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"Satellite of Love" is one of the best known songs by Lou Reed . It was the second single from his 1972 solo album '' Transformer ''. At the time it did not achieve any chart success, though it later became a staple of his concerts and compilation albums.

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 goes:

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.

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 pre-recorded video image of Reed (and on one occasion Reed appeared to sing it in person).

Thought of as 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."

A remake of Satellite of Love, titled "Satellite of Love '04", was released in the United Kingdom in 2004 , making the top twenty of the UK Singles Chart . Other artists having coverred ''Satellite'' include U2 , Milla Jovovich , Perry Farrell , Danny Saber .