Laura Branigan – Self Control

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Oh, the night is my world
City light painted girl
In the day nothing matters
It's the night time that flatters

In the night, no control
Through the wall something's breaking
Wearing white as you're walkin'
Down the street of my soul

You take my self, you take my self control
You got me livin' only for the night
Before the morning comes, the story's told
You take my self, you take my self control

Another night, another day goes by
I never stop myself to wonder why
You help me to forget to play my role
You take my self, you take my self control

I, I live among the creatures of the night
I haven't got the will to try and fight
Against a new tomorrow, so I guess I'll just believe it
That tomorrow never comes

A safe night, I'm living in the forest of my dream
I know the night is not as it would seem
I must believe in something, so I'll make myself believe it
That this night will never go

Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh

Oh, the night is my world
City light painted girl
In the day nothing matters
It's the night time that flatters

I, I live among the creatures of the night
I haven't got the will to try and fight
Against a new tomorrow, so I guess I'll just believe it
That tomorrow never knows

A safe night, I'm living in the forest of a dream
I know the night is not as it would seem
I must believe in something, so I'll make myself believe it
That this night will never go

Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
You take my self, you take my self control
You take my self, you take my self control
You take my self, you take my self control

You take my self, you take my self control
You take my self, you take my self control
You take my self, you take my self control
You take my self, you take my self control

You take my self, you take my self control
You take my self, you take my self control
You take my self, you take my self control...

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Lyrics submitted by darshanp

Track duration: 04:06

"Self Control" as written by Raffaele Riefoli Giancarlo Bigazzi

Lyrics © SUGAR SONG PUBLICATIONS, INC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Self Control song meanings
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9 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:This song always reminds me of when I was a taxi driver in Brighton; I've never been a clubber, so when it came on the radio on a Friday/Saturday night when I was driving, it just summed up that whole world out there.
    Flag jimqukon June 23, 2011   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:I think I read somewhere in an online interview with Laura Branigan that the song could be interpreted as being about a prostiute--a woman who works by night, sleeps by day, and is controlled by her pimp.
    But when I fell in love with the song as a young teenager, I didn't see it quite like that. I thought it was more about a woman who lives for the night and the excitement of dressing up and being another person, and who feels lifeless in the light of the day. At some point she has met this guy who she can't stop thinking about--she feels herself losing control of her feelings to him. There is a kind of dangerous vibe in there, and I liked that the song was different to the typical 'girl meets boy, fall in love' type of song. Laura Branigan has the perfect voice for this song. Such a shame she died young. A great loss to music.
    Flag louichanon December 20, 2010   Link
  • +1
    Memory:I never thought this was about a prostitute. I heard this song in my early 30s, newly divorced and feeling old & ugly. Depression had turned me into a night-owl. Then I screwed up my courage and went alone to a sun destination. They played this at a disco. I met a guy (he even wore a white suit). "Through the wall, something breaking" was how it felt to feel sexual again, but it also felt very unsafe...
    Flag childofthe60son June 21, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i also think its about prostitute
    Flag Adscititiouson March 14, 2008   Link
    • 1 Reply
  • +1
    General Comment:The song seems to be talking about the world of the prostitute. City lights, painted girls, creatures of the night (aka Ladies of the night). It seems the song is, while powerful, a sad lament about a prostitute who has to hold on to the night, as she believes a way out (tomorrow) would never come.

    An excellent song, if I might say so.
    Flag sakakionseion October 16, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Heh. I remember being in my early teena, listening to this at the Jersey Shore while reading Stephen Kin's 'Salems Lot. Even more reinforcemnt of the vamipre imagery.
    Flag Grayhawkon August 30, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I'm just relearning my 80's music so i never saw the video but I allways imagined a relucktant female vampire singing this in respests to her unwanting to come to turms winth her true nature. kind of like Bood Rayne how she hates what she is but must live with it.
    Flag MakotoKino76on June 17, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I agree. I love Branigan's voice. It's so seductive, and I say that as a straight female! The whole video is so sensual, with the Phantom of the Opera-esque guy coming for her. She looks completely limp and helpless when he seduces her, much like Christine in the movie (haven't seen it on broadway). This has to be one of the best sexy-creepy videos of all time!
    Flag goddesscarolineon April 29, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Every time I hear this song, I feel my hair getting longer and feathering itself. Classic '80s song that doesn't get the recognition it deserves, IMO.
    Flag ApollyonCrashon June 22, 2003   Link

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