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To me this song embodies the life of an introvert. They give as much as they can when they're committed to something, or socializing out of their comfort zone, BUT, they're always searching for an exit. This person finds more peace when navigating on their own. Some may think they're standoffish, thus the sarcastic "Hello's", but it's not that, they're just a loner.

My Interpretation
Negative
Subjective
Sadness
Introvert
Loneliness
Standoffish
Searching For Exit
Peace In Solitude

Great imagery

Positive
Subjective
Enjoyment
Nature
Journey
Freedom
Positive
Subjective
Enjoyment
Interpretation
Relationship
Self-improvement
Recognition
Miscommunication

a great song that i hear no one talk about besides the deepest of oingo boingo fanclubs, which deserves far more attention. i think one of the best aspects of this song is the so many ways that it can be interpreted, so i figured i'll throw in my two cents into this conversation. i'll start off with the most catchy part of the song, that being the chorus. i think that "running on a treadmill" can be interpreted as the main character bettering himself in hopes that "you" will recognize him. i'd also like to say that contrary to...

Positive
Subjective
Admiration
Interpretation
Relationships
Recognition
Self-improvement
Misunderstanding

This is a sequel to their other song, 'Don't Shoot Me Santa.' In this sequel, Santa wants to reconnect with the man from the first song. The line I want to focus on is: "Too many people in black robes posing as judges, they should turn that mirror around."

In the spirit of the song, this line seems out of place, but I think that's the point. In my opinion, this line is about people judging others for their flaws while ignoring their own, which may be just as significant as the flaws they're criticizing.

My Opinion
Negative
Subjective
Anger
Judgment
Hypocrisy
Flaws
Criticism
Self-awareness

Maybe, going out on a limb here, but maybe its about broken promises

Negative
Subjective
Sadness
Broken Promises
Disappointment
Regret
Betrayal
Pain

This song is beautiful, mostly for the lyrics. Mark Knopfler is beloved for his keen interest in using music lyrics to give the listener colorful insights into a wide variety of timeless cultural references. Here, Knofler is not only commenting on the sadness of poverty -- of which alcohol abuse is only a symptom -- but a reference to the hardships of the album's theme, the Great Depression.

A couple things I could perhaps add to the commentary below. First, I thought a "brass monkey date" was a spite of cold weather, which the two hobo friends considered liquor...

Positive
Subjective
Enjoyment
Poverty
Alcoholism
Friendship
Illusion
Struggle

The soon to be wedded couple share a drink before they separate and meet at the altar to exchange vows. “I’m getting tied” meaning he is tying the knot - he helps her pin her flowers on, while she holds his drink. The rest of the song is the groom internalizing life’s inevitable mundaneness as they grow old together.

Positive
Subjective
Nostalgia
Romance
Wedding
Relationships
Aging
Mundaneness

The soon to be wedded couple share a drink before they separate and meet at the altar to exchange vows. “I’m getting tied” meaning he is tying the knot - he helps her pin her flowers on, while she holds his drink. The rest of the song is the groom internalizing life’s inevitable mundaneness as they grow old together.

Positive
Subjective
Joy
Love
Wedding
Separation
Aging
Acceptance

I remember thinking when it came out that this song was perhaps inspired by A Clockwork Orange. Any ideas on that?

Neutral
Subjective
Nostalgia
Inspiration
Interpretation