Peak
8
Weeks
19
Score
2,697
Chart Year
1980
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In this song, Rocky Burnette is ready to leave a dying relationship, as he's tired of toein' the line. Despite the somber sentiment, it's a catchy upbeat tune that was welcomed in the post-disco era. Burnette said that he wrote the song in about 20 minutes. Rocky is the son of rockabilly pioneer Johnny Burnette; his uncle Dorsey and nephew Billy are also notable musicians. "Tired of Toein' the Line" ended up being his only hit; the follow-up, "Fallin' In Love (Bein' Friends)" stalled at #109. Ron Coleman is credited as a writer on this song with Burnette. A Los Angeles musician, Coleman also co-wrote the Rosie Flores song "Somebody Loses, Somebody Wins." The music video for this song was in many ways ahead of its time, as MTV was still a year away and most American artists weren't even making videos. Burnette is backed in the video by beautiful girls miming various instruments - something Robert Palmer would do years later on his famous videos. There are also scenes of Burnette dressed up as a fireman and blasting water at the girls, a forebear of the wet video vixen videos that came later.
Baby, I'm tired of toeing the line. Don't know why you want to jump on me, Baby, baby, baby, and make-a me cry. Baby, I, I'm gonna find myself someone new, Someone who will be true, But no more toeing the line. I know it's o-ooh-over, cause I've seen the signs. Don't let me waste your precious time. Baby, I'm tired of toeing the line. If you want to get uh-rid of me, Baby, baby, baby, you're doin' fine. Baby, I'm tired of toeing the line. I'm gonna put on my walkin' shoes And leave you far behind. You're rolling over in clover so refined, But you can't fix this broken heart of mine. Baby, I'm tired of toeing the line. Don't know why you want to jump on me, Baby, baby, baby, and make-a me cry. Baby, I'm tired of toeing the line. Don't know why you want to jump on me, Baby, baby, baby, and make-a me cry. Baby, I'm tired of toeing the line. Baby, I'm tired of toeing the line. Baby, I'm tired of toeing the line. Baby, I'm tired of toeing the line.
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 10, 1980 | 71 | 55 |
| 2 | May 17, 1980 | 60 | 66 |
| 3 | May 24, 1980 | 48 | 78 |
| 4 | May 31, 1980 | 43 | 83 |
| 5 | Jun 7, 1980 | 34 | 92 |
| 6 | Jun 14, 1980 | 26 | 100 |
| 7 | Jun 21, 1980 | 20 | 106 |
| 8 | Jun 28, 1980 | 18 | 108 |
| 9 | Jul 5, 1980 | 15 | 111 |
| 10 | Jul 12, 1980 | 13 | 113 |
| 11 | Jul 19, 1980 | 12 | 114 |
| 12 | Jul 26, 1980 | 8 | 118 |
| 13 | Aug 2, 1980 | 8 | 118 |
| 14 | Aug 9, 1980 | 13 | 113 |
| 15 | Aug 16, 1980 | 31 | 95 |
| 16 | Aug 23, 1980 | 37 | 89 |
| 17 | Aug 30, 1980 | 52 | 74 |
| 18 | Sep 6, 1980 | 83 | 43 |
| 19 | Sep 13, 1980 | 98 | 28 |