I’m a child of the 80s. Post-civil rights, post-women’s rights. It was about my rights. I was a child of the me-generation, and it was about me. It’s no wonder one of my mantras was Control by Janet Jackson. And I know I’m not alone. Check out the lyrics (particularly the highlighted parts) and see how she helped form the foundation of being in the wrong type of control:
[Spoken intro:]
This is a story about control
My control
Control of what I say
Control of what I do
And this time I’m gonna do it my way (my way)
I hope you enjoy this as much as I do
Are we ready?
I am
‘Cause it’s all about control (control)
And I’ve got lots of it)
When I was 17 I did what people told me, uhh!
Did what my father said, and let my mother mold me
But that was long ago
I’m in
Control
Never gonna stop
Control
To get what I want
Control
I like to have a lot
Control Now I’m all grown up
First time I fell in love, I didn’t know what hit me
So young and so naive, I thought it would be easy
Now I know I got to take
Control
Now I’ve got a lot, ow!
Control
To get what I want
Control
I’m never gonna stop
Control
Now I’m all grown up
Jam, ooh ooh
Rebel, that’s right
I’m on my own, I’ll call my own shots
Thank you
Got my own mind
I wanna make my own decisions
When it has to do with my life, my life
I wanna be the one in control
So let me take you by the hand, and lead you in this dance
Control
It’s what I got, because I took a chance
I don’t wanna rule the world, just wanna run my life
Ooh
So make your life a little easier
When you get the chance just take
Control, ooh ooh
Now I’ve got a lot, ooh
Control
To get what I want, ow!
Control
I’m never gonna stop
Control
Now I’m all grown up, ooh!
Free at last
Out here on my own
Ooh ooh ooh yeah, eee
Now control this, uhh
Control
That’s right
Control
Career moves
Control
I do what’s right for me
Control
And me wants to groove
Is that okay?
Yeah!
Ooh, control
I’ve got my own mind
Ooh baby
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah
I’ve got my own mind
Wanna make my own decisions
When it has to do with my life
I wanna be the one in control
Hop to it
I’m in control, and I love it, hahaha, that’s right
Control
Now I’ve got a lot
Control
Now I’m all grown up, ahh!
I’m in control
Uhh
I’m in control
Ahh
I’m in control
Uhh
Don’t make me lose it
Control
What a contrast to “I give Up”. I was brought up in the 70’s, do your own thing, free love, ain’t hurtin nobody so let me be. We talked about us and protested for “freedom” but trust me, it was a me generation too. It wasn’t all bad, but it was not the idealized love fest either.
I am so glad that you can relate to the issues, even though you are not a strong black woman. No matter the perspective, many issues are simply human issues.
Hey, I got soul too! With all respect, one of the complements I cling to, is ,”You preach Black!” amen. If you can’t get excited about Jesus , what can you get excited about! We have one of the few “diverse” churches in my area. God does not want us split apart, but United in Christ! Keep it up!