Line of Fire
José González Lyrics


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What would you do
If it all came back to you?
Each crest of each wave
Bright as lightning

What would you say
If you had to leave today?
Leave everything behind
Even though for once, you're shining

Standing on higher ground
But when you hear the sounds
You realize its just the wind
And you notice it matters who and what you let under your skin

If put to the test
Would you step back from the line of fire?
Hold everything back
All emotion set aside it

Convince yourself
To be someone else
Hide back from the world
Your lack of confidence
What you choose to believe in
Dictates your rise or fall
Dictates your rise or fall

With no one else around you
No one to understand you
No one to hear your calls
Look through all your dark corners
When you're backed up against the wall
Step back from the line of fire
Step back from the line of fire




Step back from the line of fire
Step back from the line of fire

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of José González's song Line of Fire are about facing difficult choices and having to confront one's own fears and doubts. The song starts with a hypothetical question: what would you do if everything that happened to you in life came back to you all at once? The metaphor of the crest of each wave being bright as lightning further emphasizes the overwhelming and intense nature of such a situation. The lyricist asks another question: What would you say if you had to leave everything behind today, even though you were finally shining? The duality between light and dark, or courage and fear is a recurring theme throughout the song.


The chorus of the song introduces the concept of the "line of fire". It's a metaphorical representation of any situation in which you're tested, and you have to decide whether to step back or stand your ground. The overarching question that runs throughout the song is whether you would be able to overcome your own doubts, fears, and lack of confidence to step back from the line of fire. At the end of the song, the lyricist urges the listener to look through their dark corners and step back from the line of fire.


Line by Line Meaning

What would you do
If faced with repercussions, what steps would you take?


If it all came back to you?
If all the consequences of your actions were to befall you?


Each crest of each wave
Every high point, every success


Bright as lightning
Shining and noticeable


What would you say
If you had to depart this life today, what would you speak?


Leave everything behind
Forsake all possessions and attachments


Even though for once, you're shining
Even if you've achieved something significant.


Standing on higher ground
In a position of advantage and superiority


But when you hear the sounds
When you perceive the signals


You realize it's just the wind
You understand that it's only a distraction


And you notice it matters who and what you let under your skin
You understand that letting external factors impact you can influence your health


If put to the test
When put in a difficult situation


Would you step back from the line of fire?
Would you retreat from danger?


Hold everything back
To conceal your emotions


All emotion set aside it
To disregard all feelings


Convince yourself
Persuade yourself to believe


To be someone else
To behave or act differently from how you usually do


Hide back from the world
To retreat from society


Your lack of confidence
Your inability to trust in yourself


What you choose to believe in
Your decisions about your convictions


Dictates your rise or fall
Will determine whether you succeed or fall


With no one else around you
When there is no one around to help or understand you


No one to understand you
Without anyone to comprehend you


No one to hear your calls
Even if you shout for help, none can hear you


Look through all your dark corners
Ponder over your darkest secrets


When you're backed up against the wall
When you are in a difficult situation with no options


Step back from the line of fire
Retreat from danger


Step back from the line of fire
Retreat from danger


Step back from the line of fire
Retreat from danger


Step back from the line of fire
Retreat from danger




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Araya Elias Assegahegn, Jose Gonzalez, Tobias Ingvar Winterkorn

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@musicaboapradormir

José González - Line of Fire (CHORDS)

[Intro]

Am/G Am7/G D9/F# D9/F#


Am/G Am7/G D9/F# D9/F#


[Verse]

Am/G Am7/G
What would you do
D9/F# D9/F#
If it all came back to you?
Am/G Am7/G
Each crest of each wave
D9/F# D9/F#
Bright as lightning

Am/G Am7/G
What would you say
D9/F# D9/F#
If you had to leave today?
Am/G Am7/G
Leave everything behind
D9/F# D7/F#
Even though for once, you're shining


[Chorus]

C Csus2/B
Standing on higher ground
G
But when you hear the sounds
Dadd11/A
You realize it's just the wind
C G
And you notice it matters
Dadd11/A Dadd11/A*
Who and what you let under your skin


[Verse]

Am/G Am7/G
If put to the test
D9/F# D9/F#
Would you step back from the line of fire?
Am/G Am7/G
Hold everything back
D9/F#
All emotions and desires
D7/F#

Am/G Am7/G
Convince yourself to be someone else
D9/F#
And hold back from the world
D9/F#
Your lack of confidence
Am/G Am7/G
What you choose to believe in
D9/F# D7/F#
Dictates your rise or fall
C
Dictates your rise or your fall


[Chorus]
Csus2/B
With no one else around you
G
No one to understand you
Dadd11/A
No one to hear your calls
C Csus2/B
Look through all your dark corners
G Dadd11/A Dadd11/A*
When you're backed up against the wall
Am/G
Step back from the line of fire
Am7/G D9/F#
Step back from the line of fire
D9/F# Am/G
Step back from the line of fire
Am7/G D9/F#
Step back from the line of fire
D7/F#



All comments from YouTube:

@JoseGonzalezOfficial

►Taken from the new album "Local Valley", out now!
▶️ http://josegonzalez.lnk.to/localvalley

@albertomugen2062

Espero que puedas volver a México en el Lunario de la CDMX

@amitmate

Love you jose ❤️

@pablobenito07

Que temón Jose!! Saludos desde la Patagonia!!

@danitroski

About be humble🙌🏻

@user-qj7zc5mc7r

Beautiful songwriting haunting lyrics - Loved it !!

8 More Replies...

@maciej3466

I wonder how it feels like when everything you create is pure gold. "What you choose to believe in dictates your rise or your fall." I choose to believe you are a genius, sir.

@cymusicoff

This lyric is particularly genius and wonderful.

@martam1387

...One of the most beautiful comments I've ever read.

@TrickOrRetreat

The sound of cool

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