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Lady Writer
Dire Straits Lyrics


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Lady Writer on the TV
Talk about the Virgin Mary
Reminded me of you
Expectations left to come up to yeah

Lady writer on the TV
Yeah, she had another quality
The way you used to look
And I know you never read a book

Just the way that her hair fell down around her face
Then I recall my fall from grace
Another time, another place

Lady writer on the TV
She had all the brains and the beauty
The picture does not fit
You talked to me when you felt like it

Just the way that her hair fell down around her face
Then I recall my fall from grace
Another time, another place

Yes and your rich old man
You know he'd call her a dead ringer
You got the same command
Plus you mother was a jazz singer

Just the way that her hair fell down around her face
Then I recall my fall from grace, oh yeah
Another time, another place

Lady writer on the TV
She knew all about a history
You couldn't hardly write your name
I think I want you just the same as the

Lady writer on the TV
Talking about the Virgin Mary
Yeah you know I'm talking about you and me
And the lady writer on the TV

Lady writer on the TV
Talking about the Virgin Mary
Yeah you know I'm talking about you and me
And the lady writer on the TV

Overall Meaning

In "Lady Writer," Dire Straits sings about a woman he saw on TV. He compares her to the Virgin Mary, and says that she reminded him of someone he knows. He talks about how she has qualities that are attractive but ultimately doesn't fit the picture of what he wants. As he looks back on a time when he made a mistake, he still thinks of her as the woman he wants.


The song conveys a sense of nostalgia and regret, as the singer thinks back on a time when he was with this woman. He remembers their past interactions and wishes he could have another chance with her. The comparison to the Virgin Mary suggests that she is pure and untouchable, but also that the singer sees her as a kind of religious figure. He is attracted to her intelligence and beauty, but ultimately can't be with her because she doesn't fit his expectations.


The song is a commentary on the difficulty of expectations in relationships. The singer acknowledges that he had certain expectations for this woman, but ultimately they were impossible to live up to. He regrets not being able to connect with her on a deeper level. The song conveys a sense of longing and loss, as the singer realizes he may never have another chance with this woman.


Line by Line Meaning

Lady Writer on the TV
The singer sees a lady writer on TV and is reminded of someone he knows.


Talk about the Virgin Mary
The lady writer on TV discusses the Virgin Mary and reminds the singer of someone from his past.


Reminded me of you
The singer is reminded of someone he once knew when he sees the lady writer.


Expectations left to come up to yeah
The singer is thinking of the expectations he had for the person he knew, which may have been too high for her to meet.


Yeah, she had another quality
The lady writer on TV has a quality that the person from the singer's past also had.


The way you used to look
The singer remembers how the person he knew used to look.


And I know you never read a book
The person the singer knew was not an avid reader.


Just the way that her hair fell down around her face
The singer is reminded of the person he knew when he sees how the lady writer's hair falls around her face.


Then I recall my fall from grace
Seeing the lady writer reminds the singer of a time when he made a mistake and lost favor with someone.


Another time, another place
The singer is remembering a time in the past when he fell from grace, and he wishes he could go back and do things differently.


She had all the brains and the beauty
The lady writer on TV is intelligent and attractive.


The picture does not fit
The person the singer knew was not exactly like the lady writer on TV.


You talked to me when you felt like it
The person the singer knew was not very communicative and only talked to him when she wanted to.


Yes and your rich old man
The person the singer knew had a wealthy father.


You know he'd call her a dead ringer
The person the singer knew looks a lot like the lady writer on TV.


You got the same command
The person the singer knew had a similar presence and influence.


Plus you mother was a jazz singer
The person the singer knew had a mother who was a jazz singer.


She knew all about a history
The lady writer on TV is knowledgeable about history.


You couldn't hardly write your name
The person the singer knew was not very educated.


I think I want you just the same
Despite all their differences, the singer still has feelings for the person he knew.


Talking about the Virgin Mary
The lady writer on TV continues to discuss the Virgin Mary.


Yeah you know I'm talking about you and me
The singer is now sure that he is talking about the person he knew.


And the lady writer on the TV
The lady writer on TV is still on the TV, but the singer's thoughts have shifted back to his past.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Mark Knopfler

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@p.rince2016

I grew up with daily music of the Dire straits when living with my parents in my younger days.
My dad was able to play every song on his red Fender guitar. 🔥🎸❤️

Played in bands and was well known in my local country area.
Now because of circumstances and his age he can't play the guitar anymore. For him it is like dying a little bit...😢
Your music was and still is really his and our life !

Lady writer is one of our favorites, he also have seen the Dire Straits live end of the seventies.

And lucky , now his 2 grandsons are playing the Dire Straits ...isn't that beautiful ? 💫



All comments from YouTube:

@scottcarmody6233

Watching Mark Knopfler play guitar is incredible. He enjoys it so much.

@kensilverstone1656

He's also very good with a great rock feel.

@willkin2291

50% of this song is basically a guitar solo

@user-xm9hg8nm7b

Not A guitar solo THE GUITAR SOLO

@johnbosuen8286

just stumbled on this , and I thought sultans of swing was catchy , I salute you mark knopfler in 2023

@AchtungBaby77

Should've been closer to 75%, given how awesome just 50% sounds!

@namewitheld

Guitar Chads

@lesliemason5168

YeH and brilliant is that bad ?????????

39 More Replies...

@ianballantyne6892

Superb. One of their most underrated songs.

@sid28

tbf it is quite popular, just not in youtube views

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