borderline
The Greatest Show on Earth Lyrics


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Some people try to mess you round
And some'll even bring you down
You climb aboard the roundabout
Turn your body inside out
There's people heading on your feet
You just don't seem to make ends meet
You're working at the break of day
There's always some bum in your way

You believe in tomorrow
Why I'm breathing today
You got something to tell the world
You got something to say

I see the black and the white man ain't groovin' all they can
Don't you know that it's time that you find out your borderline

I feel something inside me
The Lord only knows I need to be free
Pay my debt to society, break the lease that keeps binding me




I see the black and the white man ain't groovin' all they can
Don't you know that it's time you find out your borderline

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Borderline" by The Greatest Show on Earth speak to the struggle of living in a world where some people are trying to bring you down or hold you back, while others are simply getting in your way. The song encourages the listener to continue believing in tomorrow, and to find a way to break free from the constraints that are holding them back. The lyrics also touch on issues of racial tension, suggesting that the "black and the white man" aren't working together as well as they could be.


The chorus of the song is particularly powerful: "Don't you know that it's time that you find out your borderline." This line suggests that the listener has the power to transcend their current circumstances, and that there is a line between success and failure that they can cross if they only try hard enough. Overall, the song is a call to action, a plea to keep pushing forward even in the face of adversity.


Line by Line Meaning

Some people try to mess you round
Some individuals attempt to deceive, manipulate or misguide you


And some'll even bring you down
Some could even cause your downfall or decrease your morale


You climb aboard the roundabout
You take part in the same routine and cycle


Turn your body inside out
You exert yourself and give your all


There's people heading on your feet
Others are always in your way and hindering your path


You just don't seem to make ends meet
You are struggling to make enough money to suffice your needs


You're working at the break of day
You start working as soon as the day breaks, early in the morning


There's always some bum in your way
There is always someone who is unhelpful or a nuisance


You believe in tomorrow
You have hope and faith for a better future


Why I'm breathing today
The reason you are alive and breathing today


You got something to tell the world
You have something important to say to the world


You got something to say
You have an opinion or message that needs to be expressed


I see the black and the white man ain't groovin' all they can
I notice that people of different races are not getting along or cooperating to their fullest potential


Don't you know that it's time that you find out your borderline
You need to discover where your limits lie and not let others control or limit you


I feel something inside me
I have an indescribable feeling within me


The Lord only knows I need to be free
Only God understands how much freedom and liberation I require


Pay my debt to society, break the lease that keeps binding me
Satisfy my obligation to society and break free from the contract that is restricting me




Contributed by Jackson W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@ishongololo

Some people try to mess you round
And some'll even bring you down
You climb aboard the roundabout
Turn your body inside out
There's people heading on your feet
You just don't seem to make ends meet
You're working at the break of day
There's always some bum in your way
You believe in tomorrow
Why I'm breathing today
You got something to tell the world
You got something to say
You believe in tomorrow
Why I'm breathing today
You got something to tell the world
You got something to say
I see the black and the white man ain't groovin' all they can
Don't you know that it's time that you find out your borderline
I feel something inside me
The Lord only knows I need to be free
Pay my debt to society, break the lease that keeps binding me
I see the black and the white man ain't groovin' all they can
Don't you know that it's time you find out your borderline



All comments from YouTube:

@wayneallen-white5619

I have both their albums. Funny they are not on Spotify. Love their music.Pity they didn't stick together for longer.

@luytondriman6236

Outstanding band and album. Sadly they don't make music like this anymore. Discover and enjoy !

@faldomann666

I knee down. Out of sight.

@stetrak1967

Wonderful band, that shows an other side of progressive rock. In my opinion Borderline is the best track of the album.

@romeobiccari7315

Classic brings back good memories

@tattybasson8747

Love love this band....

@ogrebattle22763

Music just isn't done like this anymore... 

@adrian_hart

Oh wow...this is a blast from the past...My vinyl for this LP is warped. What a treasure to find..thx "AdamTensor"

@faldomann666

By another one. Fuck, what else?!

@adrian_hart

@@faldomann666 ja right. Just going to nip out to the Vinyl store.

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