Friday Sessions #113: ‘Yeah, it’s takin’ a toll on me, tryin’ my best to keep’ – ‘Lose Control’ Teddy Swims

Friday Sessions - Test Your English With The Power Of Music. We're swimming in the deep end this week with Mr. Swims, but what's taking it's toll on him? And what does that mean exactly?...

American singer-songwriter Teddy Swims certainly knows how to belt out a tune, and in this week’s Friday Session we are listening to his signature track, ‘lose control.’

Today’s lyric: Yeah, it’s takin’ a toll on me, tryin’ my best to keep

You might know the word ‘toll’ if you have driven on the motorway (UK) or Highway (US,) and you had to pay to cross a bridge or border. So, one meaning of the word ‘toll’ is simply the fee that is charged as you enter or exit. But if you say ‘it’s taken a toll on me,’ what does this other meaning convey exactly?

In our lyric ‘to take a toll’ is used to describe that something is having a negative impact.

Check the examples below:

“After many years of work and no holidays, it started to take a toll on them.”

“I managed to finish the project on time, but it’s taken a toll on me over the last few days. I need to sleep!”

“Working under poor management takes it’s toll on everyone in the team.”

Lyrics:

Something’s got a hold of me lately
No, I don’t know myself anymore
Feels like the walls are all closin’ in
And the devil’s knockin’ at my door, whoa

Out of my mind, how many times
Did I tell you I’m no good at bein’ alone?
Yeah, it’s takin’ a toll on me, tryin’ my best to keep
From tearin’ the skin off my bones, don’t you know

I lose control
When you’re not next to me (when you’re not here with me)
I’m fallin’ apart right in front of you, can’t you see?
I lose control
When you’re not next to me, mm-hm
Yeah, you’re breakin’ my heart, baby
You make a mess of me

Problematic
Problem is I want your body like a fiend, like a bad habit
Bad habits hard to break when I’m with you
Yeah, I know, I could do it on my own
But I want that real full moon black magic and it takes two
Problematic
Problem is when I’m with you, I’m an addict
And I need some relief, my skin in your teeth
Can’t see the forest through the trees
Got me down on my knees, darlin’ please, oh

I lose control
When you’re not here with me, mm
I’m fallin’ apart right in front of you, can’t you see?
I lose control
When you’re not here with me, mm-hm
Yeah, you’re breakin’ my heart, baby
You make a mess of me

Teddy Swims / Lose Control