He currently lives in Portland, OR engineering/producing/writing/performing all his own music.
Recall
Gavin Castleton Lyrics
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I was just hoping you would calm down once you were all grown up and
you were a little bit of terror, taken care of by six convicts in a castle by the park
you used to run away until dark, and only started coming back when we stopped chasing after
you spend most nights tucked into my legs like a flea bite
nuzzling my knees like a furry puzzle piece I
match my breathing to yours and let our snoring compete
by the time I wake up you're tangled in my feet.
the silent partner makes my ground floor complete.
and though I walk through the valley of shadows alone
I have a hard time believing you have valleys of your own
and that's the sickness of it all-
I really love you because you exist only for me,
the only one who listens and agrees at all times,
the only fine I pay is belly scratching
The song "Recall" by Gavin Castleton appears to be an ode to a relationship between a person and their pet. The lyrics speak to the singer's initial reluctance to take on the responsibility of caring for the pet, but their eventual bond and appreciation for the pet's presence. The song begins with the singer recounting their initial feelings of ambivalence towards the pet. They did not seek out a "savior" in their lives, but the pet showed up regardless. The pet was initially a "terror," but with time, their presence became companionable. Specific details paint a picture of the pet's behavior and the singer's experiences with them. For example, the pet would run away until dark and only come back when they stopped chasing after. The two are now deeply connected and their bond is demonstrated through the ways in which they share physical space (the pet's habit of sleeping tucked into the singer's legs, for example) and the singer's sense of comfort and completeness that comes with the pet's company.
However, the song also hints at a more problematic element of the singer's relationship with their pet. The line, "I really love you because you exist only for me" demonstrates a possessive dynamic - the singer sees the pet purely as a source of affirmation and does not allow room for the pet to exist independently. This is further emphasized by the line, "the only one who listens and agrees at all times." While the pet's loyalty and obedience are certainly appealing, this idea of the pet being solely for the singer's benefit is somewhat troubling. The singer's comments about the "valley of shadows" suggest that they may be struggling with their own sense of loneliness or isolation, which makes the pet's presence all the more valuable to them.
Overall, "Recall" is a poignant and contemplative examination of the complex nature of human-animal relationships. While the singer's love for their pet is undeniable, there are hints of possessiveness and codependency that raise interesting questions about the dynamics of these types of relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
I wasn't looking for a savior when you first showed up
I didn't need someone to rescue me when you entered my life
I was just hoping you would calm down once you were all grown up
I expected you to become more relaxed as you aged
you were a little bit of terror, taken care of by six convicts in a castle by the park
You were a bit of a wild child, raised by a group of felons in a fortress near the park
you used to run away until dark, and only started coming back when we stopped chasing after
You used to flee until nighttime, and only returned once we ceased pursuit
you spend most nights tucked into my legs like a flea bite
You usually snuggle up close to my legs like a pesky insect bite
nuzzling my knees like a furry puzzle piece I
You often rub your nose against my knees as if we fit together like pieces of a puzzle
match my breathing to yours and let our snoring compete
I sync my breaths with yours and we see who can snore louder
by the time I wake up you're tangled in my feet.
When I awake, you are often caught up in my feet.
if they didn't stink I would think it's kind of sweet -
If our feet didn't smell, I would find our closeness endearing
the silent partner makes my ground floor complete.
Your quiet companionship makes my life feel whole
and though I walk through the valley of shadows alone
Even when I am by myself in a place of darkness,
I have a hard time believing you have valleys of your own
I find it difficult to imagine that you experience moments of hardship
and that's the sickness of it all-
This belief is problematic
I really love you because you exist only for me,
I love you because I believe you solely exist to serve me
the only one who listens and agrees at all times,
You are the only one who always listens to me and acquiesces to my desires
the only fine I pay is belly scratching
The only way I have to repay you is by petting and scratching your belly
Contributed by Aubrey C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.