borderline
The MC5 Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm at my borderline
I'm at my borderline
Love you girl, but I just don't know why
I, have to love you so

When I make love to you
When I make love to you
Love is true, but I just don't know why
I, have to love you so

Need you girl, can't say why
Come on over here, love me now
You know you know, you got to know
You're movin' around, pushin' me past
My borderline, yeah yeah

It's about time
It's about time
Love you girl, but I just don't know
Why I have to love you so

Need you girl, can't you feel
I just got to know, if it's real
Big and strong, hard and fine
But you're movin' around, pushin' me past
My borderline, yeah yeah

Ooh, ooh

I'm at my borderline




I'm at my borderline
I'm at my borderline

Overall Meaning

The MC5's song "Borderline" is a raw and emotional love song that explores the singer's conflicted feelings towards his love interest. The repeated lyrics of "I'm at my borderline" emphasize the singer's sense of being on the edge, not sure whether he's fully committed or if he even should be. He loves this girl deeply, but doesn't understand why he has to love her so much and why he feels so vulnerable in doing so. The chorus shifts into a more assertive tone as the singer urges the girl to come over, telling her "you're movin' around, pushin' me past my borderline" - she has the power to take him further than he's ever gone before, both in pleasure and in emotional vulnerability.


The song's lyrics are further amplified by the MC5's hard rock instrumentation and energetic vocals, creating a sense of urgency and passion. The guitar riffs and drum beats punctuate the lyrics, adding to the overall sense of tension and desire. Through the singer's conflicted emotions and the band's driving sound, "Borderline" becomes more than just a love song, but a complex exploration of the ups and downs of romantic relationships.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm at my borderline
I am emotionally unstable and unsure of my feelings.


I'm at my borderline
Reiteration of emotional instability and uncertainty.


Love you girl, but I just don't know why
I have strong feelings for you, but I am unsure of the reason behind them.


I, have to love you so
Despite my uncertainty, I cannot help but love you deeply.


When I make love to you
During our intimate moments together.


Love is true, but I just don't know why
Although my love for you is genuine, I cannot explain its origin.


I, have to love you so
Again, reiterating that my love for you is beyond my control.


Need you girl, can't say why
I feel a strong desire for your presence, but I cannot articulate the reason behind it.


Come on over here, love me now
A plea for the person to come closer and express their love for me.


You know you know, you got to know
I believe that the person already knows how I feel, though I may not have explicitly expressed it.


You're movin' around, pushin' me past
Your actions are causing me to lose my emotional stability and pushing me to the brink of something.


My borderline, yeah yeah
Reiteration that I am at the edge of something and on the verge of losing control.


It's about time
The situation has reached a critical point that requires attention and resolution.


Love you girl, but I just don't know
Once again, expressing my love and confusion at the same time.


Why I have to love you so
Questioning the origin and necessity of my deep affection for the person.


Need you girl, can't you feel
Continuing to express a strong desire for the person's presence and attention.


I just got to know, if it's real
I need assurance that my feelings and our relationship are genuine.


Big and strong, hard and fine
Physical attributes of the person that I find attractive and alluring.


But you're movin' around, pushin' me past
Similar to before, the person's actions are causing me to lose control of my emotions and pushing me over the edge.


My borderline, yeah yeah
Reiteration that I am in a precarious emotional state.


Ooh, ooh
A vocalization of emotion and intensity in the moment.


I'm at my borderline
Closing line that reiterates the theme of emotional instability present throughout the song.




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LOUIS SEDMAK, MARK ANTHONY SMITH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

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

slint69

I'm at my borderline
I'm at my borderline
Love you girl, but I just don't know why
I, have to love you so

When I make love to you
When I make love to you
Love is true, but I just don't know why
I, have to love you so

Need you girl, can't say why
Come on over here, love me now
You know you know, you got to know
You're movin' around, pushin' me past
My borderline, yeah yeah

It's about time
It's about time
Love you girl, but I just don't know
Why I have to love you so

Need you girl, can't you feel
I just got to know, if it's real
Big and strong, hard and fine
But you're movin' around, pushin' me past
My borderline, yeah yeah

Ooh, ooh

I'm at my borderline
I'm at my borderline
I'm at my borderline



Stonetwisted

I'm at my borderline
I'm at my borderline
Love you girl, but I just don't know why
I, have to love you so

When I make love to you
When I make love to you
Love is true, but I just don't know why
I, have to love you so

Need you girl, can't say why
Come on over here, love me now
You know you know, you got to know
You're movin around, pushin me past
My borderline, yeah yeah

It's about time
It's about time
Love you girl, but I just don't know
Why I have to love you so

Need you girl, can't you feel
I just got to know, if it's real
Big and strong, hard and fine
But you're movin around, pushin me past
My borderline, yeah yeah



All comments from YouTube:

Ruza Lutanja

My heart just starts beating like crazy when I hear this! So great!

Robert Shaefer

First saw these guys in 68 at the Crazy Horse in Kalamazoo Michigan. I knew something big was going to happen because one of the roadies was nailing the drum kit to the stage floor! The flags on the amps was another visual. They had JC Crawford do the whole intro bit and then just EXPLODED on stage! Never saw anything like it before or since. Definitely a life changing experience! This was a week before they recorded their first album at the Grande in Detroit and they did the whole album at this show. So glad I got to see them in their prime!

5HINOBI

True Rock Pioneers! Proto-Punk, Blues, Rock. They inspired a generation.

Lowtunes Inc.

Mind-blowing in so many ways

Wayne Kramer

Way ahead of their time but I got to see them in September 21, 1969 at the Minneapolis Labor Temple. My ears rang for a few days but it was so incredible for the day. Heck, for ANY day! Metal bands owe a lot to these guys for blazing the trail.

slint69

I'm at my borderline
I'm at my borderline
Love you girl, but I just don't know why
I, have to love you so

When I make love to you
When I make love to you
Love is true, but I just don't know why
I, have to love you so

Need you girl, can't say why
Come on over here, love me now
You know you know, you got to know
You're movin' around, pushin' me past
My borderline, yeah yeah

It's about time
It's about time
Love you girl, but I just don't know
Why I have to love you so

Need you girl, can't you feel
I just got to know, if it's real
Big and strong, hard and fine
But you're movin' around, pushin' me past
My borderline, yeah yeah

Ooh, ooh

I'm at my borderline
I'm at my borderline
I'm at my borderline

Garage 9

One of the most incredible band ever.

Henke Johansen

Fantastic , timeless noise ... single version even better

Andrew Sebastian Zaios

The real Heavy rock!!

Eder Agudelo

mc5 y Blue Cheer los verdaderos padres del metal.

More Comments

More Versions