Borderlineby Tove Lo
Songfacts®:
- The word "Borderline" is sometimes used to describe a personality disorder called borderline personality disorder (BPD), which is characterized by unstable emotions, impulsive behavior, a distorted self-image, and difficulty forming and maintaining relationships. It can also be an adjective describing something or someone that is on the verge of a certain state or condition. This pulsating dance-pop bop is a story of love on the edge.
- Here, Tove Lo recounts a romance where both she and her lover have personality flaws and are less-than-ideal partners. They like to push each other's buttons.
I like the taste of blood when you're tearin' me apart
I like to push you to the edge as long as you say you're mine
Borderline
However, Tove Lo is deeply enamored with her man and committed to turning their relationship into a long-lasting one.
Tonight, for the rest of my life
I'm gonna be stuck on you
Hold on till I'm makin' it right
No other love felt like you
"'Borderline' is a song about being on the edge of love," said Lo. "The drama you cause inside yourself and with another person if you feel insecure. You test them." - Lo penned "Borderline" in 2018 with Dua Lipa on their first day writing together. The Swede went on to earn a co-writing credit on Lipa's 2020 Future Nostalgia track "Cool." Lo also opened for Lipa in Oslo, Norway, as part of her European headline tour.
Collectively, the Swedish pair of Jerlström and Strut are known as The Struts. Tove Lo's longtime production team, their collaborations with the singer include "Habits (Stay High)" and "Cool Girl." - Tove Lo suggested in a TikTok video that Dua Lipa originally intended to record "Borderline," but it ended up being better for Lo, and after returning from her vacation in New Zealand, she went straight into the studio. There, she recorded some extra vocal parts and made some lyric changes. Lo released "Borderline" as the first single from the deluxe version of Dirt Femme on February 10, 2023.
- Brazilian music director Fernando Nogari directed the song's official music video, shooting it in Mexico City. The robot-revenge-fantasy clip follows on from the story in the visuals for "No One Dies From Love."
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