You should compare the studio version to the live version. My favorite live version of this song is from Wembley and my second favorite live version of this song is from the Alchemy album.
The places mentioned in the song relate to places in the North East of England where Mark Knopfler grew up. Spanish City was a static Pleasure Ground which Mark used to go to. After this song was released it was the first song of the day every day until the pleasure ground was eventually closed in 2000. (It has since reopened in a different guise). In Whitley Bay (mentioned in the song) some of the lyrics are in concrete at the sea front. The song is vaguely autobiographical but to what extent isn't quite clear. My understanding is that he wasn't a carnie but may have met a girl or two when visiting one. I personally have fond memories of a hook up with a rather attractive young woman who worked at a travelling Carnival when I was in my teens.
You can't go wrong too much with any of the Dire Straights albums and then you can even go further and enjoy Mark's solo work which is even more story telling. Many great songs left to hear. :) Of course there is the song Romeo and Juliet... For something really different try the studio version off Love Over Gold called Private Investigations. John I'm glad to see you lightening up... Pretty much no real reason any more to go incognito...
Excellent reactions to my favorite album of all time. It's Dire Straits magnum opus, it's their Abbey Road. Every song a masterpiece. Even Les Boys will grow on you if you give it a chance. What an album. Just pure genius.
This is one of my favorite Dire Straits songs. I prefer the studio versions to the live or the live Alchemy album versions. Mark likes to ad lib and go off on tangents when playing live. Most people prefer his live stuff but I like to be able to sing and follow along and it’s impossible with Mark.
I love this song so much. Dire Straits longer tunes, like this, "Romeo and Juliet," and "Telegraph Road" are spectacular examples of pacing, building atmosphere, and developing an idea. They make ten minutes pass in the blink of an eye. These songs are all on their _Alchemy_ live album, where they really break beyond the 80's production that _Making Movies_ saddles them with. Also, regarding the "I want a New Drug" and "Ghost Busters" thing, apparently there was a lawsuit involved in those similarities. I'd also like to note an error in the lyrics. They don't sing "rock away," it's a reference to Rockaway Beach, a famous boardwalk near Queens. Much like where they talk about the Spanish City, Cullercoats, and Whitley Bay, he's talking about famous boardwalks/beachside entertainment carnivals.
Regarding Rockaway, after 35 years of listening to this song, I think it's a play on words with various ideas 1. Rock and Roll playing (future) and listening (present) 2. Rocking and rolling of fair ground rides 3. Walking away from romantic encounter with subsequent regrets 4. Rockaway beach NY comparison and hyperbole of searching for lost love interest this far from NE England (Whitley bay). Not complicated!
This song was produced by Jimmy Lovine, who also produced songs like "born to run" for Bruce Springsteen and it has Roy Bittan from the E street band on keys since Dire Straits did not have a keyboardist at the time of recording the album. The Spanish city is a place from Marks youth, all explained in this video th-cam.com/video/y_pav5sYs5s/w-d-xo.html
On a different note, this was Mark Knopfler's father favorite song, and, after he died, Mark never played it again. This is my favorite song, and like others said, the live version from Alchemy live is superb. My absolutely favorite.
Mark's talking in his concerts, that's the place (Newcastle) where he grew up after moving from Edinburgh with 6, and Spanish city is still a Karneval! And he's talking about being kids! And the Spanish city has in some stairs written the text , "the girl looks so pretty to me, as it always did, like the Spanish city to me when we were kids". He is talking about him going to the Spanish city as kid, teenager. He was a short time a teacher for English language, he moved furniture, and he wrote for a small newspaper about music! dire straits started in 1977, when he was 26. Maybe that's why he never had problems with substances?! He was 30 when they got big! And had some jobs before making a living with music!
The point was that Mark was used to hearing American Music with references to places like Coney Island. He wanted to introduce references to his home area of Newcastle in the North East of England. The Fair is a static one called "The Spanish City"
Live versions are even better. The version from the live album " Alchemy " is best, IMHO, some recommend a version from the Brothers In Arms tour in Australia(YMMV). Songs usually don't tear at my romatic emotions, but, this one ALWAYS does. That long guitar solo followed by the piano solo(longer in live versions) to close just kills me. MK being his usual genius self, both musically and storytelling
I'm new here, what does John have to hide his identity? Out of all the reaction channels I've never come across anything llike that except for one channel where they guy is a gamer but his profession is a lawyer, so he doesn't reveal his identity in that situation.
This song is about the funfair that was in my hometown of Whitley Bay. Love this song. ❤
Masterpiece of a song.
Dire Straits is so much more than 'Money for Nothing', 'Sultans' and 'Brothers in Arms.'
Light years beyond. Plus some fun other songs too.
You should compare the studio version to the live version. My favorite live version of this song is from Wembley and my second favorite live version of this song is from the Alchemy album.
Completely agree fantastic song in every way! Great band, especially in BIA tour. Best line up for me. Best drummer Mark has worked with.
The Wembley version of this and also Sultans of Swing are quite possibly my favourite live performances of any song ever!
I always see this song as the English cousin of Springsteen’s “4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)”
My favorite DS song, its just perfect and brings me to a wonderful state of mind
The places mentioned in the song relate to places in the North East of England where Mark Knopfler grew up. Spanish City was a static Pleasure Ground which Mark used to go to. After this song was released it was the first song of the day every day until the pleasure ground was eventually closed in 2000. (It has since reopened in a different guise).
In Whitley Bay (mentioned in the song) some of the lyrics are in concrete at the sea front.
The song is vaguely autobiographical but to what extent isn't quite clear. My understanding is that he wasn't a carnie but may have met a girl or two when visiting one.
I personally have fond memories of a hook up with a rather attractive young woman who worked at a travelling Carnival when I was in my teens.
Fantastic song, one of my favorites. They have so much more unique songs you never get tired off
Happy Thanksgiving fellow humans!
Back at ya!
The Professor lending his talents to one of my top 10 albums. Thanks for the reaction.
You can't go wrong too much with any of the Dire Straights albums and then you can even go further and enjoy Mark's solo work which is even more story telling. Many great songs left to hear. :) Of course there is the song Romeo and Juliet... For something really different try the studio version off Love Over Gold called Private Investigations.
John I'm glad to see you lightening up... Pretty much no real reason any more to go incognito...
Excellent reactions to my favorite album of all time. It's Dire Straits magnum opus, it's their Abbey Road. Every song a masterpiece. Even Les Boys will grow on you if you give it a chance. What an album. Just pure genius.
This is one of my favorite Dire Straits songs. I prefer the studio versions to the live or the live Alchemy album versions. Mark likes to ad lib and go off on tangents when playing live. Most people prefer his live stuff but I like to be able to sing and follow along and it’s impossible with Mark.
I love this song so much. Dire Straits longer tunes, like this, "Romeo and Juliet," and "Telegraph Road" are spectacular examples of pacing, building atmosphere, and developing an idea. They make ten minutes pass in the blink of an eye. These songs are all on their _Alchemy_ live album, where they really break beyond the 80's production that _Making Movies_ saddles them with.
Also, regarding the "I want a New Drug" and "Ghost Busters" thing, apparently there was a lawsuit involved in those similarities.
I'd also like to note an error in the lyrics. They don't sing "rock away," it's a reference to Rockaway Beach, a famous boardwalk near Queens. Much like where they talk about the Spanish City, Cullercoats, and Whitley Bay, he's talking about famous boardwalks/beachside entertainment carnivals.
True regarding the lyrics. In live versions, MK usually does an explanation as he indroduces the song
Regarding Rockaway, after 35 years of listening to this song, I think it's a play on words with various ideas 1. Rock and Roll playing (future) and listening (present) 2. Rocking and rolling of fair ground rides 3. Walking away from romantic encounter with subsequent regrets 4. Rockaway beach NY comparison and hyperbole of searching for lost love interest this far from NE England (Whitley bay). Not complicated!
This song was produced by Jimmy Lovine, who also produced songs like "born to run" for Bruce Springsteen and it has Roy Bittan from the E street band on keys since Dire Straits did not have a keyboardist at the time of recording the album.
The Spanish city is a place from Marks youth, all explained in this video th-cam.com/video/y_pav5sYs5s/w-d-xo.html
On a different note, this was Mark Knopfler's father favorite song, and, after he died, Mark never played it again. This is my favorite song, and like others said, the live version from Alchemy live is superb. My absolutely favorite.
John Doe is that guy from the BUGGLES. I gree about making movies, carosel waltz and then lookout
Mark's talking in his concerts, that's the place (Newcastle) where he grew up after moving from Edinburgh with 6, and Spanish city is still a Karneval! And he's talking about being kids! And the Spanish city has in some stairs written the text , "the girl looks so pretty to me, as it always did, like the Spanish city to me when we were kids". He is talking about him going to the Spanish city as kid, teenager. He was a short time a teacher for English language, he moved furniture, and he wrote for a small newspaper about music! dire straits started in 1977, when he was 26. Maybe that's why he never had problems with substances?! He was 30 when they got big! And had some jobs before making a living with music!
The point was that Mark was used to hearing American Music with references to places like Coney Island. He wanted to introduce references to his home area of Newcastle in the North East of England. The Fair is a static one called "The Spanish City"
Live versions are even better. The version from the live album " Alchemy " is best, IMHO, some recommend a version from the Brothers In Arms tour in Australia(YMMV). Songs usually don't tear at my romatic emotions, but, this one ALWAYS does. That long guitar solo followed by the piano solo(longer in live versions) to close just kills me. MK being his usual genius self, both musically and storytelling
Wembley 85
No actualy, the version from Wembley 1985 is better th-cam.com/video/fuH8LA_cBkc/w-d-xo.html
you should check out the live version from Wembley. It has everything that the live version from Alchemy does, but more.
If you are into literal things, you should watch the music video for this song, where you have some of the lyrics acted out in a weird literal way.
I'm new here, what does John have to hide his identity? Out of all the reaction channels I've never come across anything llike that except for one channel where they guy is a gamer but his profession is a lawyer, so he doesn't reveal his identity in that situation.
Let's just say my counsel has advised remaining low on the profile. - JD
Skateaway for the woke. The title track for the album Making Movies. If only Mark knew in 1980,
The song sound sped up.
Les Boys written for you boys lol
I dunno 'bout dat! - JD
@@LiteralistReactions Haha! That's one of the oddest songs...
I was a carney from 89 to 97 in my 20's, I highly recommend it for any young man. I averaged two girls a week for 9 months a year for 7 years.
Haha! I was working and retired by my early 30s...
@@obiwanbenobi4943 shh, the taxman might be watching.
@@robinmarks1710 No worries there. I'm always current.
*ducks* - JD