No Control
Brand New Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

In the end, we weren't much
With the hollow space
Shrank down inside of all of us
For the good
Of all man
Hold me down
Underwater and don't let me up again
No control
No control
No control
No control

Be for someone else
Love is in your actions
I got a job
So let me find 10 million distractions
Some get sick
Some don't get cured
That's how it goes
But the worst is over
Chum and throw me overboard

No control (I thought I knew the way out but then)
No control (It started over again)
No control (I hear your voice coming through the grate)
No control (I know it)

Holding the mic to this pillar of salt
She won't see anything at all
Kiss me once on each eyelid
So I can see how I dreamed it

No control
No control
No control
No control
No control (I thought I knew the way out but then)
No control (It started over again)




No control (I hear your voice coming through the grate)
No control (I know it)

Overall Meaning

The interpretation of Brand New's song No Control is a bit abstract as it delves into the idea of the state of our lives and the hold that it has on us. The first verse speaks about how we are small beings in the vast world and despite all our accomplishments, in the end, we aren't much. The second line refers to the emptiness that rests within us all. The songwriter talks about how this emptiness has taken over us all and how we need to overcome it for the greater good of humankind. The last two lines are intriguing as it talks about drowning underwater and not being allowed to come to the surface again. This could be interpreted as wanting to be immersed in something that entirely takes over, something that eliminates emptiness and gives meaning to life.


The chorus of No Control is a powerful statement that is repeated multiple times. It is an acceptance of the lack of control we all have in our lives. We can do all we can to try and have any say in the path our life takes, but ultimately, we have no control over what will happen to us.


In the second verse, the songwriter suggests that we should learn to love by action rather than just words. Instead of drowning in our thoughts, we should focus on our work and use our distractions to move ourselves forward. The line "Some get sick, some don't get cured" acknowledges how life is filled with hardships, and some people just can't overcome them. The last line in this verse is another fascinating one, as it talks about being thrown overboard but also gives the impression of being free of the weight that drags us down.


The latter half of the song talks about holding on to a dream and finding solace in it. It suggests that perhaps the things that make us happy and keep us moving forward are just figments of our imagination. We need to hold onto these dreams, and in doing so, we will move forward in life.


Line by Line Meaning

In the end, we weren't much
As time went on, we realized we were not as great as we once thought we were.


With the hollow space
We experienced an emptiness within ourselves.


Shrank down inside of all of us
This emptiness became smaller and more concentrated within ourselves.


For the good
Although this was difficult, it was ultimately for the betterment of ourselves and others.


Of all man
This change was important for all of humanity.


Hold me down
Restrict me from resurfacing.


Underwater and don't let me up again
I feel overwhelmed and want to escape everything, but please do not let me give up.


No control
I feel helpless and powerless.


Be for someone else
Do things for the benefit of someone else.


Love is in your actions
Demonstrate your love through your actions.


I got a job
I am trying to keep myself busy to avoid thinking and feeling too much.


So let me find 10 million distractions
Let me find many things to occupy myself and prevent myself from feeling too much.


Some get sick
Some people face illness.


Some don't get cured
Not everyone gets a resolution to their problems.


That's how it goes
This is the way things unfold.


But the worst is over
The most difficult part is behind us.


Chum and throw me overboard
Get rid of me like chum thrown to sharks.


Holding the mic to this pillar of salt
I am speaking out about this situation, even though it pains me deeply.


She won't see anything at all
Others are unable to understand my struggle and pain.


Kiss me once on each eyelid
Allow me to see this life more clearly through your love.


So I can see how I dreamed it
Through your love, I can see how I had envisioned my life to be.




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jesse Lacey

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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