A Mark In Time

Mark Knopfler Discussion => One Deep River / The Boy => Topic started by: Jules on January 30, 2024, 12:02:00 PM

Title: (20) Wrong ’un
Post by: Jules on January 30, 2024, 12:02:00 PM
Wrong ’un

You're so nonchalant
You could get anyone you want
But he's a wrong 'un
A wrong 'un
He's got a record as long as your arm
Keep your distance and you won't get harmed
He's a wrong 'un, uh-huh
A wrong 'un

Leave him where you found him
Why carry that load?
Leave him where you found him
At the side of the road

Leave him where you found him
Don't let him inside
Leave him where you found him
Hitching a ride

You're kind and beautiful
You could have a man who's cool
But he's a wrong 'un
A wrong 'un

You got to know the way that I feel
You could get a better deal
And he's a wrong 'un, uh-huh
A wrong 'un

Leave him where you found him
Why carry that load?
Leave him where you found him
At the side of the road

Leave him where you found him
Don't let him inside
Leave him where you found him
Hitching a ride
Title: Re: (20) Wrong ’un
Post by: Love Expresso on January 31, 2024, 11:30:35 AM
As a non native speaker (and reader) I never have seen or heard of "'  'un"  in any shape or form. No idea what it means. Is it slang for "them" ... "' 'em"?

LE
Title: Re: (20) Wrong ’un
Post by: qjamesfloyd on January 31, 2024, 12:20:02 PM
It is "one" as in "He is a wrong one" maybe a bad person.
Title: Re: (20) Wrong ’un
Post by: dustyvalentino on January 31, 2024, 12:26:43 PM
Typically used to describe a sex offender.

So you would say Harvey Weinstein is a wrong 'un. Or R Kelly is a wrong 'un.
Title: Re: (20) Wrong ’un
Post by: Love Expresso on January 31, 2024, 12:32:49 PM
Okay that helps, thank you very much. Don't know then why it should be about David.

You learn something new every day (especially with MK lyrics)

LE

Title: Re: (20) Wrong ’un
Post by: dustyvalentino on January 31, 2024, 12:46:26 PM
Okay that helps, thank you very much. Don't know then why it should be about David.

You learn something new every day (especially with MK lyrics)

LE

I should say it's not only used to describe sex offenders, but that would be the most common usage in my experience.
Title: (20) Wrong 'un (Vinyl Bonus)
Post by: Knopflerfan on April 12, 2024, 09:45:43 PM
You're so nonchalant
You could get anyone you want
But he's a wrong 'un
A wrong 'un
He's got a record as long as your arm
Keep your distance and you won't get harmed
He's a wrong 'un, uh-huh
A wrong 'un

Leave him where you found him
Why carry that load?
Leave him where you found him
At the side of the road

Leave him where you found him
Don't let him inside
Leave him where you found him
Hitching a ride

You're kind and beautiful
You could have a man who's cool
But he's a wrong 'un
A wrong 'un

You got to know the way that I feel
You could get a better deal
And he's a wrong 'un, uh-huh
A wrong 'un

Leave him where you found him
Why carry that load?
Leave him where you found him
At the side of the road

Leave him where you found him
Don't let him inside
Leave him where you found him
Hitching a ride
Title: Re: (20) Wrong 'un (Vinyl Bonus)
Post by: Knopflerfan on April 12, 2024, 09:59:30 PM
A Wrong 'un - A person of bad character..
Title: Re: (20) Wrong 'un (Vinyl Bonus)
Post by: hfscardoso on April 13, 2024, 02:17:44 PM
Anyone has this already? My boxset hasn't arrived yet...
Title: Re: (20) Wrong 'un (Vinyl Bonus)
Post by: Knopflerfan on April 13, 2024, 08:48:24 PM
Yes, absolutely despise this tune, heard it once and I won't be playing it again. Bland and a non interesting song All round...
Title: Re: (20) Wrong 'un (Vinyl Bonus)
Post by: Nick14 on April 13, 2024, 09:02:12 PM
Oh dear. What sort of style is it?
Title: Re: (20) Wrong 'un (Vinyl Bonus)
Post by: dmg on April 14, 2024, 12:49:24 PM
Country.  Sounds like his tele from Prairie Wedding?  Repetitive lyrically - too much so for me.  Very simple song.
Title: Re: (20) Wrong 'un (Vinyl Bonus)
Post by: Maroretto on April 14, 2024, 12:52:10 PM
Oh dear. What sort of style is it?
Who's your baby now  ;D
Title: Re: (20) Wrong 'un (Vinyl Bonus)
Post by: dmg on April 14, 2024, 12:54:24 PM
Oh dear. What sort of style is it?
Who's your baby now  ;D

That's the one!  :thumbsup
Title: Re: (20) Wrong 'un (Vinyl Bonus)
Post by: Nick14 on April 14, 2024, 01:59:41 PM
Heard it now and like it alot! Vinyl tracks as great as cd bonus songs. Taken together a superb 9 song album.
Title: Re: (20) Wrong 'un (Vinyl Bonus)
Post by: Knopflerfan on April 14, 2024, 02:08:03 PM
Heard it now and like it alot! Vinyl tracks as great as cd bonus songs. Taken together a superb 9 song album.

Good job we are all different, this is the only song I do not like. Absolutely detest it!
Title: Re: (20) Wrong 'un (Vinyl Bonus)
Post by: border_reiver on April 14, 2024, 03:01:02 PM
I like it. But it would have been better if it wasn't so softly polished.

A gritty Telecaster and less synths. More twangy outlaw country.
Title: Re: (20) Wrong 'un (Vinyl Bonus)
Post by: fan no more on April 14, 2024, 03:20:40 PM
Nice 'un!

Mark's voice similar to the OES days, which I like a lot.
Title: Re: (20) Wrong 'un (Vinyl Bonus)
Post by: superval99 on April 14, 2024, 05:00:56 PM
I like this one!    :)
Title: Re: (20) Wrong 'un (Vinyl Bonus)
Post by: H97 on April 15, 2024, 10:57:32 PM
The hint of Cleaning My Gun in the guitar sound is awesome, those slightly overdriven droney parts in between verses are awesome
Title: Re: (20) Wrong ’un
Post by: Jules on April 16, 2024, 09:34:56 AM
Updated with lyrics, thanks Knopflerfan
Title: Re: (20) Wrong 'un (Vinyl Bonus)
Post by: Jules on April 16, 2024, 09:37:46 AM
Duplicated thread, this one is older: https://www.amarkintime.org/forum/index.php?topic=8613.0
Title: Re: (20) Wrong ’un
Post by: stratmad on April 16, 2024, 12:01:21 PM
A "record as long as his arm": that would be his criminal record, the list of crimes he has committed.

To me, it sounds like someone (maybe a father, uncle or brother?) giving advice to a girl about her lover, who he thinks isn't good for her.



Title: Re: (20) Wrong ’un
Post by: dustyvalentino on April 16, 2024, 12:03:21 PM
Makes me think of Amy Winehouse, but could be anybody. It's an age old cliche. "Women love the bad boy". I guess that's why my love life has been so successful over the years ;)
Title: Re: (20) Wrong ’un
Post by: stratmad on April 16, 2024, 12:04:55 PM
Makes me think of Amy Winehouse, but could be anybody. It's an age old cliche. "Women love the bad boy". I guess that's why my love life has been so successful over the years ;)

Haha!  Good on you, son  ;)
Title: Re: (20) Wrong ’un
Post by: Love Expresso on April 16, 2024, 12:21:34 PM
Ba(l)d boy, that is.

LE
Title: Re: (20) Wrong ’un
Post by: dustyvalentino on April 16, 2024, 12:22:01 PM
Ba(l)d boy, that is.

LE

Lol
Title: Re: (20) Wrong ’un
Post by: fan no more on April 16, 2024, 12:33:45 PM
Bad and bald  ;D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDLLPW20y3U
Title: Re: (20) Wrong ’un
Post by: dustyvalentino on April 16, 2024, 01:04:41 PM
Bad and bald  ;D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDLLPW20y3U

Ha ha ha, one of my absolute favourite episodes!

I'll counter with a quote from the "real" George :)

(https://www.azquotes.com/picture-quotes/quote-anyone-can-be-confident-with-a-full-head-of-hair-but-a-confident-bald-man-there-s-your-larry-david-7-25-25.jpg)

Title: Re: (20) Wrong ’un
Post by: fan no more on April 16, 2024, 01:17:22 PM
Awesome.

I'm probably more like a diamond in the trough.
Title: Re: (20) Wrong ’un
Post by: dmg on April 16, 2024, 11:20:20 PM
Oh dear.  The lost virtue of modesty.  :disbelief
Title: Re: (20) Wrong ’un
Post by: dustyvalentino on April 16, 2024, 11:55:33 PM
Oh dear.  The lost virtue of modesty.  :disbelief

Calm yourself, I was being ironic.
Title: Re: (20) Wrong ’un
Post by: dmg on April 17, 2024, 12:32:29 AM
Oh dear.  The lost virtue of modesty.  :disbelief

Calm yourself, I was being ironic.

Me too.   :)
Title: Re: (20) Wrong ’un
Post by: dustyvalentino on April 17, 2024, 12:33:07 AM
Oh dear.  The lost virtue of modesty.  :disbelief

Calm yourself, I was being ironic.

Me too.   :)

:)
Title: Re: (20) Wrong ’un
Post by: Rail King on May 01, 2024, 03:13:17 PM
As Mark mentioned at the London album launch event, there will have been songs he thought weren't good enough to be published - but "management" insisted.

This might have been one of them. It's not a bad song, but the the sound is really ... I dunno, "amorphous"? They should have listened to Cleaning My Gun before they produced this. Similar (intended) vibe, but so much better. Anyway, to me this sounds like an unfinished job they never thought they'd come back to.
Title: Re: (20) Wrong ’un
Post by: Pasc' on May 01, 2024, 03:34:48 PM
yes, I'm agree.
Wrong'un is... wrong  ;D
Title: Re: (20) Wrong ’un
Post by: dustyvalentino on May 01, 2024, 03:48:14 PM
Reminds me a bit of Who's Your Baby Now.

I wonder if he was warning his daughter off a prospective suitor?!

Title: Re: (20) Wrong ’un
Post by: oscar on May 01, 2024, 03:55:59 PM
I know this is an out of the blue kind of thing, but the first time I listened to this song I thought it could be Mark talking to his daughter, telling her to not pick the wrong'uns  :)
Title: Re: (20) Wrong ’un
Post by: Robson on May 01, 2024, 08:05:13 PM
The other day listening to the lyrics, I don't know why, I thought this song could be for his daughter Issy, when he broke with his boyfriend, someone who is an actor I can't remember the name, when the last tour, more or less, Issy was posting many pictures with him ane suddenly all of them disappeared and he was never seen again.

What if the song is for Issy and the wrong 'un is his ex boyfriend?

Of course! This cannot be ruled out and Mark will never reveal his inspiration anyway.
Title: Re: (20) Wrong ’un
Post by: dustyvalentino on May 01, 2024, 11:09:24 PM
The other day listening to the lyrics, I don't know why, I thought this song could be for his daughter Issy, when he broke with his boyfriend, someone who is an actor I can't remember the name, when the last tour, more or less, Issy was posting many pictures with him ane suddenly all of them disappeared and he was never seen again.

What if the song is for Issy and the wrong 'un is his ex boyfriend?

Don’t know much about the actor (Charlie Field) but I’m reasonably confident he doesn’t have a record as long as his arm. :)
Title: Re: (20) Wrong ’un
Post by: Rail King on June 07, 2024, 02:30:23 PM
Does anyone else find the production of this track slightly irritating? I'm a total ignorant when it comes to production technology, and have no idea what they did with the guitar (and everything else) here, but it almost sounds as if someone would be turning the volume up and down.
Title: Re: (20) Wrong ’un
Post by: Jacob28 on December 31, 2024, 03:28:56 AM
I listened to the vinyl bonus songs during Christmas for the first time and I have to say... I absolutely love this one :)... It is simple, but beautiful. But than again, I love mostly everything Mark does :).
Title: Re: (20) Wrong ’un
Post by: Markus on December 31, 2024, 02:39:10 PM
Does anyone else find the production of this track slightly irritating? I'm a total ignorant when it comes to production technology, and have no idea what they did with the guitar (and everything else) here, but it almost sounds as if someone would be turning the volume up and down.
I cannot confirm this and I like the song very much.
Title: Re: (20) Wrong ’un
Post by: wayaman on December 31, 2024, 05:06:02 PM
Does anyone else find the production of this track slightly irritating? I'm a total ignorant when it comes to production technology, and have no idea what they did with the guitar (and everything else) here, but it almost sounds as if someone would be turning the volume up and down.

It's an effect, I think is called vibrolux or something like that.

Title: Re: (20) Wrong ’un
Post by: Love Expresso on December 31, 2024, 08:09:03 PM
Tremolo?

LE
Title: Re: (20) Wrong ’un
Post by: wayaman on December 31, 2024, 08:12:00 PM
Tremolo?

LE

I'm not an expert but tremolo is something you activate with your hand manually while playing, this is a permanent effect, a kind of reverb that is very typical in a certain type of amps, like the vibrolux.

For example, that's the sound in "the last laugh" guitars. MK and Richard used it in many many other songs
Title: Re: (20) Wrong ’un
Post by: Love Expresso on December 31, 2024, 09:08:42 PM
A whammy bar is also called tremolo arm but adds vibrato to the sound (Hank sound). With a pedal you modulate the sound and add a Tremolo,  which was used as you describe in The Last Laugh and this one, Wrong'un.

Vibrato is bending between two notes so to say while tremolo modulates the volume of one note, so to speak.

Guitar players please correct me when I am wrong (un) :wave

LE
Title: Re: (20) Wrong ’un
Post by: quizzaciously on December 31, 2024, 09:52:59 PM
A whammy bar is also called tremolo arm but adds vibrato to the sound (Hank sound). With a pedal you modulate the sound and add a Tremolo,  which was used as you describe in The Last Laugh and this one, Wrong'un.

Vibrato is bending between two notes so to say while tremolo modulates the volume of one note, so to speak.

Guitar players please correct me when I am wrong (un) :wave

LE

You're pretty close! Tremolo is usually an effect in the amplifier that, yes, modulates the volume of everything you play a little bit. You can change the speed at which this effect is being used to match the tempo of the song. The best use of this effect, I think, is "Riders On The Storm" by The Doors, tasty guitar playing.

Tremolo is almost like cheating because with this effect, EVERYTHING you play suddenly sounds cool and badass, so it's easy to overdo this effect, I guess.

Also, tremolo is a classical guitar trick where you play a constant stream of notes with index, middle and ring fingers while providing a melody with the thumb, essentially making music "flow" like water. The best example would be "Recuerdos de la Alhambra" which pretty much imitates the water flow inside the famous Spanish palace. My favourite versions are by Chet Atkins and Kazuhito Yamashita.

Overall, tremolo is one of the most controversial terms in music. And I don't like that the term would stick to a whammy bar because it's really closer to vibrato.