Coyote

I remember hearing about Knopfler and Dylan having a falling out as the result of the release of Infidels. The Dylan album was produced by Mark but Bob released it without Mark's seal of approval. My take on this song is Mark taking a shot at Dylan from the Roadrunner's perspective of superior speed and cunning. LIttle clues in the lyrics point to Dylan.

 You can't catch me Coyote

Though there may be blood on the tracks There may be some bridges burning Behind our backs.

Blood on the tracks is obvious, Bridges burning is from Infidels, Don't Fall Apart on Me Tonight. Dog dreams might be from Self Portrait. If Dogs Run Free. Anyway just my thoughts on some possibilities.

What? Really? There should be no confusion about these lyrics. At least not to me, a guy with over 1,000 HP in his car.

The coyote is the cops. I am the road runner.

The first part describes what car enthusiast call a "sleeper" A fast car that you couldn't tell by looking at it. Mine wouldn't qualify as a sleeper but you wouldn't expect it or any street car to have as much power as it does, so in that respect I can relate --

"Don't let a little road dust put you off You can't judge a book Well you know that stuff There's a tear in my upholstery And a hole in my shoe"

Then he speaks to how he knows the cops' tactics and that they do catch others...but not him. And that's without trying cause, he's just out running errands on a daily drive ---

"You can't catch me coyote Though there may be blood on the tracks There may be some bridges burning Behind our backs But I got my laundry on the backseat And an itinerary too"

Then, after he dusted them, he knows they'll call in for reinforcements, other cars or perhaps the occasional helicopter (yep, been there and escaped). Even that has failed in the past, and the road runner would like more of a challenge this time --

"Now I'm a speck on your horizon Getting smaller fast An ambush wouldn't be surprising I hope it's better than your last"

And Alas, they fail to get him again --

" Once again the roadrunner Leaves the coyote in the dirt You've got another plan of action But we all know it ain't never gonna work"

At that point there's nothing more to do but gloat --

"Once again the roadrunner Leaves the coyote in the dirt You've got another plan of action But we all know it ain't never gonna work It must be hard having dog dreams That never come true And don't you just wish that you could Make half of the speed I do"

And on the occasion I do get a ticket, I hire a lawyer and take it to the limit. They usually settle for a "exhibition driving" offense, which is a $100 fine and no points, and doesn't show on your record to raise your insurance (who has no idea of the power of my car). That outcome also pisses the cops off and for me it's just another win to play this song to, smoke a stogie and rejoice in my gloating.

Better luck next time in your government issue slowmobile Pig...um, I mean Coyote. Don't you just wish you could make half of the speed I do?

People used to root for us (a la Crazy Larry Dirty Mary, Vanishing Point, etc.), now they call us assholes, because they prefer to stare at computers all day, and think we should respect those government sanctioned citizen killers. They probably still think you (Mark) doing it is cool, but call in on me on their cell phones and try to record me from their Prius. We're a dying breed. Won't matter in a decade or so. They'll all be lemmings in electric, self-driving cars. I'll have to move somewhere else. Ironically the cops need us, and when we're gone, at least all of the coyotes will be out of a job...

Thanks for understanding Mark. You rockers with unlimited car money usually share my passion.

I grew up watching The Road Runner. Apparently, so did Mark. Great tune, alot of fun.