Dire Straits - Dire Straits

About Dire Straits by Dire Straits Album

Dire Straits is the self-titled debut album by British rock band Dire Straits, released in October 1978 (see 1978 in music) by Phonogram Records and in the United States by Warner Bros. Records. Dire Straits's first album was an anachronism even when it debuted in 1978. It was a droplet of minimalist pub rock in a sea of punk. But against the odds, it succeeded, buoyed by lead guitarist and singer Mark Knopfler's gruff, Dylanesque delivery and the major hit single Sultans of Swing. Knopfler's lyrics paint a vivid picture of the London nightlife while taking time elsewhere to touch on subjects as diverse as obscurity in the art world, the versatility of a knife, and playing the fool in a relationship. Dire Straits's debut album proved to be one of their strongest and most enduring throughout their 17-year career. The album was remastered and released with the rest of the Dire Straits catalogue in 1996 for most of the world outside the U.S. and on September 19, 2000 in the United States. For 2010 release of an anniversary album is planned. It will be devoted the 30 anniversary of the edition of a vinyl. The cover image is taken from a painting by Chuck Loyola, while the Dire Straits Fender icon was designed by Geoff Halpern. The original version of the album contained a slightly shorter version of "Sultans of Swing", omitting the last seconds of the guitar solo at the end of the song, but the full-length version was included on the remastered edition of the album. Cassette versions of the album often featured the sides in reverse order to the original vinyl album: side 'A' comprised Tracks 6 through 9, while side 'B' featured Tracks 1 through 5. The French issue of the cassette saw 'Down to the Waterline' and 'Wild West End' interchanged in the order mentioned above to allow for a more equal playing time on each side.

Do you love Dire Straits (Dire Straits) album? Please share your friends!

Dire Straits (Dire Straits) Album Songs

NoSong TitleTime
1.Down To The Waterline 4:02
2.Water Of Love 5:26
3.Setting Me Up 3:19
4.Six Blade Knife 4:13
5.Southbound Again 2:59
6.Sultans Of Swing 5:48
7.In The Gallery 6:16
8.Wild West End 4:41
9.Lions 5:03

Dire Straits - Dire Straits Album Comments

What do you think Dire Straits album? Can you share your thoughts and listen experiences with other peoples?

Dire Straits [Dire Straits] Album Reviews

TransferWise 💸

Enjoy high maximum transfers into more than 20 currencies while saving up to 90% over local banks! The cheap, fast way to send money abroad. Free transfer up to 500 USD!

- EXCELLENT!

Don't bother buying a best of..for Mark and company. Just buy this and Making Movies. That's all you'll ever need to know about Dire Staits

- desert island disc

With some records, you remember the first time you heard them. This came as a promo record from the label and I remember setting the stylus down and hearing the first Knopfler licks on "down to the waterline". I was hooked from that moment on.

- AF Loadmaster

Great album still remember listening to all the tracks when i was deployed to Mildenhall England.

- Original and Fantastic

Great Album and sound

- Amazing Sound

The sound and vibe of this album is amazing. Classic!

- Amazing riffs... what a guitar player.

This is an album i listen to at least once every two months. This is a sit down, with vice in hand, and listen through all the way to the end, album. Every song is a gem that warrents careful listening. Its not a casual listen. In my opinion, Mr. Knopflers best work. His guitar is smooth, cool and so much fun to listen to, you will smile more than once thinking...how did he do that? If you love straight rock guitar played by a master, a 'dead-nuts' beat, and great lyrics, this is a must have album.

- Great guitar

Mark Knopfler plays the best guitar I have ever heard. It's not just the occasional riff in a few songs, his transitions are consistent and amazing. The rest of Dire Straits is great as well, Knopfler's guitar just really stands out.

- Is this the remaster?

I've been waiting for months for the iTunes plus version of this album but now I can't tell if it's the remastered version or not. Previously, iTunes had the remaster available but now it's gone. Every now and then I see it appear here but I'm not able to click on it to purchase it. Does anyone know if this is indeed the remaster or the original version of this album?

- Best album ever.

After all these years this album still stands up.

- Ear candy

I bought this vinyl gem new in 1978 only for Sultans of Swing, never really cared for the rest of the songs....now that I'm in my mid/late fifties i have come to realize that by spinning this album up on the ole turntable, sitting in the sweet spot between the speakers, closing my eyes and giving it a good listen..... I hear something new all the time that i have not heard before in most of the songs. Mark and the boys really made something great here, but it took me a long time to really hear it. In a way I'm glad i had not worn this album out, and that i bought and still have a quality turntable and stylus to keep this vinyl in pristine condition.

- Dire Straits - Dire Straits

Could be the best 1st album ever.

- Classic!

A great album from start to finish! What a style they had!

- Stunning debut!!

This sounded so fresh in 1978. Beautiful musicianship at a time when a lot of new music was a few chords and a yelp. Water of Love is a masterpiece.

- Great Album

This debut album I must say is one of the Dires Strait's finest. If you plan on only getting "Sultans of Swing," that is great, but the rest of the album is wonderful beyond all comprehension. Listen to "Water of Love" for great slide work, on many of the other songs, Knopfler shows his talent, with his band. All of the songs are equally great, one can't just pass this historic album. Any good guitarist will have this album.

- Like a cool spring breeze

Dire Straits debut was unfurled early '79, and struck like a cool spring breeze. The record was on my turntable most of the spring and summer, as was the 8 track in my car player. My friends and I never got tired of this record either. The tracks within are gritty, earthy, even kinda sleazy, but also very very real, much more real than the preprogrammed disco music which was on the airwaves at that time. Mark Knopfler is a fine guitar player, and the closing solo on Sultans is superb. I dig drummer Pick Withers percolating percussion on tracks like Water Of Love, Six Blade Knife & Lions. The vocals are quite Dylanesque & the music is from the school of Eric Clapton/JJ Cale (oozing with blues). Although Dire Straits would not sound quite as refreshing on their subsequent releases (starting with Communique) these records are also quite good (especially 1985's Brothers In Arms). This band should not be overlooked by anyone.

- A Great Album to Have

This album is absolutely great. Every song on here I love and I can't say that about many more albums. Look past Sultans of Swing and really listen to In the Gallery, Setting Me Up, Six Blade Knife, and Down to the Waterline (those in my opinion are the best). And what can I say about Mark's guitar playing and lyrics in this album, it's simply brilliant.

- 👌

Fire

- First time listening to dire straights

I was introduced to Dire Straights recently by my father. We were talking about 70s music and he wanted to broaden my horizons. I downloaded this album and fell in love. I had heard sultans of swing before but the rest of the album is exceptional as well.

- Old Classic Revisited

I just recently revisted this album after not hearing it for years. This album is way better than what I had remembered. The guitar playing is just awesome and the stories Mark Knoppler weaves are great. Too bad more of todays artists don't make music as good as this. I consider this to be their greatest album of all.

- Lastchance

I remember my best friend playing this album for me 33 years ago. My first reaction was what happened to you music tastes. I Hated it. Then I listened to it again. It sounded better. Then I heard it a third time and thought to myself this is the greatest band I've heard in a long time. I fell in love with their unique sound from that time on. I've been a die hard DS fan ever since. Their music never gets old. This album is one I still listen to on a very regular basis. I also play several of their songs on guitar. My favorite being Sultans of Swing. Timeless music.

- Knoppler = Guitar God

Transformative Stratacaster precision. Still mesmorizing...after all these years.

- Dire Straits

Great album! I grew up listening to this album, and will always have fond memories of it.

- Mark and the gang!

Definitely one of my favourite bands. I always felt that Mark is the most underrated singer/songwriter. I hope that one day people will recognise him not only for his extraordinary guitar playing, but also for his wonderful songwriting. It's a shame Pick left the band, cause his drumming was brilliant. And for heaven's sake, could someone tell the guys from the Rock N' Roll hall of fame to induct these guys already!!!

- A True Classic!

I grew up listening to this album. One of my all time favorites. All songs in this allbum are great without exception.

- Dire

this is a great song

- Great

But I recommend only getting "down to the waterline" and "sultans of swing" the rest didn't make it.

- Only 1 problem

Great album but it's classic rock not pop iTunes!

AirBNB 🎁

Get $69 off on your first stay at travels. Claim your $69 Airbnb free credit by clicking here!

Payoneer 💰

Wondering how you could earn $25 by just signing up? Earn $25 for free by joining Payoneer. Sign Up!

Coursera 💡

Start your future on coursera today! Build skills with courses, certificates, and degrees online from world-class universities and companies. Join for Free!

Mind Lab Pro ® 🎯

Mind Lab Pro® boosts work performance and productivity with nootropics for focus, multitasking under stress, creative problem-solving and more. Buy Now!

Load More Album Reviews!

Dire Straits Wiki

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 1990 to 1995. 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 a series of 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 worldwide; it was the first album to sell a million copies on compact disc (CD) and is the eighth-best-selling album in UK history. According to the Guinness Book of British Hit Albums, Dire Straits have spent over 1,100 weeks on the UK Albums Chart, the fifth most of all time. Dire Straits' sound drew from various influences, including country, folk, the blues rock of J. J. Cale, and jazz. Their stripped-down sound contrasted with punk rock and demonstrated a roots rock influence that emerged from pub rock. There were several changes in personnel, with Mark Knopfler and Illsley being the only members who remained with the band for its whole history. After their first breakup in 1988, Mark Knopfler told Rolling Stone: "A lot of press reports were saying we were the biggest band in the world. There's not an accent then on the music, there's an accent on popularity. I needed a rest." They disbanded permanently in 1995, after which Knopfler launched a solo career full-time. He has since declined numerous reunion offers. Dire Straits were called "the biggest British rock band of the 80s" by Classic Rock magazine; their 1985–1986 world tour, which included a performance at Live Aid in July 1985, set a record in Australasia. Their final world tour from 1991 to 1992 sold 7.1 million tickets. Dire Straits won four Grammy Awards, three Brit Awards (Best British Group twice), two MTV Video Music Awards, and various other awards. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018. Dire Straits have sold between 100 million and 120 million units worldwide, including 51.4 million certified units, making them one of the best-selling music artists of all time.

classic rock rock dire straits guitar 80s listen Dire Straits Dire Straits album credits Dire Straits album songs

Are you safe on the Internet?Surf anonymously, prevent hackers from acquiring your IP address, send anonymous email, and encrypt your Internet connection. High speed, ultra secure, and easy to use. Instant setup.

HIDE NOW!