Originally called The Troglodytes, the Troggs formed in 1964 and were signed by the manager of The Kinks, Larry Page in 1965. They recorded on Page's Page One Records, and Page also leased them to CBS for debut single "Lost Girl". Their most famous hit was the single "Wild Thing" (written by Chip Taylor), which with the help of television exposure on Thank Your Lucky Stars reached number 2 in the UK and number 1 in the United States in June 1966. Its combination of a simple heavy guitar riff and flirtatious lyrics helped it to quickly become a garage rock standard. It was recorded in one complete take (take two) at Olympic Studios in London, with Keith Grant engineering. Because of a dispute over US distribution rights, "Wild Thing" was released (along with the first album of the same name) on two labels: Fontana and Atco. The band's success in the US was also limited by not touring there until 1968.
They also had a number of other hits, including "With a Girl Like You" (a UK number 1 in July 1966, US number 29), "I Can't Control Myself" (a UK number 2 in September 1966 -- this was also their second and final dual-label release in the US, with Fontana retaining the rights to all subsequent releases), "Anyway That You Want Me" (UK number 10 in December 1966), all at Olympic Studios, "Night of the Long Grass" (UK number 17 in May 1967), and "Love Is All Around" (UK number 5 in October 1967 and US number 7 in February 1968). With chart success eluding the band, they split up in March 1969. Ronnie Bond was the first to release a solo record, with the "Anything For You" single in March 1969, followed in April by Reg Presley with "Lucinda Lee". Chris Britton released a solo album, As I Am, the same year. The band reformed later that year, with former Plastic Penny bassist Tony Murray replacing Staples, and in 1974, after a spell on Pye Records, in an attempt to re-create their 1960s successes, the Troggs re-united with Larry Page, now running Penny Farthing Records. The resulting cover version of the Beach Boys hit "Good Vibrations" did not capture the public's imagination. A reggae version of "Wild Thing" also failed to chart. The band found a sympathetic ear at French label New Rose in the 1980s, the label releasing 1982's Black Bottom LP and 1990's AU.
In 1991, the Troggs recorded Athens Andover, an eleven-song collaboration between themselves and three members of R.E.M. It was recorded in the American band's hometown of Athens, Georgia, and was released in March 1992.
The band attempted to capitalize on this new exposure with a couple of bizarre collaborations on new versions of "Wild Thing". In 1992 they teamed up with notorious drinkers Oliver Reed and Alex Higgins, with another version the following year featuring Wolf from the TV show Gladiators, which actually reached number 69 in the UK Singles Chart.
The band's original drummer, Ronnie Bond, died in 1992. Dave Wright, another founding member, died on 10 October 2008.
Legacy and influence
The Troggs are widely seen as a highly influential band whose sound was one inspiration for garage rock and punk rock. For example, Iggy Pop of the Stooges has cited[citation needed] the Troggs as influential to their sound, and the early version of British pop-punk pioneers Buzzcocks featured I Can't Control Myself in their live repertoire. The Ramones are also amongst punk bands who cited the Troggs as an influence. The MC5 covered "I Want You" at their live shows and recorded the song for the album "Kick out the Jams", although they renamed it "I Want You Right Now".
The Jimi Hendrix Experience famously covered "Wild Thing" during their appearance at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival, introducing it as the British/American joint "national anthem", and climaxing with Hendrix burning his guitar.[2]
In 1990, the first hit for the band Spiritualized was a cover of "Anyway That You Want Me". This cover was later used in the movie Me and You and Everyone We Know.
"With a Girl Like You" is featured uncut in a school dance scene from the 1991 Nicole Kidman/Noah Taylor movie Flirting.
In 1991, "Love Is All Around" was covered by R.E.M. during live performances and was released later that year as a B-side on their "Radio Song" single. They also performed an acoustic version of the song on MTV Unplugged.
In 1994, Scottish band Wet Wet Wet's version of the song spent fifteen weeks at number one in the UK after its inclusion in Four Weddings and a Funeral.
A modified version of "Love Is All Around" was featured in the film Love Actually (2003), performed by actor Bill Nighy.
An in-studio tape of Reg Presley's running commentary on a recording session, filled with in-fighting and swearing (known as "The Troggs Tapes") was widely circulated in the music underground, and was included in the Archaeology box set. The in-group infighting is believed to be the inspiration for a scene in the comedy film This Is Spinal Tap where the band members are arguing. Some of this dialogue was sampled by the California punk band The Dwarves on their recording of a cover version of the Troggs song "Strange Movies".
In January 2012, after over 40 years of touring, Reg Presley retired due to lung cancer, apparently ending the Troggs. However, the remaining members, Chris Britton (guitar), Pete Lucas (bass) and Dave Maggs (drums) are continuing the Troggs. They are joined by special guest Chris Allen on lead vocals, who has been in the Denny Laine Band, the Commitments and part time with the Animals.
Reg Presley died on 4 February 2013.
I Can't Control Myself
The Troggs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baba bababa baba baba
I can't stand still 'cos you've got me goin'
Baba ba ba ba ba ba ba
Your slacks are low and your hips are shown'
Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba
I take you girl as you're standing there
Don't want you goin' round with no one else
'Cause when I'm with you I can't control myself
Defense is down and you've got me shakin'
Baba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba
You've got me so that my nerves are breakin'
Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba
If you knew me like I know you girl
Your knees would bend and your hair would curl
You make me move yeah like no one else
And when I've got this feeling that's inside of me
It makes me think of how things used to be
It makes me feel allright
when I'm with you at night
and we love-and we love
You fill me so with this big temptation
Baba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba
This kind of feeling could move a nation
Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba
And I'm okay when I'm here with you
I do the things thatyou want me to
But do these things for no one else
But when I've got this feeling that's inside of me
It makes me feel allright
when I'm with you at night
and we love-and we love
The Troggs' song "I Can't Control Myself" is a popular rock song from the mid-60s. At a surface level, the lyrics are about a man who is irresistibly attracted to a woman and cannot control his emotions and actions when he is around her. The song starts with the singer exclaiming "Oh no!" repetitively, implying that he's feeling overwhelmed by his emotions for the woman he's with.
The song's chorus centers around the fact that the woman's appearance is what is driving the singer crazy. Her low-cut slacks and long black hair are described as reasons for the singer's obsession with her. He is worried about the idea of her being with someone else because he can't control himself around her. Throughout the song, the woman has a lot of power over the singer; he describes feeling shaken, his defense being down, nerves breaking, and being filled with temptation.
The song's bridge is about the power of their love; it makes the singer think of how things used to be, feel all right when he's with her, and want to make her happy. He also says that their "kind of feeling could move a nation," which suggests a kind of powerful and intense love that can change things.
Overall, the song is about the feeling of being completely consumed by passion and desire for someone else.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh no! Baba bababa baba ba ba
Expressing shock and possibly a bit of confusion or frustration, as if the singer is overwhelmed and doesn't know what else to say.
Baba bababa baba baba
Repeating the previous statement, perhaps to emphasize the singer's surprise or disbelief.
I can't stand still 'cos you've got me goin'
The singer is so attracted to the person they're addressing that they can't keep still or focused. They are drawn to this person like a magnet.
Your slacks are low and your hips are shown'
The artist is admiring the person's style and appearance. They are wearing clothes that reveal their figure and accentuate their movement.
I take you girl as you're standing there
The artist accepts the person as they are, without judgment or reservation. They find them attractive just as they are now.
Your low cut slacks and your long black hair
The singer is specifically drawn to these aspects of the person's appearance. They find them alluring and sexy.
Don't want you goin' round with no one else
The singer is possessive and protective of the person they're addressing. They want to keep them to themselves and don't want anyone else to have a chance with them.
'Cause when I'm with you I can't control myself
The artist is admitting that their attraction is so strong that they can't help themselves when they're around the person. They lose control of their emotions and actions.
Defense is down and you've got me shakin'
The person has lowered the artist's defenses and made them vulnerable. They are trembling with anticipation and desire.
You've got me so that my nerves are breakin'
The artist is so overwhelmed with emotion that they feel as if they're on the verge of a breakdown. Their nerves are frayed and raw.
If you knew me like I know you girl
The singer feels a deep connection to the person they're addressing. They believe that if the person knew them as well as they know the person, they would feel the same attraction and desire.
Your knees would bend and your hair would curl
The artist imagines that if the person were to see them in a certain way, they would be overcome with passion and desire. The person's physical reaction would attest to their attraction.
You make me move yeah like no one else
The person has a unique ability to affect the singer. They inspire the singer to action and motivate them like no one else can.
And when I've got this feeling that's inside of me
The singer is acknowledging that their emotions are overwhelming and intense. These feelings are a powerful force that they struggle to contain or control.
It makes me think of how things used to be
The singer is reminiscing about past experiences or relationships. Their current attraction reminds them of similar emotions they've felt before.
It makes me feel allright
Despite the intensity of their emotions, the artist is comforted by them. These feelings make them feel whole and alive.
when I'm with you at night
The artist has a strong association with this person and nighttime. Perhaps they only see each other in the evenings, or they have a longstanding tradition of spending time together after dark.
and we love-and we love
The singer is suggesting that their relationship includes intimacy and passion. They are expressing their desire for a physical connection with the person they're addressing.
You fill me so with this big temptation
The singer is being tempted by the person, who is filling them with desire and yearning. They find the person irresistible.
This kind of feeling could move a nation
The artist's emotions are so intense and all-consuming that they could inspire a whole group of people to action. This feeling is powerful and transformative.
And I'm okay when I'm here with you
The artist feels comfortable and at ease with the person they're addressing. When they're together, everything else fades away and they are at peace.
I do the things thatyou want me to
The artist is expressing their willingness to please the person they're addressing. They want to make them happy and satisfy their desires.
But do these things for no one else
The singer is reiterating their possessiveness and exclusivity. They will only do the things that the person they're addressing wants them to do. They won't do these things for anyone else.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: REG PRESLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Fervellasverzas
I can't stand still cause you've got me going
Your slacks are low and your hips are showing
I thank you girl as you're standing there
Your low cut slacks and your long black hair
Don't want you going round with no one else
Cause when I'm with you I can't control myself
Defenses down and you've got me shaking
You got me so that my nerves are breaking
If you knew me like I know you, girl
Your knees would bend and your hair would curl
You make me move, yeah, like no one else
And when I'm with you I can't control myself
I've got this feeling that's inside of me
It makes me think of how things used to be
It makes me feel all right
When I'm with you at night and we love
And we love
You fill me so with this big temptation
This kind of feeling could move a nation
But I'm okay when I'm here with you
I do the things that you want me to
I do these things-a for no one else
But when I'm with you I can't control myself
I can't control myself
I can't control myself
I can't control myself, baby
Francisco Madeira Aragao
Oh no!
Baba bababa baba ba ba
Baba bababa baba baba
I can't stand still 'cause you've got me goin'
Baba ba ba ba ba ba ba
Your slacks are low and your hips are shown'
Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba
I take you girl as you're standing there
Your low cut slacks and your long black hair
Don't want you goin' round with no one else
'Cause when I'm with you I can't control myself
Defense is down and you've got me shakin'
Baba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba
You've got me so that my nerves are breakin'
Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba
If you knew me like I know you girl
Your knees would bend and your hair would curl
You make me move yeah like no one else
When I'm with you I can't control myself
[Hook]
I've got this feeling that's inside of me
It makes me think of how things used to be
It makes me feel allright
When I'm with you at night
And we love, and we love
Baba bababa baba ba ba
Baba bababa baba baba
You fill me so with this big temptation
Baba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba
This kind of feeling could move a nation
Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba
And I'm okay when I'm here with you
I do the things that you want me to
But do these things for no one else
When I'm with you I can't control myself
Baba bababa baba ba ba
Baba bababa baba baba
I can't control myself
Baba bababa baba baba
I can't control myself
But when I've got this feeling that's inside of me
Ah...
Shikira pressley
The Troggs were one of the finest pop bands to ever come out of the 60s' and way too beautiful to ever be forgotten.
Michael Rauch
Have they really been Popper? I love Hardrock - and the Troggs. Maybe not this one. But earlier they were really rocking.
Shikira pressley
@Michael Rauch They were way advanced for their time - pop-rock was an evolving industry at the time and the TROGGS well ahead of their game and way before many other rock bands
Michael Rauch
@Shikira pressley however. I'm born in 80's, every decade had it's stars and hits. I really follow the development of popular music. But the 60's had it's own revolutional spirit. No matter how you call the Genre. And the Troggs were a timeless part of it. Are you o.k. with it?😊
david
@Michael Rauch I agree!!!!
Shannihilator
me whenever i play hopkins fbi
msstevie1951
I was 15 wearing hip huggers dancing in my room My Dad came through that door and didn't like these lyrics one bit! From then on I had to wait for him to leave for work to listen to these Bad Boys! Love it love the innocent memories! Thanks!!!
TheUnclerickie
if you play this song for a young Hipster now they would love it. Even if they have never heard it before. It's got all the elements of a great, low fi rock song. Any time you can just sing ba ba ba ba ba ba ba baa ba! and have people tapping their feet......you nailed it. 1965. amazing.
dornravlin
I like it and im not a hipster i just had a Boomer Father
about time
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