Sleeping Satellite

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"Sleeping Satellite"

Single by Tasmin Archer
from the album Great Expectations
Released	August 31st, 1992
Format	7" Vinyl, CD Single
Genre	Pop
Length	4:15
Label	Virgin Music
Writer(s)	Tasmin Archer, John Beck, John Hughes
Producer(s)	Julian Mendelsohn, Paul Wickens
Chart positions
No. 01 (UK) No. 33 Australia
Tasmin Archer singles chronology
	1992 Sleeping Satellite	1993 In Your Care

"Sleeping Satellite" is the first single to be released by singer-songwriter Tasmin Archer, and was the 681st UK Number 1 Single.

1 Summary
2 Cover Versions
3 More Information
4 Track Listings
5 Number 1 Info

[edit] Summary

It was released in the second half of 1992 and swiftly rose up the charts where it peaked at #1 dethroning the deleted Ebeneezer Goode by The Shamen from that spot, and stayed there for 2 weeks, before being dethroned by Boyz II Men’s End Of The Road.

[edit] Cover Versions

'Sleeping Satellite' was covered by Australian alternative metal band Karnivool and was released as the B-side to their single "Themata" in 2005.

A Dance remake was released by Italy-based Ketty DB in 1992, featuring the same lyrics and melody but with a danceable, haunting arrangement. [1]

[edit] More Information

The lyrics of Sleeping Satellite deal with the first moon landings, Archer asks “Did we fly to the moon too soon” among other questions during the song. Like all of Archer’s singles, Sleeping Satellite deals with issues never before seen in pop songs.

Although released in 1992, Archer and her co-writers wrote the song in the late 1980s, but it was only when Archer got a record deal that the song saw the light of day.

Four instruments were used in the recording of Sleeping Satellite, John Hughes and McIntosh provided the guitars in the song whereas John Beck and Paul Wickens were keyboard players. The drummer on the track was Charlie Morgan whilst Gary Maughan played Fairlight.

Archer sings backing vocals on the track along with Tessa Niles and Carol Kenyon.

Sleeping Satellite is Tasmin Archer’s most successful single to date and her only single to reach the heights of the UK top 10. The fact it's her only popularly known hit has led some people to believe Archer was therefore a one hit wonder. Fans of her work point out that she had other Top 40 hits and is still releasing material 14 years on.

Sleeping Satellite is the only UK number 1 which has had either the word "sleeping" or "satellite" in the title of the song.

[edit] Track Listings

CDS:
1. Sleeping Satellite
2. Sleeping Satellite (Acoustic Version)
3. Man At The Window (Acoustic Version)
4. Sleeping Satellite (Extended Version)

7":
1. Sleeping Satellite
2. Slepping Satellite (Acoustic Version)

[edit]

Number 1 Info

Preceded by "Ebeneezer Goode" by The Shamen	UK Singles Chart number one single October 11, 1992 - October 24, 1992	Succeeded by "End Of The Road" by Boyz II Men