(13) My Heart Has Never Changed (3:48)

[Rail King]

I love this one (and all other bonus tracks); it's further proof that you could lock MK in some cabin, with just a couple of guitars, and out would come a great record.

What I don't quite get yet is the reference to the "rooms along Exchange". I've read about the saloon district and about that particular road, but I've no idea what rooms he talks about and why.

[Justme]

I love this one (and all other bonus tracks); it's further proof that you could lock MK in some cabin, with just a couple of guitars, and out would come a great record.

What I don't quite get yet is the reference to the "rooms along Exchange". I've read about the saloon district and about that particular road, but I've no idea what rooms he talks about and why.

I'd like to think that he means the rooms used for (illegal) gambling.

[Rail King]

What I don't quite get yet is the reference to the "rooms along Exchange". I've read about the saloon district and about that particular road, but I've no idea what rooms he talks about and why.

I'd like to think that he means the rooms used for (illegal) gambling.
[/quote]

That may well be the case, yes. Any idea what the narrator's profession might be (long hauler, grinder at the game ...)?

[Slavi]

Love this song very much - the music and the lyrics. Along Silver Eagle is my fav from the album.

[Lis]

...Any idea what the narrator's profession might be (long hauler, grinder at the game ...)?

A long-hauler is a long-distance trucker.  Not sure about grinder at the game...

[Rail King]

...Any idea what the narrator's profession might be (long hauler, grinder at the game ...)?

A long-hauler is a long-distance trucker.  Not sure about grinder at the game...

Thanks, Lis, that makes sense. No wonder some websites had the album name "Trucker" in the first place. ;-) And I guess "grinder at the game" could probably apply to many jobs, it just means hard work.

[Stanko]

"grinder at the game"

maybe describe him as one who is going to the end when it comes to gambling?

[Marijo58]

Love this song very much - the music and the lyrics. Along Silver Eagle is my fav from the album.

Same for me Slavi!!! These 2 are really awesome!!!

[Stanko]

And what the heck does Highway 199 represent, it's a Californian Highway?

[/quote]

 http://www.fwtx.com/articles/highway-hell
 
you can find explanation for Highway 199 there...
"From military men to plant workers to degenerate gamblers, Jacksboro Highway’s few miles of roadway (officially known as Texas Highway 199)"

[texmilo]

Hello!

Highway 199 is Jacksboro Highway, it goes all the way from Downtown Fort Worth through Azle, Springtown, Poolville, then on to Jakcsboro. Exchange is a street in North Fort Worth near the famous Stock Yards. 199 is lined with a million car repair places so it's interesting that he mentions that in the song. Jacksboro Highway had a reputation, and today to an extent, as a den of sin. As a lifelong Knopfler fan and a current Fort Worth resident it was great to hear all of this in a song! Makes me wonder if he has traveled down Jacksboro Highway like he did Telegraph Road...

Regards,
DM

[Stanko]

cool to hear it from a local!
thanks!

[Lis]

Hello!

Highway 199 is Jacksboro Highway, it goes all the way from Downtown Fort Worth through Azle, Springtown, Poolville, then on to Jakcsboro. Exchange is a street in North Fort Worth near the famous Stock Yards. 199 is lined with a million car repair places so it's interesting that he mentions that in the song. Jacksboro Highway had a reputation, and today to an extent, as a den of sin. As a lifelong Knopfler fan and a current Fort Worth resident it was great to hear all of this in a song! Makes me wonder if he has traveled down Jacksboro Highway like he did Telegraph Road...

Regards,
DM

Hi texmilo/DM!
Thanks so much for the background you were able to provide in your post.  I had previously tried to figure out where Mark was geographically, as there are many Highway 199s, but I wasn't getting anywhere!!  So Texas it is!!  (I also learned Texas is/was home to a Hell's Half Acre... pretty colorful place, indeed!).
Thanks again for the post!!!