Out of Control
REO Speedwagon Lyrics


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Oh, my, don't the sky look spacious
With the stars all shinin' down
Well, I can hear the night wind howlin'
It's a high and lonesome sound

And I ain't had a woman in so long
I can't feed my starvin' soul
Come on, saddle up, boys, we're gonna ride into town
We're gonna get a little out of control

There's a card game in the corner
And the barmaid smiled at me
Well, I tipped her a sliver dollar and
She brought me a drink for free

All the town-folk call her the cheap one
And the gamblers call her Flo
Come on, set 'em up again
I got me a friend and I think I'm gettin' out of control

Oh, oh, oh
She's cool water, her momma taught her
I got news, she's mine and mine alone
And if anybody's lookin' for trouble

You know I'm the one you want to try
Well, I'll fight any man who wants to
And I don't care who or why
You got to gamble on your story

You got no guts, you get no glory




And I'm bettin' my money on an ace in the hole
Think I'm gettin' out of control

Overall Meaning

The song "Out of Control" by REO Speedwagon describes the desire to let loose and have some fun after feeling isolated and alone. The opening lines describe a beautiful night sky, which is juxtaposed with the "high and lonesome sound" of the howling wind. The singer then reflects on his lack of female companionship and how this has left him feeling spiritually empty. He and his friends then decide to ride into town and let loose, gambling and drinking at the local bar.


The barmaid, Flo, is introduced as a character who is the subject of derogatory gossip in the town. However, the singer recognizes her worth and tips her generously, enjoying his newfound freedom and friendship. He also boasts about his newfound romantic interest, describing her as "cool water" and expressing his possessiveness over her. As the song reaches its climax, the singer challenges anyone who might try to interfere with his good time, declaring that "you got to gamble on your story" and that he is betting on his "ace in the hole."


Overall, "Out of Control" is a celebration of the joy of letting loose and taking risks, even in the face of social stigma or personal insecurity.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh, my, don't the sky look spacious
The sky looks vast and wide, giving a feeling of liberation.


With the stars all shinin' down
The stars are dazzling and magnificent, enhancing the beauty of the sky.


Well, I can hear the night wind howlin'
The sound of the howling wind is haunting and melancholic.


It's a high and lonesome sound
The sound of the wind is lonely, which makes one introspective and nostalgic.


And I ain't had a woman in so long
The person has not been in a relationship for a substantial amount of time.


I can't feed my starvin' soul
The lack of relationship has caused a void that needs to be fulfilled.


Come on, saddle up, boys, we're gonna ride into town
Let's go to town and have some fun.


We're gonna get a little out of control
We are going to do something crazy and let loose.


There's a card game in the corner
There is a card game being played in the corner.


And the barmaid smiled at me
The barmaid greeted the person with a smile.


Well, I tipped her a sliver dollar and
The person tipped the barmaid with a silver dollar and


She brought me a drink for free
In return, the barmaid served the person a drink for free.


All the town-folk call her the cheap one
The people in town regard the barmaid as inexpensive.


And the gamblers call her Flo
The gamblers refer to the barmaid as Flo.


Come on, set 'em up again
Get another round of drinks.


I got me a friend and I think I'm gettin' out of control
The person has found a friend and is enjoying the moment to the fullest.


Oh, oh, oh
A singing interlude.


She's cool water, her momma taught her
The person describes a woman as refreshing as cool water and her good upbringing.


I got news, she's mine and mine alone
The person has found someone special who is exclusively their partner.


And if anybody's lookin' for trouble
If someone wants to start a fight,


You know I'm the one you want to try
The person is ready to take on any challenge.


Well, I'll fight any man who wants to
The person is ready to fight anyone who challenges them.


And I don't care who or why
The person is not interested in the reasons behind the fight and will fight anyone who challenges them.


You got to gamble on your story
Life is unpredictable, and everyone has to take a chance on their story.


You got no guts, you get no glory
If one does not take risks, they will not succeed.


And I'm bettin' my money on an ace in the hole
The person is confident of their luck and is betting on a sure shot win.


Think I'm gettin' out of control
The person feels like they are losing control of themselves and their actions due to their enjoyment of the moment.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DONALD HUGH HENLEY, GLENN LEWIS FREY, TOMMY NIXON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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