What It Is (Mark Knopfler song)
| "What It Is" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Mark Knopfler | ||||
| from the album Sailing to Philadelphia | ||||
| Released | 4 September 2000 | |||
| Genre | Roots rock | |||
| Length | 4:57 (Album version) 3:33 (Radio edit) 5:36 (Mexican version) | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Mark Knopfler | |||
| Producer(s) | Mark Knopfler | |||
| Mark Knopfler singles chronology | ||||
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"What It Is" is a song written and recorded by the British rock musician Mark Knopfler. It was released on 4 September 2000 as the lead single from his second solo studio album, Sailing to Philadelphia (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, Scotland, making reference to Edinburgh Castle, the Stone of Scone and Canongate Tolbooth.