About The Song
“Keep It Between the Lines” is a song written by Russell Smith and Kathy Louvin, and recorded by American country music singer Ricky Van Shelton. It was released in July 1991 as the second single from his fourth studio album Backroads, and was the tenth and final No. 1 single of his career.
Shelton had certainly earned his stripes as a balladeer by the time he released “Keep it Between the Lines,” but the song still charted new territory for him. Rather than being a typical love or love gone wrong song, it’s one of those message story songs in the vein of “Where’ve You Been” or “Love, Me.”
Like on those two records, the chorus means something a little different each time, as we take a journey through different stages of life. Here, it’s a man learning to drive with his father, then coloring with his young son, before finally hearing a prayer for help answered as he wonders how he will raise that son by himself.
The metaphor feels a bit more forced than it does on the songs above and on “Love Without End, Amen,” another recent hit that had used this structure.
But Shelton’s incredibly sincere and heartfelt performance papers over that, keeping the lyric from collapsing onto itself. It’s one of his best vocal performances, which is a high bar to clear.
Video
Lyrics
He was sitting beside me
In the passenger seat
As I looked through the windshield
At the quiet little street
He was smiling so proud
As he gave me the key
But inside, I knew
He was as nervous as me
I said, “Daddy, oh daddy
Are you sure I know how
Are you sure that I’m ready
To drive this car now”
He said, “I’m right here beside you
And you’re gonna do fine
All you gotta do
Is keep it between the lines
‘Cause it’s a long, narrow road
Only the good Lord knows
Where it leads in the end
But you got to begin
So keep your hands on the wheel
Believe in the things that are real
Just take your time
And keep it between the lines
I was sitting in my chair
And sneaking a look at him
Lying on the floor with his coloring book
Then he caught me watching
And he climbed on my knee
He said “Daddy, oh daddy
Would you do one with me”
Then I hugged him so tightly
As we turned the page
Said, “I haven’t done this
Since I was your age”
He said, “I’m right here beside you
And you’re gonna do fine
Daddy, all you gotta do
Is keep it between the lines”
So we finished the picture
And I put him to bed
Got down on my knees and I bowed my head
I said “Father, oh father, I feel so alone
Are you sure I can raise him
With his mommy gone”
Then the answer came back so gentle and low
In words of my daddy, from so long ago
He said, “I’m right here beside you
And you’re gonna do fine
All you gotta do
Is keep it between the lines”
So keep your hands on the wheel
Believe in the things that are real
Take your time, and
Keep it between the lines
Just take your time, and
Keep it between the lines
