from THE VERY BEST OF PETER ALLEN – THE BOY FROM DOWN UNDER
written by David Foster, Peter Allen & Tom Keane
“One Step Over The Borderline” is the opening song of Peter Allen’s 1980 masterpiece “Bi Coastal.” This great tune helps define the kind of music that we call quality pop. There are elements of rock, jazz, soul and pop, but this music can’t be labeled so we call it quality pop to distinguish it from the sad, repetitive, boring pop music that we find too often on radio and at the top of the charts.
Steve Lukather’s guitar intro and powerful performance throughout the song adds the rock flavor married perfectly with David Foster’s and Tom Keane’s elegant keyboard playing. The refined arrangement with rich rhythm changes shows a jazzy attitude underlined by the soulful performances of Allen and the magnificent Richard Page and Steve George on backing vocals.
We hope that those who discovered Foster’s unique talent through his connection with Céliné Dion, Charice, Josh Groban and Michael Bublé will take the time to listen to a masterpiece like this one. Hidden gems can be found in old albums by Bill Champlin, Average White Band, Jaye P. Morgan, Deniece Williams, Hall & Oates, Airplay, Boz Scaggs and this by Peter Allen. Years before the Grammy triumphs and the millions upon millions of albums sold, Foster was pioneering, with a circle of other talented friends, a spectacular genre of music that was probably too refined and way ahead of its time. Many of those albums can be found on iTunes and we strongly suggest you to listen and discover where it all started.
This review is also a tribute to the memory of Peter Allen, a multi-talented artist that left us all way too soon. This beautiful song and the most treasured gems of his songbook can be found on an anthology entitled “The Very Best Of Peter Allen – The Boy From Down Under.” Check it out!
Listen
[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/one_step_over_the__borderline.mp3|titles=One Step Over The Borderline|artists=Peter Allen]
Lead Vocals: Peter Allen
Fender Rhodes & Synthesizer: David Foster
Piano & Synthesizer: Tom Keane
Guitar: Steve Lukather
Drums: Ed Greene
Bass: Mike Porcaro
Backing Vocals: Richard Page & Steve George
Produced by David Foster
Lyrics
Woke up here in the desert
Wondering where’d everybody go
Last thing I remember
Is going through hills of snow
Lots of palms in your arms
I went so high I went so low
You could be my oasis
But you’re gonna have to go slow
And take it as a warning
Baby, don’t push me
One step over the borderline
Anything can happen
If you push this old heart of mine
Over the borderline
I’ve been used and abused
Nobody does it quite like you
Though the pain keeps me sane
I got nothing better to do
Call it love, call me lazy
Just get me through another day
Tell me lies, I’m so crazy
I believe whatever you say
Baby, don’t push me
One step over the borderline
Anything can happen
If you push this old heart of mine
Over the borderline
It’s over, it’s over
I went through you, you went through me
It’s over, I’m sober
But will you ever think of me
Baby, don’t push me
One step over the borderline
Anything can happen
If you push this old heart of mine
Over the borderline
Baby, don’t push me
One step over the borderline
Anything can happen
If you push this old heart of mine
Over the borderline