Grab the Pills & Ammo Baby

Cross That Line
by Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes

Is there such thing as a perfectly crafted rock and roll song? If there is, Cross That Line is as close as they come.

This song makes me wish I had taken piano lessons, it just sounds like it would be a fun song to play. Heck, I would argue that this is the ultimate air piano song. I dare you to listen to it without slamming your fingers down on whatever surface is in front of you.

As I write this, I am 24,000 feet above ground, NY to Chicago and Southside Johnny is pushing the limits of my Apple ear buds. My foots tapping, I wanna sweep my hand across the seats in front of me in time to the piano.

I'm gonna cross that line.

As the guitar solo begins, I can visualize the notes on the neck of my telecaster and know I can play it, just not as good. So glad I took some guitar lessons some 30 years ago - I still enjoy playing. A song like this makes me think that piano lessons would have been as a good choice though.

I'm gonna loose my mind.

Had this song come out at a different time, it would now be played ad nauseam on every classic rock radio station on the planet. This song alone could have been responsible for the demise of many turntable styluses failing from over-use. As it turns out, it was released in 2010, not much of a market for rock music, never mind the fact that even with a gem like this, reaching an audience on the fragmented airwaves we have, would be next to impossible. Too bad, timing is everything.

I'm gonna cross that line.

The song is brilliant in every way. If you don't get the urge to be performing this song on stage, horns blasting, back up chorus guiding you along through the verses along side Johnny and the Jukes, then something is most likely wrong with you.

I'm gonna loose my mind.

So, if you are reading this and you don't already own this song, or the full album, Ammo and Pills, by Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, I suggest you first comment on this post then go buy it.

I'm gonna cross that line.

Here is a link to a video.

Here are the lyrics:

I SEE YOU GOT YOUR BRAND NEW TATTOO
AN O'KEEFE SKULL IN ELECTRIC BLUE
YEAH THAT USED TO BE BAD NOW IT'S SO REFINED

YOU SAY YOU NEED TO GET CRAZY BABY WELL I DO TOO
YOU WEAR MY PISTOL
I'LL WEAR YOUR HIGH HEELED SHOES
GRAB THE PILLS AND AMMO BABY
LET'S SEE WHAT WE CAN FIND

WE'RE GONNA CROSS THAT LINE
GONNA LOSE OUR MINDS
WE'RE GONNA CROSS THAT LINE
OHH OOH OOH

IT USED TO BE YOU KNEW WHERE YOU STOOD
NIXON WAS EVIL MAKING LOVE WAS GOOD
I THINK MKULTRA IS MESSING WITH MY MIND

THEY GOT ME WALKING SIDEWAYS STUMBLING BLIND
ALL MY BELIEFS HAVE BEEN UNDERMINED
I GUESS I'LL HAVE TO BE CRUEL TO BE KIND

I'M GONNA CROSSE THAT LINE
I WANT TO LOSE MY MIND
YEA I'M GONNA CROSS THAT LINE
OOH OOH OOH