Dire Straits - Walk of Life Lyrics Meaning

For me this is a sort of an anthem for all players. Of course I am not talking about womanizers but everyone whose occupation has something to do with playing. I see it as mainly aimed at musicians but the video has obviously to do with sports, which can also be found in the lyrics. But all other artists, such as actors, are adressed as well, I think. The point of the song is to praise and motivate them.

In the first few lines comes a "Johnny" who plays classic songs and tries to earn money with it by playing it in subway stations and the like. It is obviously a hard life but the music and the way Knopfler sings this makes it sound like a fun way of life. The next three lines can be applied less to musicians but more to sports and other active people. The line "yeah the boy can play" stands out to me because it shows what this song is about: praising the people who can play, be it sports people, artists, musicians... The "dedication (and) devotion" are especially praised here. "Turning all the night time into the day" seems to refer to the stressful nature of the professions I mentioned. A lot of work has to be done in those proffessions and not seldom do these people work at night AND day. Refer to Cristiano Ronaldo who ran 13km in the midst of night to be more fit, for example.

The refrain is about our Johnny who tries to make money with music. The refrain mentions the classics he does. The line "He do the walk, he do the walk of life" emphasizes how he has a distinctive way of life, anybody who "plays" has a special "walk of life".

"Here comes Johnny and he'll tell you the story" is especially interesting because one can make a link to actors here. The next line is quite obviously about sports: "hand me down my walking shoes". Johnny has "power and glory" according to the lyrics. He struggles to make money but the lyrics praise him as powerful and glorious. His walk of life is described as being "all the trouble and the strife". All professions associated with playing usually have these attributes: they pay low, are full of trouble, the people are striving and of course: everybody, especially artists, would describe them as powerful and glorious in what they do.

In conclusion, this is a song by an artist about all artists: be it musicians, actors or people associated with sports. This song talks about their highs and lows, ups and downs. It is a praise to everybody who makes money by playing; the playful walk of life.