Dire Straits – Les Boys

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  General Comment:I think yes, he uses gay in the "homosexual" sense, but I don't see where he's making fun of them. I think it's like a lighthearted pro gay song. I might be wrong, but I don't see how.

  Flag ezetuwon January 16, 2013   Link

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  General Comment:I think yes, he uses gay in the "homosexual" sense, but I don't see where he's making fun of them. I think it's like a lighthearted pro gay song. I might be wrong, but I don't see how.

  Flag ezetuwon January 16, 2013   Link

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  General Comment:I think yes, he uses gay in the "homosexual" sense, but I don't see where he's making fun of them. I think it's like a lighthearted pro gay song. I might be wrong, but I don't see how.

  Flag ezetuwon January 16, 2013   Link

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  General Comment:If you are offended by this you need to get a life......It is lighthearted commentary on the German club scene. The "Gay" is meant not in the homosexual way.....more in the literal happy way. They are playing a part he finds amusing in this world of crazy relationships, nothing more. The whole album is about relationships between people.
  
  Remove the big chip from your shoulder guymontag

  Flag Dmaguireon September 23, 2011   Link

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    No chip here, but the song is most likely about the gay lifestyle of yesteryear. You must know who Jean Genet is and his relation to this song; he (a famous novelist) was discharged from the military after having been caught having sex with a man. For me the song is about allowing gay men to be who they are...to express themselves freely, much the way Jean Genet (a novelist) expressed himself through words in his novels. The tourist in the lyrics wants to enjoy the men (he takes photos), yet he laughs at them. During the time of caberet, I'm quite sure fear and hatred of gays was quite substantial. Dreaming of Jean allows the men to escape the pitfalls of being gay...there's a comradery (Can't spell the word:) for someone understands them.

    Flag FatBottomedGurlon September 23, 2011  

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    But I don't think he is being vicious. Cabaret theater is very different whether it is gay or not. The acts mingle with the guests who are eating and drinking.
    
    Oh it is definitely about the gay scene in Germany. Like you said they are proud to be homosexual and no longer hide it, but I think Knopfler is trying to say at any depth is that they have relegated themselves to an act, which may be less honorable than Jean Genet who led let's say an interesting life. They are letting themselves be treated like objects or objectified. Maybe not what they should be looking for?
    
    But Knopfler does this with precision in the fact that he recognizes what they want but they are going about it backwards. But I think he is getting a kick out of it at the same time, let's say the debauchery or hedonism of it.
    
    Peace

    Flag Dmaguireon September 24, 2011  
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  General Comment:Quite a semi-offensive, silly song in an otherwise remarkable album. Reminds me of 'Little Girl' by the Beatles, which was a meh ending to a great album.

  Flag chuckofalltradeson December 06, 2010   Link

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  General Comment:This song is obviously laughing at the gay scene in Germany, famous for its leather looks and the S&M and militar clothes.
  I would not only call it stupid but also offensive...you can suck my dick, mr. Knopfler.

  Flagged guymontagon June 11, 2010   Link

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    How is it laughing at the gay scene? Isn't it more commenting on it and if anything defending it:
    
    "Some tourist takes a photograph,
    Les boys don't get one laugh,
    He says they're useless."

    Flag matthewconteon August 19, 2012  
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  General Comment:This song is the "boil on the backside" of what up until then was an excellent album. Silly.

  Flag chrisb1on March 19, 2010   Link

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  General Comment:First of all, I doubt that the meaning of the word "gay" is supposed to be what it is mostly used for today.
  
  With that being said, I really have no idea what was this song supposed to be about, and the "ss caps" certainly only add to the confusion... :-/

  Flag doccolinnion June 23, 2009   Link

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  General Comment:This song was written after the Straits had performed at a club in Germany, and they'd seen this act. It's a simple bit of reporting on Knopfler's part - he used to be a journalist. It's amusing, but as usual with Knopfler, very perceptive, and slightly melancholy. It's certainly not one of my favourites, but I wouldn't call it stupid!

  Flag guttion January 02, 2009   Link

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  General Comment:This has to be the stupidest song Knopfler ever wrote. I don't know what he was thinking.

  Flag Caledonon November 26, 2008   Link

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