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Lady Writer
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| "Lady Writer" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 UK release picture sleeve | ||||
| Single by Dire Straits | ||||
| from the album Communiqué | ||||
| B-side | "Where Do You Think You're Going?" | |||
| Released | 20 July 1979[1] | |||
| Genre | Rock | |||
| Length | 3:45 | |||
| Label | Vertigo | |||
| Songwriter | Mark Knopfler | |||
| Producers | ||||
| Dire Straits singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Lady Writer" on YouTube | ||||
"Lady Writer" is a 1979 song by Dire Straits, which appears on the band's second album Communiqué. It was written by the band's lead singer, Mark Knopfler.
When asked what the song was about, Knopfler said that he was watching TV one day, and there was a lady writer on the TV.[citation needed] Because the song says the writer is "talking about the Virgin Mary", some have speculated that the writer in question is Marina Warner, a view shared by Warner herself.[2]
Reception
[edit]Billboard described the song as a "hypnotic rocker" with "sizzling instrumentation" and "distinctive vocals."[3] Cash Box described it as being "very similar musically to 'Sultans of Swing', with guitarist/singer Knopfler's invigoratingly unique picking and vocal style."[4] Record World said that "Knopfler's transcendent writing & guitar skills work well with the magic of Muscle Shoals."[5] Smash Hits said, "This is SO like 'Sultans of Swing' it's not true. Look, the only way you'll want this is if you've got (a) more money than sense, and (b) a memory like a sieve."[6] Hubert Bauch of the Montreal Gazette agreed it was "a fast and nimble piece that matches 'Sultans of Swing'."[7]
Charts
[edit]| Chart (1979) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[8] | 95 |
| Canada Top Singles (RPM)[9] | 51 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[10] | 18 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[11] | 18 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[12] | 39 |
| Spain (AFE)[13] | 26 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[14] | 51 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[15] | 45 |
| US Cash Box[16] | 63 |
Certifications
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[17] | Platinum | 30,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[18] Sales since 2004 |
Silver | 200,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
[edit]- ^ "Music Week" (PDF). p. 38.
- ^ Gleick, Elizabeth (24 May 1999). "Books: Boo! (Scared Yet?)". Time. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
- ^ "Billboard's Top Single Picks" (PDF). Billboard. 28 July 1979. p. 59. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
- ^ "Singles Reviews > Feature Picks" (PDF). Cash Box. Vol. XLI, no. 11. 28 July 1979. p. 13. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
- ^ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. 28 July 1979. p. 1. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
- ^ Starr, Red (26 July 1979). "Singles" (PDF). Smash Hits. No. 17.
- ^ Asregadoo, Ted (15 June 2015). "When Dire Straits Stuck to the Formula with 'Communique'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
- ^ "Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – CHART POSITIONS PRE 1989". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Image 4399b". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 33, 1979" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
- ^ "Dire Straits – Lady Writer" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
- ^ "Dire Straits – Lady Writer". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
- ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart on 5/8/1979 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
- ^ "Communiqué – Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
- ^ "CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending SEPTEMBER 1, 1979". Cash Box. Archived from the original on 16 September 2011.
- ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Dire Straits – Lady Writer". Radioscope. Retrieved 5 February 2026. Type Lady Writer in the "Search:" field and press Enter.
- ^ "British single certifications – Dire Straits – Lady Writer". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
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Lady Writer
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Background and recording
Song development
Mark Knopfler conceived "Lady Writer" after watching a television program featuring author Marina Warner, who was discussing the Virgin Mary in connection with her 1976 book Alone of All Her Sex: The Myth and the Cult of the Virgin Mary. This appearance inspired the song's central premise of an ordinary man developing a vivid fantasy about an intelligent female TV presenter, blending everyday observation with imaginative narrative.[2][6] Knopfler composed the song in 1978, during the period when Dire Straits—formed the previous year in London—was actively touring to promote their successful self-titled debut album, which had introduced them to international audiences via the hit "Sultans of Swing." As part of the new material being developed for the band's sophomore release, Communiqué, "Lady Writer" emerged amid this momentum, with early versions performed live as soon as October 1978, such as at a show in Rotterdam.[7][8] The track aligned with Dire Straits' post-debut evolution, reflecting Knopfler's growing emphasis on concise, character-driven songs that built on the band's established blend of rock and blues influences while preparing for the more expansive sound of their follow-up album. Initial sketches and rehearsals for "Lady Writer" were integrated into the band's workflow during these tours, helping shape its structure before studio work began.[2]Recording process
The recording of "Lady Writer" occurred during the sessions for Dire Straits' second album, Communiqué, at Compass Point Studios in Nassau, Bahamas, from November 28 to December 12, 1978. The track was produced by Barry Beckett and Jerry Wexler, experienced producers from Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, who oversaw the sessions to capture the band's evolving sound in the tropical studio environment known for its high-fidelity facilities. The core personnel for the recording consisted of Mark Knopfler handling lead vocals and guitar, David Knopfler on rhythm guitar, John Illsley on bass, and Pick Withers on drums, delivering the quartet's tight instrumentation without additional session musicians for this track.[9] Production emphasized Knopfler's fingerstyle technique, with multiple guitar layers—including lead in the center channel, rhythm on the right, and additional rhythm on the left—creating depth and clarity.[10] Knopfler achieved his signature clean tone on "Lady Writer" using a Fender Stratocaster, likely his 1961 or 1961/62 model with bridge and middle pickups in standard tuning, processed through compression/limiter and reverb effects to enhance sustain and spatial quality.[10] This approach contributed to the album's overall polished, layered aesthetic, with the track's mix finalized in January 1979 at Muscle Shoals Sound in Sheffield, Alabama.[9]Composition
Lyrics and themes
The lyrics of "Lady Writer" narrate a man's introspective reverie, sparked by a television presenter—referred to as the "lady writer"—discussing the Virgin Mary, which evokes memories of his former lover. This trigger leads into an erotic fantasy where the presenter's poised demeanor and literary allusions blend the sacred imagery of the Virgin Mary with sensual undertones, creating a juxtaposition of purity and desire. Mark Knopfler, the song's writer, drew inspiration from seeing author Marina Warner on a British TV program about the Virgin Mary, whose appearance physically resembled his ex-girlfriend and stirred unresolved emotions of lost love, including undertones of bitterness and pain.[2] Central to the lyrics are references to literary works that underscore themes of forbidden desire and the contrast between intellectual allure and personal longing. The interplay of religious sanctity and eroticism highlights a subtle sacrilege, portraying desire as an irreverent intrusion on the holy.[11][2] Knopfler's lyrical craftsmanship employs characteristic wordplay and narrative economy, hallmarks of Dire Straits' literate rock style that weaves personal anecdote with cultural touchstones. Through sparse, evocative phrasing, the song captures the narrator's wistful yearning—"I could make it back home to you / I wish you only knew"—without overt exposition, allowing themes of media-influenced nostalgia and unattainable intimacy to emerge organically. This storytelling approach, blending everyday observation with literary depth, exemplifies Knopfler's ability to elevate rock lyrics into reflective vignettes.Musical structure
"Lady Writer" has a duration of 3:45.[12] The song is composed in the key of C♯ minor and features a mid-tempo groove at 148 beats per minute, driving its energetic yet laid-back rock feel.[12] [13] The track follows a classic verse-chorus form, beginning with an iconic intro riff played in fingerstyle on electric guitar by Mark Knopfler, which sets a bluesy, conversational tone.[14] [15] Verses are led by Knopfler's intricate fingerpicked guitar lines, weaving around the vocal melody to create a sparse, narrative-driven arrangement supported by steady bass and drums.[14] [15] The chorus builds with fuller band instrumentation, introducing harmonic shifts that heighten emotional tension before resolving back to the verse progression.[14] A signature guitar solo appears in the bridge section, where Knopfler's fluid, melodic phrasing over the verse chords showcases his technical prowess without overpowering the song's restraint.[14] [15] The arrangement draws from rock, blues, and pub rock influences, evident in its rootsy rhythms and economical use of space.[16] The production is notably clean and transparent, prioritizing Knopfler's guitar work and avoiding dense effects to maintain clarity throughout.[16]Release and promotion
Single release
"Lady Writer" was released in July 1979 as the lead single from Dire Straits' second studio album, Communiqué, by Vertigo Records in the United Kingdom and Warner Bros. Records in the United States.[17][18] The single was issued in the standard 7-inch vinyl format, featuring "Where Do You Think You're Going?" as the B-side.[19] It was later included on the 1998 compilation album Sultans of Swing: The Very Best of Dire Straits.[20] Communiqué, on which "Lady Writer" appears as the second track, was released on June 15, 1979, serving as the follow-up to the band's self-titled debut album from 1978.[21]Promotion and music video
Following the release of "Lady Writer" as a single in July 1979, promotion centered on radio airplay and extensive touring to support the Communiqué album. The band received support from radio stations through promotional records distributed by Warner Bros., which helped build anticipation ahead of the album's June launch.[22] "Lady Writer" charted at No. 45 on the Billboard Hot 100, reflecting its radio exposure in the U.S. and U.K.[2] Dire Straits undertook a major tour in 1979, including dates across Europe and North America during the summer, where "Lady Writer" was a key part of the setlist. The tour, which began in February and continued through the year, featured over 100 concerts and served as the primary vehicle for promoting the new material.[21] The song made its live debut on May 8, 1978, at Sheffield City Hall in England, during early tour dates where the band previewed tracks from the upcoming Communiqué album. Mark Knopfler delivered the guitar solo with notable improvisation during these 1978-1979 performances, adapting it to the live energy and extending its phrasing beyond the studio version.[23] An official music video for "Lady Writer," released in 1979, depicted the band performing the track in a straightforward studio setup, emphasizing Knopfler's guitar work and the rhythm section. The video aired on European music television programs in the late 1970s, predating MTV's 1981 launch but contributing to visual promotion alongside live footage.[24]Commercial performance
Chart performance
"Lady Writer" experienced moderate commercial success on various international charts upon its 1979 release as a single from Dire Straits' album Communiqué. The song entered the UK Singles Chart on 28 July 1979 and peaked at number 51, remaining on the chart for six weeks.[25] In the United States, "Lady Writer" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 78 on the week of 28 July 1979, climbing to its peak position of number 45 on the chart dated 25 August 1979, and spending a total of 12 weeks in the top 100.[26] The single saw stronger relative performance in continental Europe, particularly in the Netherlands where it entered the Dutch Top 40 on 4 August 1979, reaching a peak of number 18 and charting for five weeks.[27] It also charted in Canada, peaking at number 51 on the RPM Top Singles chart.| Country | Peak Position | Entry Date | Weeks on Chart | Source URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 51 | 28 July 1979 | 6 | Official Charts |
| United States (Billboard Hot 100) | 45 | 28 July 1979 | 12 | Billboard |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) | 18 | 4 August 1979 | 5 | Dutch Charts |
| Canada (RPM Top Singles) | 51 | 1979 | Unknown | Wikipedia |