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.

Dominó
David Knopfler Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Who comes to see,
Ghost believer,
Spook Madonna to her bed of shame.
The eyes of a child
Watch her leaving,
In the morning rain,
Sweet Domino burning up again.
Up from her basement

High on the pavement
Secret fantasies from dream domain
Heartaches and reveries
Gets what she wants from me
And a churchbell ring
Domino is burning up again
Helpless as a falling leaf

Autumn 'neath the shooting stars
Moon above her Convent trees
Embracing all these scars
Where can you hide
A lonely Angel
A flicker of curtain
As the street lights dim
Possessed by Prophecies
Here comes The Dreamer
Weaving helpless through the night again
Praying for these crazy dreams

Praying for these crazy dreams
Praying these crazy dreams will end.

Overall Meaning

David Knopfler's song "Domino" is a poetic depiction of a troubled woman's life, haunted by her own fears and insecurities. The song starts off with a glimpse of the woman's dark world, with people coming to visit her as ghost believers, and her being referred to as a "Spook Madonna" - a title that seems to suggest her as some sort of mystical or supernatural figure. She has a child who watches her leave in the morning rain, as the titular Domino burns up again.

The second verse describes the woman's fantasies and dreams, referencing heartaches and reveries as she gets what she wants from the male narrator. The churchbell rings as Domino burns up again, further conveying a sense of doom and tragedy in her life. Helpless as a falling leaf, she is alone and searching for a place to hide. The third verse depicts a lonely angel, enveloped by the scars of her past, praying for her crazy dreams to end. The song ends with a lament for the dreamer, as they weave helplessly through the night once more.

Overall, "Domino" seems to be about a person who struggles with feelings of loneliness, helplessness, and insecurity. The images of being haunted by ghosts and dreams convey a sense of being trapped within one's own fears and anxieties. The song is skillfully crafted, with complex imagery and a haunting melody that stays with the listener long after it's over.

Line by Line Meaning

Who comes to see,
Who visits her

Ghost believer,
She believes in ghosts

Spook Madonna to her bed of shame.
Her shameful past haunts her

The eyes of a child
The innocence of a child

Watch her leaving,
The child watches her leave

In the morning rain,
It is raining in the morning

Sweet Domino burning up again.
She is going through a painful experience again

Up from her basement
Leaving the dark and hidden place

High on the pavement
Walking on the street

Secret fantasies from dream domain
Secret desires from her dreams

Heartaches and reveries
Painful memories and daydreams