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Length: 8:03
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Sing about the six blade sing about the switchback and a torture tattoo
And I been riding on a ghost train where the cars they scream and slam
And I don't know where I'll be tonight but I'd always tell you where I am
In a screaming ring of faces I seen her standing in the light
She had a ticket for the races just like me she was a victim of the night
I put my hand upon the lever said let it rock and let it roll
I had the one arm bandit fever there was an arrow through my heart and my soul
And the big wheel keep on turning neon burning up above
And I'm just high on the world
Come on and take a low ride with me girl
On the tunnel of love
It's just the danger when you're riding at your own risk
She said you are the perfect stranger she said baby let's keep it like this
It's just a cakewalk twisting baby step right up and say
Hey mister give me two give me two 'cause any two can play
And the big wheel keep on turning neon burning up above
And I'm just high on the world
Come on and take a low ride with me girl
On the tunnel of love
Well it's been money for muscle another whirligig
Money for muscle another girl I dig
Another hustle just to make it big
And rock away rock away
And girl it looks so pretty to me just like it always did
Like the Spanish city to me when we were kids
Oh girl it looks so pretty to me just like it always did
Like the Spanish city to me when we were kids
She took off a silver locket she said remember me by this
She put her hand in my pocket I got a keepsake and a kiss
And in the roar of dust and diesel I stood and watched her walk away
I could have caught up with her easy enough but something must have made me stay
And the big wheel keep on turning neon burning up above
And I'm just high on the world
Come on and take a low ride with me girl
On the tunnel of love
And now I'm searching through these carousels and the carnival arcades
Searching everywhere from steeplechase to palisades
In any shooting gallery where promises are made
To rock away rock away from Cullercoats and Whitley bay out to rock away
And girl it looks so pretty to me like it always did
Like the Spanish city to me when we were kids
Girl it looks so pretty to me like it always did
Like the Spanish city to me when we were kids
I remember when this band first came out. I thought it was Bob Dylan.
Not entirely a coincidence. Dire Straits was Dylan's Europe touring band, and Knopfler has produced some of Dylan's albums.
Sailing to Philadelphia is one good song after another.
Bet that is the first (and only) mention of the UK's Cullercoats and Whitley Bay in a rock song.
Don't forget Spanish City, loved it there as a kid.
Highlow~
Why is this rubbish being played in the midst of an otherwise great RP set. Dated as elephant flares. One of the worst bands ever.
Your user name fits you perfectly.
some of the best guitar work ever...on this here song
Strew, but compared to the drumming, it's almost terrible.
Pick Withers is a phenomenon.
MK's gotta be one of the most underrated guitarists of the modern era. Nevermind all the crowd-pleasing stuff he did with the latter-day Dire Straits - his solo efforts since then speak of a truly gifted, open and original musician. Check out his collaborations with Chet Atkins and Emmylou Harris in particular...
Who thinks Mark Knopfler is underrated?
MK's gotta be one of the most underrated guitarists of the modern era. Nevermind all the crowd-pleasing stuff he did with the latter-day Dire Straits - his solo efforts since then speak of a truly gifted, open and original musician. Check out his collaborations with Chet Atkins and Emmylou Harris in particular...
I admire your courage for taking such a controversial stance.
I wonder how many people recognize where the opening few measures of the song are quoted from?
Oh, that's easy. It's from the Broadway musical (and movie): Carousel . A Richard Rodgers song,
I wonder how many people recognize where the opening few measures of the song are quoted from?
I've been going round and round but I just can't think.
Which album is that exactly? Certainly not the one with "My Parties" and "Heavy Fuel" ?
...and "Calling Elvis", "Planet of New Orleans", "On Every Street", "Fade to Black", "When It Comes to You", and "You and Your Friend" among others. Truly a great album in spite of your weak attempt to slag it by referencing some of the excellent, but more tongue-in-cheek, tracks on the disc.
MK's gotta be one of the most underrated guitarists of the modern era. Nevermind all the crowd-pleasing stuff he did with the latter-day Dire Straits - his solo efforts since then speak of a truly gifted, open and original musician. Check out his collaborations with Chet Atkins and Emmylou Harris in particular...
Is MK under-rated?
He's #44 on RS top guitarists of all time. That seems pretty respectfully rated, no?
Why is this rubbish being played in the midst of an otherwise great RP set. Dated as elephant flares. One of the worst bands ever.
So music lovers can enjoy it, and the "really lost" have another reason to gripe
MK's gotta be one of the most underrated guitarists of the modern era. Nevermind all the crowd-pleasing stuff he did with the latter-day Dire Straits - his solo efforts since then speak of a truly gifted, open and original musician. Check out his collaborations with Chet Atkins and Emmylou Harris in particular...
I am not a musician but his sound is amazing: Telegraph Road is nice for guitar solos.
And there ain't that many.
Why is this rubbish being played in the midst of an otherwise great RP set. Dated as elephant flares. One of the worst bands ever.
Well it’s 8 so people consider it a great song
Brian Johnson of AC/DC interviewing Knopfler at the Spanish city in Whitley Bay: https://youtu.be/y_pav5sYs5s
I can always, always tell when MK is the guitarist. Such a beautiful signature
Why is this rubbish being played in the midst of an otherwise great RP set. Dated as elephant flares. One of the worst bands ever.
Ohh, Bless your heart.
I've found out something about this song from, oddly enough, watching "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel." There's a scene in one episode that takes place on a carousel, and the music that the carousel is playing sounded just like the opening to "Tunnel of Love." My first thought was "How could a 1950s carousel be playing a Dire Straits tune?". Luckily Amazon has those little informational sidebars so I was quickly disabused.
Likewise, I had been listening to "Romeo and Juliet" for years before I finally found out what "the movie song" is.
Yes, that music you hear at the beginning of this song is the theme from "Carousel", the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical from the early 50s. Turned into a movie later. Basic story of girl meets boy who works at the traveling fair, jealous rival of his complicates things.
Great piece of music like this song.
The notion of this being dated is unfounded piffle borne of ignorance and ill consideration.
This is a sonic painting - inducing feelings, visions and memories.
It connects on visceral and intellectual levels.
It is perfectly timeless.
7 years on and still so very true. MK writes some of the best lyrics and music I've ever heard, in my 60-odd years of being upright, breathing and listening. Was so very fortunate to see him play just before the shutdown. I closed my eyes for a few of the tunes and was propelled to a different time and place, if only for a few moments. Loved it.
Can anyone explain what it is about MK's guitar sound that makes it so distinctive?
The shortest answer is he's a strat player that almost always plays w/ his fingers rather than a pick. Conventional guitarists look to what amps/effects he uses, but unless they're copying his folk/country-adjacent approach to the instrument, they're missing the point.
MK's gotta be one of the most underrated guitarists of the modern era. Nevermind all the crowd-pleasing stuff he did with the latter-day Dire Straits - his solo efforts since then speak of a truly gifted, open and original musician. Check out his collaborations with Chet Atkins and Emmylou Harris in particular...
I get that this comment is from 2011, but what is with all these "MK is underrated" comments on his songs on RP?
I disagree - he is one of the most talented guitarists ever, and I think that a lot of people know that.
2nd best for me and sharing that place with Communique, but on the heels of #1- that would be their first album, Dire Straits
Which album is that exactly? Certainly not the one with "My Parties" and "Heavy Fuel" ?
2nd best for me and sharing that place with Communique, but on the heels of #1- that would be their first album, Dire Straits
My daddy lay over my mummy
My daddy lay over mummy
My daddy lay over my mummy
And that is how I came to be...
This song, and album are among my favorites.
For years, I thought Mark meant he went to Spain like on holidays. It didn't go very well with what I knew of his background but I never thought too much about it.
Now I discover Spanish City is (was) an actual place in England?!
I don't think he's underrated, everyone knows his unique sound.
We regret to inform you that you have exceeded our 100-banana limit.
Further correspondence regarding punitive action forthcoming.
- The Management
Absolutely agree on all counts! I got that Chet Atkins CD in some bargain bin for $1 at Kiss the Sky, the (unfortunately former) local record store. What a find! It is not only a great record, but a lot of fun listening to those two collaborate.
Yeah girl it looks so pretty to me, just like it always did
Like the Spanish city to me, when we were kids
Classic, majestic, sublime...gonna bump this to a diez
my favorite DR album
2nd best for me and sharing that place with Communique, but on the heels of #1- that would be their first album, Dire Straits
Avaless wrote:
I graduated from high school in Jakarta in 1992 and listened to this album a lot. I can relate to what you are saying about the feelings it evokes.
I don't disagree, but I don't know why you say he's underrated. I've never heard anyone say anything bad about him. He's one of the most renown musicians in the world.
I agree - its possibly similar to 'critically acclaimed' vs. 'commercial success' (or visibility). cf JJ Cale or Richard Thompson who were/are under the 'everyone's heard (of) them' radar.
I don't disagree, but I don't know why you say he's underrated. I've never heard anyone say anything bad about him. He's one of the most renown musicians in the world.
I'm not sure who Knopfler is "under-rated" by, but among most guitarists and other musicians, he's considered to be among the best.
People talking about 'under-rated' usually just mean 'You should like and appreciate this artist as much as I do'
I'm not sure who Knopfler is "under-rated" by, but among most guitarists and other musicians, he's considered to be among the best.
I can always, always tell when MK is the guitarist. Such a beautiful signature
Dire Straits Tunnel of Love is to me 9 - OUTSTANDING
Likewise, I had been listening to "Romeo and Juliet" for years before I finally found out what "the movie song" is.
same here
my favorite DR album
Indeed. But even now you're nowhere near as old as you're gonna be some day (heh). And even then I suspect this tune will still sound fresh.
Highlow
American Net'Zen
Yes Tunnel of Love is a WIN on PSD
MORE MORE Dire Straits !!!
I think you mind meld plagiarized my post, damn you, Spock!
I can do some historical exploration into Cullercoats and all, and still, this is one of those pieces of music that defies fading and gets stronger with age
Dracula fans know Whitley Bay!
Indeed, it gives my willy the willies.
Fortunately, followed by such a feelgood track it regains its' sensibilities.
A solid 9.
Agree with that. This song a particulary the end is so good for the ears... a 9 for me too
Thanks
I had to translate this out of curiosity: "Scary good"? I must agree!
This is the third song this morning featuring his song writing, his guitar and his vocals.
I don't mind. Curious though.
OK. You don't like it.
I'm not sure what "dated" or "timeless" mean. I'll grant that this doesn't rock me like "Tomorrow Never Knows" still does, but for me it still grooves.
And my view is that lots of stuff that "sounds" old still sounds great—it's a product of its time. Examples include the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Cars, and a lot of U2 music to name just a few.
Most people don't wear the clothes or hairstyles they did 30-odd years ago, even if we listen to a lot of the same music.
There's at least one one parallel between Mark Knopfler and Phil Collins: As each artist ventured into solo work, I am struck by how difficult can be to tell the difference between solo songs and group songs.
No, I *did* like it. Now it's ... just ok.
"timeless" means it can be taken outside of it's era and still be fantastic, meaningful, like it was just crafted.
And many people DO still have the same clothes and hairstyles they did 30-odd years ago - the "timeless" ones - t-shirt, jeans, boots.
But the ones that aren't still around clearly were "stuck" in their time.
Just like this song ... :P
Good vocals from the Scotsmen. Next you will he telling me Rod Stewart is Scottish!
You got that right... and a tip-o-the-hat to your tribe's contribution too, like Limelight, which along with this one once brightened many long commute hours.