Tame Impala's "Borderline": A Haunting Reflection on Relationship Uncertainty
Tame Impala's "Borderline" is a sonic journey through the anxieties and bittersweet surrender of a relationship pushed to the edge.
Tame Impala Borderline Review
Kevin Parker's signature hazy vocals dance atop a driving disco-inspired beat, creating a nostalgic yet fresh soundscape that lingers long after the song ends. The track explores the push and pull of love hanging in the balance, a feeling both intoxicating and heartbreaking.
Listen To Tame Impala Borderline
Drenched in Dreamy Disco with A Hint of Unease
Musically, "Borderline" surprises with its embrace of 70s disco influences. The pulsing bassline, shimmering synths, and crisp percussion wouldn't feel out of place on a retro dancefloor. But beneath the upbeat exterior is an undercurrent of melancholy. Parker's lyrics delve into themes of longing, self-doubt, and the fear of being trapped in a fading connection.
Lyrics Reflecting the Push and Pull of Love
"Will I be known and loved?" Parker asks, and the simple line rings with universal yearning and vulnerability. His voice, layered and treated with ethereal effects, paints a picture of a lover lost in their own head, desperately seeking meaning within the chaos. And when he pleads, "Something’s missing now/ You keep me hanging on," the emotional intensity pierces the dreamlike facade of the song.
Borderline: A Must-Listen for Tame Impala Fans and Beyond
Tame Impala's "Borderline" is a masterclass in blending vintage vibes with modern introspection. Longtime fans of the band will appreciate the song's sonic evolution, while newcomers will be hooked by the driving hook and introspective lyrics. Borderline captures the raw, messy emotions of love on the precipice. It's a deeply relatable and beautiful addition to the Tame Impala catalog.
Tame Impala Borderline Lyrics Meaning
Tame Impalas Borderline has a narrator that describes a night where they've gone too far, likely a reference to substance use. There's a sense of surprise ("How was I to know?") and thrill, but also unease with the feeling of being carried away in the experience ("dangerously fine and unforgiven"). The "borderline" appears to reference a mental and emotional state between intoxication and reality.
The lyrics of Borderline by Tame Impala explore themes of disorientation and lost control. The line, "Quite a show for a loner in L.A," highlights feelings of isolation and wonder at how they ended up in a situation they hadn't intended. They question their own desires and motives while being swept along by the moment.
The refrain focuses on longing for love, acceptance, and trust ("Will I be known and loved?"). The line "Has it been long enough?" might reference time spent intoxicated or removed from clarity. Ultimately, the song ends with a bittersweet farewell to the past ("R.I.P., here comes the sun") as the narrator seems to embrace a possible change or a return to sobriety.
Tame Impala Borderline Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Gone a little far
Gone a little far this time with something
How was I to know?
How was I to know this high came rushing?
[Chorus]
We're on the 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.
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
Rudi 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)