Song Lyric Sunday: Lady Writer

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The Sophomore Slump. The Difficult Second Album. Just two of the phrases used to describe the trouble some bands and musicians have found in creating a follow up to a successful debut record. And that is what Jim is inviting us to play this week: a song from a second album. Read all about it here.

I gave this one a fair bit of thought. After all, apart from one hit wonders just about everyone has a second album, so the field of choice was extremely large! In the end, I went for a long time favourite band of mine – Dire Straits – and their album Communiqué. This was the only single taken from it (unless you were in those parts of the world where they got a second):

And seeing as this is Song Lyric Sunday, here are the lyrics:

 

Lady writer on the TVTalk about the Virgin MaryReminded me of youExpectations left to come up to, yeah
 
Lady writer on the TVYeah, she had another qualityThe way you used to lookAnd I know you never read a book
 
Just the way that her hair fell down around her faceThen I recall my fall from graceAnother time, another place
Lady writer on the TVShe had all the brains and the beautyThe picture does not fitYou talked to me when you felt like it
 
Just the way that her hair fell down around her faceThen I recall my fall from graceAnother time, another place
Yes and your rich old manYou know, he’d call her a dead ringerYou got the same commandPlus your mother was a jazz singer
 
Just the way that her hair fell down around her faceThen I recall my fall from grace, oh yeahAnother time, another place
 
Lady writer on the TV (lady writer on the TV)She knew all about a historyYou couldn’t hardly write your nameI think I want you just the same as the-
 
Lady writer on the TV (lady writer on the TV)Talking about the Virgin Mary (lady writer)Yeah, you know I’m talking about you and me (lady writer on the TV)And the lady writer on the TV
 
Lady writer on the TV (lady writer on the TV)Talking about the Virgin Mary (lady writer)Yeah you know I’m talking about you and me (lady writer on the TV)And the lady writer on the TV
 
 
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Mark Knopfler
Lady Writer lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
 

Recording sessions for Dire Straits’ second album, Communiqué, took place in December 1978 at Compass Point Studios in Nassau, Bahamas. All of the tracks on Communiqué were written by Mark Knopfler, and it was produced by Jerry Wexler and Barry Beckett. It was released on 5 June 1979 as the follow up to Dire Straits’ eponymous debut album, which came out almost exactly a year previously, in June 1978. The album reached #1 in France, Germany, Spain, New Zealand, and Sweden, #11 in the US and #5 in the UK, and was later certified Gold in the US, Platinum in the UK and Double Platinum in France. It sold more than 600k copies in both France and Germany, half a million in the US and 300k in the UK, but despite these sales it has often been compared unfavourably to its predecessor. Of course, that one sold more, but most bands would kill for sales figures like these!

Critics were unkind to it, the general feeling being that the tracks sounded similar to the band’s first album, and that they were a set of songs that weren’t considered good enough for inclusion on that one. As I’ve said many times before, critics tend to talk through their nether orifices, and who cares what they think anyway? This wouldn’t have been the first time that a band had stuck to a winning formula: think Status Quo, who have been accused of making the same album over and over again!

As I said, Lady Writer was the only single from the album everywhere except in N America and, seemingly, in the Antipodes, where Once Upon A Time In The West was also released. Lady Writer reached #45 in the US and #51 in the UK, but fared best in The Netherlands, reaching #18, and in France, where it got to #34. Not hugely impressive, but at this point they were, I think, widely seen as an albums band. Both singles did reach Gold status in New Zealand – I have a couple of regular readers from there and am hoping they can enlighten me as to the sales figures needed for that. I’m guessing they are fewer than here!

Communiqué was the last album to feature David Knopfler, Mark’s brother, who departed during the making of their next record, Making Movies, and thus this one was the last with the original lineup of Mark Knopfler on lead vocals and guitar, David Knopfler on rhythm guitar and backing vocals, John Illsley on bass and BVs, and Pick Withers on drums. Their changed line up expanded membership, and took them on to huge heights with later albums, especially the juggernaut that was Brothers In Arms. But today I’m concentrating, as per the prompt, on their second album, and I thought I’d close by playing another track from it, one that I’ve always liked:

The song describes someone I’m sure Mark Knopfler had seen around the Portobello Road area of London, where he, David and John shared a flat together. It’s a rather sad little tale of someone who had perhaps seen better times – I know that area and that description could be applied to many that you see on the streets there. It’s a nice song, though, and feels like something he wanted her to hear as his way of appreciating her. But that’s just my interpretation.

That’s me done for today, and thank you for joining me in my trip down memory lane. See you again for Tuesday Tunes? 🎶

 
 

 

53 thoughts on “Song Lyric Sunday: Lady Writer”

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  4. I thought the “sophomore slump” was a term used in the United States. It often occurs in sports when an athlete has a disappointing second year after a promising rookie season. I’ve never heard it in a musical context before, though I suppose it would naturally follow the “one hit wonder.” Lady Writer is outstanding, though I also like the second tune.

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    • I had only previously heard it in the musical context! Jim referred to it in his post setting up today’s theme, and included it in his title: I rest my case 🤣

      Glad you enjoyed the songs, Pete 👍

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  8. Following up that first album was hard…heck following up Sultans of Swing would be a chore all by itself. I had this album…I loved it.

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    • I imagine they aren’t the first – or last – band to have had that problem. When you announce yourself with something that good you create a hard act for yourself to follow. But they did it, not just with this but the ones that followed – some classic tracks on them. I had them all, and loved them all!

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      • They never let up and I liked them all the way. I was happy for them when they released Brothers in Arms and they got the recognition they deserved.

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      • That album was massive. I think it sold around 30m worldwide. It tended to overshadow their previous ones: my own preference is for Making Movies and Love Over Gold ahead of it: nothing better than a blast of Tunnel Of Love or Telegraph Road!

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      • It was probably bigger than Mark wanted snf yea…I agree it did overshadow their early records which personally I did like more.

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  9. Firstly.
    I am with you all the way on critics. They’ve stifled more promising folk in many facets of arts than any authoritarian governmental board of censors. And they get paid for it! I’ve brought stuff both cds and DVDs on the strength of a bad review by a professional.
    (OK done ranting……. for the present)

    Now Communiqué I completely missed, mind you that couple of years was personally very hectic and music was not my priority.
    Portobello Road – I do like that. It reminds me of some of Lou Reed’s work with the Velvet Underground and solo- that said I hasten to add- In a good way, because the music is far superior and melodic (Lou bless him never really went for melodies or lightness of sound).
    Mark Knopfler I always reckoned had an underrated voice, there was a great deal of depth and emotion in that delivery.
    Thanks again for widening my horizons

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    • I’m pleased you enjoyed this and picked up something new from it. And also that you have a similar view on critics!

      You’re right about Mark Knopfler and the depth of his delivery – not just with the band but through his solo albums and collaborations too.

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  10. I have been absolutely crazy about Dite Straits and Mark Knofler since they released their album Brothers in Arms. I have followed his releases closely and cherished On every street and Darling Pretty, and his project Neck & Neck with Chet Atkins as well. Mark is one of the finest song writers ever and his songs are stories and so much information. Loved your post. Communique is such a delightful album and Lady Writer is a treat.

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    • You came to them late! They had released four superb albums before Brothers In Arms, so if you haven’t caught up with them you have much good listening ahead of you.

      Mark’s solo career has also given us many fine albums too, and his collaboration with Emmylou Harris is pretty special.

      I’m really pleased you enjoyed this so much 👍

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      • I have listened to everything he recorded prior to Brothers in arms too. My first Dire Straits album was Brothers in arms. I even love Infidels by Bob Dylan and discovered it was produced by him. His guitar fills stand out in the album.

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  12. Critique, by definition, involves evaluating something by identifying both its strengths and weaknesses, but most critics seem to focus on pointing out flaws, maybe thinking that will get them more readers.  I agree with you, Clive there are some great songs on Communiqué and it is too bad that it didn’t get more airplay.

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    • I guess it’s human nature to try to find fault with something, but sometimes I think they go too far in a “look at me, aren’t I clever” kind of way.

      I’m glad we agree on the album, even if they didn’t like it!

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  14. Dire Straits has some of the best stories put to music. The band’s distinctive sound and Mark Knopfler’s easily-recognizable voice get my attention immediately. I’ve enjoyed their music for a very long time and it was nice to hear them this morning. Great choice, Clive.

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    • I’m pleased you like them too, Nancy. They made that sound their own, and gave us so much great music. I think it speaks volumes that this was a less successful album but was still full of great tune.

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  16. I am not really familiar with Dire Straights outside of what made it into the top 40 over here- so these were both new to me. Their songs all bear a resemblance to each other- but I do like the singer’s voice.

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    • This is probably their least well known album so I’m not surprised they were new for you. I think Mark Knopfler’s distinctive voice is a hallmark, and he has a long career of solo albums with it too!

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  18. ‘Once Upon A Time In The West’ is a fine song that’s slipped from my radar for a while now. One I must listen to again. Overall, IMHO the album is decent but I get the critics this time. Decent, worthy, but no step forward or back.

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  19. I always liked Dire Straits and Mark Knofler’s very distinct voice, and guitar playing of course. Nice song choices too and interesting to read of the backgrounds. Hope you’re keeping well Clive.

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