Dire Straits Songs Ranked

Dire Straits were a British rock band formed in London in 1977 by Mark Knopfler (lead vocals and lead guitar), David Knopfler (rhythm guitar and backing vocals), John Illsley (bass guitar and backing vocals), and Pick Withers (drums and percussion). They were active from 1977 to 1988 and again from 1991 to 1995. Dire Straits are one of the world’s best-selling music artists, with album sales of over 100 million.

Their first single, “Sultans of Swing”, from their 1978 self-titled debut album, reached the top ten in the UK and US charts. It was followed by hit singles including “Romeo and Juliet” (1981), “Private Investigations” (1982), “Twisting by the Pool” (1983), “Money for Nothing” (1985), and “Walk of Life” (1985). Their most commercially successful album, Brothers in Arms (1985), has sold more than 30 million copies; it was the first album to sell a million copies on compact disc and is the eighth-bestselling album in UK history. Here are all of Dire Strait’s songs ranked.

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20. Industrial Disease (Love over Gold, 1982)

“Catchy keys/guitar, great social criticism of environmental pollution. Pop music ought to sound more like this. Possibly the most underrated tune by the most underrated band. Deserves way more recognition.”

19. Why Worry (Brothers in Arms, 1985)

“A lullaby for grown-ups, and one of the most beautiful songs ever written. So calm and soothing it’s impossible not to love.”

18. News (Communiqué, 1979)

“I think the guitar in this song is unforgettable. It just sticks to your head once you hear it. It makes me think about car accidents. Great song! Deserves a better ranking on the charts..”

17. In the Gallery (Dire Straits, 1978)

“This is one of the most bluesy songs ever written, and it’s combined with a perfect amount of funk. This song should be vaulted up top. Drink a beer and turn it up loud… You’ll love the chorus.”

See more: Dire Straits Albums Ranked

16. Once Upon a Time in the West (Communiqué, 1979)

“One of the best. The live version in Alchemy is just memorable… the guitar solos are subtle and yet powerful like no other”

15. Down to the Waterline (Dire Straits, 1978)

“Seriously… This Song is like one of the best songs that have ever been made, this riffs are just amazing… I can’t understand why people wouldn’t listen to it and just love it, like sultans of swing!”

14. Calling Elvis (On Every Street, 1991)

“”Sultans of swing” is my favorite, but this one comes to me on a more than creditable second place. The song is simply genius and if they didn’t stop at 6:27 it seems like going on forever. Got to love it!”

13. On Every Street (On Every Street, 1991)

“This is my all-time favourite song. The lyrics are so sad, ‘and its your face I’m looking for, on every street. ‘ But the final guitar solo is so hopeful and makes it one of the best songs ever written”

12. Private Investigation (The Best of Dire Straits & Mark Knopfler: Private Investigations, 2005)

“The quiet intimate sound of the song, compounded with Knopfler’s low-sounding voice, creates a wonderful atmosphere of suspense. The live version is much more intense and exciting, while the studio version sounds darker. The guitar is great!”

11. Heavy Fuel (On Every Street, 1991)

“Unbelievable, how can a song lasting this long be so good Brilliant, Dire Straits at their best. The storytelling gifts of mark Knopfler is out of this world!”

10. Your Latest Trick (Brothers in Arms, 1985)

“Have you heard the sax solo in the intro? I mean, that is art. Not to mention all the emotion and epic lyrics. Sultans of Swing is their greatest work but this song deserves more.”

9. Lady Writer (Communiqué, 1979)

“I like everything in this song. So catchy and mind drifting. Hey you people who haven’t listened to this: What are you waiting for?”

8. So Far Away (Brothers in Arms, 1985)

“Very romantic. Always listened to this song while I was oversea’s in the service. It’s my #2 favorite Highly, highly underrated. Just a move from my end to give the song what it deserves!”

7. Tunnel of Love (Making Movies, 1980)

“That guitar solo does to me something which makes me so full of emotions and I am not quite sure how to describe that feeling. No other solo that I’ve heard yet in my life has done that to me! Also, the mellow singing of Sir Mark Knopfler right before the solo sets it up! SO GOOOOD! This song comes right after Sultans of Swing for me.”

See more: Joe Walsh Albums Ranked

6. Romeo and Juliet (Making Movies, 1980)

“People haven’t just listened to it. There can be no other reason it isn’t their top song! The lyrics combined with the music will definitely make you cry on days like that.”

5. Telegraph Road (Love over Gold, 1982)

“A fourteen-minute masterpiece worth every second of its length. The range of emotions of the song– hope, frivolity, nostalgia, and despair– is remarkable, with this all leading up to the incredible five-minute finale. About the finale, the star, of course, is Mark Knopfler’s inimitable guitar but one should not overlook Pick Wither’s pacing behind the kit. The increasing driving urgency of the drums allows Knopfler to propel the song to the heights it achieved. In my opinion, not only the greatest Dire Straits song, but it deserves to be on the list of the best long-form songs and progressive rock songs.”

4. Walk of Life (Brothers in Arms, 1985)

“This deserves much more recognisment. I think it’s as close to Sultans as Money for Nothing, no offense for Brothers in Arms. To be honest, it’s obvious it’s not about the lyrics, but dude… Seriously, in my opinion, such an inspiring song. Who needs weed having this? Best performance on 1993, On the Night”

3. Money for Nothing (Brothers in Arms, 1985)

“This song is my favorite song. It has the best guitar tunes and always the easy-to-listen-to-vocals… I only used to like the guitar riff at the start, but now, it’s the best song that’s entered my eardrums! Everyone who has a Dire Straits dog album on iTunes should always get this complimentary song.. Best song in history… And best band in history!”

2. Brothers in Arms (Brothers in Arms, 1985)

“An absolute masterpiece, the guitar work is next level, the lyrics are emotional and Knopfler’s vocals are so calming. Simply a breathtaking song and by far the best work Dire Straits have produced.”

1. Sultans of Swing (Dire Straits, 1978)

“Great rhymes, easily Knopfler’s best song on acoustic guitar. Good solid concept, and the guitar solo just lifts the listener up.”