(1) Two pairs of hands

[Elin N]

Oh yes, now we're talking!  The best one of the three, in my opinion. His voice on "now you know"..really really nice  It is interesting that he intentionally uses the phrase wrong, in a way that you have to be a native speaker to understand? I didn't think about it until it was mentioned. It's four minutes, yet I was like "Oh, already finished!" Unlike Ahead of the game, where the backtrack/beat felt annoying after one minute. "Watch me gone" is growing on me, it is nice, while "ahead of the game" will be a clear skipper.

[Knopflerfan]

I have now warmed to this lovely tune but I'm sorry Ahead of the Game is still my fave of the three so far!

[shortfin]

This song to me sounds a lot (too much) like Down The Road Wherever. What I don't like about this song, as in many of DTRW's is that "fake" drum sound. It sounds like a recorded looped base (and if I haven't read it wrong, it partially is). It's distracting, I even have a hard time hear the rest of the song; it sounds really un-Mark to me. What a shame because otherwise I love the J.J. Cale vibe and the guitar sound.

[Love Expresso]

I respect your opinion of course, but pre looped drum sounds and drum machines are an absolute trademark of J.J. Cale. Just sayin'.

LE

[koobaa]

A 'stock' Knopfler tune with some 'stock' licks and a groove straight out of Band-in-a-Box. Lyrically weak. If he's trying to convey the drama and excitement of playing in front of a big crowd, he seriously failed IMO. He might as well have tried to explain how to replace a bin liner.

When the thunder bursts in the velvet night
There's joy and wonder and delight

This line is perfect. And the way he delivers it is pure joy and wonder, and delight.

[hunter v2.0]

A 'stock' Knopfler tune with some 'stock' licks and a groove straight out of Band-in-a-Box. Lyrically weak. If he's trying to convey the drama and excitement of playing in front of a big crowd, he seriously failed IMO. He might as well have tried to explain how to replace a bin liner.

When the thunder bursts in the velvet night
There's joy and wonder and delight

This line is perfect. And the way he delivers it is pure joy and wonder, and delight.

I fully respect your right to hold a wrong opinion.

 

[Love Expresso]

Holy moly, where did the time go?
I told you, baby, now you know

Somehow these lines don't make sense to me regarding the theme of the song.
And "balls" are some sort of percussion instruments? Or is it meant as a picture with juggling?

I still don't find that these are strong lyrics.

LE

[hunter v2.0]

It's a metaphor taken from juggling which means to handle many things at the same time. Multi-tasking, basically.

[D44mu]

A 'stock' Knopfler tune with some 'stock' licks and a groove straight out of Band-in-a-Box. Lyrically weak. If he's trying to convey the drama and excitement of playing in front of a big crowd, he seriously failed IMO. He might as well have tried to explain how to replace a bin liner.

When the thunder bursts in the velvet night
There's joy and wonder and delight

This line is perfect. And the way he delivers it is pure joy and wonder, and delight.

For me it is also a very touching line and then the sound of the guitar makes it perfect. It reminds me of his concert performances and the feeling when, for example, he plays his guitar for the first time that evening during the opener Why Aye men. That was for me pure joy, wonder and delight.

[D44mu]

Holy moly, where did the time go?
I told you, baby, now you know

Somehow these lines don't make sense to me regarding the theme of the song.
And "balls" are some sort of percussion instruments? Or is it meant as a picture with juggling?

I still don't find that these are strong lyrics.

LE

Regarding the holy moly line - For me it means that it's just the blink of an eye and the concert is over. Despite all the preparations, doubts and work beforehand.

[Love Expresso]

Thanks to both of you. That helps.

LE

[superval99]

The part of the lyric that seems a bit strange to me is "I'm up here ON the band".   It would make more sense to me as either IN the band or, as later in the song, WITH the band. 

[hunter v2.0]

The part of the lyric that seems a bit strange to me is "I'm up here ON the band".   It would make more sense to me as either IN the band or, as later in the song, WITH the band. 

Could it be a non-standard short form of "bandstand"? To be up on the bandstand is common usage; however, the stages that DS and MK have played can hardly be called bandstands LOL Except in the early days in pubs and small halls ...

[Silvertown]

The part of the lyric that seems a bit strange to me is "I'm up here ON the band".   It would make more sense to me as either IN the band or, as later in the song, WITH the band. 

Could it be a non-standard short form of "bandstand"? To be up on the bandstand is common usage; however, the stages that DS and MK have played can hardly be called bandstands LOL Except in the early days in pubs and small halls ...

Top on the band (percussions) adding things...maybe just shaking sand on the pipe

[stratmad]

In The Late Show with Eve Blair (01 April), she explained what MK said about the song:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001xvfg