Compulsion

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Compulsion is an original song written, produced and with lyrics by Paul Robert Thomas with music exclusively commercially licensed to Paul from the album More Folk
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Compulsion is available to download at all good download stores as well as on Bandcamp
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You can download the album More Folk at all download stores HERE and on Bandcamp HERE
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“Compulsion” is a raw, emotionally charged folk song that explores the agonizing struggle of an individual trapped in the destructive cycle of an unstoppable internal force. Written from a deeply personal, first-person perspective, the lyrics capture the classic folk tradition of storytelling rooted in human suffering, isolation, and the desire for redemption.
The repetitive, rhythmic use of the word “Compulsion” mirrors the inescapable, cyclical nature of the condition itself, creating a haunting, chant-like atmosphere characteristic of traditional, dark folk ballads.

The narrator is acutely aware of the harm their actions cause to themselves and those they love (“I don’t mean to hurt you,” “It’s wrong what I do, I know”). However, they are completely powerless against the “compulsion,” which is personified as a cruel, mocking entity that laughs when the narrator screams “stop.”
As the song progresses, the narrator’s world shrinks. Driven by shame, they hide from society (“Every day I hide my eyes / So I won’t be recognized”) and suffer from terrifying nightmares. Despite external voices trying to absolve them of guilt (“They tell me I’m not to blame / It’s because of from where I came”), the internal torment remains absolute, leaving them feeling profoundly alone and detached from safety (“So far away from my home”).
In the later verses, the scope of the song widens. The narrator reflects on how compulsion is a universal human affliction—one that defies logic, strips away wisdom, and conquers anyone regardless of status, capable of making “Kings abdicate” and “lovers start to hate.”

The song reaches its emotional climax as a spiritual cry for help. Recognizing that their mind is broken and that they cannot fight this battle alone, the narrator turns outward, desperately begging for divine intervention (“Oh Lord save me from this Compulsion”) to finally bring the torment to an end.
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Compulsion lyrics
Compulsion, Compulsion
Compulsion’s driving me mad
I know Compulsion’s making you sad
Compulsion, Compulsion

I just can’t help what I do
And I don’t mean to hurt you
Even though I must fall
I can’t stop it at all
It’s wrong what I do, I know
But when I scream ‘stop’, it laughs and says ‘Go’

Compulsion, Compulsion’s
Eating my soul
Compulsion’s eating me up whole
Compulsion, Compulsion

They tell me I’m not to blame
It’s because of from where I came
Oh lock me up and make me clean
Every night I’m scared to dream
Every day I hide my eyes
So I won’t be recognized

Compulsion, Compulsion’s
Burning up my heart
Branding me with it’s mark
Compulsion, Compulsion

Compulsion makes fools of the wise
Compulsion steals the light from your eyes
Compulsion is so much bigger than you
Compulsion makes you forget the things you do
Compulsion can make Kings abdicate
Compulsion can make lovers start to hate
Compulsion, Compulsion

Oh will this pain ever end
Will my mind ever mend
I’m being pulled here and there
I wish I had someone that cared
But I’m here all alone
So far away from my home

Compulsion, Compulsion’s
Creeping through the door
Compulsion gets you whether you’re rich or poor
Compulsion, Compulsion
Oh take away this Compulsion
Oh Lord save me from this Compulsion
Save me from this Compulsion
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Paul Robert Thomas PRS No. 497904008 (London)
PRS Tunecode: 032265MA ISWC: T-341.172.097-9
Audiosparx Catalogue ID: 1426771 ISRC: US5UL2655127
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You can check out Paul’s complete Music Discovery HERE that includes 53 of Paul’s albums, as well as 569 of Paul’s songs catogorized according to their music genre HERE and you can also read Paul’s interesting and eventful Bio HERE
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Take a tour of Paul’s music site HERE where you’ll find not only great songs, but you can also read about Paul’s meeting with Andy Warhol, the letter that Robert Johnson’s grandson’s sent to Paul, the letter to Paul from Buckingham Palace, Paul’s successful court battle against the London police, Paul’s Dylan concert reviews, articles and much much more!
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Paul is a member of the PRS (London) CAE 497904008

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You can contact Paul via email at paul@paullyrics.com