Most underrated DS/MK songs

[dustyvalentino]

Business Men in their Mercedes Benz, the dream of Jean Genet line..

It's not a homophobic song as such, but from a German point of view that whole Nazi stuff is not THAT amusing, thinking of Brits like Frankie Goes To Hollywood or Prince Harry turning up in SS uniforms as well. I get what he was trying  to imply ("it's all in fun now") but I always thought that was a little too easy a cheap laugh. Also music wise it's more old Vienna than Munich. (The Third Man anyone?)

LE

OK, I'm not aware of business men in Mercedes Benz on Jean Genet being cliches, can't remember them being referenced in anything else I've seen/heard/read, maybe it's a German thing?

For a long time in the UK there was a lot of stuff lampooning the Nazis, either in various comedy shows such as Dad's Army or Allo Allo, or for more "shock" value like the examples you gave. Also in the US I guess with stuff like The Producers. But that seems to have died off. Now that both the UK and the US have actual neo Nazis I guess it's not "funny" anymore.

[stratmad]

The Merc is probably a status symbol world-wide and therefore a cliché, although in Munich it would be a BMW, of course ;-)
And Jean Genet was something like a prophet for the 70s/80s gay movement.

I remember reading an interview where MK stressed the fact that it's not a homophobic song in any way, and that he felt kind of sorry for the guys who had to dress up like that to make a living. It's a bit like with Sultans, and absurd setting, and he sees the human side of it.

The caps probably just added to the S&M image they had to act. I'm not sure they were real in the first place, because owning any Nazi stuff (uniforms, symbols, books etc.) is actually a serious criminal offence in Germany, so you wouldn't see that in a night club.

[dustyvalentino]

Maybe just a black officer's cap but without SS markings? Stuff like that seems to have been pretty prevalent in s&m type settings of the era (so I'm told!)

[qjamesfloyd]

I have always like Les Boys, yes, it can be viewed as an unusual song in Mark's catalogue, but I like the melody and his guitar sound and playing, plus, it was really good live from what I have heard. I have mentioned before of my real fondness for Ticket To Heaven, I haven't found many other people who feel the same, but I just really like it, it's very well recorded and played, Mark plays some beautiful acoustic fills, and the strings arrangement from Sir George Martin is lovely. I also love Radio City Serenade, which for me really a great feeling of love for New York, I think Mark's vocals are really good too.

[stratmad]

Oh yeah, Ticket to Heaven is great (though it doesn't quite come close to "Jesus he knows me" ;-)), and Radio City is a masterpiece in every way!

[iorch82]

When it comes to you - not a lot to say, probably the only song I prefer on the record vs live.
How Long - really nice vibes, simple and to the point
Junkie Doll - This was probably one of the 3 or 4 climaxes of the 2001 shows.
You and Your friend - it's a bit of a BIA clone, but who cares. The OTN rendition is just cenit Dire Straits.
Kingdom of Gold - Probably the last big MK song.
Planet of new Orleans - Not being in any oficial recording pushed the song to "obscure fan favorite" status, and it can legitimately be there hand in hand with other big names such as TOL and I am not even kidding. 

[Barrow boy]

Skateaway?

[Viervalen]

Two most underrated songs ever in my opinion:


Planet of New Orleans and Planet of New Orleans live

[MagicElliott]

Fare Thee Well, Northumberland.

[Knopflerfan]

Fare Thee Well, Northumberland.

Absolutely stunning! Also forerunner for 'Sweeter than the rain'

[Robson]

"Nothing But Rain" too.

[Matchstickman]

Opinions will vary, but Les Boys seems to me the very definition of filler or "should have been a b-side". Making Movies is a marvelous record, and yet it has that ending... Not that I don't like it - I suppose I like it for what it is, a joke, but at the end of this masterpiece? That's what makes it feel filler to me.

[cannibals]

So far from the Clyde

[Knopflerfan]

So far from the Clyde

Absolutely stunning, & yet haunting track. Up with the best I'd say....

[cannibals]

So far from the Clyde

Absolutely stunning, & yet haunting track. Up with the best I'd say....

So sad he never played this one live in concert.