Sleeping Satellite

Infobox Single
Name = Sleeping Satellite


Artist = Tasmin Archer
from Album = Great Expectations
Released = August 31,1992
Format = 7" Vinyl, CD Single
Genre = Pop
Length = 4:15
Label = Virgin Music (UK)
SBK Records/Capitol-EMI (U.S.)
Writer = Tasmin Archer, John Beck, John Hughes
Producer = Julian Mendelsohn, Paul Wickens
Last single =
This single = "Sleeping Satellite" (1992)
Next single = "In Your Care" (1993)"Sleeping Satellite" is the first single to be released by British singer-songwriter Tasmin Archer, from her album "Great Expectations", and had its peak of popularity in late 1992. Successful in many countries, the song was the 681st UK number-one single.

Lyrics and music

Although first released in 1992, Archer and her co-writers wrote the song in the late 1980s, but it was only when Archer got a record deal that the song saw the light of day.

The lyrics of "Sleeping Satellite" allegedly deal with the moon landings in 1969 and the early 1970s, Archer asks “Did we fly to the moon too soon” among other questions during the song.

Four instruments were used in the recording of "Sleeping Satellite", John Hughes and McIntosh provided the guitars in the song whereas John Beck and Paul Wickens were keyboard players. The drummer on the track was Charlie Morgan whilst Gary Maughan played Fairlight.

Archer sings backing vocals on the track along with Tessa Niles and Carol Kenyon.

Chart performances

"Sleeping Satellite" was released to the UK on August 31 1992 and swiftly rose up the UK charts to the number one spot, replacing "Ebeneezer Goode" by The Shamen. It stayed there for two weeks, before being dethroned by Boyz II Men’s "End of the Road".

The song was a multiformat success in the U.S. The song hit the Modern Rock Tracks chart the last week of February 1993. Inching up to a peak of #11, it was her best showing on any U.S. chart, but the song gradually proved its crossover potential in April when it appeared first on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart and the following week hit the main chart. By the early '90s, the Hot 100 had splintered into several sub-charts, and the song hit two of these, peaking in late May/early June at #29 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart, and at #16 on the Top 40 Mainstream chart. "Sleeping Satellite" also hit #24 on the Adult Contemporary chart. The single peaked at #32 on the traditional Hot 100.

Archer's song was successful throughout the world, notably hitting the top 5 in Sweden and Switzerland, #6 in France, and #14 in Australia.

"Sleeping Satellite" is Tasmin Archer’s most successful single to date, her only UK Top 10, and her only single to chart in the U.S. However, she has had other UK Top 40 hits and is still releasing material.

Cover versions

A dance remake was released by Italy-based Ketty DB [Ketty DB [http://www.discogs.com/artist/Ketty+DB Discogs.com] ] in 1992, featuring the same lyrics and melody but with a danceable, haunting arrangement. [ [http://www.discogs.com/release/206697 Discogs.com] ]

Another dance remix was released by Aurora in 2003. A selection of the original lyrics were used with an electronic synth sound as a backing track. [ [http://www.discogs.com/release/298356 Discogs.com] ]

The song was also covered by Australian alternative metal band Karnivool and was released as the B-side to their single "Themata" in 2005.

Danish singer Bryan Rice covered the song in 2007.

In 2008, a house remix of the song was released by French DJ Junior Caldera and peaked at #37 on the French Singles Chart. ["Sleeping Satellite", by Junior Caldera, French Singles Chart [http://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?key=512299&cat=s Lescharts.com] (Retrieved September 28, 2008)]

Track listings

;CD single
# "Sleeping Satellite"
# "Sleeping Satellite" (acoustic version)
# "Man at the Window" (acoustic version)
# "Sleeping Satellite" (extended version)

;7"
# "Sleeping Satellite"
# "Sleeping Satellite" (acoustic version);12"
# "Sleeping Satellite"
# "Sleeping Satellite" (acoustic version)
# "Sleeping Satellite" (extended version)

;U.S. CD single
# "Sleeping Satellite" (CHR edit)
# "Sleeping Satellite" (A/C version)
# "Sleeping Satellite" (alternative rock version)
# "Sleeping Satellite" (full CHR mix)

Certifications

Charts

References