Checkmate honey, beat you at your own damn game
No dice honey, I’m living on a astral plane
Feet’s on the ground, and your head’s going down the drain
Oh, heads I win, tails you lose, to the never mind
When to draw the line
An Indian summer, Carrie was all over the floor
She was a wet-nap winner, and rarely ever left the store
She’d sing and dance all night, and wrong all the right outta me
Oh, pass me the vial and cross your fingers, it don’t take time
Nowhere to draw the line
Hi ho silver, we were singing all your cowboy songs
Oh, you told Carrie, and promised her you wouldn’t be long
Heads I win, tails you lose, lord it’s such a crime
No dice honey, you the salt, you’re the queen of the brine
Checkmate honey, you’re the only one who’s got to choose
Where to draw the line
Checkmate, don’t be late
Take another pull
That’s right impossible
When you got to be yourself
You’re the boss of the toss
The dice, the price
Grab yourself a slice
Know where to draw the line
Walking the Edge: Analyzing “Draw The Line”
“Draw The Line” by Aerosmith is a gritty exploration of risk, temptation, and personal limits. The lyrics use vivid metaphors like chess games and coin tosses to illustrate the push-and-pull between control and chaos. The song’s recurring question—when and where to “draw the line”—reflects the struggle to set boundaries in the face of indulgence and excess. References to wild nights, gambling, and blurred reality evoke the band’s notorious rock-and-roll lifestyle. Yet, beneath the swagger, there’s an undercurrent of self-awareness, as the narrator recognizes the consequences of living on the edge and the importance of knowing when to stop.
Song Credits
- Artist: Aerosmith
- Songwriters: Steven Tyler, Joe Perry
- Release Year: 1977
- Label: Columbia Records