‘Satellite of Love’ is a song by American musician Lou Reed. It is the second single from his 1972 album Transformer. At the time of its release, it achieved minor US chart success (No. 119), though it later became a staple of his concerts and compilation albums. Though this song first saw the light of day on Transformer, it dates back to Reed's band The Velvet Underground, and a version of the song recorded by The Velvet Underground surfaced on the Peel Slowly and See box set. That version is a much harder rocker than the version on Transformer, with a faster tempo, and without the piano line that dominates the later version.
‘Satellite of Love’ was composed in 1970 while Reed was still a member of the Velvet Underground. Fellow member Doug Yule, in a 2005 interview, recalled Reed's first mentioning the song to him in the summer of 1970 while they were riding in the back of a limousine with Steve Sesnick: "Steve 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!'" While the band had soon recorded a demo track in the summer of 1970 during the sessions for Loaded, it did not make the final album.
The lyrics are also different; "I've been told that you've been bold with Harry, Mark and John," Reed sings in the bridge. In the Velvets' take, the three cads came from a 19th century children's poem: Wynken, Blynken and Nod. "Best left forgotten," Reed explained of the original lyric in 1994. "I probably wanted to make sure I wasn't using a name that really meant something to me. I mean the song is about the worst kind of jealousy."
David Bowie, who produced the album with Mick Ronson, provided background vocals, especially for the final chorus. Reed wrote 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."
Label – RCA Victor
Songwriter – Lou Reed
Producers – David Bowie, Mick Ronson
SONG LYRICS
[Verse 1]Satellite's gone up to the skies
Things like that drive me out of my mind
I watched it for a little while
I like to watch things on TV
[Chorus]
(Bom, bom, bom) Satellite of love
(Bom, bom, bom) Satellite of love
(Bom, bom, bom) Satellite of love
Satellite of—
[Verse 2]
Satellite's gone way up to Mars
Soon it'll be filled with parking cars
I watched it for a little while
I love to watch things on TV
[Chorus]
(Bom, bom, bom) Satellite of love
(Bom, bom, bom) Satellite of love
(Bom, bom, bom) Satellite of love
Satellite of—
[Bridge]
I've been told that you've been bold
With Harry, Mark, and John
Monday and Tuesday, Wednesday through Thursday
With Harry, Mark, and John
[Verse 1]
Satellite's gone up to the skies
Things like that drive me out of my mind
I watched it for a little while
I love to watch things on TV
[Chorus]
(Bom, bom, bom) Satellite of love
(Bom, bom, bom) Satellite of love
(Bom, bom, bom) Satellite of love
Satellite of—
[Outro]
Satellite of love
Satellite (Satellite) of love (Ah-ah-ah-ah)
Satellite (Satellite, oh-ooh) of love (Ah-ah-ah-ah)
Satellite (Satellite) of love (Ah-ah-ah-ah)
Satellite (Satellite) of love (Ah-ah-ah-ah)
Satellite (Satellite) of love (Ah-ah-ah-ah)
Satellite (Satellite) of love (Ah-ah-ah-ah)
Satellite (Satellite) of love (Ah-ah-ah-ah)
Satellite (Satellite) of love (Ah-ah-ah-ah)