Song 12 // The 1975 - "Sex"
And this is how it starts:
You take your shoes off in the back of my van
Yeah, my shirt looks so good
When it's just hanging off your back
This post is dedicated to The Satellite and to Jamil.
Rest In Peace.
The 1975’s “Sex,” along with all the other indie hits, was part of the soundtrack to the nights spent dancing and singing along with strangers who felt like family at The Satellite — a local independent venue in Los Angeles that hosted the beloved indie-pop dance party, Dance Yourself Clean, every Saturday. The Satellite closed its doors in 2020 and with the closure, LA has lost a part of its musical soul.
I loved your friend when I saw his film
He's got a funny face, but I like that 'cause he still looks cool
She's got a boyfriend anyway
She's got a boyfriend anyway
For those that frequented the venue, it was a local space tucked away in Silver Lake next to an auto repair shop. The dance floor was crowded and intimate with an iconic Satellite-shaped disco ball hanging from the ceiling that somehow seemed almost within reach. A photo booth was set up in the back room where you might find some forgotten photo strips on the floor.
While LA can be intimidating at times, The Satellite always felt familiar. A safe space for people to be themselves and for those that love music without any of the pretentiousness. To me, it was a venue that made LA feel like home and the weekly Dance Yourself Clean events become a regular occurrence.
Of course the event’s namesake song by LCD Soundsystem was played every time but it was The 1975’s “Sex” that brings back an acute sense of nostalgia for The Satellite and the nights spent out in Silver Lake.
The song kicks off with an electric guitar riff that beckons the “one more song” feeling. It’s just before 2am and the smoke from the fog machine still lingers.
You've got your tongue pierced anyway
You in your high tops any day
You in your skinny jeans anyway
You and your fit friends anyway
I'd take them all out any day
They've all got backcombs anyway
You all got boyfriends anyway
Once Matty Healy’s vocals kick in, everyone moves back to the dance floor for one last dance.
The lights come on. The bar is shut. But no one cares.
Everyone around us sings along to the chorus and the entire floor is moving. We stare into each other’s eyes and dance along. A roomful of people who are no longer strangers, but a community. This was the feeling at The Satellite every weekend. Thank you for all the memories.
She's got a boyfriend anyway
She's got a boyfriend anyway
& in the spirit of Dance Yourself Clean:
Be Dirty. Dance Clean.
// press play
View past songs here. If you know someone that would enjoy dancing themselves clean to this song then share it with them.