Artist Playlists
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Born in England's pub rock scene, Dire Straits made a career of pushing roots rock into uncharted territory. Featuring Mark Knopfler's Dylan-esque drawl and spare guitar picking, 1978's forward-moving rocker “Sultans of Swing” is a moody, minimalist gem that contains subtle hints of jazz and country. In an improbable move, the band embraced synths in the '80s and unleashed an enduring anthem in “Money for Nothing”, a cryptic slice of futuristic blues rock. Throughout, their tasteful musicianship, streamlined boogie and encyclopedic knowledge of music gave their songs an unassuming and captivating propulsion. - Between their Billboard moments—whether it was sprawling storytelling or gleaming riffery—Dire Straits left an intriguing trail. Mark Knopfler's lyrical guitar work and raspy romanticism were delivered via choogling rock in “Southbound Again” or a windblown Dylan-esque sigh in “Single Handed Sailor”. Later, they channelled winding folk blues (“The Man's Too Strong”) and Springsteen's heartland grandeur (“Hand In Hand”).
- Tracing Dire Straits' lineage takes you on a trip through some of rock's most storied back pages. Early on, Mark Knopfler's mellifluous mumble hinted at Dylan's poetic drawl and Springsteen's sprawling romanticism. As the band muscled up and stretched out, they built on the breezy folk-pop of Stealers Wheel, the Nashville cluck and strut of Chet Atkins and the greased-back groove of UK pub-rock stalwarts Brinsley Schwarz.
- Dire Straits' spangled guitars and poetic ruminations provide plenty of sparks for other artists to make their own fires. Counting Crows and The Wallflowers pick up and build on the band's rootsy rhythms and Mark Knopfler's warm, raspy vocals. Alt-rockers tap into Dire Straits' gift for morphing from spooky to splashy (The Hold Steady) and stretching out to build towers of melancholy grandeur (The War on Drugs).
- Lean back and relax with some of their mellowest cuts.