Their first major hit as Coldcut was the house-inflected People Hold On, featuring a then-unknown Lisa Stansfield. The single took the U.K. by a storm, and the subsequent album featured such luminaries as Junior Reid (on the single "Stop This Crazy Thing") and Queen Latifah.
In 1991 they started their own record label, Ninja Tune, which continues to release groundbreaking and extremely diverse music by a small army of like-minded artists. In 1997 the duo unveiled their own real time video manipulation software, VJamm. Coldcut's current live and DJ sets rely on video as much as records, taking the concept of multimedia performance into largely uncharted territory.
Conceptually, Coldcut owes as much to the ideas of beat writer and cut-up theorist William S. Burroughs, 1970s art / industrial group Throbbing Gristle, and the religious writings of J. R. "Bob" Dobbs as much as to hip-hop originators like Grandmaster Flash or later innovators Double D and Steinski.
Recognizing the power inherent in Burroughs' cut-up technique and its presence in hip hop music, More and Black have relentlessly pushed the D.I.Y. ethic and an understanding of play as a means of fostering greater interaction with and understanding of the world around you. The similarities between this ethos and that of hacking need hardly be stated. Ninja Tune uses a corporate facade to communicate via the marketplace itself, an idea first implemented by Throbbing Gristle via their own Industrial Records imprint.
One of the key aspects of the Ninja Tune ethos, Stealth, implies that their following of DJs and listeners are "agents" in a Burroughsian sense, propagating the D.I.Y. ethic of play as an essentially subversive act by replaying and manipulating media under the radar of mainstream culture. Nowadays Coldcut reach a worldwide audience through their syndicated radio show Solid Steel. Black has recently (2003) worked with Penny Rimbaud (ex Crass) on Crass Agenda's Savage Utopia project.
In 2006, Coldcut released their fifth album, Sound Mirrors. single True Skool featured rapper Roots Manuva and featured an Indian sample from a cult Bollywood era, making the track popular on the bhangra and desi scene and with most of the British Asian urban nation.
Everything Is Under Control
Coldcut Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh yea look out
Right now it's time to get up and get what's ours
Well everything is under control
Get on up
Oh baby you got to get down
That's right everything is under control
Got your soul under control
Capitalism or mind control
You know big brother ain't a TV show
It's how we roll with what they know
Reality bites me comfortably
Inducing you into watching me watching you watching we
Methodically pan optic sheep stay sleeping peep it
MK sulking vultures circus cool aid acid electro pulses
A bay full of pigs and a sky of vulcans
Marilyn Monroe swinging with the sultans
Ain't it something moneys bumping
But it's all in mode with no production
Murdoch pop lock top for consumption
My talk opted for saying something
Well everything is under control
Get on up
Oh baby you got to get down
That's right everything is under control
I got your soul under control
All right get on up tell me what I said cause I am fed up kick back
Black helicopter knights of malta
Illuminate partners tower topplers
Vatican taps on the texas mafia
Pentagon packs with lockheed martin
Nafta, Gatt contact with martians spark plug
Jacks to Hitler offspring
Dick Cheney on smack for a busted O-ring
Chorus. Yea I gonna wind it back oh yea I said every thing is under control
I see a lot of heads nodding
Oh yea
Chorus out
The song "Everything is Under Control" by Coldcut is a political commentary on the control and manipulation of society by powerful entities. The lyrics begin with a call for individuals to take control of their own lives, urging listeners to "get your rock and roll, get it under control" and "get up and get what's ours." However, the song quickly shifts focus to the various institutions and systems that serve to control and manipulate individuals, particularly through the media.
In the second verse, the lyrics reference television and its impact on the human brain ("television incision on the frontal lobe"), while posing the question of whether the prevailing economic system is simply a means of controlling the masses ("capitalism or mind control?"). The lyrics then refer to Big Brother (a reference to the George Orwell novel) as not just a fictional character but rather a real phenomenon that exists in our society. The third verse expands on this theme, invoking images of "methodically panoptic sheep" being "induced" to watch us, as well as drugs (e.g., "cool aid acid") and politics ("Murdoch pop lock top for consumption").
The final verse talks about various groups and organizations that have been involved in behind-the-scenes manipulation of events, including the Knights of Malta, the Illuminati, and even potential contact with aliens. Overall, the song suggests that individuals need to be vigilant and aware of the various forces that seek to control and manipulate them.
Line by Line Meaning
Get your rock and roll get it under control
Take charge of your life and make things happen
Right now it's time to get up and get what's ours
Seize the day and take what's rightfully yours
Well everything is under control
Have confidence in yourself and trust that everything will work out
Get on up
Take action and move forward in life
Oh baby you got to get down
Let loose and have fun
Got your soul under control
Feel empowered and in control of yourself
Television incision on the frontal lobe
The media has a powerful influence on our thoughts and behavior
Capitalism or mind control
The capitalist system can be used to manipulate and control people
You know big brother ain't a TV show
Government surveillance and control is a real threat
It's how we roll with what they know
We must be aware of how we're being controlled and resist it
Reality bites me comfortably
We often accept our circumstances even if they're not ideal
Inducing you into watching me watching you watching we
The media can be used to create a culture of surveillance and paranoia
Methodically pan optic sheep stay sleeping peep it
We're often complacent and unaware of how we're being controlled
MK sulking vultures circus cool aid acid electro pulses
There are hidden forces that manipulate us for their own gain
A bay full of pigs and a sky of vulcans
There's corruption and greed in politics
Marilyn Monroe swinging with the sultans
Celebrities have a powerful influence on society
Ain't it something moneys bumping
Money is a driving force behind many societal problems
But it's all in mode with no production
We're often busy but not making meaningful progress
Murdoch pop lock top for consumption
Media companies often prioritize profit over journalism
My talk opted for saying something
We should take a stand and speak out against injustice
All right get on up tell me what I said cause I am fed up kick back
Take a break and enjoy life, but don't forget to stay aware of the world around you
Black helicopter knights of malta
There are secretive and powerful groups that control society
Illuminate partners tower topplers
Some people seek to overthrow the existing power structure
Vatican taps on the texas mafia
Religious institutions and organized crime may collude for their own gain
Pentagon packs with lockheed martin
The government and defense contractors may have corrupt relationships
Nafta, Gatt contact with martians spark plug
International trade deals and globalism may be harmful to society
Jacks to Hitler offspring
Some people are born into privilege and use it for evil ends
Dick Cheney on smack for a busted O-ring
Some people in power may make harmful decisions due to their personal vices
Chorus. Yea I gonna wind it back oh yea I said every thing is under control
Despite the societal problems discussed, we should have faith in our ability to overcome them
I see a lot of heads nodding
People are starting to wake up and realize the problems in society
Chorus out
Repeated emphasis on the message that everything is under control and we should keep pushing forward
Contributed by Charlie I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
lotidenative
another superb tune from one of the best outfits out there!
Scott Adams
This is more relevant now than ever
ecopunk66
Absolutely my friend, we are all being controlled beyond comprehension
Mr Mukura
This is more relevant now than ever.
*also see every home a prison
C.R. Hall
This is what's happening!
Special extra thanks, Ninja Tune.
Eric H
Love this groove and vibe. Anybody have any suggestions for similar sounding / themed music? I wanna make a totalitarian playlist...
ivovivov Ovso
Aid dealer
Tovape
something like Supreme Beigns of Leisure - Under The gun?
Roland Palatino
Excellent !!
Alexander Y
“Jones! I had everything under control!”
“Under control? Man, you were about to wreck my damn car! Now can we please get that beer?”
Driver: San Francisco!