But what impressed me was the quality of his lyrics, songs he self penned, often also writing the music...but with a deep feeling for the spirituality in his life. The transition from Dire Straits to solo artist is amply reflected in "Easy Street", where he sings about the Devil coming to see him offering wealth and fame if he only signed on then dotted line. Everything will come for free. "Only ten commandments stand between you and the final call" he sings. "It's easier than you might think to break them one and all. The devil spoke to me and said 'Ape that band you was in before Boy and you could be on Easy Street!'"
How true to form for the Devil. But it seems he realises this and sings "Looking back, back to front, front to back again...Hypnotised by your stunning lies, perhaps I'm better off without you in the end." (from "America") Nonetheless, it seems he resisted this temptation, for his music is anything but Dire Straits. On another song ("Ship of dreams") he clearly underlines that now he sings because "some need a song of love when old friends feel like ghosts; for some the sweet redemption songs the thing they crave the most on then ship of dreams....Each pilgrim makes their journey, each must meet their fate."
With David's kind of music-cum-message, "sometimes there are no words to talk about what really hurts. When everybody talks too loud no one listens anyhow...... Sometimes there are no words to talk about what really hurts. You find the one you've hurt worst is the one you need to heal you. Sure", he sings, "I know forgiveness may be mortal not divine but all them human frailties they'll stall me every time..... Sometimes there are no words to talk about what really hurts. We both know something's wrong here like we know a sinner sins. But I'm so tired now, got to get some sleep somehow. Feels like the whole damn world is crying and I can't keep the beat." (from"Sometimes there are no words")
Hope clearly abounds in his music. "I'm mending my nets....theres been more thaqnn time enough for penance and regret. She says "Bless me David for I'ver sinned" lest we should forget. I said 'It's alright if you're crying, I don't mind getting wet. I hate whoever made you cry but I don't mind getting wet. I beleive we can mend those nets. We'll bind your womb with herb-o-grace, nullify all debts. [Cos] When fishermen cant put to sea it's time we mend out nets." (from "Mending my nets")
And clearly he puts his hope in the One Who Matters because "in the symmetry of the stars God plays to a higher purpose..... God paints on a giant canvas. Some see majestic clockwork, some see chaos as they would, for some the infinite reach of meaning and absolute good. Someone's there to see you, to touch you with their smile. The waters are wide across this Great Divide..." (from "Symmetry of the stars")
Plenty food for thought from this prolific singer-songwriter. And, to give credit where credit is due, all the above quotes are from songs composed and written by David Knopfler although, in some cases, with the help of others (Megan Slankard on "Ship of dreams", Harry Bogdanov on "Easy Street" and Mack Starks on "America").
