Changing his name from Jeremy Thomas McRae Blackall to just Tom McRae - he released his first, self-titled album in 2001, during the height of the new acoustic movement, and gained Mercury Music Prize nomination. His second album, Just Like Blood, was released in February of 2003, which was produced by Ben Hillier, responsible for Elbow’s Asleep In The Back, with which McRae’s album shares a similar melancholy but uplifting atmosphere. In 2004, McRae moved to California where he wrote and recorded his next album, All Maps Welcome, which was released in May 2005. His fourth album, King of Cards was released on 14th May 2007. A talented live performer, he supported Tori Amos on the UK leg of her Original Sinsuality tour, Paul Weller, Dido, World Party, The Waterboys among others. He is recognised as an intelligent and talented performer, influenced by, among others, Nick Drake, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and Jeff Buckley.
Line of Fire
Tom McRae Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I confess I was wrong
Tasted blood tasted blood and was gone
Suddenly suddenly you were warned
Shooting stars in flight from the dawn
I'm the breath on your face
You think you are safe
I'm the voice that you hear
When no one is near
I am watching you
Cause you're in the line
Line of fire
Southern skies
Southern skies shrink my world
This should end but I can't let you go
I'm the breath on your face
You think you are safe
I am watching you
I'm the voice that you hear
When no one is near
I am watching you
Cause you're in the line
The line of fire
Cause you're in the line
The line of fire
Faded away you have faded away
You watch and you still don't know
And I've fallen alone
You can't feel it alone
You know you can't say
You can't say
I'm the breath on your face
You think you are safe
I am watching you
I'm the face that you see
You wake from your dreams
I am watching you
Faded away you have faded away
You watch and you still don't know
And I've fallen alone
You can't feel it alone
You have said you don't know
You can't know
The lyrics to Tom McRae’s song ‘Line of Fire’ seem to be about a person confessing to a wrongdoing and admitting to their mistakes. The first verse talks about tasting blood and suddenly being warned, which could be a metaphor for getting caught or facing the consequences. The chorus states "Cause you’re in the line, the line of fire," which could be interpreted as the person admitting to being in trouble, possibly with the law. In the second verse, the singer talks about how their world has shrunk, and they can't let go of the person they have wronged. They continue to watch over them and don't want to let them go.
The bridge states: "Faded away you have faded away, You watch and you still don't know, And I've fallen alone, You can't feel it alone." This could be interpreted as the person they have wronged, fading away from them, blissfully unaware of the singer's emotional turmoil, and how they feel alone in their guilt.
Overall, the lyrics to 'Line of Fire' capture the feelings of guilt and shame that one feels after admitting to a mistake they’ve made. These lyrics could potentially resonate with those who have found themselves in similar situations.
Line by Line Meaning
I confess
Admitting to something wrong
I confess I was wrong
Acknowledging a mistake
Tasted blood tasted blood and was gone
Got involved in something and quickly left
Suddenly suddenly you were warned
Received a warning out of nowhere
Shooting stars in flight from the dawn
Meteor-like movement in the sky during sunrise
I'm the breath on your face
Being in close proximity to someone
You think you are safe
Feeling secure
I am watching you
Gaining knowledge of someone's actions
I'm the voice that you hear
Inner thoughts that are expressed outwardly
When no one is near
Alone, isolated from others
Cause you're in the line
Being the target of something dangerous
Southern skies
The view of the sky from a southern location
Southern skies shrink my world
Feeling trapped in a small, limited world
This should end but I can't let you go
Wanting to end something but feeling unable to
I'm the face that you see
Appearing in someone's thoughts or dreams
You wake from your dreams
Coming out of a dream or fantasy
Faded away you have faded away
Disappearing, moving on from something
You watch and you still don't know
Observing but remaining ignorant
And I've fallen alone
Experiencing a setback without anyone to help
You can't feel it alone
Needing someone else's support to cope
You have said you don't know
Claiming ignorance or lack of awareness
You can't know
Being unable to fully comprehend something
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MCRAE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sham Bolic
I was OBSESSED with this album when it was released. I worked in a record store at he time and was exposed to so much music I never would have even heard, and this album was a constant for me. I often played it in the store and certainly contributed to a number of purchases of this beautiful record.
M. Rosario Martínez
I can see why. Only song I've heard so far, but.. it's so sweet. Already looked him up on Spotify, so. Hope someone discovered his lovely music thanks to you! :)
Cody Bell
This is one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard!
paul.bailey.photos
Can't believe only two likes - epic song - epic singer
TheWraith Writer
Now it has 222 likes.
Van Griffin
Long live Tom McRae 🤙
B - P
10η εντολή λευκό πουλι
idk idc
Ισχύει δεν εχεις ιδεα ποσο το έψαχνα
Giannis malekakis
,,,,,
Giannis malekakis
***** gd evening Sophie !!!merci!!!