Losin Control

"Losin Control" by Russ is a poignant exploration of the difficulty of trusting in a new relationship after experiencing the pain and betrayal of a past one. The song is an empathetic narrative told from the perspective of someone observing a woman they love struggle with her inner demons. She is falling in love but is simultaneously terrified, fighting the feeling because her last relationship was catastrophic, filled with cheating and emotional manipulation that has left her with significant emotional baggage.

Russ has explained that the song was written as an apology to his first girlfriend, whom he admits he mistreated and cheated on when he was younger. Therefore, the song has a dual meaning. On one level, it's a story about a new, patient lover helping a woman heal. On another, more personal level, it's Russ's acknowledgment of the damage he caused, and his understanding of why his ex-girlfriend would find it hard to trust someone new. He is essentially empathizing with the very trauma he inflicted. The song captures the universal theme of how past hurts can haunt present happiness and the courage it takes to become vulnerable and love again.

The song tells the story from two perspectives, primarily focusing on a woman who is struggling to enter a new relationship due to the emotional trauma of her past. She's falling in love with a new man but is terrified and "losin' control" because her previous relationship was a disaster filled with accusations, neglect, and cheating. This past experience left her with deep-seated trust issues, making it difficult for her to believe that this new love will be different. She carries the emotional "baggage on her shoulder" from her last partner, who would manipulate situations and make her feel at fault. She's fighting her feelings for the new person, trying to hide her vulnerability because she's scared of being broken-hearted again.

The narrative then shifts to the perspective of her new partner, who is patient, understanding, and reassuring. He recognizes her fear and the pain she comes from. He tries to convince her that he is not like her ex. He provides the love and support she never received, answering her insecure questions without judgment and showing her what genuine love feels like. He doesn't get jealous or break her trust. Despite her occasional emotional outbursts, where she might be "beating on his chest like a bongo," he remains steadfast and understanding of her hurt. He encourages her to let go of her fears and embrace the love he's offering, telling her it's alright to be falling for him. The song captures this delicate dynamic of healing and learning to trust again in the context of a new, healthy relationship, acknowledging the scars of the past while looking hopefully toward the future.

"Losin Control" was written, produced, mixed, mastered, and engineered entirely by Russ, whose full name is Russell Vitale. The song was initially released independently on his SoundCloud page on November 9, 2015. It was one of many songs Russ released in 2015 as he was prolifically building his fanbase. He has mentioned that the creative process was in three parts: making the beat, writing the melody, and then recording the song. He often creates beats and revisits them later when inspiration strikes, which was the case for this track.

The song was inspired by Russ's first girlfriend. He has stated that he was the "bad guy" in that relationship, cheating on her and causing the pain that the song's female character experiences. The song serves as an apology and an expression of empathy for what he put her through. The track later gained massive popularity and was included on his major-label debut studio album, There's Really a Wolf, which was released on May 5, 2017, by Diemon and Columbia Records. Interestingly, Russ revealed he forgot to clear a two-chord sample used in the song and ended up paying $850,000 after it became a multi-platinum hit. The music video, directed by Edgar Estevez, was released on February 1, 2016.

The lyrics of "Losin Control" employ several powerful metaphors and symbols to convey its emotional depth.

• Falling in Love: The primary metaphor is "She's falling, but she doesn't think you'll catch her." This isn't a literal fall, but the act of falling in love. The fear that he won't "catch her" symbolizes her lack of trust and fear of being emotionally abandoned and hurt again, just as someone would be physically hurt from an actual fall.
• Baggage: The line, "Now she's got baggage on her shoulder," is an idiom representing the emotional burden and trauma from her past relationship that she carries with her. It's not physical luggage but a weight on her heart and mind that affects her new relationship.
• Haunting: The phrase "even though she still feels haunted" suggests that the memories and pain of her past relationship are like ghosts that continue to follow and torment her, making it difficult to be fully present and secure in her new love.
• Bongo Beating: The image of her "beating on his chest like a bongo" during emotional moments is a simile for her outbursts of frustration and fear. It's not about physical violence but illustrates the raw, percussive, and uncontrolled release of her pent-up emotions stemming from past hurt.

The predominant emotional tone of "Losin Control" is a mix of empathy, melancholy, and cautious hope. The song creates a deeply introspective and emotional landscape. The melancholic feeling comes from the depiction of the woman's pain and trust issues stemming from a past toxic relationship. This is conveyed through the mellow beat and Russ's smooth, almost somber, vocal delivery. However, the song is also filled with a sense of hope and empathy, particularly from the perspective of the new partner who is understanding and patient. This creates an emotional arc within the song, moving from the pain of the past towards the possibility of a healthier, loving future. The emotional core of the song lies in this tension between a painful past and a hopeful present, capturing the complex feelings of learning to love again after being hurt.

"Losin Control" became one of Russ's breakout hits, significantly contributing to his rise in popularity. Initially released on SoundCloud in 2015, its inclusion on his 2017 debut album There's Really a Wolf propelled it to a wider audience. The song debuted on the US Billboard Hot 100 in March 2017, eventually peaking at number 62. It also performed well on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Rhythmic charts. As of August 2018, the single was certified triple platinum in the United States by the RIAA, signifying sales of over three million units. The official music video has amassed over 453 million views on YouTube as of early 2024. The song's raw honesty and relatable theme of overcoming past relationship trauma resonated with a large audience, solidifying Russ's reputation as an artist capable of introspective and emotionally resonant songwriting. In 2021, Russ released a sequel, "Losin Control, Pt. 2," further exploring the themes of the original song six years later.

"Losin Control" follows a relatively smooth and consistent rhythmic flow, characteristic of Russ's style which blends hip-hop and R&B. The tempo is slow and deliberate, allowing the lyrics and the emotional narrative to take center stage. The rhyme scheme is generally simple and effective, often using couplets (AABB) or near rhymes to maintain a conversational and natural feel. For example, in the lines, "Cause her last relationship was a disaster / Accusations everyday she didn't know why / All her calls would be ignored he's on his own time," 'disaster' doesn't have a direct rhyme, but the flow carries it, while 'why' and 'time' create a slant rhyme. The lyrical rhythm often plays against the steady musical rhythm, with Russ sometimes stretching or compressing phrases to fit the emotional tone of the line, a technique common in modern rap and R&B that adds to the song's expressive quality.

"Losin Control" showcases Russ's signature blend of melodic rapping and smooth, R&B-infused vocals. The song's production, also handled by Russ, features a mellow, atmospheric beat with a prominent, repetitive piano or keyboard chord progression that creates a contemplative and slightly melancholic mood. His vocal delivery is intimate and conversational, drawing the listener into the story he's telling. He uses a narrative voice, acting as both a storyteller and a character within the song. The repetition of the hook, "She's fallin' in love now, Losin' control now," emphasizes the central conflict of the song. The structure alternates between the hook and verses that delve deeper into the characters' perspectives, providing a well-rounded narrative. There is also a notable use of direct address in the lyrics, making the message feel personal and sincere.

What is the song 'Losin Control' by Russ about?

The song is about a woman who is afraid to fall in love and trust her new partner because she was deeply hurt in a past relationship. It's told from the perspective of the new, understanding boyfriend who is trying to reassure her. Russ has said it's also an apology to his own ex-girlfriend for his past mistakes.

When was 'Losin Control' by Russ released?

Russ first released 'Losin Control' on his SoundCloud page on November 9, 2015. It was later included on his debut studio album, <i>There's Really a Wolf</i>, in 2017.

What genre is 'Losin Control' by Russ?

The song is primarily a blend of Hip-Hop and R&B, with a smooth, melodic style that is characteristic of much of Russ's music.

Is 'Losin Control' based on a true story?

Yes, Russ has stated that the song was inspired by his first girlfriend. He admitted that he was the one who treated her poorly and cheated, and the song serves as an apology and an acknowledgment of the pain he caused.

What does the lyric 'She's falling but she doesn't think you'll catch her' mean?

This is a metaphor for falling in love. She is developing strong feelings for her new partner but is afraid to fully commit because her past experiences make her fear that he will let her down and break her heart.

Who produced 'Losin Control'?

Russ produced the song himself. He is known for being very hands-on with his music, often writing, producing, engineering, mixing, and mastering his own tracks.

Did 'Losin Control' chart on Billboard?

Yes, 'Losin Control' peaked at number 62 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. It was Russ's second song to appear on the chart.

Was there a controversy surrounding the 'Losin Control' music video?

Yes, in 2016, the music video for 'Losin Control' was accused of plagiarism due to its striking resemblance to the video for 'The Fib' by the Polish electronic group RYSY. Both videos feature a distressed woman in a car and a man in a parking garage.