[Verse 1: Johnathan]

Backwards, forwards, I'm exploring the borders

Of everything I want, everything I need

Lethal doses of my own emotions

Seep into my dreams and paralyze me



[Pre-Chorus 1: Johnathan and Evan]

I pick myself up off the ground

I keep tellin' myself, "no, I'm not backing down"

I keep tellin' myself, "best is still yet to come"

I keep tellin' myself, "it's darkest before the dawn"



[Chorus: Michael (ME), Johnathan, and Evan]
I'm going backwards and yet I'm made to believe

I'm moving forwards and I'm chasing my dreams

But I'll be just who I wanna be

Without you controlling, controlling me



[Short Solo + Bridge: Michael]

Controlling Me



[Verse 2: Johnathan]

Toxic thoughts can make me easily drop this

But I won't shift my step so there's nothing to regret

I'm broken and coping with this broken hoping

I kept blaming them when the doubt came from within


[Pre-Chorus 2: Johnathan, Evan, and Michael]

No more ugly white lies that I keep tellin' myself

This time I'm gonna try, I'm not just tellin' myself

"Best is still yet to come," I keep tellin' myself

It's darkest before the dawn



[Chorus: Johnathan, Evan, and Michael]

I'm going backwards and yet I'm made to believe

I'm moving forwards and I'm chasing my dreams

But I'll be just who I wanna be

Without you controlling, controlling me


[Short Solo + Bridge: Michael]

Controlling Me



[Keyboards + Guitar Solo]



[Bridge 2: Johnathan, Evan, and Michael]

I will be seen and be heard

And they will hang on my every word

I will break free from the chains

And beat anything you throw in my way



[Bridge 3: Johnathan]

I will be seen and be heard

And they will hang on my every word

I will break free from the chains

And beat anything you throw in my way



[Chorus: Johnathan, Evan, and Michael]

I'm going backwards and yet I'm made to believe (Made to believe!)

I'm moving forwards and I'm chasing my dreams (Going forwards)

But I'll be just who I wanna be (I wanna be free!)

Without you controlling, controlling me (Controlling me!)

I'm going backwards and yet I'm made to believe (Made to believe!)

I'm moving forwards and I'm chasing my dreams (Going forwards)

But I'll be just who I wanna be (I wanna be free!)

Without you controlling, controlling me (Controlling me!)

I'm going backwards and yet I'm made to believe (Made to believe!)

I'm moving forwards and I'm chasing my dreams (Going forwards)

But I'll be just who I wanna be (I wanna be free!)

Without you controlling, controlling me (Controlling me!)



[Outro]

I'm just going back