Under Control – English Lyrics

• By: The Strokes
• Album: Room On Fire

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the rhythmic complexity of The Strokes! 'Under Control' is a fantastic way to practice listening for interlocking melodies and idiomatic English expressions used in indie rock, making it a perfect track for those looking to master natural, conversational rock phrasing.

[English]

I don't wanna waste your time

I don't wanna waste your time

I just want to say, I've got to say

We worked hard, darling

We don't have no control

We're under control

I don't wanna do it your way

I don't wanna do it your way

I don't wanna give it to you, your way

I don't want to know

I don't want to change your mind

I don't wanna change the world

I just wanna watch it go by

I just wanna watch you go by

We were young, darling

We don't have no control

We're out of control

I don't wanna do it your way

I don't wanna do it your way

I don't wanna give it to you, your way

I don't want to know

I don't wanna change your mind

I don't wanna waste your time

I just wanna know you're alright

I've got to know you're alright

You are young, darling

For now, but not for long

Under control

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
waste /weɪst/ B1	verb - To use or expend something carelessly, extravagantly, or to no purpose.
control /kənˈtroʊl/ A2	noun - The power to influence or direct people's behavior or the course of events.
darling /ˈdɑːrlɪŋ/ B2	noun - A person who is very dear to another as a term of endearment.
change /tʃeɪndʒ/ A1	verb - To make or become different.
world /wɜːrld/ A1	noun - The earth, together with all of its countries, peoples, and natural features.
young /jʌŋ/ A1	adjective - Having lived or existed for only a short time.
alright /ɔːlˈraɪt/ A2	adjective - Satisfactory or acceptable; in a good or acceptable condition.

Key Grammar Structures

• I don't wanna waste your time

  ➔ Informal contraction 'wanna' (want to)

  ➔ In casual speech, 'want to' is frequently contracted to "wanna". It is used here to express a lack of desire or intention.

• I've got to say

  ➔ Modal verb phrase 'have got to' (necessity)

  ➔ 'I've got to' is a common way to express obligation or necessity, meaning "I must" or "I need to" "say".

• We don't have no control

  ➔ Double negative (non-standard for emphasis)

  ➔ Using "don't" and "no" together is a grammatical error in formal English, but it is often used in music to add emotional "emphasis".

• I just wanna watch it go by

  ➔ Bare infinitive after the verb of perception 'watch'

  ➔ After verbs like 'watch', we use the base form of the verb to describe an action we see "happen".

• I just wanna know you're alright

  ➔ Adjective as a complement (predicate adjective)

  ➔ 'Alright' functions here as a predicate adjective following the verb "are" to describe the state of the person.

• For now, but not for long

  ➔ Prepositional phrases indicating time

  ➔ These phrases use "for" to denote duration, highlighting the fleeting nature of "now".