Up The Line
FORD Robben Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Said I was your one desire
You're actin' funny lately
Tryin' to drive my love away
But I'm cuttin' out on you baby
And I'm movin' on up the line
'Cause if I stay another day
You took me away from home
When I was just a little child
You made me all kind o'promises
It all was a line of jive
So, I'm cuttin' out on you baby
Yeah, yeah, I'm movin' on up the line
And if I stay another day
(It's) gonna drive me out of my mind
Yeah, I'm movin' on up the line
The train is at the station
And I'm all packed up to go
There ain't no use in worryin'
I won't be back no more
I'm cuttin' out on you baby
Yes, I'm movin' on up the line
'Cause if I stay another day
(It's) gonna drive me out of my mind
If I stay another day
Drive me out of my mind
Movin' on up, movin' on up the line
The lyrics of Ford Robben's song "Up The Line" narrate of a man who used to be in a loving relationship but is now being driven away by his partner's recent behavior. The song's protagonist reminisces about the past when his partner used to love him and swore he was her only desire. But now their love has changed, and he feels like he is being pushed away. He speaks of how he can't stay another day with the fear of being driven insane, and so he is moving on up the line.
The man had been taken away from home as a little child by his partner, who had made all kinds of promises that he now finds to be just a line of jive. He thought he was loved and was getting into a meaningful relationship, but things have not turned out as he would have wished. He's going to leave and hop onto a train that's at the station to start anew. The song's lyrics show how one can hold on to a relationship with dishonest promises and shift the balance of power between two consenting adults.
Line by Line Meaning
You used to love me
In the past, you had affection for me
Said I was your one desire
You proclaimed me to be your sole passion
You're actin' funny lately
Your behavior towards me has been peculiar lately
Tryin' to drive my love away
You're attempting to push me away and devalue my love for you
But I'm cuttin' out on you baby
However, I'm ending my relationship with you
And I'm movin' on up the line
I'm progressing forward with my life
'Cause if I stay another day
Due to your actions, remaining with you any longer
(It's) gonna drive me out of my mind
Will lead to me being exceedingly distressed
You took me away from home
You took me from my place of origin
When I was just a little child
At a young age
You made me all kind o'promises
You presented me with numerous assurances
It all was a line of jive
However, it was all a series of false statements
The train is at the station
The train has arrived at the station
And I'm all packed up to go
I'm prepared to depart
There ain't no use in worryin'
There isn't any benefit in worrying
I won't be back no more
I have no intention of returning
Yes, I'm movin' on up the line
I'm progressing forward with my life
If I stay another day
Staying any longer
(It's) gonna drive me out of my mind
Will lead to me being exceedingly distressed
If I stay another day
Staying any longer
Drive me out of my mind
Will cause me to become mentally unwell
Movin' on up, movin' on up the line
Continuing to progress forward
Contributed by Madison Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
임르
You used to love me
Said I was your one desire
You're actin' funny lately
Tryin' to drive my love away
But I'm cuttin' out on you baby
And I'm movin' on up the line
'Cause if I stay another day
(It's) gonna drive me out of my mind
You took me away from home
When I was just a little child
You made me all kind o'promises
It all was a line of jive
So, I'm cuttin' out on you baby
Yeah, yeah, I'm movin' on up the line
And if I stay another day
(It's) gonna drive me out of my mind
Yeah, I'm movin' on up the line
The train is at the station
And I'm all packed up to go
There ain't no use in worryin'
I won't be back no more
I'm cuttin' out on you baby
Yes, I'm movin' on up the line
'Cause if I stay another day
(It's) gonna drive me out of my mind
If I stay another day
Drive me out of my mind
Movin' on up, movin' on up the line
Noah Liberman
Good lord. The whole thing, but I could listen to that solo 1,000 times. Love how he kicks it off as the keys are winding down, sneaking in stage right without stepping on the keys.
John H. Blevins
Love Robben’s picking style, and that Bari sax with the guitar just kills it!
임르
You used to love me
Said I was your one desire
You're actin' funny lately
Tryin' to drive my love away
But I'm cuttin' out on you baby
And I'm movin' on up the line
'Cause if I stay another day
(It's) gonna drive me out of my mind
You took me away from home
When I was just a little child
You made me all kind o'promises
It all was a line of jive
So, I'm cuttin' out on you baby
Yeah, yeah, I'm movin' on up the line
And if I stay another day
(It's) gonna drive me out of my mind
Yeah, I'm movin' on up the line
The train is at the station
And I'm all packed up to go
There ain't no use in worryin'
I won't be back no more
I'm cuttin' out on you baby
Yes, I'm movin' on up the line
'Cause if I stay another day
(It's) gonna drive me out of my mind
If I stay another day
Drive me out of my mind
Movin' on up, movin' on up the line
Gary Hoffman
Very good cover of a Little Walter classic. Only regret is that this would've been a perfect vehicle for brother Mark's idiomatic harp work.
mr. moto
Delicious guitar tone coming from Telecaster
Good phrasing and playing style
Thank you from CLT NC USA
maazvdo
Really good ! Thanks for posting, pia .
wichitazen
Damn he's good!!
Gerald Pribula
Absolutely love Robben Ford!!! Makes me sad sometimes that artist such as Robben don't even get recognized for the musical genius that they share with us. I fear for American culture when a multitude of people devoid of any musical talent...(Cardi B) are held up as examples of current American exports to the world artistic diaspora. So sad! Thank you for sharing this fabulous Robben Ford cover🤗.
Gerald Pribula
@Eric Kamau Wambui Thanks Eric😄. That gave me a really good laugh!
sergio ramon bravo
Scales??modals??YESS!!!