The Fine Line
Chris Gorman Lyrics


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Turn around,
And see my life dissolving piece by piece,
And stacked up in the street in big black bags.
I take my coffee black.
You know that.

The prophecy in my paper just came true.
The psychic on page 40 spoke of you,
And what I've put you through.
I'm aware.

I coping well.
I've only stayed up late five nights this week.
I don't like how I feel when I'm asleep,
Except when you're there.
You're not there.

Hold nothing back.
Tell me everything you think is wrong.
And I won't try to change them while I'm gone.
I won't be long.
Well, I hope not.

Don't try to explain
No cause to complain.
Don't change all the locks,
You're all that I've got.
Don't hang up the phone.
I don't want to be alone.
That's deeply unfair
I'm holding my air.
I won't answer my calls.
I won't come to the door.
I'm trying my best.
How can I give more?
Can't eat and can't sleep.
Can't talk and can't think.
You're twisting your hair could drive me to drink.

You won't come back done,
With your head in the clouds.





You're all that I've got.

Overall Meaning

The Fine Line by Chris Gorman is a melancholic tribute to the aftermath of a breakup. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a life in shambles with heaps of belongings stacked up like garbage bags in the street. The singer is struggling to cope with the end of the relationship and is plagued with sleepless nights. The psychic on page 40 of the paper has foretold the situation, but it is now too late for redemption. The singer pleads for their ex-partner not to change the locks and to keep the communication lines open as they grapple with their emotions. The final line, "You're all that I've got," is a poignant declaration of how important the ex-lover is to the singer, a final bid for reconciliation.


The lyrics in The Fine Line are a compassionate reminder of the pain of heartbreak and the futility of trying to hold on to what's already gone. The metaphor of the life being reduced to black bags is a stark image of the end of the journey for the singer's relationship. The singer is trying to hold onto the remnants of the past but struggling to move on. The song is a perfect representation of the fine line between holding on and letting go.


Line by Line Meaning

Turn around,
Take a moment to reflect on your life and current situation.


And see my life dissolving piece by piece,
Realize that your life is slowly being destroyed.


And stacked up in the street in big black bags.
Your past is left behind in shattered pieces and looks like trash.


I take my coffee black.
I prefer my coffee plain and bitter, reflecting my life.


The prophecy in my paper just came true.
The predictions I had read in a newspaper have come to pass.


The psychic on page 40 spoke of you,
The psychic article that I read talked of the issues between us.


And what I've put you through.
I understand the pain I have caused you.


I'm aware.
I know what I have done and its impact.


I coping well.
I am doing my best, but it is not easy.


I've only stayed up late five nights this week.
I am trying to maintain some normality, but I am struggling.


I don't like how I feel when I'm asleep,
Sleeping is hard because it brings me negative feelings and thoughts.


Except when you're there.
The only time I feel remotely comforted during sleep is when you are there.


You're not there.
But you are not here to provide that comfort anymore.


Hold nothing back.
Be honest and reveal everything you think is wrong.


Tell me everything you think is wrong.
Share everything that is troubling you, and I will listen without the intention to alter it.


And I won't try to change them while I'm gone.
I will not attempt to overpower or control your thoughts while I am away.


I won't be long.
I will not be gone for long and will return soon.


Well, I hope not.
Although I am not completely sure when things will get better, I remain optimistic.


Don't try to explain
Don't feel the need to justify or explain anything to me.


No cause to complain.
I won't complain or question anything you do.


Don't change all the locks,
Don't shut me out entirely.


You're all that I've got.
I only have you as my source of support and guidance.


Don't hang up the phone.
Don't disconnect the call or communication channel abruptly.


I don't want to be alone.
I need companionship and someone to talk to.


That's deeply unfair
I understand that it is unfair of me to ask this.


I'm holding my air.
I am suppressing my emotions and keeping them inside.


I won't answer my calls.
I am distancing myself and avoiding communication.


I won't come to the door.
I am shutting off completely from the physical world.


I'm trying my best.
Even though it may seem like I am giving up, I am still trying.


How can I give more?
I don't have anything else to give at this point, and I am at my limit.


Can't eat and can't sleep.
My stress is causing physical symptoms, and I am struggling to eat and sleep.


Can't talk and can't think.
The emotional turmoil is making it challenging to initiate any conversation or focus on anything.


You're twisting your hair could drive me to drink.
Even the smallest actions from you cause me to feel a lot of frustration and pain.


You won't come back done,
You won't return in the same way you left.


With your head in the clouds.
You will be in a different headspace, and it may be difficult to relate to you.


You're all that I've got.
My world revolves around you, and my happiness is dependent on you.




Contributed by Isabelle F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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