
Jim Adams’ Song Lyric Sunday gives us the chance to share familiar, and sometimes not so familiar, songs. Jim has given us Ghost /Pumpkin /Trick /Treat /Witch this week to be included in the title or lyrics.
If you fancy sharing one of your favourite songs you can find out how to participate, and also listen to all the great entries, here.
This week I’m offering you a song by Dire Straights which has been described as “surely one of the best songs ever!” It has nothing whatsoever to do with Halloween!
It is normally performed with an exquisite opening by a saxophone which suggests that, perhaps, the saxophone was invented for this song. However, the song was originally written with an opening by a trumpet, then leading into the saxophone. Here I offer you the choice of both.
Released in 1986, here is Your Latest Trick.
Live at Forum Assago, Milano- Maggio 2019
All the late night bargains have been struck
Between the satin beaus and their bells
Prehistoric garbage trucks
Got the city to themselves
Echoes and horrors, dinosaurs
They’re all doing the monster mash
The taxis and the whores
Are only taking calls for cash
I don’t know how it happened
It all took place so quick
All I can do
Is hand it to you
And your latest trick
Now my door was standing open
Security was laid back and lax
Yeah, my heart had got a broken
You must have had a passkey made out of wax
It was robbery with insolence
And I’m playin’ the blues in twelve bars down the Lover’s Lane
You never had the intelligence for the use
Twelve keys hanging off of my chain
You know now how it happened
It all took place so quick
But all I can do
Is hand it to you
And your latest trick
It’s past last call for alcohol
Past recall has been here and gone
The landlord, he finally paid us all
The satin jazzmen have put away their horns
And I was standing there outside in this wonderland
Bereaved and bereft
Finally come to understand
The bottle’s empty, man, there’s nothing left
Know now how it happened
It was faster than the eye could flick
But all I can do
Is hand it to you
And your latest trick
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Mark Knopfler
Your Latest Trick lyrics © Straitjacket Songs Ltd.
Love this song! Gotta admit, the second one’s opening has a little something special, doesn’t it?
First the horn, then the sax.. fantastic!
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I agree. Really haunting!
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Prostitutes are known for doing tricks and I guess this song is about that. Whatever the meaning of this song is, it surely is some hardcore blues. Nice pick Peter.
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Thanks Jim.
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Good pick!
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I read and re-read the words to try and understand what it was about, garbage, dinosaurs, pubs, landlord, jazz band and a prostitute. A peculiar mix. Couldn’t make sense of it.
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I read a few interpretations but there was no consensus of opinion as to the meaning.
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If it had been written today I wonder what the young things would have made of it? Can you imagine the arguments on social media as each person holding an opposing view to another insists on their own interpretation?
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Wow. That was sssoooo cool. I’d never heard that before. I must admit, I’ve never paid attention to that band. I loved the performances however and I’m really happy I saw this. Thank you!
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Glad you enjoyed it!
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Love the jazzy wind instruments…especially the sax.
Definitely a vivid description of late night/early morning downtown in a big city.
I think she was not a prostitute, but he likened her to one…she so easily and quickly stole his heart, with no emotion on her part, used him, and then moved on to the next man.
Would definitely cool to ask the songwriter to explain the lyrics. 🙂
(((HUGS)))
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I totally agree with your interpretation!
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Very good, Peter. I loved Dire Straits.
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Me too!
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When did Mark get old? I certainly haven’t!!
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I didn’t notice. Maybe my eyesight isn’t what it was!
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Two great songs from my youth, great post 💜
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Both of these songs are great! Love the sax in the first one and the horn & sax in the second. Very enjoyable! 🙂
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Love this, Peter!!! Never knew the words. Thank You and Cheers!!! 💖
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