David Knopfler (born 27 December 1952, Glasgow) is a British singer-songwri… Read Full Bio ↴David Knopfler (born 27 December 1952, Glasgow) is a British singer-songwriter, rhythm guitarist, pianist and co-founder (with older brother Mark Knopfler) of the critically-acclaimed rock band Dire Straits. After three years in Dire Straits (from 1977 to 1980), Knopfler embarked on a solo career as a recording artist, releasing a respectable number of albums over the years.

Knopfler played rhythm guitar and appeared on Dire Straits' first two albums: 1978's Dire Straits and 1979's Communiqué. The stress of composing, arranging songs, recording the then-requisite two albums and tours to support them took its toll on the brothers, and Knopfler left the band during the recording of their third album, Making Movies, leaving him uncredited on the album.

Knopfler has been fortunate enough to reach a wide audience without compromising his art and while he's enjoyed the respect and admiration of his musical peers, widespread critical acclaim, international awards and worldwide chart successes, has managed, in his own country, Britain, to keep a profile so low as to be nearly invisible. He lives quietly in the English countryside, notching up an impressive list of writing credits.

A regular panelist at music conventions, a once-married family man and lifelong member of organizations like Amnesty International and Adopt a Minefield, David has always made uncompromising life choices: "I don't regard what I do as remotely glamorous. I write, record and perform my music because I completely love doing it and despite any so called celebrity status that sometimes comes with the job."

Ship of Dreams, released in 2004 and co-produced with Harry Bogdanovs (Westerhagen) features guest appearances by Chris Rea and Alan Clark (Dire Straits) amongst others. The album's cover features a painting generously supplied by Scotland's most successful living artist, Jack Vettriano.

As well as having produced a clutch of underscores for film and TV projects, David's first book of poetry was entitled Blood Stones and Rhythmic Beasts.

All my life
David Knopfler Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I been labelled
I been named
I been working
All my life
For better things

And I've been patient
And been denied

All my life waiting
Waiting all my life
Living with these feelings
All my life

I've been libelled

I've been framed
I've witnessed my survival
Like I've witnessed many things

And I've been slandered
And I have been wronged
I've been waiting for "the good times"
For so long

All my life
All my life.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to David Knopfler's "All My Life" focus on the struggles of life and the challenges that come with it. Knopfler explains that throughout his life, he has been labelled, named and working for better things. These struggles often seem unfair, and he has been patient for a long time, yet he has been denied.

The feelings of denials and struggles have been something he has been living with all his life, and it seems like no matter what he does, he cannot win. He adds that he has been libelled and framed, and he's witnessed his survival, just like he has witnessed many other things. Knopfler says that he has been slandered, wronged, and he's been waiting for the good times to come. However, it seems like he's been waiting for a very long time.

The lyrics to "All My Life" capture the essence of the struggles of life, where people work hard and strive for a better tomorrow but often get knocked down by the tide of life, but even in such struggles, he remains hopeful that there will be good times to come.

Line by Line Meaning

I been labelled
I have been given a name or reputation by others

I been named
People have given me a particular label or identity

I been working
I have been putting in effort and labor

All my life
Throughout my entire existence

For better things
In pursuit of positive outcomes or improvements

And I've been patient
I have exercised tolerance and self-control

And been denied
However, I have often been refused or rejected

All my life waiting
I have spent my whole life anticipating something

Waiting all my life
My life has consisted of long periods of waiting

Living with these feelings
I have been experiencing certain emotions or sensations

I've been libelled
I have been defamed or slandered

I've been framed
I have been intentionally made to look guilty or responsible for something

I've witnessed my survival
I have observed my own ability to persist and endure

Like I've witnessed many things
Similar to how I have observed many other experiences

And I've been slandered
I have been falsely accused or attacked through words

And I have been wronged
I have been treated unfairly or unjustly

I've been waiting for 'the good times'
I have been eagerly anticipating positive or happy experiences

For so long
For a significant amount of time or for what feels like forever

All my life
Throughout my entire existence

All my life.
My entire life has consisted of these experiences and emotions.

Lyrics © DistroKid, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JOSEPH JONES, DAVID MARTIN FRANK, MICHAEL A. MURPHY, ANDRE S. PARKER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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