Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
When I look into your eyes
See the world cut down to size
Baby don't apologize
Takin' me one step over the line
When I touch your secret skin
Babe I know it ain't no sin
I feel you startin' to give in
Now let's go one step over the line
I know it's just your daddy's car
Your daddy never went this far
Baby we know who we are
Let's go one step over the line
I can be your drivin' wheel
We could make those tires squeal
Ooo I like the way it feels
Takin' it one step over the line
One step forward and two steps back
It's for the first time baby
I'm talkin' cake walkin' into the black
A crossin' red line and I don't mean maybe
I hear they buried lover's lane
In a sea of tears and blame
It's you and me go up in flames
Baby, one step over the line
They're drawin' boxes on the ground
Just to make us look on down
All we gotta do is look around
And take it one step over the line
A one step over the line
Come on baby, one step over the line
See the world cut down to size
Baby don't apologize
Takin' me one step over the line
When I touch your secret skin
Babe I know it ain't no sin
I feel you startin' to give in
Now let's go one step over the line
I know it's just your daddy's car
Your daddy never went this far
Baby we know who we are
Let's go one step over the line
I can be your drivin' wheel
We could make those tires squeal
Ooo I like the way it feels
Takin' it one step over the line
One step forward and two steps back
It's for the first time baby
I'm talkin' cake walkin' into the black
A crossin' red line and I don't mean maybe
I hear they buried lover's lane
In a sea of tears and blame
It's you and me go up in flames
Baby, one step over the line
They're drawin' boxes on the ground
Just to make us look on down
All we gotta do is look around
And take it one step over the line
A one step over the line
Come on baby, one step over the line
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
One Step Over the Line Lyrics as written by John Hiatt
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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