BOOM
Dire Straits Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm going to san bernardino
Ring-a-ding-ding
Milkshake mixers
That's my thing, now
These guys bought
A heap of my stuff
And I gotta see a good thing
Sure enough, now
Or my name's not kroc
That's kroc with a 'k'
Like 'crocodile'
But not spelled that way, now
It's dog eat dog
Rat eat rat
Kroc-style
Boom, like that

The folks line up
All down the street
And i'm seeing this girl
Devour her meat, now
And then I get it, wham
As clear as day
My pulse begins to hammer
And I hear a voice say:
These boys have
Got this down
Oughtta be a one of these
In every town
These boys have
Got the touch
It's clean as a whistle
And it don't cost much
Wham, bam
You don't wait long
Shake, fries
Patty, you're gone
And how about that
Friendly name?
Heck, every little thing
Oughtta stay the same
Or my name's not kroc
That's kroc with a 'k'
Like 'crocodile'
But not spelt that way, now
It's dog eat dog
Rat eat rat
Oh, it's dog eat dog,
Rat eat rat
Kroc-style
Boom, like that

You gentlemen
Ought to expand
You're going to need
A helping hand, now
So, gentlemen
Well, what about me?
We'll make a little
Business history, now
Or my name's not kroc
Call me ray
Like 'crocodile'
But not spelt that way, now
It's dog eat dog
Rat eat rat
Kroc-style
Boom, like that

Well we build it up
And I buy 'em out
But, man they made me
Grind it out, now
They open up a new place
Flipping meat
So I do, too
Right across the street
I got the name
I need the town
They sell up in the end
And it all shuts down
Sometimes you gotta
Be an s.o.b.
You wanna make a dream
Reality
Competition?
Send 'em south
If they're gonna drown
Put a hose in their mouth
Do not pass go
Go straight to hell
I smell that
Meat hook smell
Or my name's not kroc
That's kroc with a 'k'
Like 'crocodile'
But not spelt that way, now
It's dog eat dog
Rat eat rat
Oh, it's dog eat dog
Rat eat rat




Kroc-style
Boom, like that

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Dire Straits' song "Boom, Like That" tell the somewhat ambiguous story of Ray Kroc's rise to success with the McDonald's franchise. The song begins with Kroc traveling to San Bernardino, California, to meet the two brothers who own the original McDonald's restaurant. Kroc is impressed by their efficient system of food production and decides to get involved. The chorus - "It's dog eat dog, rat eat rat, Kroc-style, boom, like that" - seems to reflect Kroc's ruthless approach to competition and his willingness to do whatever it takes to succeed.


As the song progresses, Kroc expands the McDonald's franchise, taking on partners and buying out other fast-food chains. The lyrics describe Kroc's determination to stay ahead of the competition, even when it means opening a new restaurant directly across the street from a competitor. The final verse is particularly dark, with Kroc saying, "Sometimes you gotta be an s.o.b. if you wanna make a dream reality" and suggesting that his competitors should "go straight to hell" if they can't keep up.


Overall, the lyrics of "Boom, Like That" paint a complex picture of a man who was both a visionary entrepreneur and a ruthless businessman, willing to do whatever it took to achieve his goals. Whether or not this interpretation is accurate may be up for debate, but there is no denying that the song is a fascinating glimpse into the world of fast-food commerce and the people who built it.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm going to san bernardino
I am heading to San Bernardino


Ring-a-ding-ding
A description of the sound of the clanging bells


Milkshake mixers
The name of the product used to create milkshakes


That's my thing, now
Making milkshakes is my expertise


These guys bought
A group of individuals purchased


A heap of my stuff
A large quantity of my products


And I gotta see a good thing
I need to witness something positive


Sure enough, now
Indeed, without question


Or my name's not kroc
My name is Kroc and I am determined


That's kroc with a 'k'
The spelling of my name includes a capital K


Like 'crocodile'
A similarity to the vicious predator


But not spelled that way, now
However, it is not spelled like the animal


It's dog eat dog
A description of ruthless competition


Rat eat rat
Unforgiving rivalry


Kroc-style
The way in which Kroc operates


Boom, like that
Action taken quickly and effectively


The folks line up
People are queuing


All down the street
In a long line that extends outside


And i'm seeing this girl
I notice a particular girl


Devour her meat, now
Eating her food enthusiastically


And then I get it, wham
Suddenly, realization hits me


As clear as day
Completely straightforward


My pulse begins to hammer
My heart races with excitement


And I hear a voice say:
I hear a voice telling me


These boys have
These guys possess


Got this down
Have mastered the process


Oughtta be a one of these
There should be more of these establishments


In every town
In each and every city


The touch
The attention to detail


It's clean as a whistle
Very hygienic


And it don't cost much
Inexpensive


Wham, bam
Quick and efficient


You don't wait long
You do not wait for long periods of time


Shake, fries
Milkshake and fries


Patty, you're gone
The meal is consumed quickly


And how about that
An expression of admiration


Friendly name?
A welcoming title?


Heck, every little thing
Every detail matters


Oughtta stay the same
Remain consistent


You gentlemen
The men present


Ought to expand
Should increase the size of your enterprise


You're going to need
You will require


A helping hand, now
Assistance


Well, what about me?
What is my role in this?


We'll make a little
We will attempt to create a small


Business history, now
A successful enterprise that will be remembered


Call me ray
My name is Ray


Well we build it up
We create a franchise


And I buy 'em out
I purchase the competition


But, man they made me
They really forced me to work hard


Grind it out, now
I put my all into it


They open up a new place
The competition opens a new restaurant


Flipping meat
Cooking meat


So I do, too
I copy their business model


Right across the street
Directly opposite their establishment


I got the name
I have the brand name


I need the town
I desire this territory


They sell up in the end
They eventually give up


And it all shuts down
Their business ceases trading


Sometimes you gotta
Occasionally, you need to


Be an s.o.b.
Be tough and ruthless


You wanna make a dream
If you want to achieve a goal


Reality
The actual state of things


Competition?
Our rivals?


Send 'em south
Send them elsewhere, usually with negative connotations


If they're gonna drown
If they cannot manage


Put a hose in their mouth
Metaphorically speaking, shut them down


Do not pass go
Without hesitation or delay


Go straight to hell
My contempt for them is immense


I smell that
I can sense


Meat hook smell
The unpleasant aroma of raw, fresh meat




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MARK KNOPFLER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@denise0223

Mark Knopfler is my hero. I truly LOVE his music, guitar playing, songwriting, story telling. The feel and emotion behind his playing is magical, to me. Heard the music of Dire Straits in ‘78 and fell in love with it all.
At 62 years young, I’m watching videos of Mark on YT doing whatever. Grateful that there’s so much stuff to learn more about him.
I saw Dire Straits in the Boston area, March of 1992. I dropped off a card and letter to his hotel explaining multiple surgical issues with both hands (I play guitar), leaving my wrists totally fused and asked if he would consider signing my guitar. The concert was one I’ll never forget! 31 years ago…..where has time gone???

His music has ALWAYS touched my heart and I never tire of it. There’s so much to love and enjoy.
Two nights after the concert I received a call…..from Mark himself. 💃🏼😳
At 31 yrs old, I should’ve been calm, cool and collected after hearing who was calling…..but, I was shocked and remember saying OMG a few times.
Mark was so gracious and offered to meet me at ‘quarter till 11’ the next morning!!
He was everything you’d expect. So VERY kind and concerned. We talked a bit about me trying the keyboard given the inability to move my wrists.
He happily signed my white 1988 Gibson ES-335 showcase edition (200 made).
I’ll never forget that day as it’s etched in my heart. So very grateful to him.

Peace, love & prayers to all,
Denise from MA



@user-shakhanovp90

ОБОЖАЮ!!!
ШИКАРДОСИЩЕ!!!
Брутальный шедевр!
Не надоест Н И К О Г Д А 😎😎😎
Это моя пожизненная мелодия сигнала вызова📲✅🎵🎶🎙🔊🎸👍✊✊✊💪💪💪

так и хочется сесть на мотик и по прерии и катить и катить...


Thank you very much Mark for your creativity! With best wishes, Warm greetings from Russia!✌✌✌



All comments from YouTube:

@Bf2enjoyer6

2024 anyone?

@rlh5870

You bet! Boom like that!

@JasonSchmidt-1979

2027

@dutt_arka

oh yeah! Boom,like that! :)

@Colonelstickmustard_

Always brother, a song I can’t resist

@dutt_arka

@@Colonelstickmustard_ My life's going through a very tough time — been dealing with a lot of stuff. In these trying times,Mark's work has given me peace and joy.

5 More Replies...

@lynnebrowning4502

I love Mark Knopfler and I admire his continuing talent to perform. 2024. Yes!!!!!

@denise0223

Mark Knopfler is my hero. I truly LOVE his music, guitar playing, songwriting, story telling. The feel and emotion behind his playing is magical, to me. Heard the music of Dire Straits in ‘78 and fell in love with it all.
At 62 years young, I’m watching videos of Mark on YT doing whatever. Grateful that there’s so much stuff to learn more about him.
I saw Dire Straits in the Boston area, March of 1992. I dropped off a card and letter to his hotel explaining multiple surgical issues with both hands (I play guitar), leaving my wrists totally fused and asked if he would consider signing my guitar. The concert was one I’ll never forget! 31 years ago…..where has time gone???

His music has ALWAYS touched my heart and I never tire of it. There’s so much to love and enjoy.
Two nights after the concert I received a call…..from Mark himself. 💃🏼😳
At 31 yrs old, I should’ve been calm, cool and collected after hearing who was calling…..but, I was shocked and remember saying OMG a few times.
Mark was so gracious and offered to meet me at ‘quarter till 11’ the next morning!!
He was everything you’d expect. So VERY kind and concerned. We talked a bit about me trying the keyboard given the inability to move my wrists.
He happily signed my white 1988 Gibson ES-335 showcase edition (200 made).
I’ll never forget that day as it’s etched in my heart. So very grateful to him.

Peace, love & prayers to all,
Denise from MA

@Om-resistor

Привет! Хранит Вас Бог!
Вы может знаете, есть у него семья, жена и дети?

@careyw3161

The guitar tone, the phrasing, the fingerpicking, the incredible melodious lines...it's all of these things that make Mark Knopfler one of the greatest guitar players of our time, and a superb singer/songwriter as well.

More Comments

More Versions