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.
I turn my head
I can't shake the look you gave
And I'm as good as dead
'Cause oh, those eyes are all it takes and all
I want is you
So I pulled away
All I do is sit and wait
And I might as well
Write the words right on my face
That all, I want, is you
Always you
Because I've kept my heart under control
But lately, all this time has taken its toll
Said I tried to but I can't hold back what's deep in my soul
Oh, so darling please forgive me
I want you and you'll just have to know
And all my fears
Creep and crawl across my skin, these four walls
Are after me and moving in
And all, all that I want to do
Oh, is give up, give in
And let this one see where it is
But I don't suppose I will
Because I've kept my heart under control
But lately, all this time has taken its toll
Said I tried to but I can not back what's deep in my soul
So darling please believe me
I want you and you'll just have to know
One of these days I'm gonna find myself a way
I'll find the courage 'cause I'll find the grace
Oh, and I'm gonna know just what to say
Oh, and you'll walk on up when you want this love
Or when you've had enough and you've given it up
Because I've kept my heart under control
But lately, all this time has taken its toll
I said I tried to but I can not back what's deep in my soul
Oh, so darling please believe me
I want you and you'll just have to know
I've kept my heart
Oh, it's under control baby
Inside it's something that is gold
I said that it's deep down, it's deep down in my soul
Oh, I want you and you'll just have to know
It's under control
Darling, please don't let this go
Baby, baby, baby, baby, please
Baby girl
Oh, it's under control, baby
I can't shake the look you gave
And I'm as good as dead
'Cause oh, those eyes are all it takes and all
I want is you
So I pulled away
All I do is sit and wait
And I might as well
Write the words right on my face
That all, I want, is you
Always you
Because I've kept my heart under control
But lately, all this time has taken its toll
Said I tried to but I can't hold back what's deep in my soul
Oh, so darling please forgive me
I want you and you'll just have to know
And all my fears
Creep and crawl across my skin, these four walls
Are after me and moving in
And all, all that I want to do
Oh, is give up, give in
And let this one see where it is
But I don't suppose I will
Because I've kept my heart under control
But lately, all this time has taken its toll
Said I tried to but I can not back what's deep in my soul
So darling please believe me
I want you and you'll just have to know
One of these days I'm gonna find myself a way
I'll find the courage 'cause I'll find the grace
Oh, and I'm gonna know just what to say
Oh, and you'll walk on up when you want this love
Or when you've had enough and you've given it up
Because I've kept my heart under control
But lately, all this time has taken its toll
I said I tried to but I can not back what's deep in my soul
Oh, so darling please believe me
I want you and you'll just have to know
I've kept my heart
Oh, it's under control baby
Inside it's something that is gold
I said that it's deep down, it's deep down in my soul
Oh, I want you and you'll just have to know
It's under control
Darling, please don't let this go
Baby, baby, baby, baby, please
Baby girl
Oh, it's under control, baby
Lyrics submitted by realpopprincess
Under Control Lyrics as written by William Charles Anderson
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I agree AllChokedUp, however I think there may be another dimension to it. Seems to me that th girl is a longtime friend, that he's hid his feelings from for awhile, being afraid of what may happen. But now finally it's become too much and he knows he has to let it out.. just a thought .
Woo, iTunes free song of the week.
Pretty good song, and really self-explanatory. He's tired of hiding his feelings and waiting for something to happen, so he's finally going to tell girl how he feels.
I see it as the singer likes someone who is taken and he's been waiting for them to end their relationship but he cant wait any longer so he is just going to tell her how he feels
I think it's "I'll find the courage, Oh I'll find the grace", not "I'm bout to carnage, Oh I'm bout to rage"... lol I love this song.
I love this song!
I believe this line, "Oh, and you'll walk on up when you want this love" is "Oh and you'll call me up, when you want this love" or so it sounds like.
Awesome song, will have to check out Parachute's other songs.
i saw in an interview that will(lead singer) wrote this to get some girls attention that he liked (it didn't work. lol.) so it's most likely about him obviously very intrested in a girl and he finally wants her to know how he feels. they are amazing live,on the whole album,and they have the nicest personality! xxoo.
This song is my favorite off their album, but the whole album is great.
I think the meaning is pretty self-explanatory: he's sick of hiding his feelings for a girl and he's kept his heart under control...
I can totally relate to this song; I've liked a guy for a long time and sometimes I feel like I've kept my heart under control for too long and one day I'll finally tell him how I feel. Totally relatable.
really reminds of Gavin DeGraw....good song though. Very relatable...