“I wrote the song maybe six or seven months ago when I was going through chemo … It was probably the fastest I’ve written a song. It happened probably within 30 minutes.”
The song garnered attention in September 2018, when Reynolds' childhood friend, rapper Mac Miller, promoted the song on Twitter six days before his death.
The tweet was noticed by late-night television host James Corden, who invited Reynolds to perform the song live on The Late Late Show With James Corden.
No Control
Dylan Reynolds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We don′t have to pretend
You'll make it better
You don′t even really have to try
Someone out there is living my dream
Heaven is closer than it seems
You've always known it
I′ve got no control, I′m just living for the moment
I lost all control and I didn't even know it
I′m thinking you're the only one
Who can take me back home
What a beautiful day
Don′t wanna give it away
When it rains, it pours
I'll take it on a chance
I′ll love you 'til the end
Someone out there is living my dream
Maybe it's closer than it seems
You′ve always known it
I′m just learning it somehow
I've got no control, I′m just living for the moment
I lost all control and I didn't even know it
I′m thinking you're the only one
Who can take me back home
I′ve got no control, I'm just living for the moment
I lost all control and I didn't even know it
I′m thinking you′re the only one
Who can take me back home
The song "No Control" by Dylan Reynolds is about surrendering control and living in the moment, and finding solace in someone who can take you back home, both figuratively and literally. The opening lines, "I could be your friend, we don't have to pretend, you'll make it better, you don't even really have to try" show a willingness to let go and rely on someone else for comfort and support. The singer recognizes that there is someone out there who is living his dream, but he has come to the realization that heaven is closer than it seems, and maybe the person he is with has known that all along, while he is just learning it now.
The song speaks to the idea of how we often lose control of our lives when we get too caught up in our own head, and how some people can help us find our way when we are lost. The repeated lines "I've got no control, I'm just living for the moment, I lost all control and I didn't even know it, I'm thinking you're the only one who can take me back home" convey the feeling of being lost and not knowing how to get back on track, but finding solace in knowing that someone else can help. The song ends on a hopeful note with the lines "I'll love you 'til the end", showing the power of love and the importance of having someone to hold on to.
Line by Line Meaning
I could be your friend
I'm open to being friends with you, no pressure.
We don't have to pretend
We can just be ourselves around each other.
You'll make it better
You have the power to improve my life.
You don't even really have to try
You can help me without even putting in much effort.
Someone out there is living my dream
There's someone else who has what I want most in life.
Heaven is closer than it seems
My dream is not as far away as I might think.
You've always known it
You knew this about me before I did.
I'm just learning it somehow
I'm starting to understand this concept now.
I’ve got no control, I’m just living for the moment
I'm living in the present without worrying about the future.
I lost all control and I didn't even know it
I've given up control of my life unconsciously.
I'm thinking you're the only one
You might be the only person who can help me.
Who can take me back home
Who can bring me back to the place where I feel safe and happy.
What a beautiful day
Today is an incredible day.
Don't wanna give it away
I don't want to lose the happiness of today.
When it rains, it pours
When something bad happens, it often comes in a group.
I'll take it on a chance
I'm willing to risk it and see what happens.
I'll love you 'til the end
I will always love you.
Maybe it's closer than it seems
My dream might actually be within reach.
Writer(s): Dylan Reynolds
Contributed by Caleb O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-iy7we7qj2f
[verse 1]
i could be your friend
we don’t have to pretend
you make it better
you don’t even nearly have to try
[pre-chorus]
someone out there is living my dream
heaven is closer than it seems
you’ve always known it
i’m just learning it somehow
[chorus]
i’ve got no control i’m just living for the moment
i lost all control and i didn’t even know it
i’m thinking you’re the only one
who can take me back home
[verse 2]
what a beautiful day
don’t wanna give it away
but when it rains it pours
i’ll take it on a chance
i’ll love you till the end
[pre-chorus]
someone out there is living my dream
maybe it’s closer than it seems
you’ve always known it
i’m just learning it somehow
[chorus]
i’ve got no control i’m just living for the moment
i lost all control and i didn’t even know it
i’m thinking you’re the only one
who can take me back home
[chorus]
i’ve got no control i’m just living for the moment
i lost all control and i didn’t even know it
i’m thinking you’re the only one
who can take me back home
@keving4318
Thank you Mac . For bringing us amazing music thru the years && also thank you Mac for introducing me to Dylan Reynolds .
Anyone else crying with me ?
@carolgoacher1075
Me 😢 Dylan has such a Beautiful voice.....Mac saw the talent in his best friend 🙏
@kacibeaver4540
I'm still mourning the loss of Mac. It's like my best friend is gone. I can't imagine what his family and friends are going through. He was such an amazing person.
@GoodxJ
I don't want it to be real, it doesn't feel right that he is gone.... I Miss Mac everyday!!!!
@fabianmairan7933
You and I both. Followed Mac for a long time. Didn’t know him went too a few shows. Had my ticket bought for his Toronto show before his death. But something in me feels like a lost a friend. Bang his songs all day everyday.
@davidpernickmusic
This dude is something special
@CkyRej
Super talented
@JesseDumontt
He's so damn good. This actually might even sound better than the edited studio version. He's underrated it's so unfortunate. This is real talent. The song actually has meaning too.
@jocelinlordswag
This whole video made me cry. I feel like macs passing is something I will never get over.
@Galacticbae
Pulled my heartstrings! What a beautiful song & voice. Rip Mac Miller ❤️