Boom, Like That

Mark Knopfler's song "Boom, Like That" delves into the ambitious and cutthroat journey of Ray Kroc, the man who transformed McDonald's into a global fast-food empire. The lyrics are a narrative from Kroc's perspective, capturing his relentless drive and business acumen. The song begins with Kroc's initial venture into selling milkshake mixers, which leads him to discover the McDonald brothers' restaurant. He immediately recognizes the potential of their efficient, low-cost operation and envisions a franchise in every town. This moment of realization is marked by the line, "Wham, as clear as day, my pulse begins to hammer."

The recurring phrase "dog eat dog, rat eat rat" underscores the brutal nature of Kroc's business tactics. He is depicted as a relentless entrepreneur who is willing to do whatever it takes to succeed, even if it means outcompeting and buying out the original McDonald brothers. The lyrics highlight Kroc's aggressive expansion strategy, where he opens new locations right across the street from competitors, forcing them out of business. This ruthless approach is encapsulated in the line, "Sometimes you gotta be a S.O.B if you wanna make a dream reality."

Knopfler's portrayal of Kroc is both critical and admiring, acknowledging his role in creating a fast-food empire while also highlighting the moral ambiguities of his methods. The song's repetitive and rhythmic structure mirrors the relentless, machine-like efficiency of the fast-food industry that Kroc helped to pioneer. Through vivid imagery and sharp metaphors, "Boom, Like That" offers a compelling look at the darker side of the American Dream, where success often comes at the expense of others.