“Self Control” is one of Laura Branigan’s most famous songs, released in April 1984 as the lead single from her third studio album, also titled Self Control. The song was a major international hit, reaching the top 10 in over a dozen countries, including No. 4 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 in several European nations. It became one of Branigan’s signature tracks and remains a staple of 1980s pop music. Branigan’s version of “Self Control” was featured on the Miami Vice episode “The Great McCarthy”
“Self Control” was originally written aby Giancarlo Bigazzi, Raf (Raffaele Riefoli) and Steve Piccolond, and recorded by Italian singer Raf. The original version of “Self Control” was also a commercial success. It topped the charts in Italy, where Raf is from, and performed well across Europe, reaching No. 1 in Switzerland and entering the top 10 in countries like Germany and Austria. However, it didn’t achieve the same global recognition as Branigan’s version.
The song’s lyrics deal with the theme of losing control in the night, alluding to desire, temptation, and living a double life in the shadows. It explores a darker, more seductive side of nightlife, with Branigan expressing the struggle between self-restraint and indulgence.
Musically, “Self Control” is a high-energy synth-pop and dance track, typical of the 1980s electronic sound. It features pulsing synthesizers, driving beats, and Branigan’s powerful, emotive vocal performance, which captures both the vulnerability and intensity of the song’s subject matter. The song’s haunting, atmospheric production complements the theme of inner conflict, creating a dramatic and memorable listening experience.
The accompanying music video, directed by William Friedkin (known for The Exorcist), added to the song’s mystique, featuring dark, sensual imagery that symbolized the themes of temptation and control. The video was somewhat controversial at the time due to its risqué content, but it played a major role in popularizing the song during the rise of MTV.
“Self Control” became one of Branigan’s biggest hits and solidified her status as a pop icon of the 1980s. Its timeless appeal and catchy melody have kept it popular over the decades, and it remains a defining track of the era.
“Self control” was covered by many other artists – including Ricky Martin, recorded a Spanish-language cover of “Self Control”, titled “Que Dia Es Hoy” (“What Day Is Today”).