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 am the voice inside your head and I control you
I am the lover in your bed and I control you
I am the sex that you provide and I control you
I am the hate you try to hide and I control you
I take you where you want to go
I give you all you need to know
I drag you down I use you up
Mr. self destruct
I speak religion's message clear and I control you
I am denial guilt and fear and I control you
I am the prayers of the naive and I control you
I am the lie that you believe and I control you
I take you where you want to go
I give you all you need to know
I drag you down I use you up
Mr. self destruct
I am the needle in your vein and I control you
I am the high you can't sustain and I control you
I am the pusher I'm a whore and I control you
I am the need you have for more and I control you
I am the bullet in the gun and I control you
I am the truth from which you run and I control you
I am the silencing machine and I control you
I am the end of all your dreams and I control you
I take you where you want to go
I give you all you need to know
I drag you down I use you up
Mr. self destruct
I am the lover in your bed and I control you
I am the sex that you provide and I control you
I am the hate you try to hide and I control you
I take you where you want to go
I give you all you need to know
I drag you down I use you up
Mr. self destruct
I speak religion's message clear and I control you
I am denial guilt and fear and I control you
I am the prayers of the naive and I control you
I am the lie that you believe and I control you
I take you where you want to go
I give you all you need to know
I drag you down I use you up
Mr. self destruct
I am the needle in your vein and I control you
I am the high you can't sustain and I control you
I am the pusher I'm a whore and I control you
I am the need you have for more and I control you
I am the bullet in the gun and I control you
I am the truth from which you run and I control you
I am the silencing machine and I control you
I am the end of all your dreams and I control you
I take you where you want to go
I give you all you need to know
I drag you down I use you up
Mr. self destruct
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