MC5 had a promising beginning that earned them a January 1969 cover appearance in Rolling Stone magazine and a story written by Eric Ehrmann before their debut album was released. They developed a reputation for energetic and polemical live performances, one of which was recorded as their 1969 debut album Kick Out the Jams. Their initial run was short-lived, though. In 1972, just three years after their debut record, the band came to an end. Often cited as one of the most important American hard rock groups of that era, their three albums are regarded by many as classics.
Tyner died of a heart attack in late 1991 at the age of 46. Smith also died of a heart attack, in 1994 at the age of 45. The remaining three members of the band reformed in 2003 with The Dictators' singer Handsome Dick Manitoba as its new vocalist, and this reformed line-up occasionally performed live over the next nine years until Davis died of liver failure in February 2012 at the age of 68.
In 2022, Kramer announced that a tour would take place that spring, and that a new MC5 studio album with producer Bob Ezrin would also be released later that year with original MC5 drummer Dennis Thompson playing on two tracks. In 2023, Kramer announced that the album would be released in the spring of 2024. Kramer died in February 2024, leaving Thompson as the only surviving original member of the band.
Borderline
MC5 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm at my borderline
Love you girl, but I just don't know why
I, have to love you so
When I make love to you
When I make love to you
Love is true, but I just don't know why
Need you girl, can't say why
Come on over here, love me now
You know you know, you got to know
You're movin' around, pushin' me past
My borderline, yeah yeah
It's about time
It's about time
Love you girl, but I just don't know
Why I have to love you so
Need you girl, can't you feel
I just got to know, if it's real
Big and strong, hard and fine
But you're movin' around, pushin' me past
My borderline, yeah yeah
Ooh, ooh
I'm at my borderline
I'm at my borderline
I'm at my borderline
The lyrics of MC5's song "Borderline" explore the singer's confusion regarding their intense feelings of love and attraction towards someone, perhaps someone whom they may not fully understand or be able to articulate why they feel this way. The repeated line "I'm at my borderline" is a reference to the singer feeling like they are at the limit or edge of their emotional capacity or understanding, unable to comprehend or fully rationalize their emotions towards this person. They love this person deeply, but are uncertain as to why they feel this way and why they must love them so intensely.
The line "You're movin' around, pushin' me past my borderline" suggests that this person's actions and behavior are causing the singer to go beyond their emotional limits, potentially causing them to question the validity of their feelings or the nature of their relationship. However, despite this confusion and uncertainty, the singer continues to express their need for this person, their desire for them to love them back, and their inability to resist their attraction.
Overall, "Borderline" is a complex exploration of the limits and nature of emotional attraction and love, with the singer grappling with their intense feelings towards someone and the ways in which those feelings push them beyond their emotional boundaries.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm at my borderline
I am at the point where I am struggling to maintain control over my emotions.
I'm at my borderline
I am teetering on the edge of losing myself and my sanity.
Love you girl, but I just don't know why
I have a strong affection for you, but I cannot explain the reason why.
I, have to love you so
Despite not understanding my feelings, I am compelled to love you.
When I make love to you
During our intimacy,
When I make love to you
When we are physically intimate,
Love is true, but I just don't know why
My love for you is genuine, even though I cannot comprehend its source.
I, have to love you so
Despite my lack of understanding, my love for you is an undeniable reality.
Need you girl, can't say why
I have a strong desire for your company, but I cannot explain why.
Come on over here, love me now
Please come close to me and show me your affection immediately.
You know you know, you got to know
I trust that you are aware of your impact on me and our relationship.
You're movin' around, pushin' me past
Your behavior is causing me to exceed my emotional and mental limits.
My borderline, yeah yeah
I am being pushed to the brink of my emotional threshold.
It's about time
It is overdue for me to realize and confront the truth about my feelings for you.
It's about time
I cannot continue to ignore the necessity of addressing the intensity of my emotions for you.
Love you girl, but I just don't know
I deeply care for you, but I do not have clarity on my emotions.
Why I have to love you so
I cannot explain the origin or intensity of my feelings for you.
Need you girl, can't you feel
My desire for your attention and affection is overwhelming and undeniable.
I just got to know, if it's real
I need confirmation that my emotions and our relationship are genuine and not illusory.
Big and strong, hard and fine
You are physically attractive and desirable to me.
But you're movin' around, pushin' me past
Your behavior is causing me to exceed my emotional and mental limits.
My borderline, yeah yeah
I am being pushed to the brink of my emotional threshold.
Ooh, ooh
An expression of emotional struggle and uncertainty.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LOUIS SEDMAK, MARK ANTHONY SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tim Hurley
on The Pledge Song
Found this outfit called "Sonic Hits" for free streaming.
Pretty impressed with the depth of their catalog and none of those serenity busting ads.