"Lady Writer" is a 1979 song by

Dire Straits Dire Straits were a British rock band formed in London in 1977 by Mark Knopfler (lead vocals and lead guitar), David Knopfler (rhythm guitar and backing vocals), John Illsley (bass guitar and backing vocals) and Pick Withers (drums and percuss ...

, which appears on the band's second album ''

Communiqué A press release is an official statement delivered to members of the news media for the purpose of providing information, creating an official statement, or making an announcement directed for public release. Press releases are also considere ...

''.

Overview

When asked what the song was about, lead singer

Mark Knopfler Mark Freuder Knopfler (born 12 August 1949) is a British singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. Born in Scotland and raised in England, he was the lead guitarist, singer and songwriter of the rock band Dire Straits. He pursued a s ...

said that he was watching TV one day, and there was a lady writer on the TV, and that's basically where the idea for the song came from. Because the song says the writer is "talking about the Virgin Mary", some have speculated that the writer in question is

Marina Warner Dame Marina Sarah Warner, (born 9 November 1946) is an English historian, mythographer, art critic, novelist and short story writer. She is known for her many non-fiction books relating to feminism and myth. She has written for many publicatio ...

, a view shared by Warner herself.

Reception

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...

'' described the song as a "hypnotic rocker" with "sizzling instrumentation" and "distinctive vocals." ''

Cash Box ''Cashbox'', also known as ''Cash Box'', was an American music industry trade magazine, originally published weekly from July 1942 to November 1996. Ten years after its dissolution, it was revived and continues as ''Cashbox Magazine'', an online ...

'' described it as being "very similar musically to Sultans_of_Swing'.html" ;"title="Sultans_of_Swing.html" ;"title="Sultans of Swing">Sultans of Swing'">Sultans_of_Swing.html" ;"title="Sultans of Swing">Sultans of Swing' with guitarist/singer Knopfler's invigoratingly unique picking and vocal style." ''Smash Hits'' said, "This is SO like "Sultans of Swing" it's not true. Look, the only way you'll want this is if you've got (a) more money than sense, and (b) a memory like a sieve." ''Ultimate Classic Rock'' agreed it was, "a fast and nimble piece that matches 'Sultans of Swing'."

Charts

References

1979 singles 1979 songs Dire Straits songs Songs written by Mark Knopfler {{1970s-single-stub