borderline
Man Overboard Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I packed my bags and looked to the west
Kissed her picture twenty times
Take some clothes and a deep breath
Go commit the perfect crime

I didn't ask for much but now it's much too late
If she can't help me now then there's no time to waste
I will not fail us now, if you just wait you'll see
I will not let us down, I will get myself free
I will get myself free as the day that you found me
Before I got caught in this mess that's around me
It won't happen again

The first night I took one to the chest
Dancing on the borderline
I wrecked the mood and I must confess
Missed the picture every time

I didn't ask for much but now it's much too late
If she can't help me now then there's no time to waste
I will not fail us now, if you just wait you'll see
I will not let us down, I will get myself free
I will get myself free as the day that you found me
Before I got caught in this mess that's around me
It won't happen again

I guess it's just like me to get real sentimental before I leave & I guess it's just like me to get real sentimental before I leave I guess it's just like me to get real sentimental before I leave & I guess it's just like me to get real sentimental before I leave

I didn't ask for much but now it's much too late
If she can't help me now then there's no time to waste
I will not fail us now, if you just wait you'll see
I will not let us down, I will get myself free I will get myself free




I will get myself free as the day that you found me
Before I got caught in this mess that's around me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Man Overboard's song "Borderline" depict the internal struggle of a person torn between past mistakes and the desire for a fresh start. The first stanza shows the singer saying goodbye to his past and taking a new direction, intending to "commit the perfect crime." It can be interpreted as a metaphor for leaving behind his old life and starting anew. The following lines illustrate how the singer's actions and decisions have brought him to a place where he feels trapped and alone. The chorus highlights his determination to make things right and not repeat his past mistakes, with the memorable refrain, "I will get myself free."


The second stanza hints that the singer has a history of self-destructive behavior, which has caused him to hurt himself and those around him. The line "I wrecked the mood and I must confess, missed the picture every time" suggests that he has missed out on the good things in life due to his own shortcomings. However, there is a glimmer of hope in this stanza, with the singer reiterating his determination to turn things around and make things right. The final verse is a nostalgic reflection on the past, with the singer acknowledging that sentimentality is a part of who he is.


Overall, "Borderline" is a song about taking ownership of one's life and actions, learning from past mistakes, and striving for a better future. It showcases Man Overboard's ability to create songs that are both catchy and introspective.


Line by Line Meaning

I packed my bags and looked to the west
I prepared to leave this place and started to look towards the horizon


Kissed her picture twenty times
I showed affection for someone I care about, even though they're not there


Take some clothes and a deep breath
I grabbed what I needed and prepared to face a difficult situation


Go commit the perfect crime
I set out to do something that might not be entirely moral, but I felt I had no other choice


I didn't ask for much but now it's much too late
I didn't need much at first, but now I feel like I need more and it might be too late to get it


If she can't help me now then there's no time to waste
I need someone's help, and if they can't give it to me now, I can't afford to wait


I will not fail us now, if you just wait you'll see
I won't let myself or anyone else down in this situation, and if you give me time, you'll see that I'll succeed


I will not let us down, I will get myself free
I won't fail myself or anyone else, and I'll find a way out of this situation


I will get myself free as the day that you found me
I'll regain my freedom and independence, just like the day when you first met me


Before I got caught in this mess that's around me
Before I ended up in this difficult situation that I'm currently in


It won't happen again
I won't make the same mistake again


The first night I took one to the chest
The first night of this situation was very difficult and painful for me


Dancing on the borderline
I was right on the edge of something dangerous and risky


I wrecked the mood and I must confess
I ruined the atmosphere and I need to admit to it


Missed the picture every time
I missed the opportunity to make things better multiple times


I guess it's just like me to get real sentimental before I leave & I guess it's just like me to get real sentimental before I leave I guess it's just like me to get real sentimental before I leave & I guess it's just like me to get real sentimental before I leave
It's typical of me to get emotional and reflective before I leave




Contributed by Liliana N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Tyler Pignatore

Lets just mark down all the new pop punk stuff coming out.

The story so fars new album
Man Overboard
Chunk No Captain Chunk
Neck Deep
Four Years Strong
Later the Wonder years are releasing an album.

Jesus fucking christ haha



All comments from YouTube:

Jacqueline Fernandez

I've never gotten into these guys before even though i tried but I feel the same with ARTV Reviews maybe this album will finally get me to like them. This song is really good so far.

rockyourselfout123

I already wanna sing along (haven't even heard the while song yet) but holy crap I can't wait for the album! Man Overboard songs always give me a sentimental feeling in my heart, sigh, I love it!!!

Marco Polo

Haven't heard these guys for a while, liking this material so far.

Weesnaw

rockyourselfout123 I feel like I'm in high school again

Skev Beats

THIS SONG IS MAN OVERBOARD AT THEIR BEST

Evil Kittyy

one of the first songs i learned on guitar , improved ALOT since then LMAO

Caleb G

This album is super underrated! I prefer this one over their Self-Titled

Jeremy

I think it's impossible for Man O to put out anything bad. Too good. I cannot wait for the 30th.

PapaPedsy

Any Man Overboard fans miss watching their MVs in 2020?

Nathalie

This is soooo good!! ♥️♥️

More Comments

More Versions