Stopline
54-40 Lyrics


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I come lookin' for an answer, look into your eyes
Nothing I could find there I could recognize
I said 'hey, what's the problem?', 'what can I do today?'
Hill is made of mountains, this is what you'd say, you'd say
"I got to lose myself, I got to, change my ways.
I got to give up everything just to stay together."
You may find me, you may know where
You can't hide me so that nothings showing

Heart is stopping on the line
Heart is stopping on the line
You don't know what it's like to be on the vine
Skin is crackin', always shakin'
Heart is stopping on the line
Too many lines, too many lines, too many lines
Too many lines, too many lines, too many lines

All the people who live their lives,
Racing for better, racing, racing to die
I see all those lonely pictures, suddenly they fit
Just like an echo beside your wasted skin
Runnin' away from this life, runnin' away
Runnin' away children, runnin' away

I come lookin' for an answer, look into your eyes
Nothing I could find there I could recognize
I said 'hey, what's the problem?', 'what can I do today?'
Hill is made of mountains, this is what you'd say, you'd say
"I got to lose myself, I got to, change my ways
I got to give up everything just to stay together."
You may find me, you may know where
You can't hide me so that nothings showing

Heart is stopping on the line
Heart is stopping on the line
You don't know what it's like to be on the vine
Skin is crackin', always shakin'
Heart is stopping on the line

Heart is stopping on the line
Heart is stopping on the line
Heart is stopping on the line
Heart is stopping on the line
Too many lies, too many lies, too many lies
Too many die, too many die, too many lines

A little rainbow and a little sun




A little something there for everyone
Everyone. Everyone. Everyone

Overall Meaning

The song "Stopline" by Canadian rock band 54-40 is about feeling lost and looking for answers in someone's eyes, but not finding anything recognizable. The singer asks what's wrong and what they can do to help but is met with the response that they have to lose themselves and give up everything to stay together. The line "heart is stopping on the line" refers to feeling stuck in a situation where their heart is not fully invested or fulfilled. The song touches on themes of running away from life, feeling stuck, and the pressures of society. The chorus repeats the phrase "too many lines" which could represent the many paths and options in life, but also the limits and constraints that come with them.


In the second verse, the song addresses the idea of people racing towards something better, but ultimately racing towards death. The imagery of "lonely pictures" fitting just like an echo beside someone's wasted skin implies the sadness and emptiness that come with this kind of lifestyle. The song ends on a positive note with the line "a little rainbow and a little sun, a little something there for everyone" which could be interpreted as hope for a brighter future and reminder that there is something good in life for everyone.


Overall, "Stopline" is a song about feeling lost and stuck in life, but also about the hope of finding something better and brighter.


Line by Line Meaning

I come lookin' for an answer, look into your eyes
The singer is searching for insight while seeking emotional connection with their partner.


Nothing I could find there I could recognize
The singer's partner provides little emotional support, and they find it hard to understand each other.


I said 'hey, what's the problem?', 'what can I do today?'
The singer attempts to communicate their concern and desire to help, but the partner remains distant.


Hill is made of mountains, this is what you'd say, you'd say
The partner's response is cryptic, suggesting the issue is complex and challenging to resolve.


"I got to lose myself, I got to, change my ways.
The partner admits the need to make significant changes in their life, even if it means sacrificing aspects of themselves.


I got to give up everything just to stay together."
The partner values the relationship and is willing to make substantial sacrifices to preserve it.


You may find me, you may know where
The partner is accessible and transparent but emotionally unresponsive.


You can't hide me so that nothings showing
The partner is transparent, and the issues in the relationship persist despite attempts to ignore them.


Heart is stopping on the line
The artist's heart is aching, and the relationship is on the brink of collapse.


You don't know what it's like to be on the vine
The partner cannot understand the pain and confusion that the artist is experiencing.


Skin is crackin', always shakin'
The singer is experiencing an intense emotional turmoil, manifesting physically in their behavior and appearance.


Too many lines, too many lines, too many lines
The burden of unresolved issues strains and fractures the relationship.


All the people who live their lives, racing for better, racing, racing to die
The singer observes a prevailing sense of despair amongst people who continuously pursue a better life but do so without genuine fulfillment.


I see all those lonely pictures, suddenly they fit
The singer has an epiphany about the images of loneliness they've witnessed, and these images of loneliness now resonate with them.


Just like an echo beside your wasted skin
The singer sees remnants of their partner's pain and suffering echoed in their appearance, although they are still emotionally removed.


Runnin' away from this life, runnin' away
The artist feels like the only option remaining is to escape the emotional agony of their relationship.


Runnin' away children, runnin' away
The use of the phrase 'running away children' refers to the potential damage that might be caused by abrupt relationship endings.


A little rainbow and a little sun, A little something there for everyone, Everyone. Everyone. Everyone
The closing lyrics regarding providing something for everyone touching on the idea that even if an individual in a relationship isn't receiving what they need emotionally, there is still something -no matter how small- for everyone to hold onto.




Writer(s): brad merritt, dave genn, neil osborne

Contributed by Jordan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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