Across Europe the song topped the chart in Ireland and entered the top ten of Belgium and Netherlands.
Song's lyrics deal with the subject of a love that is never fulfilled.
In the United States, "Borderline" became Madonna's first top-ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number ten in June 1984.
Contemporary critics and authors applauded the song, calling it harmonically the most complex track from Madonna and praising its dance-pop nature.
In the United Kingdom, it peaked at number two after it was re-released as a single in 1986.