[Mr. K]

I always thought that was an odd line in that song

I could not figure out the context

[muawiyah]

The sole purpose of that line was to “pimp” Canada’s fascist masters.

[Huck]

The way I took it, it's the voice of the "Joe Six-Pack" type regular guy appliance installer, looking at the TV and commenting on the 80s hair band loser making money and getting hot chicks. Wasn't that how it was depicted in the animated video? And I mean, rockers were basically in drag back then:

[101voodoo]

what is the alleged slur?

[ConservativeStatement]

I think they were trying to mimic the comments of a hardworking guy who was doing manual labor for little pay. That person then saw a musician, ridiculed him for wearing makeup, but the end result was that the singer was a millionaire.

[newheart]

The song is about a working stiff’s jealousy of the way rock and rollers get rich playing music “on the M.T.V.” And it is tongue in cheek. The context is quite clear.

What surprises me is the failure of feminists to object to the “chicks for free” line. And the racism pimps failure to decry the line “banging on bongos like a chimpanzee.”

Sounds like there is actually some intelligence in the court system in Canada.

[Slicksadick]

From the Brothers In Arms Album

I want my MTV

Now look at them yo-yo’s that’s the way you do it
You play the guitar on the MTV
That ain’t workin’ that’s the way you do it
Money for nothin’ and your chicks for free
Now that ain’t workin’ that’s the way you do it
Lemme tell ya them guys ain’t dumb
Maybe get a blister on your little finger
Maybe get a blister on your thumb

We gotta install microwave ovens
Custom kitchen deliveries
We gotta move these refrigerators
We gotta move these colour TV’s

(See the little faggot with the earring and the makeup
Yeah buddy that’s his own hair
That little faggot got his own jet airplane
That little faggot he’s a millionaire)

Gotta install microwave ovens
Custom kitchen deliveries
We gotta move these refrigerators
Gotta move these colour TV’s

I shoulda learned to play the guitar
I shoulda learned to play them drums
Look at that mama, she got it stickin’ in the camera
Man we could have some
And he’s up there, what’s that? Hawaiian noises?
Bangin’ on the bongoes like a chimpanzee
That ain’t workin’ that’s the way you do it
Get your money for nothin’ get your chicks for free

We gotta install microwave ovens
Custom kitchens deliveries
We gotta move these refrigerators
We gotta move these colour TV’s

Look a’ here
That ain’t workin’ that’s the way you do it
You play the guitar on your MTV
That ain’t workin’ that’s the way you do it
Money for nothin’ and your chicks for free
Money for nothin’ and chicks for free

Money for nothin’ and your chicks for free

Look at that, look at that

Money for nothin’ and your chicks for free
I want my, I want my, I want my MTV
Money for nothin’ and chicks for free

(Fade)
I want my, I want my, I want my MTV

[wideawake]

The context of the song is that Knopfler was in a NYC appliance store with the wall of TVs in the TV section all showing MTV.

While he was waiting for his paperwork for whatever gear he was buying, he had a conversation with one of the stores' receiving workers who was unloading products on the selling floor.

The guy, who had no clue Knopfler was a rock musician, struck up a conversation with Knopfler about the music video playing on all the screens and basically expressed the sentiment that while blue collar guys like himself had to bust their humps all day delivering microwaves and refrigerators, installing cabinets, etc. the rockers wearing silk pants and makeup in MTV videos were getting paid to do nothing but enjoy themselves.

Knopfler thought the guy was hilarious and wrote a song from his perspective.

So the narrator of the song is basically a blue collar cugine from Brooklyn.

[Right Brother]

I always thought that was an odd line in that song

Not really. The lyrics reflect the thoughts of an average blue-collar worker envious about the outrageous and seemingly 'easy' prosperity of rock stars. The 'faggot' reference sounds pretty close to what a jealous working joe would say to degrade a guy with make-up, styled hair and earrings. It was also written some 30 years ago.

[cripplecreek]

When the song came out it didn’t seem at all odd. Wonder how far Black Betty would get today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2z0tsU-En94&feature=fvst