(2) Ahead of the game

[dustyvalentino]

Seems clear to me it’s not about MK but about a less successful singer songwriter.

[Xenophon]

Does anybody know what the line "It was a red light shining, love in vain" means? Is it related to the song "Love in Vain" by Robert Johnson(or maybe The Rolling Stones)?

[Robson]

It's a pity that we rarely talk about lyrics because we have different views.

"Actually I always thought it was about his daughter Issy who is starting his career as actress"

I like it too, but you have complicated my view of this song jbaent 

Mark himself is not a fan of discussing the lyrics, and on Guy's forum Guy famously (I mean famously in close circles) turns down any questions regarding lyrics.

Turns out that for Mark lyrics are personal and not something he likes to elaborate on, so naturally, everybody follows suit.

I enjoy the poetry and music of words more because I'm not a native speaker like a lot of people here.

If you want, there is always a ton of room for interpretation, but that's the idea.

Some things are obvious, some things are vague. Sometimes you're the windshield, sometimes you're the bug.

Of course. It is important not to change the meaning of the song, so Mark sometimes explains the meaning. But most often he doesn't explain, and there are many meanings and symbols in his songs. Historical and cultural context is very important. Or, for example, what Xenophon writes "There was a red light, love in vain"
A simple song - lyrics are not simple and easy

[Love Expresso]

To me, the theme of the lyrics  (endurance) is very similar to the idea behind Speedway At Nazareth. I guess the person/songwriter in this song isn't really "ahead of the game" but uses this phrase to empower himself and keep going?

LE

[Jules]

To me, the theme of the lyrics  (endurance) is very similar to the idea behind Speedway At Nazareth. I guess the person/songwriter in this song isn't really "ahead of the game" but uses this phrase to empower himself and keep going?

LE

Makes sense. The character is trying to encourage himself to keep going.

[border_reiver]

Does anybody know what the line "It was a red light shining, love in vain" means? Is it related to the song "Love in Vain" by Robert Johnson(or maybe The Rolling Stones)?

Yeah probably a nod at that direction. Very nice touch.

The people in the lyrics crosses the railroad tracks don't they?

[Robson]

Thanks for the tip about Love In Vain.

[Love Expresso]

I visited MKNews for the first time in ages and found that Terry has prepared the site with song snippets ("sound bites"  from all songs (including bonus tracks) "coming soon", also the lyrics are obviously planned to be released before April 12th. The "bite" from AOFG ist 45 seconds long. I remember we had that the last time with Privateering. We had 30 seconds of all 20 songs very early before release date. I listened those one to death and was somehow irritated when I finally got the real album and suddenly the melodies went further on.. 

Then the usual question will come up: Listen to it or not listen to it. I don't WANT to but I fear I will be too weak to resist...

LE

[quizzaciously]

I visited MKNews for the first time in ages and found that Terry has prepared the site with song snippets ("sound bites"  from all songs (including bonus tracks) "coming soon", also the lyrics are obviously planned to be released before April 12th. The "bite" from AOFG ist 45 seconds long. I remember we had that the last time with Privateering. We had 30 seconds of all 20 songs very early before release date. I listened those one to death and was somehow irritated when I finally got the real album and suddenly the melodies went further on.. 

Then the usual question will come up: Listen to it or not listen to it. I don't WANT to but I fear I will be too weak to resist...

LE

No, no, no, no and no. This thing you've described about getting used to the snippets ruined the songs for me for a long time. I'm not sure I still can get rid of it completely even 12 years later. But the worst is "radio" leaks of albums. The first leak of Down The Road was taken from the radio and it sounded so bad I thought to ignore the album altogether. But who knows what will ruin it next time, you never know

[qjamesfloyd]

I have heard the single, now I don't want to hear anything else until I own the album.

[Love Expresso]

Yes, I know what you mean. I remember having had that the last time with STP. Since then, I already knew at least up to 4 or 5 songs before. The idea of unpacking the vinyl and spin it without knowing nothing but the single is a very nice one.

Redbud Tree was captured from a radio broadcast and sounded very compressed, so I was totally irritated to hear it "real" from the album. Same with One Cool Girl, I heard that from a Dutch radio recording, but loved to get both of them. It made the anticipation even growing more and more.

Last album that leaked completey was Get Lucky if i remember correctly.

LE

[Robson]

Terry forgot about One Deep River:)
The album closes song One Deep River, not This One's Not Going To End Well.

[KnopfleRick]

I won't listen to the song snippets, that would spoil my anticipation for the whole album although I'm very curious about the new songs.
But in the meantime I will listen to „Ahead Of The Game“ on repeat. The more you listen, the better it gets. 

[Robson]

I also promise myself that I won't listen, but every day I check if there are lyrics and fragments. Human nature...

[dustyvalentino]

Why would they do this? It’s not for me.