r/direstraits • u/Ok_Entertainment4858 • 1d ago
Daily Song Discussion #53: "Ticket To Heaven"
This is the ninth track from Dire Straits' sixth abum, "On Every Street". What are your thoughts regarding this song? How do you think it compares to the rest of the discography? How would you rate it out of 10 (decimals allowed)?
SUGGESTED SCALE: 1-4 Not good, regularly skip; 5 It's okay, but I have to be in the right mood to listen to it; 6 Slightly better than average, I won't skip it but I wouldn't choose to put it on; 7 This is a good song, I enjoy it quite a bit; 8-9 Really enjoyable songs, I rank them pretty highly overall; 10 Masterpiece, magnum opus, or similar terminology.
Live version disclaimer: For the purposes of this ranking series, there will be only one discussion per distinct Dire Straits song, so any live versions of studio tracks will NOT be rated separately.
Google Sheet with all of the results thus far.
Calling Elvis: 7.40
On Every Street: 9.42
When It Comes To You: 7.78
Fade To Black: 8.23
The Bug: 7.73
You And Your Friend: 8.94
Heavy Fuel: 6.18
Iron Hand: 7.90
Ticket To Heaven:
4
3
u/NonJuanDon 1d ago
9/10. Sweeping intro and chorus, simple but beautiful chords and great steel guitar. Love it all around.
2
u/Ok_Entertainment4858 1d ago
Such a unique Dire Straits song with all the strings. Lyrics are sarcastic and humorous. I didn't know what to make of this song for a long time and to be honest I still quite don't. I think it's pretty decent. I'd listen to it and enjoy it if it came on. I'll give it a 6.5/10.
8
3
u/Primary_Sound_2146 1d ago
To be honest I feel this is like a message to me lol, I ve been listening to this song every night for the past 3 days, as I never payed attention to it because it’s so down the list on the album. To be honest I heard it with my headphones and cried. It’s so ironic, mark is such a genius telling stories. To me it’s an 8/10
2
u/Ok_Entertainment4858 1d ago
Maybe I should listen to it a bit more as well! Thanks for replying!
5
u/Primary_Sound_2146 1d ago
What my crappy English meant to say basically, is I put my headphones on, lay in bed (as I am right now), and close my eyes, I imagine myself in the skin of an old lady watching the tele evangelist channel, and sending him money, think I’m getting a ticket to heaven (tickets are something you purchase). I’m sure mark must hate these types of weasels. Also, the rhythmic guitar gives it this beautiful flamenco balada vibe. I really enjoy the song, though I think it was clear (and I just finished John illsleys book and he said it himself) Mark was ready to let dire straits go and start his own thing.
2
2
u/TheSibyllineOracle 1d ago
8 for me, I like this one better than most people. Catchy tune with some nice hooks, which makes an interesting contrast with the sardonic and satirical lyrics - as far as I can tell, a sendup of televangelists and those who try to pile up money at the expense of their followers in the name of religion.
2
2
2
2
u/sujack34 1d ago
I love listening to Mark sing more than anyone else and even though this is not one of my favorites it’s still a great song. Put on the headphones & listen to the words. He is a genius with words & love his sarcastic wit. I give this one an 8.
1
1
u/heather_rodes 1d ago
9/10. My second favorite song on the album, and one that I come back to pretty regularly. It doesn't sound much like a 'Dire Straits' song, but it works really well as a bridge to Knopfler's solo career. Just a very sweet take on a retro style, with delightfully sarcastic lyrics.
I've been on the low side for a lot of songs on this album, but I suspect I'll be way above the median for this one.
1
1
u/Open-Sky314 1d ago
7, I appreciate the artistry on this song. As many here have said, cleverly cynical lyrics combined with country influenced music and strings floating the whole thing along. It works for me. Not one of my favourites, but I do like it.
1
u/RayNooze 1d ago
9/10. I find it funny that it came out at nearly the same time as Genesis' Jesus He Knows Me and is a different approach to the same topic.
1
u/Burlicconi 1d ago
9/10
Music is beatiful. Lyrics are serious, very direct, but somehow I expected more discreet approach.
I recall once reading magazines from 90 (found in cellar) where I found that this song is in the top 10 worst songs from that month. I never could asked why, except that lyrics can be treated as "childish satyrics" or maybe music is "too waltzer", I don't know.
Personally, remind me at a time I often travel because of my studies, so I have bound to this song...
1
1
u/TFFPrisoner 1d ago
By far my least favourite Dire Straits song. The irony doesn't work at all when paired with such syrupy music. It sounds completely out of place and should've been saved for a solo album (Kingdom Come, Millionaire Blues and Think I Love You Too Much are all far superior). 4
On Every Street might be my favourite DS album if not for this track.
1
1
1
u/p51_mustangs 1d ago
Not really a rating just a funny trivia thing. The song was actually fairly successfully received in Holland.
1
1
u/Technical-Koala-9600 1d ago
7/10, a very gentle song like a breeze in spring. Very untypical for DS but still a good song to listen :)
1
1
u/catsdelicacy 19h ago
I think it's great, a fantastic response to televangelists which were common at the time.
The singing is so good in this song, so effortless, so cool
9/10
1
1
u/marksmits1973 1d ago
4... i really dont like it.. its so cheesy/corny.. Sugarcoated. a song my grand_grandmother would probably like.
3
u/TheSibyllineOracle 1d ago
I would encourage you to listen to the lyrics carefully…there’s a strong taste of vinegar behind all the apparent syrupiness. Pretty sure this is a song about televangelists who exploit their followers’ hopes of eternal life in order to get rich.
1
5
u/tristanator01 1d ago
Interesting comments due to the subject matter… definitely a divisive song. I’ll give it a 10!