By her third album in 1990, Anything Is Possible, Gibson’s chart fortunes were diminishing; only the lead single, the album’s title track, made any headway, peaking at #26. It would be her final U.S. top 40 entry. She shed the wholesome teen image for 1993’s Body, Mind, Soul, and later appeared in a Playboy magazine pictorial. Despite her diminished profile, another seven albums followed between 1995 and 2022. In 2006, she reached # 24 on the U.S. adult contemporary chart with "Say Goodbye,” a duet with Jordan Knight. Gibson has also had starring roles on Broadway and touring musicals, including playing Eponine in Les Misérables and Sandy in Grease, as well as television and independent film work.
Between the Lines
Debbie Gibson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been thinking
I've been searching so long
What I am looking for
I've been hearing love will hit you
But everybody's wrong
Cause I just happen to notice
That certain look in your eye
[Chorus]
I'm reading between the lines
I didn't need no neon signs
To notice baby
I never before had you on my mind
But now I really do
Nothing major ever happened
But it's the greatest feeling I've ever had
Strong emotions all have left me
Just a tenderness inside my heart
Just happened to notice a knowing smile
[Chorus]
(Now I really do)
Just happened, I noticed
That certain look in your eyes
I'm reading between the lines
I didn't need no neon signs
To notice baby
I never before had you on my mind
I'm reading between the lines
I didn't need, didn't need no neon
To notice baby
I never before, never before
I knew it, I knew it
Started dreamin about you baby
Now I know just what I'm feeling
Can it be you are my baby?
Never gonna let you go
Oh it took so long to feel it
(So very long to feel it)
But it was worth the waiting baby
Never gonna-never gonna let you go
(Read between, read between the lines)
Didn't need no neon signs
Oh it took so long to feel it
(So very long to feel it)
But it was worth the waiting baby
(Read between, read between the lines)
Whoa-oh-woah-ho..
Didn't need, didn't need, didn't need no neon
(notice baby) Oh-whoa..
Hoo-hoo... hoo-hoo...
HooooOooooo
(Read between, read between the lines)
I didn't need no neon signs
I knew it, I knew it
(Read between, read between the lines)
Between the lines
(Read between, read between the lines)
I'm reading between the lines
Debbie Gibson's Between the Lines describes the singer's realization of her feelings for someone she has been searching for, but did not know it. Through the song, she narrates how love can take one by surprise and how little signs can provide insights into a person's true feelings. She admits that she did not need any neon signs or big gestures to realize that she is starting to develop a fondness for the person. It might have taken her a while to feel it, but now she knows what she is feeling, and she is never letting it go.
The song talks about how love does not have to be loud and flashy all the time; it can be felt through small gestures, a certain look in one's eye, or a tender smile. The singer realizes that she has been searching for love for so long and that everyone's advice on how to find it has been wrong. Ultimately, she found it within herself to read between the lines and notice the small, yet meaningful things that led her to the person she has been longing for.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been searching
I have been looking for something.
I've been thinking
I have been considering something.
I've been searching so long
I have been looking for quite some time.
What I am looking for
I am in search of something specific.
I've been hearing love will hit you
I have heard that love will happen to you.
But everybody's wrong
What I have heard is not true.
Cause I just happen to notice
I just happened to have caught something.
That certain look in your eye
I recognized a particular gaze in your eyes.
I'm reading between the lines
I am understanding something that is not explicitly stated.
I didn't need no neon signs
I did not require obvious indications.
To notice baby
To realize, my love.
I never before had you on my mind
I had not previously considered you as a love interest.
Nothing major ever happened
There was nothing important that happened.
But it's the greatest feeling I've ever had
This emotion that I am feeling is the most significant that I have experienced.
Strong emotions all have left me
The intensity of my previous feelings has diminished.
Just a tenderness inside my heart
There is now only a gentle feeling in my heart.
Just happened to notice a knowing smile
I observed a smile of mutual understanding.
(Now I really do) Just happened, I noticed
As I became more aware, I happened to catch a sign.
I'm reading between the lines
I am seeing the underlying message.
I didn't need no neon signs
I did not require obvious indications.
To notice baby
To realize, my love.
I never before had you on my mind
I had not previously considered you as a love interest.
Started dreamin about you baby
I have started dreaming about you, my love.
Now I know just what I'm feeling
I am now clearly understanding my emotions.
Can it be you are my baby?
Could it be that you're the one for me?
Never gonna let you go
I will never let you go, my love.
Oh it took so long to feel it
(So very long to feel it)
But it was worth the waiting baby
It took me a long time to understand my emotions, but it was worth the wait.
(Read between, read between the lines) Didn't need no neon signs
I saw the underlying message without needing something obvious to point it out.
Whoa-oh-woah-ho..
Musical interlude.
Hoo-hoo... hoo-hoo...
Musical interlude.
HooooOooooo
Musical interlude.
(Read between, read between the lines) I knew it, I knew it
I understood the underlying message and was convinced of it.
Between the lines
The message that was implied but not stated directly.
(Read between, read between the lines)
You need to look at the underlying message to understand.
I'm reading between the lines
I am understanding something that is not explicitly stated.
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