HUEY LEWIS & THE NEWS - WALKING ON A THIN LINE

Released: October 9, 1984

Charted:  US: #18 

"Walking On a Thin Line" by Huey Lewis and the News, released in 1984, served as the fifth and final single from their album "Sports". Initially thought by some, including The Sacramento Bee, to be about post-war stress among veterans, the song actually delves into the thoughts and experiences of soldiers serving in Vietnam and veterans grappling with the realities of war.

"Walking On a Thin Line" tells the story of an American soldier who trained as a sniper during the Vietnam War and confronts the emotional and psychological challenges upon returning home. The song, penned by Andre Pessis and Kevin Wells is often regarded as one of the band's more serious compositions. Interestingly, Pessis had initially paid a young Huey Lewis $20 to record a demo of "Walking on a Thin Line" in the late '60s for a documentary of the same name about the Vietnam War. Although the song wasn't used in the film at that time, it eventually found its place and became a hit when Lewis recorded it for the "Sports" album.

Huey Lewis has a deep personal connection to "Walking On a Thin Line." Reflecting on the song, he shared with Billboard his empathy for friends who served in Vietnam. He highlighted the stark contrast in how veterans were treated upon their return during a time when the war was widely unpopular. 

In live performances, Huey Lewis often dedicated "Walking On a Thin Line" to both the casualties of the Vietnam War and the veterans. On occasion, ESPN personality Chris Berman, a fan of the band, surprised audiences by joining them on stage to sing the song. Their friendship began at an ESPN anniversary party, and Berman occasionally referenced the song's chorus while describing football highlights on NFL Live.