The Party Line
Belle and Sebastian Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

How did I get here
(I heard a rumour)
From your girlfriend's sister
(That you knew me)
And you end up dancing
(Close up to me)

I know that I broke the rule already
She asked me if I'm single
Going steady
I just trod my head and took a step off into the dark

Standing on the block of my tires
Don't dance on the lights because the bears eat the pretty ones
We are like the islands divided

Jump to the beat of the party line
Jump to the beat of the party line
There is no one in here but your body dear
Jump to the beat of the party line

Stay
You stay

I am on this morning quite distracted
The talk of all begins and our emotion
I am leaving many people feeling
Worse than before

People like to drive the cars and smoke up
People like to sit inside and toke up
People like to shoot at things with borrowed guns
And knives

I am happy to look and run
Where were you when I was king in this part of town
Now the days of glory are gone

Jump to the beat of the party line
Jump to the beat of the party line
There is nobody here but your body dear
Jump to the beat of the party line

Jump to the beat of the party line
Jump to the beat of the party line
There is nobody here but your body dear
Nobody here but your body dear

Jump to the beat of the party line
Jump to the beat of the party line
There is nobody here but your body dear
Jump to the beat of the party line

Jump to the beat of the party line
Jump to the beat of the party line




There is nobody here but your body dear
Nobody here but your body dear

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "The Party Line" by Belle and Sebastian are about a moment of unexpected connection between two people at a party. The singer explains that they heard a rumor about someone they were interested in, and then unexpectedly found themselves dancing close to that person. As they try to navigate this new situation, the singer muses on the nature of social interactions and the expectations that people bring into them. They also reflect on the transitory nature of youth and the fleeting pleasure of these kinds of moments.


The lyrics are full of poetic imagery and striking phrases, such as the idea of "dancing on the lights because the bears eat the pretty ones." The repetition of the line "Jump to the beat of the party line" reinforces the idea of conformity and social pressure, while the phrase "There is nobody here but your body dear" suggests a sense of sensual abandon and the possibility for connection despite the noise and chaos of the party.


Overall, the lyrics of "The Party Line" capture the exhilaration and anxiety of spontaneous social encounters, and the fleeting joy that can come from giving in to the moment.


Line by Line Meaning

How did I get here
Expressing surprise at the current situation


(I heard a rumour)
Implies that someone (probably the girlfriend's sister) spread a rumour that the singer knew you


From your girlfriend's sister
The singer learned the rumour from his girlfriend's sister


(That you knew me)
Implies that the artist knew you from before but doesn't make it clear who 'you' is


And you end up dancing
The artist and 'you' dance together


(Close up to me)
Implies that the couple is dancing very close together


I know that I broke the rule already
The singer is aware that he's doing something he shouldn't be doing, i.e., dancing with 'you'


She asked me if I'm single
The girlfriend's sister explicitly asked the artist if he's single


Going steady
'Going steady' means being in an exclusive romantic relationship with someone


I just trod my head and took a step off into the dark
The artist is uncertain how to respond and dives into the unknown, ignoring the question


Don't dance on the lights because the bears eat the pretty ones
Metaphorical phrase meaning that the singer shouldn't trust someone just because they're attractive or charming


We are like the islands divided
Implies that the artist and 'you' can't communicate honestly or openly, suggesting differences and/or misunderstandings


Jump to the beat of the party line
A call to dance to the music


There is no one in here but your body dear
The lyrics suggest that the only thing that matters is the physical relationship between the singer and 'you'


Stay
A call to stay and dance with the singer


I am on this morning quite distracted
The artist is distracted and not fully present


The talk of all begins and our emotion
The artist acknowledges that this relationship is the subject of gossip and speculation and has an impact on his emotions


I am leaving many people feeling
The singer is aware that his actions have an impact on others


Worse than before
Implies that others have an unfavorable view of the singer or his relationship with 'you'


People like to drive the cars and smoke up
A general statement about people enjoying drugs and other forms of risk-taking or pleasure-seeking


People like to sit inside and toke up
Similar to the previous line, suggesting that people enjoy smoking marijuana


People like to shoot at things with borrowed guns
A statement about people's love for guns and risky behavior


And knives
Adding even more risk to the mix


I am happy to look and run
The artist is happy to observe others' behaviors but not necessarily partake in them


Where were you when I was king in this part of town
A statement of regret that 'you' wasn't around when the singer had more power or status


Now the days of glory are gone
Implies that the singer has lost power or status


Nobody here but your body dear
Implies the singer only cares about the physical aspect of his relationship with 'you'




Contributed by Tristan A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Randy Angel

Lyrics
How did I get here? I heard a rumour
From your girlfriend's sister that you knew me
And you end up dancing closer to me
I know that I broke the rule already
She asked me if I'm single
Going steady
I just drop my head and took a step off in to the dark
Standing on the black and white tiles
Don't dance on the lights
'Cause the bears eat the pretty ones
We are like the islands, divided
Jump to the beat of the party line
Jump to the beat of the party line
There is nobody here
But your body, dear
Jump to the beat of the party line
Stay
You stay
I am on this morning quite distracted
The tug of war begins on our emotion
I am leaving many people feeling
Worse than before
People like to drive their cars and smoke up
People like to sit inside and toke up
People like to shoot at things with borrowed guns and knives
I am happy to look and run
Where were you when I was king in this part of town?
Now the days of glory are gone
Jump to the beat of the party line
Jump to the beat of the party line
There is nobody here
But your body, dear
Jump to the beat of the party line
Jump to the beat of the party line
Jump to the beat of the party line
There is nobody here
But your body, dear
Nobody here but your body, dear
Jump to the beat of the party line
Jump to the beat of the party line
There is nobody here
But your body, dear
Jump to the beat of the party line
Jump to the beat of the party line
Jump to the beat of the party line
There is nobody here
But your body, dear
Nobody here but your body, dear



All comments from YouTube:

Richard Mayne

Criminally underrated tune

John Webb

Truly one of the greatest dance/pop/indie songs of the last ten years, at least.

PK_mattressfirm

Probably why they play it at every show since it came out

Holly May

Who is underrating it?!?

sydney !!

belle and sebastian are the most underrated band ever

Michel Masserey

Probably one of their best tracks... Great they didn't stick to their traditional sound... bands have the right to evolve

Christian Martin

Disco love

Media Monarchy

Hipster disco like arcade sleater decemberists

David Rodriguez

Me gustó este nuevo ritmo que están probando Belle and Sebastian con esta canción, a pesar de ser algo super diferente a las notas melancólica a las que nos acostumbraron, siguen conservando el mismo estilo, México escucha a Belle and Sebastian

Gabriel Manzano

México siente Belle & Sebastian

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