Down on the Borderline

The speaker describes a woman who appears wealthy, proud, and used to being served. He is attracted to her, but also sees her as risky and possibly selfish. The repeated phrase “on the borderline” suggests he is caught between enjoying the excitement and wanting to avoid trouble. The mood is playful and boastful, yet uneasy: he knows the relationship may cost him, but admits that it feels good.

Several images make this danger vivid. Her “nose is up” means she seems arrogant, while her eyes are “down on you,” suggesting she looks down on other people. The “neon sign” saying “Don’t you touch” presents her as tempting but off-limits. “Between the devil and the deep blue sea” is an idiom for being trapped between two bad choices. The gambling images—dice, a queen of hearts, and an ace—make romance sound like a risky game, perhaps one in which the speaker could lose money or affection.

The lyrics do not clearly explain what the woman wants, or whether the speaker is judging her fairly. His descriptions may reveal her behavior, but they may also reflect his resentment or bravado. “Borderline” can mean a boundary, a dangerous edge, or a state of indecision. The song leaves him poised there: attracted, wary, and not quite ready to walk away.