I Can't Control Myself
Troggs The Lyrics
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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’ hit song “I Can’t Control Myself” is a classic example of rock and roll’s ability to convey raw emotions through its lyrics and music. From the opening lines, the singer expresses his uncontrollable desire for the object of his affection. The repetition of “baba bababa baba ba ba” sets a frenzied tone before the lyrics even begin. The singer then describes how this woman makes him feel, saying “I can’t stand still ‘cos you’ve got me goin’” and “you’ve got me so that my nerves are breakin’.” He admits that “when I’m with you I can’t control myself.”
The singer’s vulnerability continues through the song, as he describes how being with this woman is like no other experience. “You make me move yeah like no one else,” he sings. He also acknowledges that he is willing to do anything for her, saying “I do the things that you want me to.” The chorus repeats the sentiment that being with this particular woman is unlike any other experience. Despite the potentially cheesy lyrics, the Troggs’ delivery makes it a believable expression of teenage angst and desire.
The Troggs have often been cited as a major influence on the development of punk rock, and “I Can’t Control Myself” shows why. The raw energy and stripped-down sound of the song are reminiscent of the punk movement that would come years later. However, it was released in 1966, during a time when music was dominated by more polished, orchestrated pop. The Troggs' sound was a departure from the mainstream, and it struck a chord with audiences around the world. The song remains a classic example of rock and roll’s irrepressible attitude.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh no! Baba bababa baba ba ba
Baba bababa baba baba
Expressing a sudden and intense feeling of distress or exasperation followed by a nonsensical babble.
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
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
Your physical appearance and presence is so enticing, irresistible, and provocative that it makes me lose control of myself and become obsessed with you. I want you all for myself and don't want anyone else to have you.
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
Your charm, seduction, and alluring ways have completely disarmed me and made me vulnerable to your every whim. I am completely mesmerized by you and your mere presence can make me lose my composure. I feel so alive and happy when I'm with you, and it brings back nostalgic memories of past loves that have made me feel the same way.
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
Your allure and charisma are so intense and powerful that they could inspire and motivate a whole country. I am completely comfortable and accepting of doing anything you want me to do because I am so infatuated with you. However, these actions are solely for you and no one else. The feeling that I have when I'm with you is so wonderful and pure, and it fills me with joy and satisfaction.
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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