The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
They said, "Release Remote Control"
But we didn't want it on the label
They said, "Fly to Amsterdam"
The people laughed, but the press went mad
Ooh-oh, someone's really smart
Ooh-oh, complete control, yeah, that's a laugh
On the last tour, my mates they couldn't get in
I'd open up the back door but they'd get run out again
And at every hotel we was met by the law
Come for the party, come to make sure
Ooh-oh, have we done something wrong?
Ooh-oh, complete control, even over this song
You're my guitar hero
They said we'd be artistically free
When we signed that bit of paper
They meant "Let's make a lots of money
And worry about it later"
Ooh-oh, I'll never understand
Ooh-oh, complete control, let me see your other hand
I don't trust you, so why should you trust me?
Huh?
All over the news spread fast
They're dirty, they're filthy
They ain't a-gonna last
This is Joe Public speaking (control)
I'm controlled in the body (C-O-N, control)
I'm controlled in the mind
This is the top rockers (control)
With your zone in the price you whore (C-O-N, control)
Come to me
Total, C-O-N, control
Total, (parent control) C-O-N, control
We've got the rock 'n roll (C-O-N, control)
That means you
I kick it, I fight it, I gotta get up at it (C-O-N, control)
I gotta kick it
But we didn't want it on the label
They said, "Fly to Amsterdam"
The people laughed, but the press went mad
Ooh-oh, someone's really smart
Ooh-oh, complete control, yeah, that's a laugh
On the last tour, my mates they couldn't get in
I'd open up the back door but they'd get run out again
And at every hotel we was met by the law
Come for the party, come to make sure
Ooh-oh, have we done something wrong?
Ooh-oh, complete control, even over this song
You're my guitar hero
They said we'd be artistically free
When we signed that bit of paper
They meant "Let's make a lots of money
And worry about it later"
Ooh-oh, I'll never understand
Ooh-oh, complete control, let me see your other hand
I don't trust you, so why should you trust me?
Huh?
All over the news spread fast
They're dirty, they're filthy
They ain't a-gonna last
This is Joe Public speaking (control)
I'm controlled in the body (C-O-N, control)
I'm controlled in the mind
This is the top rockers (control)
With your zone in the price you whore (C-O-N, control)
Come to me
Total, C-O-N, control
Total, (parent control) C-O-N, control
We've got the rock 'n roll (C-O-N, control)
That means you
I kick it, I fight it, I gotta get up at it (C-O-N, control)
I gotta kick it
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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Hayalperest
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Queenjane is right. They were pissed off that CBS released "Remote Control" as a single when they didn't want to, so they released this as a reaction to the label's heavy-handed bullshit. So The Clash released a single they didn't like followed by this one, which ridiculed the decision to release the previous one. I don't know if this has anything to do with the decision not to release their album in the US till much later, but since it's on the first album, probably not.
@shadowwiththeeyes Nothing to do with the song, the US branch of the label thought the album was too raw , but it went on to become the(at the time) biggest ever selling import album in the US so they eventually decided they'd better cash in on it.