My take on the 'message' of this song is the young men who fight and die in battle have more in common with the soldiers on the other side than they do with the men who sent them to war. "We are fools to make war on our Brother's in Arms," the last line of the song about says it all.

@tednemtzow2796

Жыл бұрын

Mark Knopfler's maternal grandfather was an English Protestant, his paternal grandfather, an Austrian Jew. Both being patriotic, loyal to their respective homelands, they fought on opposite sides in World War One. So, yes, they made war on their "brothers in arms". 😢

@quincee3376

Жыл бұрын

@@tednemtzow2796 thx.

@quincee3376

Жыл бұрын

Cool. Thx.

@penderyn8794

Жыл бұрын

Bang on

@1719456

Жыл бұрын

Well said John.

One of the deepest songs every writen about the pointlessness and pain of war. It was written about the Falklands War but doesn't actually mention specifics anywhere so ends up being timeless. Still cuts deeply every time I hear it.

@donnagonatas3155

Жыл бұрын

It's very haunting!

@allanmackenzie7761

Жыл бұрын

Chris, this had nothing to do with the so called war in the Falklands. This song was about the struggle against apartheid in South Africa and at the time the song was banned in South Africa by the the then white government.

@jedislap8726

Жыл бұрын

​@@allanmackenzie7761 You are completely wrong about it being about apartheid . It was written in 1982 the same year as the Falklands WAR and was wholly inspired by it. He has stated in interviews that the title itself was inspired by a conversation with his father about the Falkland WAR. He even made another version on the 25th anniversary of the WAR and donated the proceeds to veterans of that WAR

@andersjohansson4734

Жыл бұрын

@@allanmackenzie7761 kzread.info/dash/bejne/k51hl7dpdZPZg7A.html They were banned in South Africa due to them donating all revenue from record sales there to Amnesty International.

@theantilifeequation8150

Жыл бұрын

@@allanmackenzie7761 No it was written about the Falklands war 100% that's what video is about to (the soldiers are wearing British uniforms in the video). They did sing it in tribute to Nelson Mandela but it wasn't written for that purpose.

Mark Knopfler's guitar tone is sublime.

My Dad was in the 82nd airborne in WW2. He flew gliders. he was captured by the German army. they shot my Dad's Lt. and took my Dad. He was a POW for 18 months in Germany. The Nazi soldiers. He and a prisoner from England escaped! they traveled at night and hid during the day. it took 5 days until they ran in us soldiers. oh btw he was 20! that I can't wrap my head around but I am proud to call him Dad♥️

@derrickormand1626

Жыл бұрын

Ft. Bragg

@penderyn8794

Жыл бұрын

.. I've noticed that most soldiers that comment on this song think it is a one-sided war song. It's actually deeply anti war "We are fools to make war on our brothers in arms".... The brothers being every man in the world

@markwilken2492

Жыл бұрын

Hero stuff. May he Rest In Peace, and thankyou for his service

@donnagonatas3155

Жыл бұрын

@@markwilken2492 ❤️

@gavinpaice8008

Жыл бұрын

@@penderyn8794 true its about all soldiers but written about what some British troops witnessed.

This song is Packed with emotion, that guitar wailes Like a Violin full of sorrow...Great tribute

@Wolverines77

Жыл бұрын

Watch the 1991 BBC Mark Knopfler | A Night In London version, it makes this version seem bright and cheery.

@booterspaw

Жыл бұрын

@@Wolverines77 thank you. I'd never heard that version before.

This is without doubt one of the most beautiful and emotive songs ever written

Knopfler's held back vocal is what makes this song for me, so understated, never raises his voice, lets the guitar take the accents, so beautiful

Dire Straits had 2 lead vocalists...Mark Knopfler and Mark Knopfler's guitar. Absolutely beautiful song, heart-wrenching lyrics.

This one cuts right to the soul. The guitar is like a natural weeping. Like pure sadness and grief in a sound.

@clivegreer4513

Жыл бұрын

❤️👌💪💪

Mark Knopfler's vocals and weeping guitar synced up with the keyboards, along with that rim shot makes this a Master's Piece. For me it transcends the military and applies to any group in a sink-or-swim situation. "We're fools to make war on our Brothers In Arms"

Reminds me of my dad. He served in Vietnam , when he came back he was broken empty, he was 22 when he came home , addicted as so many did , and still fighting it today ( they were given morphine to keep if they needed it ,) he wasn't physically injured but when he left he was a 18 yr old from rural GA , he hardly slept , this reminds me of him so much , it's painfully beautiful , and dire straits are amazing x

@jlaws007BD

Жыл бұрын

It was my older friend's who went, and came back broken with PTSD (some still addicted now that are still alive), and many in a horror story like Rambo only real !! All I could do was watch, which bcos I was the baby brother (in a sense) led me to some dangerous places, and situations. What was I suppose to do 😔 I'm not the abandoning kind ‼️ 💔

Mark knopfler is talented beyond description. He can convey every emotion through his playing and will go down as one of the very best of all time!

@cahillgreg

Жыл бұрын

Nudie bottom Smith

@theinsightfulvisionary0197

Жыл бұрын

Yes, he is!!!

Two of my favorite guitar players are David Gilmour and Mark Knopfler, they convey emotion through their playing like nobody else.

@SD-li9g

9 ай бұрын

John Martyn's in there somewhere.

@todstapleton3911

7 ай бұрын

You are so right, both fantastic

@jaimecoyne7129

7 ай бұрын

Allegedly they both play on Bryan Ferry's Slave to love? On a closer listen I can guess why

One in the most played songs at British serving and ex military personnel funerals, it is a very important song for many of us this was written about the '82 Falklands war, but all nationalities from all military actions can relate to this, even those that served 60 - 70 years ago. Unless you've been there you'll never understand the torment, of the sights and sounds and smell of a battlefield. Some of the most stirring lyrics for me are; Through these fields of destruction, Baptisms of fire I've witnessed your suffering As the battle raged higher And though they did hurt me so bad In the fear and alarm You did not desert me My brothers in arms Now the sun's gone to hell and The moon's riding high Let me bid you farewell Every man has to die

There are a few people in this world that play guitar like its the first thing they learned as a baby. He really expresses emotions through his playing. Great guitarist and song writer.

For any former servicemen who've been under fire at any point, this song carries a tremendous amount of weight. It's a brilliant piece of songwriting, and Mark Knopfler is a genius with a guitar. Check out more Dire Straits, anything. It's all good.

I appreciate you playing this, it's always been a favorite of mine. Tom Boyte GySgt. USMC, retired Vietnam 1965-66/1970-71 0331, Infantry, Machine guns Bronze Star, Purple Heart

@Gordy63

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your service Tom.

Brad & Lex, you'll love their "Walk of Life", "So Far Away" and "Romeo And Juliet"!!! "Walk Of Life" is so catchy, you'll be saying "Woohoo-hoo" for a week!

I am a Vietnam Vet & know only to well the stark reality of that conflict. I was 19 years old & went from the safe haven of my parent's home to what felt like Hell. I lost school mates who never saw their 21st birthday & watched their parent's lives forever changed & watched politicians try to make self serving gains on the corpses of ''brothers in arms''. I was lucky. I came home but struggled with ''survivor's guilt'' to this day & I am 71 years old.

This song was written around the time of the Falkland Islands War (between Britain and Argentina in 1982), Mark Knopfler (Lead singer/writer/lead guitar) did not serve in it, but he almost certainly knew people who did. The term "Brothers in arms" is one his father (a socialist Hungarian Jew who escaped the Nazis by fleeing to Britain in 1939) used. During the second world war Mark's Uncle Freddie, who was a piper in the Black Watch, was killed at the age of 20 holding back Nazis so that the British could escape during the Dunkirk evacuation. Mark Knopfler wrote a song about him called Piper to the End. This song was released in 2009 on one of his many solo albums "Get Lucky"

This was nice, but Dire Straits is a band that needs to be heard live. Brothers In Arms, Sultans of Swing, Tunnel of Love, Telegraph Road....all outstanding live!

This song hit my soul on the 2nd season of Miami Vice. It still brings tears to my eyes,

I agree with Brad that the Guitar was the Life of the Song - and yes Lex it sounded like it was crying - but the tone was also beautiful at the same time

I've heard this song a million times, but it never occured to me that the guitar might be crying. respect

Amazing song.....goose bumps all over! next: "Private Investigation".....one of their very best!!!!

Such a great song. The crying guitar is ear candy.

My best friend is a veteran of a couple of wars, and he really relates to this song!

Per Songfacts This song was inspired by the Falklands War, which was going on when Dire Straits lead singer Mark Knopfler wrote the song. The Falklands War was a conflict between Argentina and the UK over islands off the coast of Argentina that each country claimed rights to. The islands are British territories, but in 1982 Argentina tried to reclaim one of the islands. Britain reclaimed their territories, but lost 258 soldiers in the conflict. In this song, Mark Knopfler sings about a soldier who is dying on the battlefield, surrounded by his comrades, who remain by his side as he slips away. It's a look at the folly of war and the plight of those who fight them. "We've got just one world but we live in different ones," he told the BBC. "It's just stupid, it really is. We're just foolish to take part in anybody's war."

@650Max

Жыл бұрын

Argentina didn't try to "reclaim" any of the Falklands, they were an aggressive invader of territory that has been British since before Argentina existed as a nation. The Falklands were completely uninhabited prior to the first British settlers arriving, the invasion was a cynical ploy by a military government to deflect attention away from serious problems at home. That said, it's a fabulous song.

@heavycritic9554

Жыл бұрын

​@@650Max The Falklands had been colonized by the French and the Spanish as well. The Spanish were the last ones there before Argentina laid claim to the islands in 1816, and the islands had been completely uninhabited for 5 years before Argentina made their claim - the British colonists having left the islands almost 40 years prior. Argentina held it for 16 years, before the British attacked. Since the Argentinian contingent there was mainly British mercenaries, they surrendered rather than fighting the motherland. Argentina claimed an uninhabited piece of land that held two plaques; one claiming the land for England, one claiming it for Spain. Then the British decided that theirs was the rightful claim on the islands thousands of kilometres away - basically holding the islands out of spite, since it hadn't been economically viable to stick around the first time they were there. Yes, Argentina invaded the Falklands in 1982, in order to draw attention from internal problems; but the British were not innocent.

@tradeladder146

Жыл бұрын

@@heavycritic9554 Thats total Crap, Google is not allright right, stop being so Lazy and do your own research.

@650Max

Жыл бұрын

@@davidmcnulty8181 Of course, Maggie managed to persuade a hostile military dictatorship to invade the Falklands to make her look good.

The guitar was weeping... as only Mark Knofler can make it do. Thank you for choosing this amazing classic. Subscribed.

For me, only Mark Knopfler can draw so much emotion from a guitar. Along with his understated vocals this is such a moving and deep piece.

@laurabrevitz3944

Жыл бұрын

He and David Gilmour of Pink Floyd can evoke tears with a guitar solo. It's truly a gift.

Knopfler narrates, the guitar sings.

Mark Knopfler has some of the most expressive guitar work ever.

@SweetThing

Жыл бұрын

Mark is a master of the guitar, and he really makes it sing. Taught by one of the best players of guitar: Chet Atkins.

I get teary eyed every time I hear this song, and at this point in time it makes me think of all the Ukrainian people suffering from a war they never asked for or deserved.

@kirilcherry7612

Жыл бұрын

I'm tearing up scrolling comments thinking about ukraine- your comment made me cry again 😢

@RugbyPass81

10 ай бұрын

I'm former British military- 1997-2012 (Royal Marine Commandos) and that's exactly how the song makes me feel for the Iraqi and Afghani civilians whose lives we (US and UK, and allies) wrecked, kids in Yemen who are being bombed to hell with British and American weapons provided to Saudi backed Houthis and, of course, to all those in Ukraine right now. I 100% regret joining the armed forces, it's a mugs game. As one soldier once said - "war is a racket" .... Only the arms dealers come out looking golden.

The word you're looking for Lex is "Wailing" only a handful of people on the planet can make a guitar "wail like a baby" like this, It's almost primal, David Gilmour and Mark Knopfler are two of them

One of the most iconic scenes ever shown on TV used this song. Miami Vice episode Out Where The Buses Don't Run Season 2, Episode 3 (October 18, 1985). I also Play this on November 11 Remembrance Day here in Canada in honor of my Great Grandfather who was KIA July 16, 1916 in the Battle Of the Somme in World War I.

This one and Telegraph Road are Dire Straits best songs. Loved the story in Telegraph Road about how hard the true reallity can hit you as life passes by

@cshubs

Жыл бұрын

Telegraph Road is a must-hear!!

@jlr108

Жыл бұрын

@@cshubs Yes, especially the Alchemy live recording of Telegraph Road is amazing.

@peterokeeffe8307

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely agree. Telegraph Road is a true masterpiece - especially the long version.

@mitchellbeston1033

Жыл бұрын

My 2 favourites as well.

@cherisparkes4447

Жыл бұрын

Telegraph Road… literally my favourite song by one of The Absolute very best… bands ever! Dire Straits music runs the gamut.. humour, depth, pathos.. all done brilliantly! Masterful!❣

This song is one of my favorites. Along with Telegraph Road, Private Investigations and, Romeo and Juliet. Great tunes, lyrics and Mark's style of playing make them like eating a gourmet meal. Loved the reaction! Peace!

Rarely can a guitarist convey emotion like he does in this song…. Epic.

This song is raw grief made into music. You don't want to hear it but once you do, you can't help but listen. Such beautiful, cruel sorrow...

The guitar sounds like a mournful wail to me. The whole song, from the voice to the amazing guitar, is perfection.

I was blessed to see Mark Knopfler life here in Germany in 2010. He did a whole concert sitting on a bar chair, cuz he hurt his back. There were about 10.000 people in the venue, but you could hear a leaf fall (almost). An atmosphere as if he was sitting in your living room playing just for you. Goosebumps from start to end and even my parents who are in their eighties! love him. Hes just a legend!

This song is a masterpiece, just like Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen), Bridge over troubled water (Simon & Garfunkel) and very few other songs. Theoretically you don't need lyrics, but the guitar alone tells the whole story of the song, as wonderful as Mark Knopfler plays it.

Two of my favourite reactors!!!! Through these fields of destruction......baptisms of fire Such a class song!!!!!

This entire album deserves to be heard. You should try "Ride Across The River" next, it has a similar storytelling quality to it.

@Tomekkplk

Жыл бұрын

Unfortunately they only post live stream vids . So unless you get picked for that doubt you’ll see it here

@kellybarthel8060

Жыл бұрын

Brothers in arms and ride across the river maybe dire straits two best songs ever.

@Jongen.

Жыл бұрын

This is the only good song from the album.

Dire Straits were HUUUUUGE in the 80's , huge , the sound track of my youth . I remember this one clearly but the "Love over Gold" album was played till it wore out in my house . Also the song "Rollergirl" was an early favourite , and "Romeo and Juliet" can still bum me out .

Transition from the rifle to guitar was awesome

Dude, that's the most I've ever heard Brad talk about emotion in the song ever.

There's so many different worlds so many different suns and we have just one world but we live in different one's. That says it all. And Now the suns gone to hell and the moons riding high. Let me bid you farewell every mans has to die. This line brings tears to my eyes every time just makes me think of all the brave men and woman who gave there lives so we could live in peace and freedom today!

"Brothers in Arms" has become a favourite at military funerals. "Brothers in Arms" won a Grammy Award for Best Music Video at the 29th Annual Grammy Awards on 24 February 1987.

Dire Straits was my favorite non-hard rock band of the 80's, Great musicians, and wonderful long jams on some of the songs..Knopfler is a superstar and has branched out after Dire Straits into other types of music..this album was a statement album about events in the world at the time, (including MTV) It's not their best , (Making Movies is their best legendary main- stream non- hard-rock album along with Mellencamp's Scarecrow from the 80's .. at least in my eyes) The first album set the stage.. but would take any of their albums in the late 70's - 80's) This song was a cry.. for all of those not with us anymore through war.. you hit it on the nail.. need more of this band for reactions!!!

I am old enough to remember when this came out and it still is a punch in the gut when i hear it. "Now the sun's gone to hell and The moon's riding high Let me bid you farewell Every man has to die" Brutal.

It's about a dying British soldier in the Falklands war. His comrades talked with him before sadly passed.

@gavinpaice8008

Жыл бұрын

They took him to the army chaplain and bowed their heads and went off on one and took out the Argentines

@gavinpaice8008

Жыл бұрын

Falklands.

Mark's solo work is alot in this style, amazing stuff. Sailing to Philadelphia is well worth the listen.

The lyrics are the last words of a dying soldier , haunting guitar too.

God love all OUR soldiers who where Brothers in ARMS

Mark Knoffler is my favorite guitarist. Check out Telegraph Road, long but worth it. Love you both

@samlawrence4670

Жыл бұрын

He’s mine as well the live version of telegraph road is a must.

It sounds like a dialogue between emotion (LesPaul) and mind (the Voice).But both have understood that they will die on this battlefield.A real masterpiece.

One of the best live version of this song is the Nelson mandela tribute from 1988 at Wembley stadium!

Brother, there ain’t no color there’s just that man to the left and to the right. The military is the great equalizer

the album version is 7 minutes long and the guitar solos bring you even deeper into the sauce... great song off a great album - a HUGE CD in the evolution of music, being the first album that was digitally mastered

@johngriffiths118

Жыл бұрын

Back in the day if you went into a hi fi shop this is what they would play to demonstrate CDs

His Guitar playing touches my soul in a special way. I could never get tired of listening to Mark play the guitar.

@devilsoffspring5519

Жыл бұрын

You're in luck, since he's still doing it and has a ton of albums

More Dire Straits, please. So many good songs.

this song just hit different! another 80s Gem! great album to!

The bit where he say's 'every man has to die' and the guitar cuts in always gives me chills.

@bobbymcbay1586

Жыл бұрын

Gut punch every time

Remember that it was used on the end credits to a Six part BBC series called Civvies written by Lynda La Plante in 1992 about some army parachute regiment blokes struggling to getting to grips with normal life after leaving the army.Was a good show had Jason Isaacs as the main character

Even though you’ve probably already listened to “Sultans of Swing”, please react to the Alchemy Live concert version and also “Telegraph Road” same concert.❤️

There's so many different worlds...so many different suns...and we have just one world...but we live in different ones. Sooooooo good!!! Probably the most underrated song of all time.

Brilliant. Simply brilliant. Knopfler is a top lyricist, arranger and a superb guitarist. You should check out his solo hits.... Start with Done With Bonaparte.

Im a vet. This song, parts of the movie, Jarhead, and some lines from the Chernobyl tv series episode The Happiness of All Mankind are three things I relate to a lot.

In 1985 I saw my favorite concert EVER with Stevie Ray Vaughan opening up for Dire Straits when this album came out

This song is a masterpiece written by lead guitarist Mark Knopfler. Spot on Lex the guitar is crying. For me the greatest anti war song ever written. Thanks for reacting to this. There is lots of amazing dire straights material and they are even better live. Take care and best wishes from the UK.

I'm so pleased you've arrived at this song. You're right, it's full of raw emotion, and the guitar cuts deep down into the soul. Respect and honour to all those worldwide, who step forward to serve their country.

GREAT tune. You two kids are nailing it with the oldies. Funny, they weren't oldies when I first heard them.

Outstanding

The entire Brothers in Arms album is a masterpiece. Playing the SACD with a 5.1 surround system is on another level

The second half of the live (Alchemy) version of Sultans of Swing is on another level, far better than the studio version. The other guys really hit the Mark (pun intended) as well!

Spot on Lex what you said about other soldiers being the only ones who can relate as I imagine that’s what Mark Knopfler means when he says there is just one world but “we live in different ones” and which was the line you heard immediately after making that comment.

Mark Knopfler (lead singer and person who wrote the song) was not a military man but he wrote the song as a tribute to the British soldiers during the Falklands war.

Mark is a lot like David Gilmour. Both make their guitars sing. Very emotional and beautiful.

Lex would go nuts over Nobody’s Fault But Mine!

So many good songs to mention from them. To kick off with a few: Telegraph Road, Private Investigations, Romeo and Juliet.

Yeah. I feel exactly the same. The guitar is the voice/cry/lament/... of the human life being heard even with such sad ambient sound all around. That expressive guitar is already a common theme in dire straits music.

one of the few songs i need to listen to on remembrance(armistice) day along with a pittance of time, stories of a hero, and flanders field

One of the best lyrically written songs in history in my opinion Incredibly moving listening to the lyrics that suck you into the story

I've twice had the privilege of being in the room when Mark Knopfler played this song. Just amazing. If you want to hear guitars crying, try Elton John's 'I've Seen That Movie Too' - not a hit but a wonderful song, and the guitars at the end are howling with pain.

One of the most solid albums ever made.

Brothers in Arms was the album I listened to on my way to America

Hi guys!. It is always a great pleasure to watch your videos. Dire Straits is a band that is on my list. His songs are amazing. And this one in particular is my favorite. Thank you for this.

SKATEAWAY and Romeo & Juliet.... are two more from Dire Straits that you have to check out.

I hope you continue down the dire straights rabbit hole. They have some amazing music

"Piper to the End" and "True Love Will Never Fade" by Mark Knopfler are two songs that are under played but both are must listens to.

With we don’t understand the past, we will die like brother in the arms but stand sitting.

nobody has that sound - but Dire Straits. They got their own thing mastered.

An underrated band to be sure, great song

I love playing this song on guitar. gibson les paul on the neck pick up, through a 2555 1987 marshall with the wah pedal on and set half way and some delay and no plectrum, play with fingers. Lots of subtle volume control with the volume knob. There is a phenomenal version of this live in 1993 in London on youtube.

I love this song. Their best imo

When you need some chill time, you put this on along with "Private Investigations ", off the same album.

This entire album is a piece of art.

Mark K is a hell of a songwriter.

The Knopf plays with his hands (no plectrum) and thinks the less is the best. Very warm, unique sound, you must love.