Sexsmith started his first band at 14. After moving to Toronto he formed the Uncool and released his cassette Out of the Duff, and a year later, There's a Way. Meanwhile, he worked as a courier, and released Grand Opera Lane in 1991. On the strength of this album he earned a contract which led to the self-titled album Ron Sexsmith of 1995. Between 1997 and 2001, Sexsmith released three more albums before the acclaimed Cobblestone Runway in 2002.
Get In Line
Ron Sexsmith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the sun refuses to shine
If you're bent on bringing me back down
Better get in line
Something I said has got you so mad
You want to give me a piece of your mind
If you intend on making me feel bad
Oh, it's a long line, it's a long line
It's going out the door
You'll be waiting in line a very long time
Till your feet are sore
Whatever I do, I'm doing it wrong
And if you feel the need to remind
Me of a world that's long gone
Take a number and wait in line
Oh, it's a long line, it's a long line
It's going 'round the bend
You'll be waiting a long time, it's a very long line
I can't see the end
Heavy clouds all hanging around
And the sun refuses to shine
If you're bent on bringing me back down
Better get in line
I never meant for your flowers to wilt
Or to sour all your sweet wine
If you mean to shower me with guilt
Better get in line
If you're crying over milk that spilt
Well, take a number and wait in line
You better get in line
The lyrics to Ron Sexsmith's song Get In Line are about a person who seems to be constantly facing criticism and negativity from someone else. The heavy clouds represent the dark mood that surrounds the singer, and the fact that the sun refuses to shine suggests that things are not going well for them. The opening lines are almost a warning to the other person to not try to bring the singer down any further, as if they do, they will have a lot of people to contend with. The repeated phrase, "better get in line," is a challenge to the person to take their turn and join the queue of those who are trying to bring the singer down or criticize them.
The singer suggests that something they said has made the other person angry and they want to give them a piece of their mind. Despite this, the singer seems unrepentant and somewhat defiant, telling the other person that they will have to wait their turn in line like everyone else. The chorus, with its repetition of the line "it's a long line," emphasizes the fact that there are many people who have something to say about the singer, and that this is something they have to deal with on a regular basis. The singer seems to accept this, as they tell the other person to "take a number and wait in line" if they want to criticize them.
Overall, the lyrics suggest a person who is used to receiving criticism and negativity from others, but who is also capable of standing up for themselves and defending their own actions. The repeated refrain of "better get in line" emphasizes this point, and suggests that the singer is prepared for whatever the other person has to say to them.
Line by Line Meaning
Heavy clouds all hanging around
There's a palpable sense of tension hanging in the air
And the sun refuses to shine
Things are looking bleak and there doesn't seem to be a way out of this gloominess
If you're bent on bringing me back down
If you're determined to make me feel bad and kick me when I'm already down
Better get in line
You'll have to wait your turn with everyone else
Something I said has got you so mad
Your anger seems to be stemming from something I've said
You want to give me a piece of your mind
You're looking to confront me and let me have it
If you intend on making me feel bad
If your goal is to make me feel worse about myself than I already do
You best get in line
You'll have to join the queue of people trying to do the same thing
Oh, it's a long line, it's a long line
This line is longer than you ever could have imagined
It's going out the door
The line is so long that it's snaking outside the building
You'll be waiting in line a very long time
You're going to have to be patient and wait your turn
Till your feet are sore
You'll be standing for so long that your feet will hurt
Whatever I do, I'm doing it wrong
It doesn't matter what I do, it's never going to be enough for you
And if you feel the need to remind
You're always looking for an opportunity to point out my flaws
Me of a world that's long gone
You're fixated on a past that no longer exists
Take a number and wait in line
Just like everyone else who wants to make me feel bad, you'll have to join the queue
Oh, it's a long line, it's a long line
Once again, this line is way too long
It's going 'round the bend
The line is so long that it's now even curving around corners
You'll be waiting a long time, it's a very long line
I hope you're in this for the long haul because there's a lot of people ahead of you
I can't see the end
The line is so long that I can't even see where it ends
I never meant for your flowers to wilt
I never intended to hurt you or to cause anything negative to happen
Or to sour all your sweet wine
I never wanted to ruin anything that was good between us
If you mean to shower me with guilt
If you're planning to make me feel bad and guilty about what happened
Better get in line
You're not the only one who feels that way, join the club
If you're crying over milk that spilt
If you're upset over something that can't be undone
Well, take a number and wait in line
You'll have to wait your turn like everyone else
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ron Sexsmith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Scarletts meal
What a voice that guy has, holy geeeze, I'll try to hit most of the notes for you." Ron just has the lovely ability of conflating affability, melody, and nostalgia into songs that are meaningful and memorable. And also notice how he never plays an electric guitar live. Imagine how many how many high quality cuts he's penned with his sturdy acoustic guitar
Clem Lowes
Ron Sexsmith is criminally underrated.
Qando - ESL/EFL Questions answered
You know you're a true artist when the other artists are watching your hands to see how your making that sound. Bien hecho, Ron!
Mark Stig Andersen
🙏🎸☺️
Dave Fry
He's sitting next to one of the top songwriters of the '60s, who's looking on in admiration
Natalie is Freezing
seriously am in love with this man's music. I just want to spend everyday listening to his sweet voice
Neil Wilson
Nat is a bit less Freezing now. That is what music can do
CrStrifey
Such originality and song writing capability. Love you Ron.
Nick Russell
this dude is an absolute freak. serious talent.
Roger R Fontaine
the song is the anthem for all musicians who attempt to raise their voice and break the silence- nice melody- musically the song is simple, clean, and easy to remember. That's what makes a song great: memorability. This one has it. Get in Line.