Sailing to Philadelphia has outstanding storytelling. The contrasts are laid out for the listener, we get to fill in the rest with our own personal knowledge of history (Mason and Dixon's personal destinies, the contrast between Scotland and England, the contrast between the northern and southern colonies.) The music and performances lend perfect support to the lyrics.
"5.15 am" is wonderful too, talking about real events that happened in the North East if England (a crime and a mine disaster). The last few lines are both beautifully crafted and heartbreaking as they list the jobs that young men and children used to do in the coal mines... They gather round the glass Tough hewers and crutters Child trappers and putters The little foals and half-marrows Who pushed And pulled the barrows The hod boys And the rolleywaymen 5.15 A.M. This verse from the same song is also great poetry and terribly sad at the same time... Eighteen sixty-seven My angel's gone to heaven He'll be happy there Sunlight and sweet clean air
Wild West End. Paints an incredibly distinct and cinematic picture of a specific geographical area. It's like an audio movie.
He's written so many incredible songs, but "Tunnel Of Love" may be my favorite, just an epic tail of young romance and heartbreak. In the solo phase of his career, the entire Kill To Get Crimson album is near perfect storytelling...
...well, the contrast between the north-east ('Geordie boy' Dixon) and south-west (Mason, born in Gloucestershire) of England, to be pedantic, but I agree, it's a great lyric.
So many great songs, but Telegraph Road is a lyrical masterpiece (as well as musical) In relatively few words, Knopfler manages to summarise the need for space, the industrial revolution, the compounding of society into relatively small busy places, and the effects that it has on individuals. I never fail to be moved by this song, on every level.
Yes I quite agree. I was just going to post Telegraph Road, an outstanding masterpiece, Well said Sir, Floyd.
From the Dire Straits era I would include "Romeo and Juliet" and "Tunnel of Love". From his solo years, I like the lyrics of "Boom, Like That".
All the late night bargains have been struck Between the satin beaus and their belles Prehistoric garbage trucks Have the city to themselves Echoes roars dinosaurs They're all doing the monster mash And most of the taxis, most of the whores Are only taking calls for cash I don't know how it happened It all took place so quick But all I can do is hand it to you And your latest trick
I love Mark Knopfler but I'll bet he regrets at least one not politically correct lyric in Money For Nothing about the "little f****t with the earring and the makeup"
Through these fields of destruction Baptisms of fire I've witnessed your suffering As the battle raged higher And though they did hurt me so bad In the fear and alarm You did not desert me My brothers in arms
Many already mentioned among my favorites, but I'll add "What It Is," MK's paean to Edinburgh and loneliness. The garrison sleeps in the citadel With the ghosts and the ancient stones High up on the parapet A Scottish piper stands alone And high on the wind The highland drums begin to roll And something from the past just comes And stares into my soul
I would make allowances because he is writing in character, rather than expressing his own view. YMMV. Not my favorite DS song in any case.
'Wild West End' and 'Portobello Belle' By the way, does anybody buy the Robert Marshal story about the band's early years?
Thanks for correcting me ... I knew Geordies were Newcastle/Northumberland ... heII, it's even in the lyrics. I have no idea why it lodged in my brain that Dixon was a Scot. Maybe it's my wife obsession with Outlander (shudder).
