The Line

Lisa Stansfield · Lisa Stansfield [1997]

I look at the sky to where my future's lying

And I almost start to cry

Blinded by the sun I'm trying to hold onto

The very last of precious time



Then I start to thinking what a mess we're making

And it won't get better by & by

Well we can paint it up and make it pretty but

We cannot overstep the line



We cannot overstep

We cannot overstep the

We cannot overstep the line



So many baby's arms with nothing to hold onto

But just a precious flake of life

You think you care about them

They think you care about them

But thinking's only wasting time



If we really want to say the things we want to

It takes a bigger man to try

Well we can paint it up and make it pretty but

We cannot overstep the line



We cannot overstep

We cannot overstep the

We cannot overstep the line



Well politicians sit and pretend they give a shit while

Little men go out to die

The only arms they're hugging are the ones they're running

Later to be justified



I say I don't mind

You say you don't mind

But what about the babies and what about the sunshine

Well we can paint it up and make it pretty but

We cannot overstep the line



We cannot overstep

We cannot overstep the

We cannot overstep the line



Say I don't mind

You say you don't mind

But what about the babies and what about the sunshine

Well we can point it up and make it pretty but

We cannot overstep the line



We cannot overstep

We cannot overstep the

We cannot overstep the line

The Line

Released on her 1997 self-titled album, The Line stands as a defining track in Lisa Stansfield's mature discography. Following the massive success of her earlier work with the Blue Zone collective, this recording showcases her signature blend of sophisticated soul and polished R&B. The song reflects the confident vocal delivery and lush production values that have characterized her career since the late 1980s. As part of a body of work that consistently explores themes of relationships and emotional resilience, The Line reinforces Stansfield's reputation as a leading figure in contemporary British soul. The track remains a testament to her ability to craft enduring melodies that resonate with listeners across generations, securing her place in the genre's history.