Greg MacPherson (born 1973 in Sydney, Nova Scotia) is a Canadian singer-son… Read Full Bio ↴Greg MacPherson (born 1973 in Sydney, Nova Scotia) is a Canadian singer-songwriter based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. MacPherson performs both as a solo performer and as part of a band. To date, his albums are:
The Year of The Record Break (1997)
Balanced on a Pin (1999)
Good Times Coming Back Again (2002)
Maintenance (2004)
Night Flares (2005)
The Sun Beats Down (2006)
Mr. Invitation (2010)
Disintegration Blues (2011)

www.gregmacpherson.com

Remote Control
Greg MacPherson Lyrics

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You know what you're saying
Nothing's accidental
You won't call me later
I'm just a remote control

Remote control
Turn it on and i'll be a bad dream

Stranded in a wall for years
Frozen in a saw dust house
Outside
With the wind blows
And the money

Ice cold
Like steal in the ground

Overall Meaning

In Greg MacPherson's song "Remote Control", the lyrics convey a sense of detachment and isolation. The first verse suggests that the singer's words are carefully chosen and intentional, indicating a lack of emotional expression or spontaneity. The second line, "Nothing's accidental," reinforces this idea of control and premeditation. The chorus, "You won't call me later / I'm just a remote control," further emphasizes the singer's insignificance and lack of agency in the relationship.

The second verse shifts the focus to the singer's physical state, describing themselves as "stranded in a wall for years / Frozen in a saw dust house." This image of being trapped and immobile reinforces the theme of powerlessness and isolation. The final lines of the verse juxtapose the singer's frozen state with the movement and unpredictability of the outside world, creating a sense of longing and disconnection.

Overall, "Remote Control" is a poignant reflection on the struggle for autonomy and intimacy in a world where we often feel like passive observers rather than active participants.

Line by Line Meaning

You know what you're saying
You are fully aware of the words you speak and their implications.

Nothing's accidental
Every action or word is done with intent and purpose.

You won't call me later
There is no interest in further communication or relationship building.

I'm just a remote control
I am insignificant and used only for the gratification of others.

Remote control
The ability to manipulate or influence someone from a distance.

Turn it on and i'll be a bad dream
I am disposable and easily disregarded once no longer of use.

Stranded in a wall for years
Stuck in a mundane and limited existence with little hope for change or improvement.

Frozen in a saw dust house
Trapped and immobilized in a suffocating and uninspired environment.

Outside
Of the norm or expected societal behavior.

With the wind blows
Going with the flow and not challenging or questioning the status quo.

And the money
Driven by greed and the accumulation of wealth at any cost.