Released in 1979 by Joy Division, She’s Lost Control draws from the tragic true story of a young woman with epilepsy who died during a seizure, someone lead singer Ian Curtis had once worked with. The haunting lyrics take on an even deeper resonance considering Curtis himself was later diagnosed with the same condition.

Set against a stark, post-punk soundscape, the song captures the terrifying unpredictability of losing control over one’s body and mind. The repetition of the line “She’s lost control again” evokes not just seizure activity, but the emotional and psychological disorientation that comes with chronic illness or trauma.

“And she screamed out, kicking on her side, and said 

‘I’ve lost control again’”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4prQ11orEM (Youtube)

https://open.spotify.com/track/0rcLhYRihks3t4lFPtHhQV (Spotify)

The rawness of the song resists romanticizing suffering, instead portraying it in all its chaotic, alienating reality. For many, it speaks to the fear of becoming unrecognizable to oneself, and to the helplessness of watching someone you care about disappear into a condition neither of you can truly grasp.

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