#1 Tunnel of Love (Dire Straits - Top Ten)

I don't remember this song being a big hit when it was released in 81, and it does'nt really sound like a hit either, but for me this is as good as it gets. A Beautiful, beatutiful song. It starts out great and just get's better during the "second part". It's like a great but awsome contradiction; The lyric's might make you feel melancholic, but the music will make you feel great!

You'll find this one on the "making movies" album.

#2 Once upon a time in the west (Dire Straits - Top Ten)

Never seen this one on anyones list or on any Best of album, maybe it's just me but think this is a great song. Don't have much to say about it, I just love it! Only beaten by ....? with a few inches.

You will find this song on the Communique` album.

#3 Sultans of swing (Dire Straits - Top Ten)

This song could have easely been a nr.1 on this list, and for many years it certainly was! But in this company number three is not a bad place to be! Probably the coolest Dire Straits song ever, sooo layback but still insanely groovy. Back to basic with only guitars, bass and drums, and it should not be played in any other way, it's just a perfect little peace of music.

"You get a shiver in the dark, it's raining in the park but meantime..."


You'll find this song on the "Dire Straits" album.

#4 Romeo & Juliet (Dire Straits - Top Ten)

Mark Knophler takes the classic Hamlet love story and makes it into a beautiful serenade. This is just awsome songwriting and is performed so beautifully. Find a chair, make yourself comfortable, crank up the volume and let Dire Straits take it away.

"a lovestruck romeo sings a streetsuss serenade"

#5 Private Investigations (Dire Straits - Top Ten)

Another mastepiece found on same album as "telegraph road", what a creative period for Mark Knophler! When this album was released in 82 not many fans would expect Knophler's best guitarpiece to be played on a classical guitar. The piano is like "the stage the guitar stands on", beautifully played by Alan Clark, same goes to Ed Walsh synth programming lurking in the background. One word for this tune: Fantastic!

#6 Telegraph Road (Dire Straits - Top Ten)

A true masterpiece! This could have been a soundtrack to an epic movie. Even if you would take away the lyric's, the music and melody alone is great storytelling. Despite the fact that this is a 14 min long song, constantly changing melodies and harmonies makes sure you'll never get bored.


Both the studio version found on the "love over gold" album and the live version from "Money for nothing" are simply awsome. Check them out!

#7 Brothers in arms (Dire Straits - Top Ten)

This song would probably be on any DS fan top ten list. So beautiful and relaxing! Not a DS song I listen to often, it's best suited for special moments and moods. The kind of guitar playing you'll find here is Mark Knophler's signature playing. Soulful, gentle but still powerful, smooth and rough at the same time. What a guitarist!

You'll find this song on the "Brothers in arms" album.

#8 Down to the Waterline (Dire Straits - Top Ten)

As supercool tune from a supercool album. This song has that typical stripped down Dire Straits sound from the yearly years. After a soulful and moody intro the song bursts out of nowhere and picks you up for a smooth and groovy 3 min. ride before it suddenly ends and disappears into a magic mist. Yeah right, you say? Just trying to be a rockjournalist here! ;P

You can find this song on the "Dire Straits" album

#9 - Where do you think you're going? (Dire Straits - Top Ten)

I don't know what it is about this song, but it really makes me feel good. I guess that alone is enough to get it on my "from the heart list". The lyrics are kinda plain but the words just suits the music perfectly. I'm not sure if it is Mark or his brother David Knophler who play's the accustic guitar on this tune, but what a way to master it. Great sliding's and shift's between chords. Beautiful el-guitar part's as well, going from calm and smooth to chunky and countrylike but never overdone. So easy to forget the rest of the band, but how unfair that would be. Pick Withers is a genius on the drums and really shines through here. He takes the song up to another level. Bassplayer John Illsley makes it simple but sound's tight and groovy alongside the drum's. I guess one word sums it up... nice!

You can find this song on the album "Communiquè".

#10 - Hand in hand (Dire Straits - Top Ten)

I been thinking about this list for some time and I can't believe how many good song's I had to leave out. This one came in at the very last moment. I think it represent's what good music should be all about; great melodies! It's simply a beautiful song. Just listen to that piano riff.

You can find this song on the album "making movies".

Dire Straits - Top Ten

I was invited by Øystein to contribute to this excellent blog, and since I have a love for list's I just couldn't resist. I've been such a fan of Dire Straits since I was kinda puppyish, so I felt this was a natural place to start out. And as I usually say: "Mark Knophler taught me how to play guitar, he just doesn't know it".

This Top Ten list would probably be a bit different if I made it 2 years ago, or 2 years from now. It is purely based on my heart for the band nowdays.

(I'll use the same system as Øystein posting one song a day starting out with nr.10. Please feel free to comment and maybe make your own list as well)