Girl in a Coma formed when best friends Jenn Alva and Phanie Diaz met in Jr-high school art class over a mutual love of the Smiths, Nirvana, and skipping school. All they needed was a singer. Enter Nina Diaz, Phanie’s little sister. Nina blew them away with her mesmerizing vocals, a powerful voice some critics have compared to Bjork, Patsy Cline, and the band’s hero, Morrissey himself. The trio practiced for three years, gigged at local punk rock clubs, played a High School talent show, one kid’s birthday party, and then hit the road, building up a solid and loyal fan base across the country.
In 2006, the Girls played for Joan Jett and long-time songwriting partner and producer, Kenny Laguna, at New York’s Knitting Factory as part of a cable TV show featuring unknown bands. Jett and Laguna were so impressed with the band that they signed GIAC to their label, Blackheart Records, on the spot.
The band’s 2007 debut album, Both Before I’m Gone, was a critical hit with raves from Alternative Press Magazine, the LA Weekly, Bust magazine, among many others, with the album reaching No. 23 on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart and No. 21 on iTunes. “Clumsy Sky,” the band’s first single, won a 2007 Independent Music Award.
In 2009, the band released their follow up album, Trio B.C. The album is a unique amalgamation of eclectic influences: oldies, rockabilly, 90s alternative, and contemporary bands both indie and mainstream.
Just a year later, the band recorded a companion piece to Trio B.C. Produced by Grammy-award winning producer Greg Collins (U2 and Gwen Stefani), Adventures in Coverland. features reinterpretations of songs and artists who have impacted the band. The songs range from a punked out version of Selena’s “Si Una Vez” to a stripped down version of Joy Division’s “Transmission.”
In early 2011, new material was piling up and the band was ready to head back into the studio to work on their upcoming album, Exits & All the Rest.
From sharing stages with their heroes to experiencing Arizona’s controversial laws firsthand, the album was born in an especially intense period for the band. The Girls headed a few miles north to Austin and recorded with producer Mike McCarthy (Spoon, Trail of Dead). It was the band’s first time working on analog tape and all the basic tracks were laid down live. The recording process seemed to help the band capture some of the raw energy and power that they are known for in their live shows.
Control
Girl in a Coma Lyrics
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Oh it's true
You and I are gonna find a world that moves
To the beat of our heart and I hope it's soon
'Cause the time is ticking with the harvest moon
Simple true confession, I don't understand
Why you never did call me when I said you could
And I know, I know, I know, I know, I know ya said you would
And I wanted you to know that I am gonna lose control
Oh it's true, you and I are gonna find a world that moves
If we sit in silence will we change our mood
Understand the breath I breathe inside of you
Simple true confession, I don't understand
Why you never did call me when I said you could
Oh you never did call me and I know I'm good
And I know, I know, I know, I know, I know ya said you would
And I wanted you to know how that I am going to lose control
Ooooh, ooohhh...
It's building up inside my brain
All I want to give to you
All I ever knew inside
All I ever knew inside me
Happiness is warm inside
Happiness is warm inside
Happiness is warm inside
Happiness is warm inside...
Oh it's true, you and I are gonna find a world that moves
Oh it's true, you and I are gonna find a world that moves
The Girl in a Coma's song, "Control," is a piece about the singer's lack of control in her relationship with her partner. The lyrics are filled with frustration and yearning for connection. The opening lines give the impression of anticipation and excitement, suggesting that the singer and her partner will find a world that resonates with them. However, the lyrics change tone with the chorus as the singer confesses that she's losing control of the situation.
The second verse of the song continues to highlight the loss of control in the relationship, with the singer expressing her frustration that her partner never called her back, even though he promised to do so. The repetition of the line "I know, I know, I know, I know, I know ya said you would" emphasizes the singer's growing frustration and feelings of being ignored or overlooked in the relationship.
The bridge of the song underscores the singer's inner turmoil and feeling of being trapped, with the repetition of "Happiness is warm inside" suggesting that the singer is desperate for validation, attention and love. The song ends with a reiteration of the opening lines, with the singer still placed in a state of anticipation, remaining unsure whether or not her partner will come through.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, oh, oh, ohhh oh ohhh oh ohhh oh
The song begins with a series of vocalizations, setting the tone for the rest of the lyrics.
Oh it's true
The singer reaffirms the statement made in the previous line.
You and I are gonna find a world that moves
The singer believes that she and the person she is addressing will find a place where they truly belong.
To the beat of our heart and I hope it's soon
The singer hopes that this discovery will happen in the near future and that it will be a place that they can truly call home.
'Cause the time is ticking with the harvest moon
The singer feels a sense of urgency, as time is running out and the harvest moon is typically associated with the ending of something.
Simple true confession, I don't understand
The singer admits that she is confused and doesn't know why the person she is addressing hasn't contacted her.
Why you never did call me when I said you could
The singer is questioning why the person didn't follow through with their promise to call her.
Oh you never did call me and I know I'm good
The singer knows that she is deserving of this person's attention and it hurts her that they never followed through.
And I know, I know, I know, I know, I know ya said you would
The singer is emphasizing the fact that the person promised to call her, but never did.
And I wanted you to know that I am gonna lose control
The singer is admitting that she is close to losing her composure because of the situation.
If we sit in silence will we change our mood
The singer wonders if they can change their emotional state by spending time together in silence.
Understand the breath I breathe inside of you
The singer wants the person to understand the depth of her emotions and feelings for them.
It's building up inside my brain
The singer is feeling overwhelmed and stressed by the situation they find themselves in.
All I want to give to you
The singer wants to express her love and affection for the person she is addressing.
All I ever knew inside
The singer is speaking about her personal experiences and feelings.
All I ever knew inside me
The singer is reflecting on her personal growth and development.
Happiness is warm inside
The singer believes that true happiness comes from within oneself.
Oh it's true, you and I are gonna find a world that moves
The singer reiterates her belief that she and the person she is addressing will find a place where they truly belong.
Happiness is warm inside...
The song ends with a repetition of the phrase 'happiness is warm inside,' emphasizing the importance of inner happiness.
Contributed by Isaac N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.