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”
Yeah we're just watching history
Now that the dogs are barking
Take a picture for your children
Make it real in FujiColor
Life in the junkyard's hard
Even when the dogs are sleeping
But if you win you lose the next spin
Madame, monsieur's, rien ne va plus
I watch the black and white bleeding
Don't you know the pain I'm in
I've been working all week
I've been thinking on my feet
And I've come to the end of my losing streak
Take a straight line
Take a straight line
Take a straight line
Take a straight line
Wave goodbye to your innocence
Sell it to the highest bidder
In a tight spot call for assistance
Is that American Express?
Get me out of here
I watch the black and white bleeding
Don't you know the pain I'm in
I've been working all week
I've been thinking on my feet
And I've come to the end of my losing streak
Take a straight line
Take a straight line
Take a straight line
Take a straight line
I'm up the top, looking down
Everybody looks just like ants
It would be so easy
Now that the dogs are barking
Take a picture for your children
Make it real in FujiColor
Life in the junkyard's hard
Even when the dogs are sleeping
But if you win you lose the next spin
Madame, monsieur's, rien ne va plus
I watch the black and white bleeding
Don't you know the pain I'm in
I've been working all week
I've been thinking on my feet
And I've come to the end of my losing streak
Take a straight line
Take a straight line
Take a straight line
Take a straight line
Wave goodbye to your innocence
Sell it to the highest bidder
In a tight spot call for assistance
Is that American Express?
Get me out of here
I watch the black and white bleeding
Don't you know the pain I'm in
I've been working all week
I've been thinking on my feet
And I've come to the end of my losing streak
Take a straight line
Take a straight line
Take a straight line
Take a straight line
I'm up the top, looking down
Everybody looks just like ants
It would be so easy
Lyrics submitted by x3mollyanne_o5
A Straight Line Lyrics as written by Andrew Gill Michael Hutchence
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
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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"I'm coming to the end of my losing streak." Hmmmm...
This song is really fun! It's probably about being fed up of something and trying to get it to stop, though, which is not a fun topic.
"Wave goodbye to your innocence, sell it to the highet bidder..." My favorite line. This whole album brought aout a loss of my innocence...
This song is about Michael's problems with the tabloids and paparazzi (dogs). Black and white bleeding particularly referring to newspaper text. Take a straight line being a reference to the papers not telling a true story in regards Hutchence/Yates. I once also thought coming to the end of my losing streak/straight line was a reference to cocaine but more likely refers to his eventual suicide.