Mark's Greatest Lyrics

[qjamesfloyd]

We all know Mark is great with words, but what would you say is Mark's greatest lyrical achievement? For me it's Brothers In Arms.

[Love Expresso]

5.15 am for me. Pure art.

LE

[Robson]

That's the hardest question in the world. There are so many amazing lyrics. I don't know why, but at first I thought about "Heart Full Of Holes"

[dustyvalentino]

I know most of us have a lifelong connection to the DS material, but generally speaking I feel like the quality of lyrics got better in the solo years.

[Rolo]

"...
Sometimes you're the windshield
Sometimes you're the bug
Sometimes it all comes together, baby
Sometimes you're a fool in love
..."

Nothing beats this

[hunter v2.0]

"...
Sometimes you're the windshield
Sometimes you're the bug
Sometimes it all comes together, baby
Sometimes you're a fool in love
..."

Nothing beats this

As John McEnroe would have said: You cannot be serious.

[rmarques821]

I know most of us have a lifelong connection to the DS material, but generally speaking I feel like the quality of lyrics got better in the solo years.

Agree completely.

So many: Sailing to Philadelphia, Hill Farmer's Blues, Boom Like That, Heart Full Of Holes, So Far From The Clyde, Dream of the Drowned Submariner, Basil, and so on...

[dmg]

I know most of us have a lifelong connection to the DS material, but generally speaking I feel like the quality of lyrics got better in the solo years.

Interesting comment.  I think it's important to have a good marriage between the lyrics and the music.  Telegraph Road and BIA convey this better than any IMHO. 

I personally think his songwriting became less consistent during his solo period, especially after the first two albums.  Also, the music clearly took a back seat which is criminal for a man who gave us so many great riffs and solos.

[Rolo]

I personally think his songwriting became less consistent during his solo period, especially after the first two albums.  Also, the music clearly took a back seat which is criminal for a man who gave us so many great riffs and solos.

You nailed it.

[Robson]

"I personally think his songwriting became less consistent during his solo period..."

What does less consistent mean?

[mariosboss]

Wild West End, Industrial Disease, Man's Too Strong, Skateaway, Private Investigations and It Never Rains are some of Mark's best lyrics. No doubt.
However Tunnel Of Love is a close second behind Telegraph Road. Wow. Extroadinary. Very relatable in 2025 where America is a complete and utter mess under
abhorent leadership. Only fit for the rich who just get richer. Most who will flock on forums to spread their ignorant love for the man in charge are comfortable anyhow... when the reality is as always the working man and woman suffers. Deary deary me. When will we ever learn?  "sorry, but we're closed..." sums up the world we live in today. Too many people hypnotised and brainwashed. But humans have always been like this. No surprise.

[dmg]

"I personally think his songwriting became less consistent during his solo period..."

What does less consistent mean?

DS:  consistently high quality (until OES probably)
Solo: some HQ, some LQ

[rmarques821]

I know most of us have a lifelong connection to the DS material, but generally speaking I feel like the quality of lyrics got better in the solo years.

Interesting comment.  I think it's important to have a good marriage between the lyrics and the music.  Telegraph Road and BIA convey this better than any IMHO. 

I personally think his songwriting became less consistent during his solo period, especially after the first two albums.  Also, the music clearly took a back seat which is criminal for a man who gave us so many great riffs and solos.

The music didn't take a back seat at all. The guitar probably did.
For me, if less guitar means a better lyrical output then it's all ok. I sometimes read Basil's lyrics as poetry and feel incredibly satisfied, artistically speaking. His lyrics transition from the DS period to the solo years are the reflection of a man who has matured, someone with more wisdom. And the musical compositions too.

[Robson]

I know most of us have a lifelong connection to the DS material, but generally speaking I feel like the quality of lyrics got better in the solo years.

Interesting comment.  I think it's important to have a good marriage between the lyrics and the music.  Telegraph Road and BIA convey this better than any IMHO. 

I personally think his songwriting became less consistent during his solo period, especially after the first two albums.  Also, the music clearly took a back seat which is criminal for a man who gave us so many great riffs and solos.

The music didn't take a back seat at all. The guitar probably did.
For me, if less guitar means a better lyrical output then it's all ok. I sometimes read Basil's lyrics as poetry and feel incredibly satisfied, artistically speaking. His lyrics transition from the DS period to the solo years are the reflection of a man who has matured, someone with more wisdom. And the musical compositions too.

Yes. I think so too.

[dmg]

I know most of us have a lifelong connection to the DS material, but generally speaking I feel like the quality of lyrics got better in the solo years.

Interesting comment.  I think it's important to have a good marriage between the lyrics and the music.  Telegraph Road and BIA convey this better than any IMHO. 

I personally think his songwriting became less consistent during his solo period, especially after the first two albums.  Also, the music clearly took a back seat which is criminal for a man who gave us so many great riffs and solos.

The music didn't take a back seat at all. The guitar probably did.
For me, if less guitar means a better lyrical output then it's all ok. I sometimes read Basil's lyrics as poetry and feel incredibly satisfied, artistically speaking. His lyrics transition from the DS period to the solo years are the reflection of a man who has matured, someone with more wisdom. And the musical compositions too.

More like an old man who has become lazy and would rather fill a composition with words than a guitar solo, riff or good melody he'd have to replicate live.  He has/had a gift and it's a real shame it's been wasted to a great extent for many years.