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 did not achieve any chart success, though it later became a staple of his concerts and compilation albums.

Background and recording

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."^[1]

Often considered a Reed solo song, it was originally recorded by The Velvet Underground. The band played the song at concerts and recorded it during the 1970 sessions for their album Loaded, though like many of the songs recorded during those sessions, it does not appear on the album. The existence of the VU version was largely unknown and even forgotten by the band members themselves until the release of the box set Peel Slowly and See in 1995. 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 that you've been bold

With Winkin, Blinkin, and Nod

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday to Thursday

With 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."

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 "Satellite of Love", 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.
• Other artists who have covered the song include The Bravery, Perry Farrell, Martin Plaza, The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, Porno for Pyros, Eurythmics, The Polyamorous Affair, Danny Saber, and Morrissey.

Cultural references

• The Austin, Texas shot 2012 film Satellite of Love borrows its name from the Lou Reed song.
• 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.
• The song is used and discussed several times throughout the 2009 movie Adventureland.
• 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 Lou Reed version of the song is played in the 1998 movie Velvet Goldmine, with Ewan McGregor lip-synching the backing vocals.

References