Satellite (The Hooters song)

"Satellite" is a song by American rock band the Hooters, which was released in 1987 as the second single from their third studio album One Way Home. The song was written by Rob Hyman, Eric Bazilian and Rick Chertoff, and produced by Chertoff. "Satellite" reached No. 61 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 22 on the UK Singles Chart,^[1] their only song to chart there.

"Satellite"
Single by The Hooters
from the album One Way Home
B-side	"One Way Home"
Released	1987
Genre	Pop rock
Length	3:50 (single version) 4:18 (album version)
Label	Columbia (US) CBS
Songwriter(s)	Rob Hyman Eric Bazilian Rick Chertoff
Producer(s)	Rick Chertoff
The Hooters singles chronology
"Johnny B" (1987) "Satellite" (1987) "Karla with a K" (1987)
Music video
"Satellite" on YouTube

Background

"Satellite" takes a satirical look at Televangelism. Hyman told Simon Mayo for the Reading Evening Post in 1987: "They're a strange combination of religious concepts and satellite technology both up there in the heavens. It's all very political because to get your programmes on the satellite you need influence, money and power. The programmes are supposed to be non profit making but recent exposés have uncovered loads of financial scandals. Our song is very timely!"^[2]

Music video

The song's music video was directed by David Hogan and produced by Daniel Stewart for Limelight Productions.^[3] It achieved active rotation on MTV.^[4]

Critical reception

Upon its release, Billboard described "Satellite" as a "traditionally styled rock number".^[5] Cash Box considered the song a "driving pop/rock" track that "should continue" the band's success in the Top 40 and on AOR radio.^[6] Music & Media wrote, "Captivating and epic piece of rock with folk overtones through an accordion and a Big Country type of lick."^[7] Chris Welch of Kerrang! described it as being in "Byrds-Dylan territory, updated, revitalised, very strong and melodic".^[8] In a review of One Way Home, David Fricke of Rolling Stone described the song as a "powerful pop KO of TV pulpit pounders", with its "core riff" being "a metallic jig figure – sort of Boston meets John Barleycorn – fattened up with iron-fist guitar chords and Close Encounters synth effects".^[9]

Track listing

7" single

1. "Satellite" - 3:50
2. "One Way Home" - 5:33

7" single (US promo)

1. "Satellite" (LV) - 4:18
2. "Satellite" (SV) - 3:50

12" and CD single

1. "Satellite" - 4:18
2. "One Way Home" - 5:33
3. "All You Zombies" - 5:58

Personnel

The Hooters

• Eric Bazilian - lead vocals, guitar
• Rob Hyman - keyboards, accordion, melodica
• Andy King - bass guitar, backing vocals
• John Lilley - guitar
• David Uosikkinen - drums

Production

• Rick Chertoff - producer
• Rob Hyman, Eric Bazilian - co-producers
• Dave Thoener, Rod O'Brien, Phil Nicolo - engineers
• Teddy Trewhella, Frank Pekoc, Joe Henehan - assistant engineers
• George Marino - mastering

Charts

Chart (1987-88)	Peak position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[10]	35
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[11]	19
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[12]	20
European Hot 100 Singles[13]	20
Ireland (IRMA)[14]	17
UK Singles (OCC)[15]	22
US Billboard Hot 100[16]	61
US Billboard Album Rock Tracks[17]	13
US Cash Box Top 100 Singles[18]	67
West Germany (GfK)[19]	34