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.
The Bones
David Knopfler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There are soldiers on the street
The Emperor's on the phone...
Some people mustn't meet
They're throwing away the bones
There was this poet now she's dead
They're burying the bones
But Eddy he's alright
He put the cash in Switzerland
He's flying there tonight
Praise God, Democracy and Parliament
They are digging up the bones
The Emperors limo's on the street
Yeah they're digging up the bones
Important people are discreet
They are digging up the bones
I swear this child will lose his head
The Emperor puts away the phone
"Alles klar... kein problem now" he said
And Eddy's alright
Gold bullion and cash to spare
He'll spend some there tonight
On this girl who lets him do weird shit to her
They are throwing away the bones
There are hit men on my street
And Eddy's on the phone
Some people mustn't meet
Come what may
They'll be back some day
From Blue Bayou.
David Knopfler's song 'The Bones' is a commentary on the violence and corruption in modern society, and the power struggles that take place behind closed doors. The lyrics paint a picture of a society where those in power are willing to do anything to maintain their position, even if it means killing or exploiting others. The song tells the story of a powerful Emperor who is involved in shady dealings with his henchmen. The bones that are being thrown away and dug up are metaphors for the secrets and betrayals that are being swept under the rug and brought to the surface. The poet who is dead and the child who will lose his head are just some of the casualties of this corrupt system.
The chorus of the song set in Blue Bayou is a reminder that no matter how much power and wealth people accumulate, they will one day have to face the consequences of their actions. The song is a warning against the dangers of greed and corruption, and the need for transparency and accountability in all areas of life.
Line by Line Meaning
They are throwing away the bones
Disposing of evidence of something that was once important
There are soldiers on the street
Presence of order and control in society
The Emperor's on the phone...
The powerful are detached and removed from the actual situation
Some people mustn't meet
Circumstances where some people cannot be allowed to interact with each other
There was this poet now she's dead
The loss of someone who spoke truth to power
They're burying the bones
Covering up any trace of dissent, opposition or truth
All who saw the Emperor naked
Those who saw through the façade of the powerful
But Eddy he's alright
Selfish and detached from the harsh reality
He put the cash in Switzerland
Storing wealth in a safe haven
He's flying there tonight
Escaping and abandoning responsibility
Praise God, Democracy and Parliament
A superficial display of loyalty to the system
They are digging up the bones
Revealing and uncovering the truth behind the façade
The Emperors limo's on the street
The presence of powerful people to reassure the masses that all is well
Important people are discreet
Those in power are hesitant to reveal true intentions for fear of losing control
I swear this child will lose his head
A warning to those who threaten the power structure
The Emperor puts away the phone
The powerful disengage and deflect criticism
"Alles klar... kein problem now" he said
The powerful reassure the masses of their control and stability
Gold bullion and cash to spare
The accumulation of wealth over everything else
He'll spend some there tonight
Self-indulgence and instant gratification for the powerful
On this girl who lets him do weird shit to her
The exploitation and abuse of vulnerable individuals at the hands of the powerful
There are hit men on my street
The enforcement of the powerful to maintain their dwindling control
Come what may
Regardless of the obstacles
They'll be back some day
The cyclical nature of exposing and burying the truth
From Blue Bayou.
The inevitability and predictability of the powerful's cycle of abuse and corruption
Contributed by Luke C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.