The article revisits Richard Thompson's 1988 song "Waltzing's For Dreamers" from his album Amnesia, highlighting it as a standout example of a melancholy slow dance number rather than the upbeat dance songs typically associated with the genre. It praises Thompson's songwriting and guitar work, noting that his musicianship has always served the song rather than showcasing technical flash, a quality evident throughout his career from Fairport Convention through his solo work.

The piece explains that Amnesia arrived as Thompson's solo career gained momentum, following his signing to Capitol Records and collaboration with producer Mitchell Froom. "Waltzing's For Dreamers" tells the story of a heartbroken man at a bar asking a stranger to dance, using the song's waltz rhythm and lyrical refrain ("one step for aching and two steps for breaking") to mirror its themes of shared sorrow and lost love. The article quotes several verses to illustrate how Thompson built a character whose need for a sad song is matched perfectly by the song itself.