Cruise Control
Mariah Carey (featuring Damian Marley) Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Can't get him outta my mind
Can't explain it but it's somethin 'bout him
Makin' me high
Like a motor revin' over and over
It don't stop
He cruised beside me now
I'm flyin', drivin'
Through yellow lights
I'm ignorin' every sign of caution that they provide
Driver's Education 101
Slipped out of my mind
I need me a caddy
With some cruise control
No, no, no

I've been told so many sagas
He brings the drama, six baby mamas
(But uh ooh)
I can't resist 'em
Just want to kiss 'em
I need cruise control

Might need to go slow, I don't know
Why ease up on the break
Every time I see his face
I'm outta control, ah I don't know
How to stay up in my lane
Every day and night
He's cruisin' through my brain

(Wherever I go he be cruisin'
Turn to the right ooh he so smooth with it
Deep down inside don't want to lose him
He already know I'm willin' to go
Gotta get on cruise control)

C-R-U-I-S-E control
C-R-U-I-S-E control
C-R-U-I-S-E control
C-R-U-I-S-E control

Can't nobody, can't nobody tell me nothin'
When he comes in to view
'Cause he's the flyest ting when he be cruisin'
On me avenue
Then da door open, de gals 'pon de block
They be hopin, to rob the clock me say no man
Step up step up bottle broken
Think I'm jokin'

I've been told so many sagas
He brings the drama, six baby mamas
But uh ooh
I can't resist 'em
Just want to kiss 'em
I need cruise control

Might need to go slow, I don't know
Why ease up on the break
Every time I see his face
I'm outta control, ah I don't know
How to stay up in my lane
Every day and night
He's cruisin' through my brain

Wherever I go he be cruisin'
Turn to the right ooh he so smooth with it
Deep down inside don't want to lose him
He already know I'm willin' to go
Gotta get on cruise control

You put your hand in cruise control
And you deny me if you want
And you will starve yourself of love
If you don't speed and break the law
You can't get no speeding ticket
On the highway to my heart
And it might be a rocky road
And you can exit if you want (why you always)
Look at life just like a pessimist
You already like a wife up in my premises
And right ya now you cruise control it is my nemesis
Just come again and stop and start just like a genesis

Might need to go slow, I don't know
Why ease up on the break
Every time I see his face
I'm outta control, ah I don't know
How to stay up in my lane
Every day and night
He's cruisin' through my brain

Wherever I go he be cruisin'
Turn to the right ooh he so smooth with it
Deep down inside don't want to lose him




He already know I'm willin' to go
Gotta get on cruise control

Overall Meaning

The song Cruise Control by Mariah Carey and Damian Marley is about the intense romantic attraction that Mariah feels towards a man. She can’t seem to get him out of her mind, and the way he makes her feel is indescribable. She compares her feelings to a motor revving over and over, which doesn’t stop. While driving, she ignores cautionary signs and feels like she needs cruise control to keep herself in check. She knows that the man that she’s into brings a lot of drama, but she can’t resist him, and she wants to kiss him. The chorus of the song is about how Mariah wants to put herself on cruise control, so she can be with him without any interruptions or distractions. The chorus is repeated several times, emphasizing her desire to be with him smoothly, without any sudden stops or obstacles.


The bridge of the song includes a rap verse by Damian Marley in which he talks about the importance of taking risks in love. He encourages Mariah not to hold back her feelings, even if it means breaking the law or going against social norms. He says that she can put her hand in cruise control, but it won’t satisfy her need for love. He also likens Mariah's desire for the man to driving on a rocky road, with potential exits, but encouraging her to stay the course.


Overall, the song is about the thrilling excitement of being in love, even if there are risks and obstacles involved. Mariah knows that the man she’s into is complicated and has baggage, but she can’t help herself from wanting to be with him. She wants to go with the flow and let her emotions guide her, even if it means ignoring the rules of the road.


Line by Line Meaning

Can't get him outta my mind
A person is unable to stop thinking about someone.


Can't explain it but it's somethin 'bout him
The person doesn't understand why they are so captivated by the other person.


Makin' me high
The other person has a strong effect on the person, making them feel euphoric.


Like a motor revin' over and over
The person feels like they are constantly energized and excited when they think about the other person.


It don't stop
The person's feelings for the other person are persistent and unwavering.


He cruised beside me now
The other person is in close proximity to the person.


I'm flyin', drivin'
The person is feeling exhilarated and empowered.


Through yellow lights
The person is taking risks and disregarding safety precautions to be with the other person.


I'm ignorin' every sign of caution that they provide
The person is purposely ignoring warnings and advice to pursue the other person.


Driver's Education 101
The basic safety principles of driving, which the person is disregarding to be with the other person.


Slipped out of my mind
The person has forgotten about the most important safety principle of driving.


I need me a caddy
The person wants a luxury car with advanced features.


With some cruise control
The person wants a car with automatic cruise control to help control their speed.


No, no, no
The person is denying the dangerous situation they are in and the risks of pursuing the other person.


I've been told so many sagas
The person has heard many stories or rumors about the other person.


He brings the drama, six baby mamas
The other person is surrounded by drama and has had multiple children with different partners.


But uh ooh
The person is conflicted, as they still feel strongly for the other person despite the risks and warnings.


I can't resist 'em
The person has strong feelings for the other person and cannot resist their charm.


Just want to kiss 'em
The person desires physical intimacy with the other person.


Might need to go slow, I don't know
The person is unsure if they should proceed with caution or act impulsively.


Why ease up on the break
The person is questioning if they should slow down or take a break from pursuing the other person.


I'm outta control, ah I don't know
The person feels overwhelmed and uncertain about their evolving feelings for the other person.


How to stay up in my lane
The person is struggling to maintain stability and control in their life as they navigate their emotions for the other person.


Every day and night
The person is constantly thinking about the other person.


He's cruisin' through my brain
The person's thoughts are consumed by the other person.


Turn to the right ooh he so smooth with it
The other person is effortlessly charming and attractive to the person.


Deep down inside don't want to lose him
The person has strong feelings for the other person and does not want to let them go.


He already know I'm willin' to go
The other person is aware that the person is willing to take risks and do whatever it takes to be with them.


Gotta get on cruise control
The person needs to regain control and focus their emotions to make rational decisions about pursuing the other person.


Can't nobody, can't nobody tell me nothin'
The person is stubborn and refuses to listen to anyone else's advice or warnings about the other person.


When he comes in to view
The person is immediately captivated and drawn to the other person when they see them.


'Cause he's the flyest ting when he be cruisin'
The other person is the coolest and most attractive person to the person.


On me avenue
The other person is in the same area or location as the person.


Then da door open, de gals 'pon de block
Other women in the area start to notice the other person when they arrive.


They be hopin', to rob the clock me say no man
The other women are hoping to get the other person's attention or time, but the person is rejecting their advances.


Step up step up bottle broken
The person is challenging the other women to step up and take action, but they are not successful.


Think I'm jokin'
The person is confident and serious about their feelings and intentions for the other person.


You put your hand in cruise control
The person is metaphorically handing over control of their emotions and decisions to something else.


And you deny me if you want
The other person has the power to accept or reject the person's advances.


And you will starve yourself of love
The other person will miss out on the opportunity for love if they reject the person's advances.


If you don't speed and break the law
The other person needs to take risks and break from their routine to be with the person.


You can't get no speeding ticket
The other person will face no negative consequences for taking risks to pursue love.


On the highway to my heart
The person is referencing a journey to a deeper connection or relationship.


And it might be a rocky road
The journey to a deeper connection or relationship may encounter challenges.


And you can exit if you want
The other person can choose to leave the relationship if they decide to do so.


Look at life just like a pessimist
The other person is a negative thinker and is skeptical about the person's intentions and feelings towards them.


You already like a wife up in my premises
The person views the other person as being committed to them in the same way as a wife.


And right ya now you cruise control it is my nemesis
The other person's lack of control or commitment is posing a challenge or obstacle for the person.


Just come again and stop and start just like a genesis
The person is suggesting that the other person keep coming back and restarting the relationship, like in the Bible's book of Genesis.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARIAH CAREY, JERMAINE DUPRI, CRYSTAL JOHNSON, DAMIAN MARLEY, MANUEL SEAL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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