SATELLITE



it's no shame that
love's a game that
i can only play with you
what i'm saying
is i've been saving
my love for you

i've seen the light, i'm
satisfied that
the brightest star is you
satellite, i'm
holding tight
beaming back to you

days turn into
nights turn into
days turn into today
don't think i'm out playing
cause i'm inside waiting
for you

i've felt the light, i'm
satisfied that
the highest star is you
satellite, i'm
holding tight
beaming back to you

don't you worry
i believe your story
you were put away
for something you didn't do
what i'm saying
is i'm saving
my love

So, with the uke album presumably coming in a few months, I was listening over some of the songs we got from that few month span in early 2002, and and I thought I'd try my hand at writing about Satellite, one of the uke songs from that time period.

Musically, there's a playful tone to the progression, which may be due to the fact that it's in 6/8 time signature (I think). I believe some other PJ songs with that time signature include 1/2 Full and Red Mosquito, and this song has some of those same qualities, if not with the same aggression. Despite the sobering ending of a song like 1/2 Full, it can't help but feel a little boastful or even fun. Eddie's vocal melody is reminiscent of a crooner's approach; I can almost (but not quite) hear someone like Bing Crosby singing this type of melody. It reminds me of Ed's joke from back around Binaural time - that you pick up a ukulele and suddenly you're writing ragtime classics. By writing on uke, Eddie ensured that his usual inclincations about writing were not an option, and Satellite's a perfect example; considering the other songs he's written I'd be surprised if he'd have found this vocal melody writing for guitar. It's very unlike him.

Lyrically, I'm surprised going back over these uke songs to find that they're not quite as desolate and depressing as I remember them being. Goodbye and Broken Hearted are dark, but You're True and even Longing To Belong have at least some optimism inherent in them. The same is true with Satellite. This song is unique among most PJ songs, in that the context of the song's lyricsis almost necessary to get anything out of the lyric. At first glance, the song sounds like a moving, if simplistic declaration of love. Only in the last verse, "don't you worry, I believe your story, you were put away for something you didn't do," do you get a clear hint of the meaning behind the song. Eddie has mentioned that he wrote this song for Damien Echols' wife, waiting on the outside for her husband as he proclaims his innocence year in and year out.

I've always wondered if the satellite mentioned in the song was not meant to be metaphorical, but was litterally how husband and wife would be able to speak most of the time (via telecommunications). It could also refer to the way Damien and his supporters have tried to communicate with the press as a means to get their message out. One can imagine his wife seeing her husband countless times on the television, knowing that for the forseeable future she would never get to be so close to her loved one that often in real life.

I'm not sure if Pearl Jam tried this during the sessions of Riot Act; I can kind of hear it as a band tune, although chords and progressions that seem natural on ukulele would sound pretty weird in a guitar, bass, and drums set up. As I said, I can hear a bit of Red Mosquito in this, maybe a bit bouncier and playful. Then again, look at how seismically the band changed Can't Keep from it's original incarnation to what it became on Riot Act. There's probably versions or iterations of this song that have been tried that I can't even imagine.

Looking back, I also did the SOTM for You're True, and gave it a four. In hindsight, that's probably a little high, considering I like this song better but probably wouldn't call it a four-star song. It's solid song with a cool melody, and I hope it makes the upcoming album. I'd give it three stars.

I love this song a lot. The vocal melody is really nice, and I'm really fond of some of his vocal phrasings (always liked the way he sung 'you were put away for something you didn't do'). I like the sentiment behind the lyrics, even removed from their context.

I think this could work with a backing band, but maybe not the other members of PJ. It would be really nice with a gypsy jazz band or something adding a little colour. Maybe even a full Bessie Smith type pop sound.

Yeah, it's got that kind of feel to it. It's hard to imagine Eddie's voice in front of something other than a rock band, though. I feel like if I heard a Dixieland jazz quartet or something behind him, it'd just sound weird.

Yeah, but he's not too far away from that crooning Bing style that you mentioned here. I think if they took it in that 1930s pop direction it could work. Saying that, I have no qualms with him just recording most of these songs just solo vocal/uke. I'm really looking forward to the album in May.

I don't know the uke songs well at all so thanks for the excuse to go back to this one.

Eddie sounds really nice on this--are there any studio songs where he's singing in this tone of voice--it's one I tend to just associate with his uke songs.

This is one of the better uke songs--and digster is right, the context makes it more interesting. Thanks for sharing it

I've always liked Ed the crooner better than Ed the screamer. I'd leap at a chance to hear him do an album in that style.

i mostly prefer Ed the screamer, but that's not to say they're both not good. When Ed sings well he's my favorite ever.

I'm beginning to think I may enjoy this upcoming solo release. These songs are just so enjoyable.

I've always loved this solo stuff....i think Satellite is closer to a 4 star song than a 3 star song so i'll go four.

Yeah, I would like to see him try something different with the new album. I mean, it's kind of selfish, but there's already a perfectly fine recording of Satellite with solo vocal/uke. I can't say for sure until I hear it, but I usually feel those kinds of spare albums can be missed opportunities, with some big exceptions.

I'll be really sad if Longing To Belong doesn't have the violin part. I'm also sort of worried that I've become so used to the live versions of these songs. I remember the recorded version of Goodbye that surfaced a few years back leaving me really cold - it had lost the lovely sound of the theatre, and it took a lot of the song's character from me.

meh.

I really liked this the first time a heard it and have only gone back to it recently really good tune. The context makes it more meaningful and emotional and that comes across in the performance

I gave it 4 stars

I don't have anything to add about the song (which I love by the way) but after seeing "Fuck the Uke" as a choice in the poll I'm convinced Ed missed the best possible name for his album. It's better even than "Ukulele Songs" if that's possible.

i really like the new version.
great song, great lyrics..yeah this one seems about damien echols wife.

this has grown on me a bit. A pleasant song.

One of my favorites on this record. Lovely little tune.