[Verse 1: Joe Strummer]
They said, "Release 'Remote Control'"
But we didn't want it on the label
They said, "Fly to Amsterdam"
The people laughed, but the press went mad

[Chorus 1: Joe Strummer]
Oh, someone's really smart
Oh, complete control, yeah that's a laugh

[Verse 2: Joe Strummer]
On the last tour my mates they couldn't get in
I'd open up the back door but they'd get run out again
And at every hotel we was a'met by the law
Come for the party, come to make sure

[Chorus 2: Joe Strummer]
Oh, have we done something wrong?
Oh, complete control, even over this song

[Guitar Solo: Joe Strummer]
You’re my guitar hero

[Verse 3: Joe Strummer]
They said we'd be artistically free
When we signed that bit of paper
They meant "Let's make a lots of money
And worry about it later"

[Chorus 3: Joe Strummer]
Oh, I'll never understand
Oh, complete control, let me see your other hand

[Bridge: Joe Strummer]
I don’t trust you, so why should you trust me?
Huh?
All over the news spread fast
They’re dirty, they're filthy, they ain't a'gonna last

[Outro 1: Joe Strummer, (Mick Jones)]
(Total)
This is Joe Public speaking
(C-O-N control)
I'm controlled in the body, I'm controlled in the mind
(Total)
This is the punk rockers (Control)
We're controlled in the price of the hardest drugs (C-O-N control)
We can find

[Bridge]
(Total, C-O-N control)
(Total)
Parent control
(C-O-N control)

[Outro 3: Joe Strummer, (Mick Jones)]
We gotta work it up and bring it up and fight it and write it
(C-O-N control)
That means you
I kick it, I fight it, I get it out, write it
(C-O-N control)
I gotta kick it