Out Of Control
β« The Rolling Stones Lyrics
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I was out in the rain
I was feeling down hearted
I was drinking again
I was standing by the bridges
Where the dark water flows
I was talking to a stranger
I was young
I was foolish
I was angry
I was vain
I was charming
I was lucky
Tell me how have I changed
Now I'm out
Oh out of control
Now I'm out
Oh out of control
Oh help me now
And the girls in the doorway
And the boys in the game
And the drunks and the homeless
They all know me
And the police on the corner
Give a nod and a wave
As they point me
To my final destination
I was young
I was foolish
I was angry
I was vain
I was charming
Feeling lucky
Tell me how have I changed
Now I'm out
Oh out of control
Now I'm out
Oh out of control
Oh help me now
In the hotel I'm excited
By the smile on her face
But I wondered
How was time
Gonna change her
I was young
I was foolish
I was angry
I was vain
I was charming
I was out there
Tell me how have I changed
Now I'm out
Oh out of control
Oh I'm out
Oh out of control
In "Out of Control", The Rolling Stones portray a character who is struggling with their life choices and potential downward spiral. The lyrics depict the singer feeling lost in the city and turning to alcohol as a crutch. The mention of bridges and dark water flowing potentially symbolize the idea of this person standing at the edge of something, contemplating their next move, possibly contemplating suicide or just feeling overwhelmed by life. Throughout the song, the singer is reflecting on their younger self, comparing and contrasting who they used to be with who they are now, seemingly not too impressed with the changes they see.
Furthermore, the lyrics highlight the singer's sense of feeling out of control with their life, hence the repetition of "now I'm out of control" in the chorus. The mention of the police and their "final destination" suggests that the singer may have been in legal trouble before or is heading towards some negative consequence. However, they are seemingly stuck in their current lifestyle and looking for help to get out of this cycle of drinking and feeling lost.
Overall, "Out of Control" is a commentary on the individualistic and hedonistic mindset that society often encourages people to have, and the problems that can arise from it. It portrays a bleak outlook on life and suggests that there is a need for something more meaningful and grounded in order to feel fulfilled.
Line by Line Meaning
I was out in the city
The singer was roaming around the city.
I was out in the rain
The singer was wandering in the city while it was raining heavily.
I was feeling down hearted
The singer was depressed about something.
I was drinking again
The artist was consuming alcohol again, possibly to numb their pain or emotions.
I was standing by the bridges
The artist was at a bridge, watching the water flow beneath it.
Where the dark water flows
The water beneath the bridge was dark, representing the singer's dark thoughts or emotions.
I was talking to a stranger
The singer was conversing with a person they did not know.
About times long ago
The conversation was about events that had occurred a long time back.
I was young
The artist was once young.
I was foolish
The artist was once foolish in their actions or decisions.
I was angry
The singer was once angry about something in their life.
I was vain
The artist was once vain and cared too much about their appearance or reputation.
I was charming
The singer was once charming and could captivate the attention of others.
I was lucky
The singer was once fortunate in life.
Tell me how have I changed
The singer questions how they may have evolved or transformed from their past self.
Now I'm out
The artist is currently in a certain situation.
Oh out of control
The artist is no longer in charge of their actions or life.
Oh help me now
The singer pleads to others for assistance or guidance.
And the girls in the doorway
The singer noticed girls standing in doorways of buildings.
And the boys in the game
The artist observed boys engaged in some form of activity or sport.
And the drunks and the homeless
The artist noticed people who were intoxicated or without a home.
They all know me
These people are familiar with the artist due to their reputation or behaviors.
And the police on the corner
The singer saw law enforcement officers at a street corner.
Give a nod and a wave
The police officers acknowledged the artist in a friendly manner.
As they point me
The police directed the singer to a certain location.
To my final destination
The police directed the singer to their ultimate fate or outcome.
In the hotel I'm excited
The singer is currently checked into a hotel and is feeling enthusiastic.
By the smile on her face
The artist is pleased by the expression on someone's face, possibly someone they are attracted to or interested in.
But I wondered
The artist is unsure about something or questioning their decisions.
How was time
The singer was pondering how time may have impacted their life or circumstances.
Gonna change her
The singer is curious as to how time may alter the person's expression or behavior in the future.
Oh I'm out
The artist is still in a situation where they are no longer in control.
Lyrics Β© BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KEITH RICHARDS, MICK JAGGER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheRollingStones
We're putting together a festive playlist. What are your favourite Stones songs to listen to at this time of year?Β
@Guilherme-md7vw
JJF !
@KasperDeRijke
2000 light years from home
@RobertNugent
Rocks Off
@radtech21
"Bitch" LOL
@RobSmithSporty
Sympathy for the Devil and Street Fighting Man are my favorites.
@timschmidt3784
Only one person could sit on the throne behind those drums. We all knew him as the iconic Charlie Watts. Rest in peace and keep drumming, sir.
@maximilianogarro8552
Un musico fantastico tristeza entre los"rolingas"fans de the rolling stones en mi pais,saludos desde Argentina
@williamcorgnell5462
I seriously thought it was a cruel joke when someone posted RIP Charlie Watts in a game chat I was on just to be a troll . True story.. my fiance told me one nite when I was drinking that Neil peart from rush died and I told her not funny cause she isn't really into rush and thought she was being a bitch. Then I looked it up and balled my eyes out. This God takes all the good musicals and leaves the shit musicians. Must be having hell of a show up there.
@marshalltherion
Miss you . Big tribute concert coming.