"Out Of Control" Song Lyrics by U2

Boy album cover (1980)

Beyond its youthful anger, "Out of Control" also conveys Bono’s deeper philosophical reflections on life’s fleeting nature. 

The song touches on existential themes, such as the arbitrariness of being born and the certainty of death, leaving him with the sense that life is something that happens to us, rather than something we can fully shape.

Yet, within this chaos, there’s also a yearning to break free and assert some kind of autonomy, symbolized in the fierce energy of the music.

Bono’s lyrics, while grounded in youthful frustration, hint at his early awareness of larger existential questions—how to navigate life’s uncontrollable elements while still seeking meaning and direction.

 "Out of Control" reflects this dual tension between surrendering to life’s uncertainties and the desire to carve out one’s path amid the chaos. reflects 

"Out of Control," one of U2's earliest tracks, channels Bono's youthful frustration and sense of powerlessness in the face of life’s unpredictability. Written on his 18th birthday, the song reflects his internal struggle with growing up and the realization that certain aspects of life—like birth, aging, and death—are beyond personal control. 

"Out Of Control" Song Lyrics by U2

Monday morning
Eighteen years dawning
I said how long.
Say how long.

It was one dull morning
I woke the world with bawling
I was so sad
They were so glad.

I had the feeling it was out of control
I was of the opinion it was out of control.

Boys and girls to school
And girls they make children
Not like this one.

I had the feeling it was out of control
I was of the opinion it was out of control.

I was of the feeling it was out of control
I had the opinion it was out of control.

I fought fate
There's blood at the garden gate
The man said childhood
It's in his childhood

One day I'll die
The choice will not be mine
Will it be too late?
You can't fight fate.

I had the feeling it was out of control
I was of the opinion it was out of control.

"Out of Control" did not initially achieve major commercial chart success upon its release, but it played a crucial role in shaping U2's early popularity. The song was first released as part of a three-track EP titled Three in 1979, which was the band's debut release in Ireland.  "Out of Control" appears on the A-side, with "Stories for Boys" and "Boy/Girl" on the B-side, the result of a listener poll on Dave Fanning's radio programme

"Out of Control" became the standout track from the EP and helped the band gain attention in the Dublin music scene, despite limited exposure outside of Ireland at the time.

Though it didn’t chart internationally during its early release, "Out of Control" has become a fan favorite over the years, frequently featured in U2’s live performances. 

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