Down to the Waterline
Dire Straits * Track #1 On Dire Straits
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Down to the Waterline by Dire Straits
Release Date
Performed by
Dire StraitsProduced by
Muff WinwoodWrited by
Mark KnopflerAbout
The lyrics of “Down to the Waterline” tell of a brief sexual tryst.
According to Mark Knopfler’s brother and fellow Dire Straits member David, the song’s imagery is based on Mark’s memories of walking along the River Tyne at night under the lights with his girlfriend when he was a teenager.
Down to the Waterline Lyrics
[Instrumental Intro]
[Verse 1]
Sweet surrender on the Quayside
You remember we used to run and hide
In the shadow of the cargoes I take you one at a time
And we're counting all the numbers down to the waterline
[Verse 2]
Well, near misses on the dogleap stairway
French kisses in the darkened doorway
A foghorn blowing out wild and cold
A policeman, he shines a light upon my shoulder
[Verse 3]
Up comes a coaster fast and silent in the night
Over my shoulder all you can see are the pilot lights
No money in our jackets and our jeans are torn
Your hands are cold but your lips are warm
[Guitar Solo]
[Outro]
She can see him on the jetty that they used to know
She can feel him in the places where the sailors go
When she's walking by the river or the railway line
She can still hear him whisper, "Let's go down to the waterline, c'mon"
Down to the Waterline Q&A
Who wrote Down to the Waterline's ?
Down to the Waterline was written by Mark Knopfler.
Who produced Down to the Waterline's ?
Down to the Waterline was produced by Muff Winwood.
When did Dire Straits release Down to the Waterline?
Dire Straits released Down to the Waterline on Sat Oct 07 1978.