"What It Is" is a song written and recorded by the British rock musician

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 ...

. It was released on 4 September 2000 as the

lead single A lead single (also known as a debut single) is the first single to be released from a studio album by an artist or a band, usually before the album itself is released and also occasionally on the same day of the album's release date. Release s ...

from his second solo studio album, ''

Sailing to Philadelphia ''Sailing to Philadelphia'' is the second solo studio album by British singer-songwriter and guitarist Mark Knopfler, released on 26 September 2000 by Vertigo Records internationally, and by Warner Bros. Records in the United States. The album co ...

'' (2000). An extended version of the song released in Mexico contains an additional verse: :And the highwayman stands blowing on his fingers by the green :I've walked inside his shoes before so I always buy his magazine :He's with a local mystery with blood stains on her hands :I like the way she winks at me but I leave her with the highwayman The song's lyrics pay homage to the city of

Edinburgh Edinburgh ( ; gd, Dùn Èideann ) is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 Council areas of Scotland, council areas. Historically part of the county of Midlothian (interchangeably Edinburghshire before 1921), it is located in Lothian ...

, Scotland.

Track listing

Charts

References

{{Authority control 2000 singles Mark Knopfler songs Songs written by Mark Knopfler 2000 songs