The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
So you're on your own lookin' down the road that goes only by one way
And you don't need the signs to see lonely still runs both ways
So who's the fool that would think the ties would be better off undone
Did your heart even warn you when you veered from the path that was narrower and straight
On the borderline
Somewhere between the flight for freedom
Feeling like you can't move on
The chore will be the time
Takes you off of my mind and out of my heart I know
And when you cross over there's no turning back
Once that burning bridge is gone
I may lose but I'm in it for the long run
Loving you for good reason could be the wrong one
I don't want to lose control but the heart won't learn
To let it well enough for long
On the borderline
Somewhere between the flight for freedom
Feeling like you can't move on
The chore will be the time
Takes you off of my mind and out of my heart I know
And when you cross over there's no turning back
Once that burning bridge is gone
So you're on your own lookin' down the road that goes only by one way
And you don't need the signs to see lonely still runs both ways
So who's the fool that would think the ties would be better off undone
Did your heart even warn you when you veered from the path that was narrower and straight
On the borderline
Somewhere between the flight for freedom
Feeling like you can't move on
The chore will be the time
Takes you off of my mind and out of my heart I know
And when you cross over there's no turning back
Once that burning bridge is gone
I may lose but I'm in it for the long run
Loving you for good reason could be the wrong one
I don't want to lose control but the heart won't learn
To let it well enough for long
On the borderline
Somewhere between the flight for freedom
Feeling like you can't move on
The chore will be the time
Takes you off of my mind and out of my heart I know
And when you cross over there's no turning back
Once that burning bridge is gone
So you're on your own lookin' down the road that goes only by one way
Lyrics submitted by moldbyhand
Borderline Lyrics as written by Suzanne Cox Sidney Cox
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I guess whoever wrote these lyrics here doesn't understand english too well...here's the way I hear them:
So you're on your own looking down the road that goes only by one name And you need the signs to know lonely still runs both ways So who's the fool that would think the ties would be better off undone? Did your heart heed the warning when you veered from the path that was narrower and straight?
On a borderline, somewhere between the plight for freedom; feeling like you can't move on The toll will be the time, takes your off of my mind and out of my heart, I know. And when you cross over, there's no turning back, once that burning bridge is gone.
I may lose, but I'm in it for the long run Loving you, for good reason could be the wrong one I don't wanna lose control, but the heart won't learn To let it dwell and not forlorn
Repeat chorus
So you're on your own looking down the road that goes only by one name...
I always loved this song but never really delved deep into the meaning I think it is about getting to that point (the borderline) where you are truly trying get over someone you once loved. Though you face loneliness when you leave that person, you also realize you'll still face it in a relationship where the love is gone, thus the road that 'runs lonely both ways' The last verse: 'To let it dwell and not forlorn' (though I seem to be one of the only person who hears the words this way?), I think, is about holding on to the memory of that person you love without letting it drag you into sadness and depression. This is surely one of Alison Krauss's most beautiful and powerful songs.