Lyric discussion by nebadon 

Cover art for News lyrics by Dire Straits

As a matter of interest, Mark Kopfler dedicated the song to John Lennon at a concert in Germany in 1980. Also, at that performance they ended the song with the Private Investigations outro, even though Private Investigations wasn't released until 1982.

@nebadon I've been thinking about why he dedicated this song to John. I have a couple theories -- one is the similarities to A Day in the Life. I read the news today. He blew his mind out in a car. Another is the risk-taking as a metaphor. It could be motorcycle racing, it could be chasing any dream out in front of the conventional. John and the boys, but John especially, went for success by his own vision and damn to anyone who didn't get it. And he proved himself right. He was ruthlessly ambitious as well. Kind of like...