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.
Don't Forget Your Hat
Mark Knopfler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never saw so much rain
You better get down to the station
If you want to catch that train
So long, I guess that's that
Hey, hey, don't forget your hat
Well, you don't call the action
You don't pay the piper
You don't even pay the fuel
So long, I guess that's that
Hey, hey, don't forget your hat
Well, it's a big old world out there
Go get it if you can
You got a ways to go
Before you get to be a man
So long, I guess that's that
Hey, hey, don't forget your hat
The song Don't Forget Your Hat by Mark Knopfler showcases his distinctive vocal style and guitar playing skills. The lyrics offer a deep message of the constant temporal nature of existence, and the importance of holding onto your past experiences as you move forward. The opening lines seem to suggest a sense of hopelessness or despair, as the singer observes the endless downpour of rain outside. The rain serves as a metaphor for the difficulties of life, and the need to take persistent actions even in harsh circumstances.
When he says "If you want to catch that train," he is referring to the idea of passing opportunities in life, that it’s easy to miss them if you’re not moving fast enough. Then the lyrics take a different turn, he mentions that you cannot control everything in life, and sometimes you have to go with the flow. You do not control the environment or the universe, but you do have control over yourself, and one thing you should never forget is your experiences and lessons you’ve learned.
The final lines "You got a ways to go, Before you get to be a man" show that despite the hardships, there is still a lot to be done in life, and many different paths to take to become who you're meant to be. The hat itself is a metaphor for the past, and serves as an important reminder to never forget the lessons learned from previous experiences as you move forward into the unknown future.
Overall, the song is a call to action, urging the listener to take control of their own life, and to remember the lessons learned from their past experiences as they navigate through the constant flow of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, look out the window
Pay attention to your surroundings and notice the heavy rainfall outside.
Never saw so much rain
Expressing surprise at the amount of rain that's falling outside.
You better get down to the station
You need to move quickly to reach the station in time.
If you want to catch that train
In order to make your train journey, you need to get to the station on time.
So long, I guess that's that
The situation is now resolved, and there's no more to say about it.
Hey, hey, don't forget your hat
Reminding you to pick up and take your hat with you before you leave.
Well, you don't call the action
You don't have the power or authority to control everything around you.
You don't make the rules
You're not in a position to dictate how things are done.
You don't pay the piper
You're not responsible for the consequences of someone else's actions or decisions.
You don't even pay the fuel
You're not the one responsible for providing the resources necessary to make things happen.
Well, it's a big old world out there
The world is vast and full of opportunities, waiting to be seized.
Go get it if you can
You should make the most of the opportunities available to you, pursuing them with energy and determination.
You got a ways to go
You still have a lot of growing to do before you reach your full potential.
Before you get to be a man
Before you become an adult who can fully take charge of their life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARK KNOPFLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@zeehag
Lyrics
Well, look out the window
Never saw so much rain
You better get down to the station
If you want to catch that train
So long, I guess that's that
Hey, hey, don't forget your hat
Well, you don't call the action
You don't make the rules
You don't pay the piper
You don't even pay the fuel
So long, I guess that's that
Hey, hey, don't forget your hat
Well, it's a big old world out there
Go get it if you can
You got a ways to go
Before you get to be a man
So long, I guess that's that
Hey, hey, don't forget your hat
@debbieroesser3640
some soul,blues and some old time country.
@birteogjrgenbrandt9104
WOW, he sound like a really bluesplayer, there is really heart in it, and the bluesharp/slideguitar is just fantastic
@PhukIT1865
5 seconds into this song and I already love it...Mark... yeah oh my...thank you for all you have given us
@BatheHerWellAndBringHerToMe
We will firmly second that appreciation
@Savebiosphere
I love this CD!
@berrissoulbelaid
Amazing! Beautiful song
@TomaszGrygorczuk
Magnifico !
@lupitaabz
great! thank you so much
@AdamSandaver
Magnifique
@ThomasJakobMusic
This is basically 'You can't beat the house' part 2.