A Mark In Time

Mark Knopfler Discussion => Mark Knopfler Discussion Forum => Topic started by: zuzka on January 03, 2016, 09:24:15 PM

Title: Junkie Doll
Post by: zuzka on January 03, 2016, 09:24:15 PM
Sorry for the bit controversial topic (and my English also ;D),but I was always wondering about ´Junkie Doll´ song meaning. Some lines from the song clearly refers to drugs past and overcoming it. (´you spiked my arm,but you missed the vain...you took me high...Now it's all gone and now I´m clean´),etc. Do you think MK wrote this song about someone he has known or about himself? I am not ´making him saint´,but from all the books,media,etc. I have never read an information about him and dealing with drug addiction (unlike some of my other favourite musicians like Clapton, Stevie Ray,Pink Floyd,...etc) Your opinions?  :think
Title: Re: Junkie Doll
Post by: peterromer on January 03, 2016, 09:40:42 PM
I remember him once saying in an interview that he never did hard drugs. The reason was that he was sure he would like the effect so thats why he did not do it.
And also saying something like him being an adult when the breakthrough came, and that made it easier to "say no".

I dont think he is a Saint, but he does not seem like the type to do drugs. Far from it.   

Title: Re: Junkie Doll
Post by: Throttle on January 04, 2016, 03:00:27 AM
At least, he has no any track marks, resulting from intravenous drug abuse, otherwise it would be noticeable.
And in any case, he has always cared for his arms and cherished them as the apple of his eye.
Title: Re: Junkie Doll
Post by: ds1984 on January 04, 2016, 01:11:09 PM
But he admitted later to be a pot smoker during the early days of DS. I don't know when he stopped it.
Title: Re: Junkie Doll
Post by: ingridswing on January 04, 2016, 01:53:11 PM
That's not a hard drug, I think most people did it in the '70's
Title: Re: Junkie Doll
Post by: ds1984 on January 04, 2016, 09:24:11 PM
I don't intended him to be on commonly called hard drugs but DS had a very "clean" image far away of the "Sex Drug and Rock N Roll" moto.

Pot is definitely a drug by the effects it has on human brain.
Title: Re: Junkie Doll
Post by: Pottel on January 05, 2016, 12:00:35 AM
was there not some coke on the scene at some high point during the straits days? BIA time?
Title: Re: Junkie Doll
Post by: JF on January 05, 2016, 01:56:13 PM
was there not some coke on the scene at some high point during the straits days? BIA time?

I think you're reffering to the thread you started yourself  :D :

http://www.amarkintime.org/forum/index.php?topic=3401.0 (http://www.amarkintime.org/forum/index.php?topic=3401.0)
Title: Re: Junkie Doll
Post by: zuzka on January 05, 2016, 02:03:22 PM
was there not some coke on the scene at some high point during the straits days? BIA time?

I think you're reffering to the thread you started yourself  :D :

http://www.amarkintime.org/forum/index.php?topic=3401.0 (http://www.amarkintime.org/forum/index.php?topic=3401.0)
Thank you JF :)
Title: Re: Junkie Doll
Post by: dmg on January 05, 2016, 04:30:08 PM
Probably a character song like MFN - it's not really him.

Doesn't speak well for Turnham Green or Turnpike Lane tube stations though!  Although I understand the latter has wonderful air vents designed by Harold Stabler still in-situ.
Title: Re: Junkie Doll
Post by: Pottel on January 05, 2016, 06:45:10 PM
JF you mean this line that Bobods wrote on there?
I vaguely remember reading an interview from the 80s (maybe EC tours) where Mark was asked about his writing style, if he ever tried to write under the influence of (I think it was) cocaine. He said no, he would like to find out if it would ignite his creativity, but he was too scared to try it.

probably.
Title: Re: Junkie Doll
Post by: JF on January 05, 2016, 10:24:16 PM
JF you mean this line that Bobods wrote on there?
I vaguely remember reading an interview from the 80s (maybe EC tours) where Mark was asked about his writing style, if he ever tried to write under the influence of (I think it was) cocaine. He said no, he would like to find out if it would ignite his creativity, but he was too scared to try it.

probably.

no I was thinking about the story told by Richard Branson about some pot with MK

regarding the BIA tour, I think it was more the "sport-body-building" era rather than coke...
Title: Re: Junkie Doll
Post by: MK-47 on January 07, 2016, 02:07:56 AM
I always thought that there was some substance abuse during On Location tour. Whether it was just the alcohol or something more I don't know, but on some live shows you can clearly hear there is something "wrong" with Knopfler. And that BBC Arena documentary has some strange moments as well. Not that I mind if he did take some drugs, the music was good and he is still alive and well so  :thumbsup 
Title: Re: Junkie Doll
Post by: caci99 on January 07, 2016, 04:00:05 PM
I have a book somewhere which is a collection of Mark Knopfler interviews during his Dire Straits era. It is in italian. I need to find it, since I have moved home that book is somewhere :).
Anyway, I do remember reading something about a meeting in London of some distribution company, can't recall Mercury or Universal, with Mark and John. They were discussing business, and after dinner the waiter came with a plate with some joints on it. Mark and John looked each other in the eyes and the moment after walked away, practically canceling the deal as well. Story was told by the guys of the company. But I need to find that book to quote it correctly.   
Title: Re: Junkie Doll
Post by: superval99 on January 07, 2016, 04:38:38 PM
I have a book somewhere which is a collection of Mark Knopfler interviews during his Dire Straits era. It is in italian. I need to find it, since I have moved home that book is somewhere :).
Anyway, I do remember reading something about a meeting in London of some distribution company, can't recall Mercury or Universal, with Mark and John. They were discussing business, and after dinner the waiter came with a plate with some joints on it. Mark and John looked each other in the eyes and the moment after walked away, practically canceling the deal as well. Story was told by the guys of the company. But I need to find that book to quote it correctly.   

Yes, I remember reading about that and I think Richard Branson was connected to the story.   I'll try to remember!   :think    I think it was in a Greek restaurant somewhere in London. 
Title: Re: Junkie Doll
Post by: zuzka on January 07, 2016, 04:44:12 PM
I have a book somewhere which is a collection of Mark Knopfler interviews during his Dire Straits era. It is in italian. I need to find it, since I have moved home that book is somewhere :).
Anyway, I do remember reading something about a meeting in London of some distribution company, can't recall Mercury or Universal, with Mark and John. They were discussing business, and after dinner the waiter came with a plate with some joints on it. Mark and John looked each other in the eyes and the moment after walked away, practically canceling the deal as well. Story was told by the guys of the company. But I need to find that book to quote it correctly.   
thanks for this interesting info caci99,I have never read about this...
Title: Re: Junkie Doll
Post by: Lestroid on January 07, 2016, 04:55:54 PM
There was a thread that appeared here a couple of years ago about the Richard Branson incident.  There is a link to a video interview with Richard Branson where he mentions missing out on signing Dire Straits because of the joint at the Greek restaurant.  The bit about Dire Straits starts at 1:18.

(Link is in Pottel's post at the top of the page.  Interview was from USAToday.)

http://www.amarkintime.org/forum/index.php?topic=3401.msg76940#msg76940
Title: Re: Junkie Doll
Post by: superval99 on January 07, 2016, 05:00:12 PM
This thread appeared here a couple of years ago.  There is a link to a video interview with Richard Branson where he mentions missing out on signing Dire Straits because of the joint at the Greek restaurant.  The bit about Dire Straits starts at 1:18.

http://www.amarkintime.org/forum/index.php?topic=3401.msg76940#msg76940

Thanks Lestroid.   That is the thread I was trying to remember!   :)
Title: Re: Junkie Doll
Post by: Lestroid on January 07, 2016, 05:06:07 PM
Glad to help!  :D

I never quite believed that story until I heard it directly from Richard Branson.
Title: Re: Junkie Doll
Post by: JF on January 07, 2016, 07:18:03 PM
I always thought that there was some substance abuse during On Location tour. Whether it was just the alcohol or something more I don't know, but on some live shows you can clearly hear there is something "wrong" with Knopfler. And that BBC Arena documentary has some strange moments as well. Not that I mind if he did take some drugs, the music was good and he is still alive and well so  :thumbsup

yes agree. the video from werchter shows Mark and Pick very "happy" before expresso love....
Title: Re: Junkie Doll
Post by: JF on January 07, 2016, 07:19:21 PM
This thread appeared here a couple of years ago.  There is a link to a video interview with Richard Branson where he mentions missing out on signing Dire Straits because of the joint at the Greek restaurant.  The bit about Dire Straits starts at 1:18.

http://www.amarkintime.org/forum/index.php?topic=3401.msg76940#msg76940

Thanks Lestroid.   That is the thread I was trying to remember!   :)

that's the thread I quoted first  :wave ;)