Musical Analysis #2: Borderline

 “Borderline,” by Tame Impala – Musical Analysis 

 

    For someone who was born in a hot, tropical country, I sure despise summer. The heat, the bright sun, the people irk my soul. Surprisingly however, I was quite excited for this past summer since I finished my associates degree. To celebrate, I wanted to take a vacation. Plans disrupted, and I was stuck in a building with piles of paperwork to go through. Some relationships even turned sour. I just needed to escape. The song, “Borderline,” by Tame Impala described what I experienced from the sunny season: mellow, sorrow, and possibly hopeful? 

 

    Listening to Borderline helped me realize to takes things slow, and everything will partially be okay. I re-discovered the song this summer when my mental health deteriorated. I felt like I was hit with a whirlwind of responsibilities and experiences. I always felt unease, never being fully relaxed. As I have mentioned, I was never interested with mellow songs, but I made an exception with this one. It’s relaxing and settling, opposed to the season of summer where it is hectic and overwhelming. 

 

    Tame Impala is based in Australia. The lead is Kevin Parker who writes the songs and plays the instruments. It is essentially one-man curating music. However, in tours, there are other individuals to help assist Kevin. “Borderline,” is written by Kevin Parker, and was released on April 12, 2019. 

         "Borderline" by Tame Impala. Released in 2019.

Beats and Tempo:

 

    The tempo within the song is stable. It is not too fast, but not too slow. It is a perfect mix for someone who may oppose mellow or lively music. It remains consistent throughout the song, providing a comforting sense. The beat also reciprocates the feel of the tempo: steady. As I have mentioned, not too slow, not too fast, but stable. It is complemented with the energy it provides; it is just present to soothe the soul from the disarray life brings. I think that’s why I appreciate the song; it was there when I needed it the most. 

  

Melody:

    The theme in this song is quite melancholic, as the lyrics express sorrow. Opposed to the mellow lyrics, the beat and tempo is stable. Possibly to create a balance, so both oppositions don’t overwhelm one or the other.  The post-chorus may have to be the most harmonious tune, as it continues to keep the energy to not make the song monotonous. There are numerous aspects of repetition: however, each and every verse remains different from one another. This song is unique than most because of its mellow theme, and its relatively stable beat to keep you tuned in. The song remains to be in my repeat-playlist; after a dreadful day of work, it is a reminder to keep on going. 

 

Form: 

    The form of “Borderline,” is simple: verse, post-chorus, chorus. Simple as it is, means a repetition occurs. The repetition surprisingly doesn’t make the song dull. What truly matters is the organization because the instrumental in the background is sporadic and may seem a bit overwhelming. But as melancholic and mellow the song is, it balances perfectly. 

 

    However, I would like to shed light into the post-chorus, as I am not too familiar with it. I believe we are more attuned with a pre-chorus, since it builds the anticipation into the chorus. The post-chorus in this matter, maintains the energy. This occurs after the chorus. 

 

Here is what it looks like: 

 ---

The big energy from the 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

 

In numerous songs, we see the energy depleting after the chorus. However, the post-chorus maintains the energy:

Will I be known and loved?
Will I be known and loved?
Will I be known and loved?
R.I.P., here comes the sun
(Here comes the sun)

 

    Repeats in such music may seem monotonous, but presence of a post-chorus makes a song stand out from the rest. 

    I must emphasize that the post-chorus is also the end of the song. I like to see it as a way to set the tone one last time, after being repeatedly told of its intention.

 

     The last lyric says, “Here comes the sun," and it is a reminder that a new day, is a new adventure. 

 

Range:

    Most songs are difficult to sing because of the complication of range. Songs that tend to be powerful may need a range that complements that power. Though, Kevin’s voice supplements the touch of mellow because his voice isn’t too loud nor too quiet. His voice is moderate, to keep the melodic theme the same. 

    This could be said to the instrumentals. Not too overwhelming, where your ear rings. Not too slow like a lullaby. My ears appreciate the range, as it experienced a variety of genres of rap, pop, and rock. It is chill for a summer’s day. 

 

Articulation: 

    The transitions from one note to the other is smooth and connected. There are times when there is an abrupt change, but it remains to be leveled. It is complemented with the melodic, calm theme. With how calming and relaxed the song provides, the abrupt transitions aren’t exaggerated to overwhelm the listeners. Kevin’s voice enunciates the tone, that feels rather intimate. The reverb could be seen as hypnotizing, fostering a sense of relaxation and smoothing the transition from one to the next. Sometimes, I need a break from the upbeat music I tend to prefer, and this song is the definition of that. 

 

Conclusion and Findings: 

    “Borderline,” surprisingly is one of my favorite songs to listen to, since I oppose such music that expresses sorrow and sadness. I suppose it remains to be one of many songs that I enjoy because it represented the feelings that I had built in the summer. It was mellow, but I continue to look forward for tomorrow: “Here comes the sun.” 

 

    Critics of “Borderline,” had numerously emphasized how hazy this song feels. The instrumentals, specifically, has been praised for its refreshing sound (Druggan, 2019, para. 2). YouTube would agree, as it garnered 94 million views. 

    The lyrics, “Gone a little far… Gone a little far this time for something,” may be interpreted to many references: mental state, drug use, romantic misadventures, troubles (Charpentier, 2023, The Breakdown). The song and its title, “Borderline,” could be a metaphor of being a borderline addict, since Kevin admits that he has taken drugs while composing (Charpentier, 2023, Drugs or Dreamy Uncertainty?). 

    Another lyric that hits close to home is when he sang, “We’re on the borderline. Caught between the tides of pain and rapture.” Some suggest it may mean instability, of oneself not being able to own their feelings (Charpentier, 2023, The Breakdown).  I tend to keep my feelings within, and it feels like I am drowning into my emotions. 

 

     As I fully analyzed Borderline’s lyrics, I do not relate to the metaphor of drugs. However, I do appreciate the haziness, mellow, sorrow the song expresses, as I continuously felt that way during the summer. However, regardless of the interpretation of the lyrics, it provides a strong sense of a repetitive, melodic theme. The form is simple, but well-executed. It exhibits how a song could be a testament of one’s feelings, shown in numerous, mysterious ways. 

 

Works Cited

Borderline (Tame Impala Song) (2025) Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borderline_(Tame_Impala_song)

Charpentier, A. (2023) ‘Borderline’ (Tame Impala) - A Review and Analysis, Charpaly. Available at: https://www.charpaly.com/blog/borderline-tame-impalareview-amp-analysis

Druggan, A. (2019) Tame Impala Embraces Meaninglessness on ‘Borderline’, 34th Street Magazine. Available at: https://www.34st.com/article/2019/04/tame-impala-borderline-coachella-currents-kevin-parker

Tame Impala – Borderline Lyrics | Genius Lyrics (no date) Genius. Available at: https://genius.com/Tame-impala-borderline-lyrics