentors Years of Refusal World Peace Is None of Your Business

Live albums	Beethoven Was Deaf Live at Earls Court

Compilation album	Bona Drag World of Morrissey Suedehead: The Best of Morrissey My Early Burglary Years The CD Singles '88–91' The CD Singles '91–95' The Best of Morrissey Greatest Hits Swords Very Best of Morrissey

Extended plays	At KROQ

Singles	"Suedehead" "Everyday Is Like Sunday" "The Last of the Famous International Playboys" "Interesting Drug" "Ouija Board, Ouija Board" "November Spawned a Monster" "Piccadilly Palare" "Our Frank" "Sing Your Life" "Pregnant for the Last Time" "My Love Life" "We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful" "You're the One for Me, Fatty" "Tomorrow" "Certain People I Know" "The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get" "Hold on to Your Friends" "Interlude" "Now My Heart Is Full" "Boxers" "Dagenham Dave" "The Boy Racer" "Sunny" "Alma Matters" "Roy's Keen" "Satan Rejected My Soul" "Irish Blood, English Heart" "First of the Gang to Die" "Let Me Kiss You" "I Have Forgiven Jesus" "Redondo Beach" / "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out" "You Have Killed Me" "The Youngest Was the Most Loved" "In the Future When All's Well" "I Just Want to See the Boy Happy" "That's How People Grow Up" "All You Need Is Me" "I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris" "Something Is Squeezing My Skull" "Glamorous Glue" (reissue) "Satellite of Love" "World Peace Is None of Your Business" "Istanbul" "Earth Is the Loneliest Planet" "The Bullfighter Dies" "Kiss Me a Lot"

Videos	Hulmerist Live in Dallas The Malady Lingers On Introducing Morrissey ¡Oye Esteban! Who Put the M in Manchester? Live at the Hollywood Bowl Morrissey: 25 Live

Books	The New York Dolls James Dean Is Not Dead Exit Smiling Autobiography List of the Lost

Tours	Kill Uncle Tour Your Arsenal Tour ¡Oye Esteban! Tour

Bands	The Nosebleeds The Smiths

Personnel	Boz Boorer Alain Whyte Jesse Tobias Vini Reilly Stephen Street Mick Ronson Steve Lillywhite Jerry Finn Tony Visconti Solomon Walker

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