Satellite Skin Lyrics

Lyric discussion by HugeMMFan 

Cover art for Satellite Skin lyrics by Modest Mouse

So, I will give a stab at what this means. To me Isaac is talking about religion in this one. Could just be me but it all makes perfect sense. Moth-wing feelings seems like, this very fragile topic. It is heally hard to talk to some people about religion because they are so closed minded about what they believe and it can cause you to loose friends.... even start wars (powdery dust on your fingers).

"No we're not praying we're kneelin Hard enough just say you believe them"

Religion is sometimes thought to have been created to help people cope woth their fear of death so many people just find something that makes them feel good about "whats on the other side" and then just go along with the motions so they dont have to worry about their inevitable death. Many people dont even know what they believe, they just know what they are supposed to be doing.

"Well how the heck'd you think you could beat them at the same time that you're trying to be them"

Ever gone to church and listen to people brag about there new car or new house or how the lord has blessed them??? It always seems to me that people are trying so hard to be better than everyone else and at the same time, they are doing it so that they will fit in (trying to be them)

"You can say what you want you're forgiven Well happy fuckin congradulations"

HAHAHA this is my favorite part! Many believe that they can do what they want and say what they want just to trun around and "ask for forgiveness" and everything is better. Well happy fuckin congradulations to them.

"Well everyone, everyone wins Just like being in my own solar system Doing good things but then totally eclipse them Oh what the use, oh what the hell"

Everyone who does what they are supposed to, acording to each religion, goes to a better place (everyone wins) I think the next line is meant as I just like being in my own solar system, kinda like being in your own world and and trying to live your life and do whats right but then someone comes along and tells you that what you are doing is not enough (doing good things but the totally eclipse them). So whats the point whats the use, and what the hell? If some diety out there gave us life, do you really think that it would want us to worry about things or to live this one life we were given!?!?

"If you sweep up this mess I've created Nothing's left to show I existed"

After we die its up to others to tell how we lived. Ever been to a funeral and heard a million good things about someone that was average? I see it as if we dont live the way others want us too, when we die, they get the chance to sweep away all that we were so that, at least in their minds, they won us over to being exactly like they wanted us to wether that was how you were or not. Besides after your gone it doesnt matter anyways right?

"Asking for a question Was it easier said than was actually done Do you even believe that Do you even believe that there's a race to be won"

I have heard several times that it is really hard to share your religion with someone else. How it's easy to talk about in a church setting but when your out side of it, it becomes hard to tell even your closest friend. BUT, if not telling your friends what you feel REALLY meant damnation...... why would it be so hard??? Could be that these people (religous ones) arent even sure what they believe themselves and so are unsure of how to comunicate their thoughts? Or is it because religion is so sensitive that a freindship is more important to them than loosing it over something that NO ONE is sure about?

"Get stacked in all those usual avoided spots Just to tell you how I could not have seen Through to the gist of those unhappy Happy accidents"

WOW have I heard this one before!!!! Someone close dies or something horrible happens and people love to jump to, "Well, it happened for a reason, God works in mysterious ways and this is just a BLESSING in disguise" I feel just like this line sometimes. I just cant see through to the gist of those unhappy happy acidents!

Dont know if this makes sense to anyone else but thats what i hear. Also, i am not sure what Satelite skin is refering to. I was thinking maybe it has to do with something in the sky that people tend to rely on and give this notion of having skin or being real in a sense..... I dont know.

Either way, Isaac Brock is the greatest ever!!!

I think you nailed it dude props to you, more props to Brock, and some more for you.

I also think you are on the right track... thanks! It helped me understand the song a little more... and matches parts of the video. Here is my thinking about the meaning of "satellite skin"

satellites are off the earth's surface, right? Kind of like people who think they are above earthly things... closer to heaven. But satellites are tied to the Earth... they were put there by "Earthlings" & they actually detach themselves from the earth (well maybe they can, but they are just garbabe floating in space... maybe the metaphor shouldn't go that far)

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All spot on, but I think the "doing good things but then totally eclipse them actually is talking about how religious people will be good and generous, but only for Heaven points