Illusion Of Control 

Several years ago, on Halloween, every third kid was dressed as a Mighty Morphin Power Ranger. The image of all these little boys (and yes, it was 95% boys), hands on hips, feet spread wide, imagining themselves to be invincible, really stuck in my head. I’m convinced that pose is what Christiano Ronaldo is thinking about when he throws the same look after scoring a goal. It was for sure that image that led me to this song about the non-pharmaceutical version of “Mother’s Little Helper”. 

 

We can take out some dictator - an expedient solution 

‘Til the Sorcerer’s apprentice puts ten more back in his place 

Or we can make righteous laws that banish drugs or prostitution 

And create global empires thrilled to fill that space  

Some say it’s just confusion; it comes with good intent 

Feels to me more like delusion, blind to things we can’t prevent 

 

Guns under our pillows, Bibles in our pockets 

Just Mighty Morphin Power Rangers all grown up 

Or exercise fanatics, no fat in our diets 

That still drop dead at 40, accidents of fate 

We’re junkies, we’re users, we think we’re on a roll 

But we’re hooked on an illusion, the illusion of control 

 

When I first became a parent, I still believed seclusion 

Could save my kids from evil, protect them from the world 

But they do what they want to, my input just intrusion 

And I have to be content as just the sand that makes the pearl  

At the time, felt like confusion, despite my good intent 

I think now, it was delusion, so many things you can’t prevent 

 

Gun under my pillow, Bible in my pocket 

Just a Mighty Morphin Power Ranger all grown up 

And an exercise fanatic, no fats in my diet 

I’m sure I’ll live to 90, and feel great all the way 

I’m a junkie, I’m a user, I think I’m on a roll 

But I’m hooked on an illusion, the illusion of control 

 

Guns under our pillows, Bibles in our pockets 

Just Mighty Morphin Power Rangers all grown up 

Or exercise fanatics, no fat in our diets 

That still drop dead at 40, accidents of fate 

We’re all junkies, we’re all users, who think they’re on a roll 

But we’re hooked on an illusion, the illusion of control