I'm In Line
The Bangles Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I don't want to wait in line for you
Darlin', you know that's what I'll do
The girls are pretty, the girls are many
Aw, but you're heart is empty
No one's filling it up for you.

Well, I'm in line for you, my darlin'
Yeah, yeah.

In the morning when I rise I see
Another girl in line ahead of me
Oh, what advantage with the way you do me
When you walk by and when you get round to me
Yeah, take a look at me.

I'm in line for you, my darlin'
Yeah yeah yeah, yeah I'm in line (alright).

I don't want to waste my time
Waiting for some boy to change his mind
You don't ever notice I'm standing in the shadow
And I can't tell you why.

I'm in line for you, my darlin'
Yeah yeah yeah, yeah I'm in line.

I'm in line, I'm in line
I'm in line, I'm in line




I'm in line, I'm in line
I'm in line, I'm in line.

Overall Meaning

The Bangles’ song "I'm In Line" is about unrequited love and the frustration that comes with waiting for someone who doesn’t seem to care or take notice. The opening lyrics express the pain of waiting and being the one doing all the work in the relationship. The singer laments about standing in line for someone who seems to have a lot of options, but none of them can fill the hole in their heart. It feels like a waste of time, yet the singer cannot help themselves and continues to wait.


The chorus, “Well, I'm in line for you, my darlin',” repeats and echoes the sentiment of the verses. The singer is still waiting despite the futility of the situation. The second verse shows the singer’s realization of other girls ahead of her, vying for the same man’s attention. The chorus then repeats, but this time with more urgency and a little more aggression. This is followed by a final verse where the singer admits to being in the shadow and not being noticed. It ends in the same way it began, with the singer reiterating that they are still in line.


Overall, "I'm In Line" is an emotionally charged song that many can relate to. It captures the feeling of unrequited love, waiting for something that may never happen, and the pain associated with it. The lyrics are straightforward, simple, and easy to follow, leaving the emotional weight to be carried by the melody and the vocals.


Line by Line Meaning

I don't want to wait in line for you
I am tired of waiting for you to notice me


Darlin', you know that's what I'll do
I will wait for you even though it may hurt me


The girls are pretty, the girls are many
You have many options for potential partners


Aw, but you're heart is empty
Despite having many options, no one has filled the void in your heart


No one's filling it up for you.
No one has been able to make you truly happy


Well, I'm in line for you, my darlin'
I am devoted to you despite the pain it may cause me


In the morning when I rise I see
I wake up each day and see that you still haven't noticed me


Another girl in line ahead of me
There are many other girls interested in you


Oh, what advantage with the way you do me
You play with my emotions and take advantage of my feelings for you


When you walk by and when you get round to me
I am just another girl in the crowd, waiting for my turn with you


Yeah, take a look at me.
I wish you would finally notice me and see how much I care


I don't want to waste my time
I don't want to invest myself in someone who may never feel the same way


Waiting for some boy to change his mind
I am waiting for you to realize your feelings for me


You don't ever notice I'm standing in the shadow
You never pay attention to me despite my efforts to get you to notice me


And I can't tell you why.
I am unable to explain my feelings for you


I'm in line, I'm in line
I am patiently waiting for you


I'm in line, I'm in line
I am still waiting for you


I'm in line, I'm in line
I will continue to wait for you


I'm in line, I'm in line.
I am devoted to you, even though it may never work out




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: SUSANNA HOFFS, VICKI PETERSON, DEBBIE PETERSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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