What It Is (Mark Knopfler song)

"What It Is"
"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

"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.

Track listing

No.	Title	Length
1.	"What It Is" (Radio edit)	3:33
2.	"The Long Highway"	3:46
3.	"Let's See You"	4:21
4.	"Camerado"	2:58
Total length:		14:38

Charts

Chart (2000–01)	Peak position
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)^[1]	11
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)^[2]	15
France (SNEP)^[3]	56
Germany (GfK)^[4]	81
Italy (FIMI)^[5]	3
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[6]	38
Norway (VG-lista)^[7]	10
Poland (Music & Media)^[8]	10
Poland (Polish Airplay Charts)^[9]	6
Spain (PROMUSICAE)^[10]	4
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[11]	38
US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)^[12]	3