The single release in 2019 predated any details about "The Slow Rush", which was delayed until 2020. Parker reworked the song for its inclusion on the album, making musical and lyrical changes. He revealed that he altered the song for the album mainly because he realized the bassline was not prominent enough. After releasing the album, the previously released single version of "Borderline" was removed from all streaming services.
After spending extensive time working on Tame Impala's third album "Currents", Kevin Parker decided to shift away from being a perfectionist towards more spontaneity, adding that he "finds something that sounds good I should just do it and not think about it". "Borderline" was released as a single in 2019 but was reworked and re-released for multiple reasons. For one, Parker said he had accidentally made the bassline too quiet, and also wanted to change a few other elements of the song, as he had been pressured to release it prematurely. He elaborated: "The way I describe it is the way it sounds now is the way I was hearing it when I released it the first time. So for me, the drums sounded just heaps more hard-hitting. And it was just things that I could hear in the song that I didn't realize no one else could, for example, the bassline, which was just kind of an example of lack of perspective when you're working on a song, or anything that anyone's working on ever. You lose perspective when you're working on it, which is good, too, it's kind of beautiful that you have no idea what you're doing."
In a mention of the band's Saturday Night Live performance, "Music Feeds" called the song a "groovy, toe-tapping lounge chiller". Triple J ranked it 18th in the Triple J Hottest 100 of 2019.
Borderline
Tame Impala Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gone a little far this time for somethin'
How was I to know?
How was I to know this high came rushing?
We're on the borderline
Dangerously far and all forgiven
Possibly a sign
Here I go
Quite a show for a loner in L.A.
I wonder I managed to end up in this place
Where I couldn't get away
On the borderline
Caught between the tides of pain and rapture
Then I saw the time
Watched it speeding by like a train
Like a train
Will I be known and loved?
Is there one that I trust?
Starting to sober up
Has it been long enough?
Will I be known and loved?
Little closer, close enough
I'm a loser, loosen up
Set it free, must be tough
Will I be known and loved?
Is there one that I trust?
Starting to sober up
Has it been long enough?
Will I be so in love?
Gettin' closer, close enough
Shout out to what is done
R.I.P. here comes the sun
Here comes the sun
Gone a little far
Gone a little far this time with something
Judy said it's fine
They used to do this all the time in college
(If you and I get comfortable)
And we're on the borderline
Caught between the tides of pain and rapture
Then I saw the time
Watched it speeding by like a train
Will I be known and loved?
Is there one that I trust?
Starting to sober up
Has it been long enough?
Will I be known and loved?
Little closer, close enough
I'm a loser, loosen up
Set it free, must be tough
Will I be known and loved?
Is there one that I trust?
Starting to sober up
Has it been long enough?
Will I be so in love?
Any closer, close enough
Shout out to what is done
R.I.P. here comes the sun
Here comes the sun
The lyrics of Tame Impala's "Borderline" discuss a feeling of being caught in between two extremes, as the singer finds themselves on the borderline of pain and rapture. They express confusion as they ask how they were supposed to know that this high would come rushing, and recount their experience being a loner in L.A. The lyrics also touch upon themes of loneliness and self-doubt, as the singer wonders if they'll ever be known and loved, and if there's anyone they can trust.
The chorus repeats the phrase "we're on the borderline" several times, emphasizing the feeling of being caught between two conflicting emotions or situations. The lyrics suggest that there will be consequences for this borderline state, possibly in the form of a fight or a price to pay on Monday. Despite this, there is an undercurrent of hope throughout the song, as the singer strives to set themselves free and find a connection with someone, asking if there's room for doubt or love.
Overall, "Borderline" seems to be a reflection on the challenges of navigating life's ups and downs, and the struggle to find a sense of belonging in the midst of it all.
Line by Line Meaning
Gone a little far
I have taken things too far
Gone a little far this time for somethin'
I have taken things too far for something I desire
How was I to know?
I did not know what was going to happen
How was I to know this high came rushing?
I did not expect this sudden, overwhelming feeling
We're on the borderline
We are in a precarious situation
Caught between the tides of pain and rapture
Caught between the opposing sensations of pain and ecstasy
Possibly a sign
Maybe it is a sign of something
I'm gonna have the strangest night on Sunday
Sunday is going to be a weird night for me
There I go
Here I am
Quite a show for a loner in L.A.
I am putting on a performance despite being alone in Los Angeles
Askin' how I managed to end up in this place
Questioning how I arrived in this situation
And I couldn't get away
I cannot leave
Dangerously far and all forgiven
I have gone too far but hopefully can be forgiven
There's gonna be a fight
There will be consequences to face
Gonna be a price to pay on Monday
I will face the consequences on Monday
(If you and I get comfortable)
(If we get too comfortable)
Then I saw the time (saw the time)
I realized how quickly time was passing
Watched it speedin' by like a train
Time passed quickly and without pause
Will I be known and loved?
Will I be recognized and cared for?
Is there one that I trust?
Is there someone I can trust?
Starting to sober up
The effects of the high are starting to wear off
Has it been long enough?
Is it time for me to change?
Little closer, close enough
I am getting closer
I'm a loser, loosen up
I feel defeated and need to relax
Set it free, must be tough
Let it go, it is difficult but necessary
L.A. really messed me up
Los Angeles has negatively affected me
And it isn't cut and dry
It is not obvious or straightforward
Conversation, well I tried
I attempted to have a conversation
Will I be? Stay right here
What will happen to me if I remain here?
Any closer, bad idea
It is not a good idea to get any closer
Shout out to what is done
Acknowledgement of the past
R.I.P. here comes the sun
An end to the darkness, some positivity is coming
Gets me every time
It affects me emotionally every time
These close encounters
Repeated and significant interactions
Just to know I can (just to know I can)
To know that I am capable
Once again, I am alone
Once again, I am by myself
Do you see the light, oh
Do you see the hope that I see?
Coming from their eyes, oh no
Is there a lack of hope in their eyes?
I said, "Come with me outside"
I invited someone to join me outside
I need to clear my mind
I need to think and breathe without distraction
This weight is crushing
This emotional burden is overwhelming
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Kevin Parker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@a_9021-k
A list of changes that occurred within both old and new versions of Borderline.
- A different sounding snare was used, possibly remixed.
- The vocals sound clearer and I believe that some kind of a stereo-shaper was used.
- A Moog Bass Synth is also used, the bass stands out even more now.
- at 0:43 a laser sounding synth was also used along with a couple of rapid snares before moving on to the next chapter of the song.
- at 0:47 You're able to hear acoustic strings playing in the far background as well.
- at 0:48 You can hear the lyric saying: ''Quite a show for a loner in LA.'' which is pronounced faster than the older Borderline.
- at 0:53 in the (Old) Borderline the lyric goes: ''Asking how I managed...''
But in the newer version the lyric goes: ''I wonder how I managed...''
- at 1:01 in the newer version the lyric that goes ''Get away'' is pronounced and vocalized in a different way than the older version.
- at 1:28 the silence before the drop. the volume noticeably decreases as you might be able to hear a sudden yet short reversed sample that is washed out with reverb. allowing the drop to stand out even more.
- at 1:59 You can hear a couple of notes playing in the far background, that help support the groove of the song.
- at 2:37 The short sudden vocal before jumping to the next part is also new.
- at 2:45 You can also hear more layers of background vocals that without a doubt made a /huge/ difference in the sound.
- And the ''AAAHHH'' at the intro, of course.
EDIT: Hope this was helpful to everyone, didn't expect this many likes! (:
@lucila5234
[Verse 1]
Gone a little far
Gone a little far this time with something
How was I to know?
Howโ wasโ I to knowโ this high came rushing?
[Chorus]
We're on theโ borderline
Dangerously fine and unforgiven
Possibly a sign
I'm gonna have the strangest night on Sunday
[Verse 2]
Here I go
Quite a show for a loner in L.A.โ
I wonder how I managed to end up in this place
Where I couldn't get away
[Chorus]
We're on the borderline (Ooh)
Caught between the tides of pain and rapture
Then I saw the time
Watched it speedin' by like a train
Like a train
[Refrain]
Will I be known and loved?
Is there one that I trust?
Starting to sober up
Has it been long enough?
Will I be known and loved?
Little closer, close enough
I'm a loser, loosen up
Setting free, must be tough
Will I be known and loved?
Is there one that I trust?
Starting to sober up
Has it been long enough?
Will I be so in love?
Any closer? Close enough
Shout out to what is done
R.I.P., here comes the sun
(Comes the sun)
[Verse 3]
Gone a little far
Gone a little far this time with something
Rudy said it's fine
They used to do this all the time in college (If you and I get comfortable)
[Chorus]
And we're on the borderline (Ooh)
Caught between the tides of pain and rapture
Then I saw the time
Watched it speedin' by like a train
[Refrain]
Will I be known and loved?
Is there one that I trust?
Starting to sober up
Has it been long enough?
Will I be known and loved?
Little closer, close enough
I'm a loser, loosen up
Setting free, must be tough
Will I be known and loved?
Is there one that I trust?
Starting to sober up
Has it been long enough?
Will I be so in love?
Any closer? Close enough
Shout out to what is done
R.I.P., here comes the sun
(Comes the sun)
โค๏ธ
@DEEPSIDE999
LYRICS : Gone a little far
Gone a little far this time for somethin'
How was I to know?
How was I to know this high came rushing?
We're on the borderline
Dangerously far and all forgiven
Possibly a sign
I'm gonna have the strangest night on Sunday
Here I go
Quite a show for a loner in L.A.
I wonder I managed to end up in this place
Where I couldn't get away
On the borderline
Caught between the tides of pain and rapture
Then I saw the time
Watched it speeding by like a train
Like a train
Will I be known and loved?
Is there one that I trust?
Starting to sober up
Has it been long enough?
Will I be known and loved?
Little closer, close enough
I'm a loser, loosen up
Set it free, must be tough
Will I be known and loved?
Is there one that I trust?
Starting to sober up
Has it been long enough?
Will I be so in love?
Gettin' closer, close enough
Shout out to what is done
R.I.P. here comes the sun
Here comes the sun
Gone a little far
Gone a little far this time with something
Judy said it's fine
They used to do this all the time in college
(If you and I get comfortable)
And we're on the borderline
Caught between the tides of pain and rapture
Then I saw the time
Watched it speeding by like a train
Will I be known and loved?
Is there one that I trust?
Starting to sober up
Has it been long enough?
Will I be known and loved?
Little closer, close enough
I'm a loser, loosen up
Set it free, must be tough
Will I be known and loved?
Is there one that I trust?
Starting to sober up
Has it been long enough?
Will I be so in love?
Any closer, close enough
Shout out to what is done
R.I.P. here comes the sun
Here comes the sun
@pureheart2729
1:30 to 2:17
Will I be known and loved?
Is there one that I trust?
Starting to sober up
Has it been long enough?
Will I be known and loved?
Little closer, close enough
I'm a loser, loosen up
Set it free, must be tough
Will I be known and loved?
Is there one that I trust?
If there's room, room for doubt
As within, as without ya
Will I be so in love?
Gettin' closer, close enough
Shout out to what is done
R.I.P. here comes the sun
Here comes the sun
@CesarPetrescu
Will I be known and loved?
Is there one that I trust?
Starting to sober up
Has it been long enough?
Will I be known and loved?
Little closer, close enough
I'm a loser, loosen up
Setting free, must be tough
Will I be known and loved?
Is there one that I trust?
Starting to sober up
Has it been long enough?
Will I be so in love?
Any closer? Close enough
Shout out to what is done
R.I.P., here comes the sun
@useridfc
โLittle closer, close enoughโ I would marry that line.
@jirkahlustik8778
Move to japan, you cpuld marry a doll there, why not a line from a song
@useridfc
@@jirkahlustik8778 wym by doll?
@jirkahlustik8778
@@useridfc actual literall doll of like some cartoon characters or shit
@k9_kadaver
@@jirkahlustik8778 well i know what im doing now
@sxmdt
Not a marriage kinda guy. Prefer to snort them if Iโm honest
@Almightytez
This song is a vibe
@A4Gaming
What does that even mean
@maximus-sj4kv
fr
@d7e784
Yeah