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.
Who's Your Baby Now
Mark Knopfler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is broken up and gone
Hey baby, who's your baby now
On the slipway of your dream
Stands someone else's scheme
Hey baby, who's your baby now
Your baby now, baby now
The ancient trade you ply
Ain't enough to get you by
Hey baby, who's your baby now
The yard is locked and closed
The old guard has been deposed
Hey baby, who's your baby now
Your baby now, baby now
Your baby now, your baby now
You always had to be the kind
To have to say what's on your mind
And hey, you really showed 'em how
You used to laugh about
How you used to dish it out
But hey, who's laughing now
'cause the rock you stood upon
Is broken up and gone
Hey baby, who's your baby now
Yeh the rock you stood upon
Is broken up and gone
Hey baby, who's your baby now
The lyrics to Mark Knopfler's song Who's Your Baby Now paints a vivid picture of a woman whose life has taken a different turn and is now faced with the question of who or what she can rely on. The song starts off by describing the woman's once solid foundation or "rock" that she stood upon which has been broken and gone, leaving her in a vulnerable state. The phrase "who's your baby now" is a rhetorical question that emphasizes how everything that used to be familiar has changed.
The slipway of her dream refers to the woman's aspirations and hopes that have been replaced by someone else's plans, represented by "someone else's scheme". The woman's ancient trade is no longer enough to sustain her, and her livelihood is tenuous now that the yard is closed and the old guard has been deposed. The phrase "who's your baby now" makes it clear that the woman is on her own and must figure out how to survive.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "your baby now" twice, emphasizing the point that the woman is now responsible for herself and must navigate through a world that is no longer familiar.
Overall, the lyrics of the song Who's Your Baby Now tells a story of change, vulnerability, and resilience. The woman in the song has to learn to adapt to a new reality and find her own way.
Line by Line Meaning
The rock you stood upon
The foundation or basis of your life, beliefs or principles has been shattered or lost.
Is broken up and gone
Your once solid and reliable support or way of life is now nonexistent.
Hey baby, who's your baby now
The question refers to who/what provides you with security, stability, and support in your current situation.
On the slipway of your dream
The location or state of your goals and aspirations.
Stands someone else's scheme
Someone else's plans and goals are ahead of yours, and you are not in control of your future.
The ancient trade you ply
The job, career, or skillset you have relied on for your livelihood.
Ain't enough to get you by
Your current job or skillset is no longer enough to provide for your needs and demands.
The yard is locked and closed
The opportunities and resources you used to have are no longer available.
The old guard has been deposed
People who used to have power and influence are now gone, and things have changed beyond your control.
Your baby now, baby now
The repetition of this line emphasizes the question of who or what is taking care of you now.
You always had to be the kind
You are a person who speaks their mind and takes charge of situations.
To have to say what's on your mind
You feel compelled to speak your thoughts and opinions.
And hey, you really showed 'em how
You were successful in displaying your abilities and talents to others.
You used to laugh about
You used to make jokes or light of certain things.
How you used to dish it out
You used to respond or retaliate aggressively and confidently in situations.
But hey, who's laughing now
Now that your foundation and previous opportunities are gone, your previous attitude towards things may not be sufficient, and you may not be in control anymore.
Yeh the rock you stood upon
Once again, this line stresses the loss of a previously solid foundation or support system.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARK KNOPFLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@LodewijkVrije
The rock you stood upon
Is broken up and gone
Hey baby, who's your baby now
On the slipway of your dream
Stands someone else's scheme
Hey baby, who's your baby now
Your baby now, baby now
Your baby now, your baby now
The ancient trade you ply
Ain't enough to get you by
Hey baby, who's your baby now
The yard is locked and closed
The old guard has been deposed
Hey baby, who's your baby now
Your baby now, baby now
Your baby now, your baby now
You always had to be the kind
To have to say what's on your mind
And hey, you really showed 'em how
You used to laugh about
How you used to dish it out
But hey, who's laughing now
'cause the rock you stood upon
Is broken up and gone
Hey baby, who's your baby now
Yeh the rock you stood upon
Is broken up and gone
Hey baby, who's your baby now
@SoniaMaria-dy5ug
Love makes the world go round... everywhere at any time in every way...Lovely song thanks Mark! 🌹
@LodewijkVrije
The rock you stood upon
Is broken up and gone
Hey baby, who's your baby now
On the slipway of your dream
Stands someone else's scheme
Hey baby, who's your baby now
Your baby now, baby now
Your baby now, your baby now
The ancient trade you ply
Ain't enough to get you by
Hey baby, who's your baby now
The yard is locked and closed
The old guard has been deposed
Hey baby, who's your baby now
Your baby now, baby now
Your baby now, your baby now
You always had to be the kind
To have to say what's on your mind
And hey, you really showed 'em how
You used to laugh about
How you used to dish it out
But hey, who's laughing now
'cause the rock you stood upon
Is broken up and gone
Hey baby, who's your baby now
Yeh the rock you stood upon
Is broken up and gone
Hey baby, who's your baby now
@JL-qo1hg
Brilliant
@1984ayan
This could be my first knopfler song to be able to play on the guitar
@crf5068
You should upload yourself playing along with it. That’d be pretty cool.
@sheripie123
I'm sitting here watching my dad playing it on the guitar. He's using a bar chord thing.
@showjumper05
Forgot how much kick this songs got, sure got to love mark knopfler,
@mokronoh
I love it ...
@bradpertner1035
Great Album
@mlonj
Awesome
Use to hear it in my college days...