The Line (Lisa Stansfield song)


"The Line" is a song recorded by British singer Lisa Stansfield, released as the third European single from her eponymous album. It was written by Lisa Stansfield, Ian Devaney and Terry Gamwell, and produced by Devaney and Peter Mokran. The song received positive reviews from music critics. It was released as a single in Europe on 22 September 1997 and reached number sixty-four in the United Kingdom.
The single included remixes created by various British producers: The Boilerhouse Boys, Ashley Beedle, Black Science Orchestra, Ian O'Brien, Snowboy, Danny Breaks and Mark Mendoza. An accompanying music video, directed by Rocky Schenck, was also released. After that, Stansfield embarked on a mini-tour in the United Kingdom in October and November 1997.
"The Line" was later included on The Remix Album and on the two-CD edition of . In 2014, remixes of "The Line" were included on the deluxe 2CD + DVD re-release of Lisa Stansfield. Additional remixes were featured on People Hold On... The Remix Anthology. All was included on The Collection 1989–2003.

Critical reception

Music & Media wrote that "this track does much to reaffirm Lisa Stansfield's status as one of the U.K.'s leading R&B artists. A midtempo number, The Line shows her at her very best and a host of cleverly constructed remixes are worthy of further investigation by more adventurous music programmers." Press of Atlantic City noted that she "shines" on the "funky" song.

Track listings

European CD single
  1. "The Line" – 3:34
  2. "The Line" – 4:05
European CD maxi-single
  1. "The Line" – 3:34
  2. "The Line" – 4:05
  3. "The Line" – 3:28
  4. "The Line" – 6:14
  5. "The Line" – 8:37
  6. "The Line" – 4:20
  7. "The Line" – 6:56
European 12" single
  1. "The Line" – 6:14
  2. "The Line" – 6:56
  3. "The Line"
  4. "The Line" – 8:37
European promotional CD single
  1. "The Line" – 3:34
UK promotional CD single
  1. "The Line" – 3:34
  2. "The Line" – 4:05
  3. "The Line" – 3:28
  4. "The Line" – 3:39
  5. "The Line" – 3:33
UK promotional 12" single
  1. "The Line"
  2. "The Line"
UK promotional 12" single
  1. "The Line" – 6:14
  2. "The Line" – 6:41
UK promotional 12" single
  1. "The Line" – 4:20
  2. "The Line" – 5:55
UK promotional 12" single
  1. "The Line" – 8:37
  2. "The Line" – 10:06
UK promotional 12" single
  1. "The Line"
  2. "The Line" – 4:20
European promotional 12" single
  1. "The Line" – 5:51
  2. "The Line" – 6:29
European promotional 12" single
  1. "The Line" – 10:06
  2. "The Line"
Other remixes
  1. "The Line" – 5:58

    Charts