(15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)

[Stanko]

And he really does! (Oklahoma Ponies! )

[Love Expresso]

You have a Heart of Oak when you are young, you have it all and can achieve anything you want. And when you are getting older you really  need a Heart of Oak to manage things with at least almost the same power that were available in you in younger years. That's all it is about. It has nothing to do with cricket really and nothing with Remembrance Day as I assumed some time ago. It's still the most powerful song of the complete record to me. Love and adore it.

LE

[quizzaciously]

You have a Heart of Oak when you are young, you have it all and can achieve anything you want. And when you are getting older you really  need a Heart of Oak to manage things with at least almost the same power that were available in you in younger years. That's all it is about. It has nothing to do with cricket really and nothing with Remembrance Day as I assumed some time ago. It's still the most powerful song of the complete record to me. Love and adore it.

LE

A great and simple explanation! From the very first listen this one was my favourite song from Tracker.

[Justme]

 

[FabioSorbello]

You have a Heart of Oak when you are young, you have it all and can achieve anything you want. And when you are getting older you really  need a Heart of Oak to manage things with at least almost the same power that were available in you in younger years. That's all it is about. It has nothing to do with cricket really and nothing with Remembrance Day as I assumed some time ago. It's still the most powerful song of the complete record to me. Love and adore it.

LE

I am glad that someone's else recognises the meaning of this song
It's not the best song of Tracker and certainly not of the whole MK career, although o love it very much,
But in those 2' Mark has fully responded to all criticisms about dire straits and great solos...

[Lis]

Thank you LE and FabioSorbello, for bringing this interpretation full circle.  I agree with you both -- 100%. 

[vr46mk]

This melody really reminds you of Matchstick Man, just realised now when listening to it. Beautiful 

[quizzaciously]

This melody really reminds you of Matchstick Man, just realised now when listening to it. Beautiful 

Yeah, Mark simply bring out "bonus" songs to the main record. Matchstick Man sounds like Heart of Oak bonus track, but in 4/4 time instead of waltz, while Back On The Dance Floor sounds like Terminal Of Tribute with different arrangement.

[Jules]

I always thought that MK wanted to use again the melody from "heart of oak" for something more important than a bonus track... and thats why he used it on Matschtick man again.

[Stanko]

like whiskey or wine, you store both in a cask of oak

[mschaap]

I always thought that MK wanted to use again the melody from "heart of oak" for something more important than a bonus track... and thats why he used it on Matschtick man again.

I also thought something like that. I assumed he already wrote both songs at the time of recording Tracker and of course was aware of the similarity between the two, so then he probably decided to use one as a bonus track and shelve the more important song to be released on the next album as a centre piece. From Guy we know it was the very first thing they recorded when starting on the new album, which became DTRW. Anyway, both are fantastic songs imho and I’m glad they both got released.

[Knopflerfan]

This melody really reminds you of Matchstick Man, just realised now when listening to it. Beautiful 

Indeed both MM & HOA are both very similar. Lovely vocal & guitar work....
I must confess I prefer HOA....

[dmg]

This melody really reminds you of Matchstick Man, just realised now when listening to it. Beautiful 

Indeed both MM & HOA are both very similar. Lovely vocal & guitar work....
I must confess I prefer HOA....

Me too.  It's basically the same tune.

[Knopflerfan]

This melody really reminds you of Matchstick Man, just realised now when listening to it. Beautiful 

Indeed both MM & HOA are both very similar. Lovely vocal & guitar work....
I must confess I prefer HOA....

Me too.  It's basically the same tune.

Indeed and both beautiful...

[Stanko]

second that