Since Dire Straits disbanded in 1995, Knopfler has recorded and produced nine solo albums and, as with his previous band, produced many hit songs. He has composed and produced film scores for nine films, including Local Hero (1983), Cal (1984), The Princess Bride (1987), Wag the Dog (1997) and Altamira (2016).
In addition to his work with Dire Straits, Knopfler has, as a solo artist, recorded and performed with many prominent musicians, including B.B. King, Chet Atkins, Chris Botti, John Anderson, the Chieftains, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Elton John, Bryan Ferry, George Jones, Phil Lynott, Donal Lunny, Van Morrison, Steely Dan, Sting, Emmylou Harris , James Taylor and Sonny Landreth , sometimes working as a session musician. He has produced albums for Tina Turner, Bob Dylan, and Randy Newman.
Knopfler is a fingerstyle guitarist and was ranked 27th on Rolling Stone's list of 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. Knopfler and Dire Straits have sold in excess of 120 million records to date. A four-time Grammy Award winner, Knopfler is the recipient of the Edison Award, the Steiger Award and the Ivor Novello Award, as well as holding three honorary doctorate degrees in music from universities in the United Kingdom. Knopfler was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Dire Straits in 2018.
Devil Baby
Mark Knopfler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They're a tight old crew
You look at them
And they look at you
I love the ballyhoo girl
But she don't care
It's hard to find love anywhere
Hard to find love anywhere
The professor is the talker
He's the talking man
And if he can't clean a midway
Nobody can
He'll get the tip on in
From the midway mud
You gotta have the sawdust in the blood
Gotta have the sawdust in the blood
See the pig-faced man and the monkey girl
Come see the big fat lady
'Gator slim with the alligator skin
Come see the devil baby
Springer is the talker
He's the talking man
He's got the whole studio
Eating out of his hand
You can be on too
With the nuts and the geeks
Call 1-800-I'm A FREAK
1-800-I'm A FREAK
Be the pig-faced man or the monkey girl
Come be the big fat lady
'Gator slim with the alligator skin
Come be the devil baby
The song "Devil Baby" by Mark Knopfler is a commentary on the culture of freak shows and the people who perform in them. The lyrics paint a picture of a tight-knit community of outcasts who have found acceptance and camaraderie in their abnormality. The freaks are described as a "tight old crew" who are used to being looked at by outsiders. The ballyhoo girl is singled out as an object of affection, but her lack of interest in the singer reflects the difficulty that the freaks have in finding love.
The lyrics also mention the "professor," who is portrayed as the leader of the group. He is responsible for cleaning up the midway and keeping the show running smoothly. The mention of sawdust in the blood further emphasizes the freaks' dedication to their craft and their sense of belonging within the community. The chorus encourages the listener to come join the freak show and be a part of this unique culture, whether as a performer or simply as a visitor.
Line by Line Meaning
The freaks'll stay together
The group of oddities or unique individuals will always stick with each other.
They're a tight old crew
They have a strong bond with each other.
You look at them
When observing them,
And they look at you
They too will observe you.
I love the ballyhoo girl
I am fond of the woman who promotes the entertainment.
But she don't care
Unfortunately, she may not have feelings for me.
It's hard to find love anywhere
It is challenging to discover romance in any place or situation.
The professor is the talker
The scholar is the artist.
He's the talking man
He is notable for his ability to converse with ease.
And if he can't clean a midway
If he is unable to handle the logistical arrangements of an amusement park,
Nobody can
No one else can either.
He'll get the tip on in
He will be the one to share insider information.
From the midway mud
From the dirty corners of the amusement park.
You gotta have the sawdust in the blood
One must be born into the entertainment business to truly belong.
See the pig-faced man and the monkey girl
Observe the individuals who resemble animals and humans.
Come see the big fat lady
Attend the venue to see the overweight woman.
'Gator slim with the alligator skin
A man named 'Gator Slim' who has an alligator skin.
Come see the devil baby
Come to see the infant who is compared to a demon.
Springer is the talker
Springer is a notable orator.
He's the talking man
He is recognized for his ability to speak well.
He's got the whole studio
He has a significant influence on the show or business.
Eating out of his hand
Everyone is captivated by what he has to say.
You can be on too
You could also be on the show or partake in the activities.
With the nuts and the geeks
With the oddballs and the socially awkward people.
Call 1-800-I'm A FREAK
Call the number to be identified as an unconventional individual.
Be the pig-faced man or the monkey girl
Transform into characters who resemble animals and humans.
Come be the big fat lady
Join as an overweight female.
'Gator slim with the alligator skin
Enter as 'Gator Slim,' an individual with an alligator skin.
Come be the devil baby
Become the demon-like child in attendance.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARK KNOPFLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@victorr504
"Devil Baby" Lyric
The freaks'll stay together
They're a tight old crew
You look at them
And they look at you
I love the ballyhoo girl
But she don't care
It's hard to find love anywhere
Hard to find love anywhere
The professor is the talker
He's the talking man
And if he can't clean a midway
Nobody can
He'll get the tip on in
From the midway mud
You gotta have the sawdust in the blood
Gotta have the sawdust in the blood
See the pig-faced man and the monkey girl
Come see the big fat lady
'Gator slim with the alligator skin
Come see the devil baby
Springer is the talker
He's the talking man
He's got the whole studio
Eating out of his hand
You can be on too
With the nuts and the geeks
Call 1-800-ima frek
1-800-ima frek
Be the pig-faced man or the monkey girl
Come be the big fat lady
'Gator slim with the alligator skin
Come be the devil baby
@victorr1434
Devil Baby"
The freaks'll stay together
They're a tight old crew
You look at them
And they look at you
I love the ballyhoo girl
But she don't care
It's hard to find love anywhere
Hard to find love anywhere
The professor is the talker
He's the talking man
And if he can't clean a midway
Nobody can
He'll get the tip on in
From the midway mud
You gotta have the sawdust in the blood
Gotta have the sawdust in the blood
See the pig-faced man and the monkey girl
Come see the big fat lady
'Gator slim with the alligator skin
Come see the devil baby
Springer is the talker
He's the talking man
He's got the whole studio
Eating out of his hand
You can be on too
With the nuts and the geeks
Call 1-800-ima frek
1-800-ima frek
Be the pig-faced man or the monkey girl
Come be the big fat lady
'Gator slim with the alligator skin
Come be the devil baby
@elsan.9056
Im deeply touched by this beautiful song. He is a genius. One of my favorite musicians of all times. He makes magic
@maciejmaciak6735
yes :)
@martita19835
Pozdrawiam serdecznie ludzi trzeźwo myślących z Ruchu Dobrobytu i Pokoju 🇵🇱❤️☮️🏡⛲🌳🌲
@noslack8081
Best guitar accompaniment to a song I have heard. Unlike many guitar masters whose work is more a bunch of screeching to show their manual dexterity, Mark K makes his guitar blend in beautifully with the melody and always gives such an original twist to it that it can't be mistaken for any other guitarist than him. Love this song.
@rhondawebb7985
He's the master musician. Had the pleasure of seeing his last tour Sept. 2019
@marwood1969
A beautiful, touching little song about very big subjects. Unrequited love, loneliness, exploitation and the changelessness of human nature.
@AmBush-UK
Jerry ! Jerry ! Jerry ! Jerry ! Jerry ! Rest in Piece Jerry Springer
Born: 13 February 1944, Highgate tube station, London
Died: 27 April 2023, Chicago, Illinois, United States
Loved all around the world
@srftam
Amazing man...has colored my life great with his fantastic interpretation of the guitar in a generation of guitars galore. This song is one of those ironic pieces...sounds happy, but listen to the lyrics...I don't know whether to cry or laugh. Thank you, Mark Knoffner.
@giuseppedecarli7615
Le mani di un grande Mark artista sublime, che crea cascate di note armonizzando l'atmosfera, lascia libera la fantasia, la gioia di ascoltare la sua melodia è un'emozione che riempie la vita
@gaetangoudot9186
I love this beautiful song of a great genius !💕🎶🎶🎶🙏👋👋
Thank you so much Mark !💕