I am 62 years old now and I was 20 years old when I served in the 2nd Battalion B Company of the Parachute Regiment and fought at Goose Green in the Falklands War 1982. I lost good friends there and saw many horrific things on both sides in the battles of Goose Green and Darwin all of which still haunt me to this day. I left the army after that as I had my fill with war, or I thought I had, as many years later I would experience it again. I couldn’t cope with life in the UK as everyone thought you were a hero, yet I didn’t feel like a hero, just numb and I think people who have served in battle will know the feeling. Anyway, I started to travel the world and over two years I had been to over thirty countries and felt refreshed and clean again. I met a Polish girl on my travels and fell in love and moved to Poland and that was in 1989. I have been here since then living my life quietly and happily until Putin decided to invade Ukraine and as I have many friends there it has affected us deeply. We have lost two good friends to this disgustingly unjust war who both left behind families grieving for their fathers and husbands, but they are two families out of many that daily suffer the same fate. Both of the previously mentioned wars were a consequence of political initiation for the wrong reasons, with Margret Thatcher’s unpopular government seeing a chance to gain popularity again as her PR machine went into overdrive at that time and cemented Thatcher’s reputation as the ‘Iron Lady’ and the Falklands War saved her political skin. When I listen to Brothers in Arms it is deeply personal to me, and I despise war and the pointless tragic consequences it brings. It’s a shame that politicians forget that they serve for the good of people and not their own megalomaniac political control over people’s lives.
There’s nothing I could write that could possibly do justice to what you have written, but…genuinely, not in some naff pseudo-patriotic way…thank you for your service. I did not, for health reasons, serve, but my father served in the Fleet Air Arm just post WWII. He remembered being shown footage from the camps, footage that the UK public weren’t shown for decades, and told “this is why we fight, to prevent this”. Your post shows the other side, the darker side (he served but did not see action), but despite the horrors of what you saw, this country is lucky to have you (as is Poland). Thanks again.
Whilst I sympathize with your thoughts and feelings and of course what you experienced and also agree that The Falklands happened at a time that the government could take full political advantage, what other choice was there? Just as Russia have totally unjustly invaded Ukraine, so too did Argentina totally unjustly invade The Falklands. I don't see what other choice the British government had! Glory and Victory to Ukraine and Glory to the Heroes. 😊😎🎸🇺🇦🇬🇧
Mate, the Tory government put you in harms way and then when you returned they couldn't give (Maggie Thatcher's and John Knotts policy) a fuck about you and then proceeded to start to shut down all the UK military hospitals. Vote Reform, they will look after us!
Well whether you think it our not, I believe that all the men that went down to the Falklands are heroes for liberating the people of the islands who were suffering from an illegal invasion of their home by the Argentinian government. Just like those who fight for the freedom and sovereignty of Ukraine against Putin's illegal Russian invasion are also heroes.
This song is about a Royal Marine killed in the Falklands war. As a soldier and disabled veteran myself it holds a very special meaning for me. It reminds me of the conflict I still have within me -- between my mind and my spirit - trying to deal with the horror of war and the devastation caused in the past by wounds and the loss of comrades, while simultaneously embracing the present. That same conflict can be heard between Mark Knopfler's voice and the voice of his guitar. One is calm, while the other struggles in torment. I cannot listen to this song without losing my composure. Thank you for reviewing this.
What always moved me about this song is that it could really be a battlefield anywhere at any time in human history. It has a timeless sort of sound and feel.
the song is written from the perspective of a dying soldier and his buddies (his brothers in arms) are staying with him while he is dying. This was written after the Falkland War in 1982 where the story of the song is taking place but in reality it’s about all soldiers from any nation at any times, they were all brothers in arms
As an ex-military who participated in war as a solider, this song is special to me. It’s been almost 20 years, but this song reminds me the part of myself that was lost there. I still have flashbacks and memories from living in hell, but my brothers in arms who were with me helped to come out on this other side. In wars there are only losers, no winners - that’s what this song means to me. Thanks for covering it.
Even now, 30 years after the war, I visit my brothers and sisters in arms who served together with me on the line in those misty valleys, dark forests and snowy mountains where they fell. Every year I apologize to them that I returned home and they are still there on the last watch. Whenever I want to remember them so I don't forget their faces, I play this song
Thank you for you service Sir, You are so much appreciated we should tell you more often. Thank you for my freedom and my familys freedom. You are our Brother in Arms every time you risk your life for us.
"Now the sun's gone to hell and The moon's riding high Let me bid you farewell Every man has to die But it's written in the starlight And every line in your palm We're fools to make war On our brothers in arms" Such powerful lyrics!
The sun's gone to hell, and the moon's riding high = it's night time lol... but he's saying it's been an assh*le of a day, and now that he has a break... he can mourn the lives lost... Edit: And he reveals at the end that he's mourning lives lost on both sides... "we're fools to make war on our brothers in arms". In other words a soldier is a soldier is a human person doing his duty for his country etc...
This is the genius of Mark Knopfler. He can make his guitar sing and cry along with him. I love Dire Straits music because Mark let's the guitar do most of the singing and crying, preferring for his vocals to take a bit of a back seat. What an immensely powerful and emotional song, paying tribute to all those incredible service-men and women who give their lives for their countries around the world to enjoy the freedoms we all take for granted every day of our lives. 💔💔💔💔💔💔
Once saw a interview were he said he was pretty unsure about his singing and tried to avoid it at any opportunity. Pretty weird to be a lead singer with that in your mind, but thank God he did
i was never in military and it gets me every single time. And that is not to belittle your experience in the military. Just means....war is bad - we're all human, why can't we fix this damn world ? This could be fun.
Hi Aileen, Mark wrote this during the Falklands War between UK and Argentina. He is depicting it in the words of a dying soldier. If you really want to experience the raw emotion Mark feels when performing this I recommend: Dire Straits - Brothers in Arms - LIVE Wembley 1988 - Audio HQ Remasteriser! (It’s at the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday tribute, and Dire Straits were a necessary group to perform on this occasion Ias they had sold many many albums in South Africa and when the S.A. powers that be asked Mark who they should pay their royalties to, he said, ‘Amnesty International’ and they were henceforth banned from performing in S.A. I❤MK most beautiful guitar tones ever.
Written in the 80s but it has been very popular amongst veterans through to today and I respect that. Sometimes it takes a song to release those emotions. Thank you Aileen.
This song sears my soul. I am the granddaughter of a WWI medic who served on the battle fields of death in France. The daughter of a WWII soldier who saw the horrors of and helped liberate a German CC and lost his best friend to a sniper while they shared a fox hole. And i am the wife of a veteran who served 21+ years serving in the worst of Iraq and Afghanistan and losing many brothers in arms. This song will always make me weep. Thank you for sharing your review.
'Brothers in arms' was the biggest album by Dire Straits in 1985... the title track was a somber song reflecting on the Falklands War between the British and Argentina over the Falkland Islands of South America in 1982... Dire Straits was British... (Iron Maiden in 1998 also wrote a song about the Falklands casualties, trying to make peace - "Como estais amigos") The entire album 'Brothers in arms' needs to be reacted to... it's a great pop rock album (it sold 9x platinum in the US)... Every song is a classic - 'So far away' ... 'Money for nothing'... 'Walk of life' ... 'Your latest trick' ... 'Why worry' ... 'Ride across the river' ... "The man's too strong" ... 'One world"... 🔥🔥
My first concert was Elvis with my mom. I was at the original Wall tour in New York. I've played guitar since I was three and am heavily into metal, but I love a lot of different types of music. My idol is David Gilmour. All of that to say that this is the most beautiful and soul wrenching guitar work I've ever heard in any song. As you pointed it out, the guitar solos and riffs convey the sorrow, and it sounds like his guitar is crying. This song makes my eyes water every time I listen to it.
“Mark Knopfler has an extraordinary ability to make a Schecter Custom Stratocaster hoot and sing like angels on a Saturday night, exhausted from being good all week and needing a stiff drink.” ― Douglas Adams, So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish
Mark, the lead guitar and vocal (he is dire straits), spent all the income from the song to soldiers with ptsd. And he can put you in the mood he wants to fit the song. Otherwise he wouldn't have written about 15 movie soundtracks! If you play more, i would choose live performances!
Beautiful! Enough to make a grown man cry. Such a tight band, with the bass and drums carrying a lovely foundation to work on as always 👌🏽 Knopfler is such a wizard on the guitar, he doesn’t even need much effects pedals, his clever little tricks like plucking a string with the volume down then gradually increasing the volume to merge the guitar cry is just amazing! I love his style, I always have and always will ❤ Thank you for sharing this one 🙏🏽
This was specifically about the Falklands War. Means a lot to me because I went to a military boarding school in the UK where half the kids' fathers were fighting in it in 1982. One poor boy's father died. I think of him and it makes me cry. Thanks for your beautiful review.
he wrote the song based on the Falklands Conflict (1982) and the lyrics are written as if from the perspective of a dying soldier on the battlefield in his last moments here on earth
Mark Knopfler is a living legend! I saw him live when he was over 60. I will NEVER forget that evening. Total goosebump concert. He is the master of those notes that aren't played, the ones that can hardly be heared and his picking style is somethin else, cuz his thumb goes down where it doesn't belong. His feel on guitar and his voice are so recognizeable that you only need one or two notes to know who's performing. Check out his solo stuff aswell. Totally worth it. Greets from Germany, enjoy!
Hi Aileen. just to help with the context of the song. This is the last song of a dying warrior buried on the mountainside of the Falkland islands, his grave being his "Home now to me". When they "Hurt me so bad" it describes the "family" bond of the men he serves with, who stayed with him as he died. His brothers in arms.
one of their best and most emotive songs, i have been listening to the "brothers in arms" album since it was released, (thank you dad for such great musical taste), it brings tears to my eyes whenever i hear it. thank you for the opportunity to see you react to it for the first time, i think you have a grasp on every part of it, and your emotion is genuine when you hear it.
Its why Mark is my favorite all-time guitarist. When he plays its nothing super technical or special that noone can copy. But noone can invent what he invented, and he really makes the guitar into another singer, so to speak. He speaks about this in interviews too, how he has modeled his guitar vibrato after how really good singers use their vibrato.
this tune makes me cry. I've been a danish navy seal, working with the US navy seals and been in combat. The tune tells what its like in combat. Many of my friends ended op dead and many got wounded.
Telegraph Road might be too long for a reaction video, but there's some live versions out there that are simply incredible with Mark just casually playing the guitar while it makes amazing sounds. And Mark doesn't sing songs, he tells stories.
I agree with many that the Mandela birthday tribute version is incredibly. They all are tbh, knopfler and band are on another level. Check out any live version and definitely some from the amazing On Every Street tour or 1991/92, or any solo knopfler tours. Excellent reaction again.
Thank you for doing this, Aileen. This song means a lot to those of us who have served and have lost our 'Brothers In Arms', John 15:13 in the Bible sums it up perfectly.
The human cost of war is a background fact of life for us today, but Knopfler's generation in Britain had lived without war for decades until the rather petty conflict in the Falklands. The song is trying to understand something strange. Knopfler wrote songs as stories about people: a mediocre pub musician, a delivery man, a soldier, a busker, a fairground worker. The genius of his lyrics is seeing the world though someone else's eyes.
Mark Knopfler's music comes streaming straight from his heart, without affectation or seeking special effects from technology. Because of this, he is one of my all-time favourite musicians. Apparently he started out musically as a folk style guitar picker, and perhaps that is why he has such an incredible feel for his instrument. I'm always moved by his performances, he is truly a great.
❤ Wonderful response, thank you. Telegraph Road Alchemy live, should be your next. Mark wrote great film music, worked with many other artists, such as Tina Turner (Private Dancer) Bob Dylan Notting Hillbillies and much more. He is a gift!
Telegraph Road is indeed the pinnacle of Dire Straits. Maybe check another song or two out first because there is no going back. It’s alway a bit of a tough one for reactors as it’s long with a big chunk of instrumental. And just to throw a different opinion out there, I think the album version is near perfection. It’s the OG, it’s studio clean, it’s the most rich in terms of soundscape. That’s just me & and you really can’t go wrong with any version.
Just so brilliant. The sun is the only part of the video that is in colour. It was originally written about the 1982 Falklands War and its still relevant today 💛💛💙💙
I often visit motorcycle clubs that consist of veterans. They have their club night on Friday evenings and they have a tradition. On Friday evening at midnight they raise their glasses and commemorate the veterans who died in battle. And then Brothers in Arms comes on really loud in the clubhouse on the stereo! I always find that special and nice that they do that
This song makes me think about the last moments I had with my grandfather I miss doing stuff with him fishing,hiking I’m getting teary eyed watching this and indeed very powerful with lots of emotion
“Almost sounds like the guitar’s crying” Yep. You nailed the point of the song 2 minutes into the video, most worthwhile sun I’ve ever made I think, I’m loving these reactions
I´ve got the luck of never fight in a War...... But..... every Man who was a Soldier (me to) have to cry about this Song!!!! We are always Brothers in Arms.....
Wonderful reaction Aileen. Though this was written about the Falklands War, it is prevalent to any conflict in human history. I love Dire Straits, and "Sultans of Swing" is by far, one of my favorites. However to me, this song is Dire Straits most impactful and meaningful. This many years after it was released, it still brings tears to my eyes.
Mark Knopfler, in this performance, is the only guy in the world who can reach out and pull your heart from its depths into true belief in your emotional fragility. Absolutely heart rending to anyone fighting their own emotions, whether on the battle grounds of war or in the tribulations of life. Thanks for sharing your own reactions to this tremendously powerful masterpiece.
This song is so powerful. Myself, and most of my male friends have all shed tears to this song. It's the musical equivalent of the "I'm Spartacus" scene.
Mark Knopfler and David Gilmour are the masters of putting emotions when they are playning their guitar. Both had their unique style and always wortt to listen.
I'd recommend reacting to Romeo and Juliet by Dire Straits as well, beautiful and with Mark Knopfler playing a different style of guitar - one of their best (plus the entire Alchemy live album with Going Home as the finale)
This is THE song that reminds me of the war we had in the early 90's. This was the background music for a battelfield tv-report/montage/collage. It was called Banijska ratna praskozorja by a tv cameraman, Gordan Lederer. When Lederer was killed on the front lines, this montage was aired over and over again in his honour. Brothers in arms became the unofficial soundtrack of the war and this segment was the perfect video to acompany it. Chilling and beautiful. Sadly, due to copyright issues with the music, youtube regulary takes this video segment down. Shame...
Thank you Aileen, you picked up on the emotive tones of Mark's guitar work so well in this song. For me the music video just seemed to work so well with the song, portraying all the feelings evoked by those lyrics and haunting guitar. 🙏
It's quite comforting to know that there are those out there, like yourself, who understand the meaning of what this song is about and what it conveys. I love this song even though it almost moves me to tears every single time I hear or see it. I lost a close friend in 2009 when we were deployed together in Afghanistan. I think solely of him when I hear/see this because it evokes the emotions of losing him and remembering the brotherly love that we had with one another and for our fellow soldiers. I spoke the eulogy at his memorial service that our unit conducted in-country. Hearing "Taps" being played is both quite mournful and eloquent while in the company of others, but "Brothers In Arms", while by myself, has a much deeper meaning for me. Thank you for doing this. You have a beautiful heart. :)
As a combat veteran, I am drawn to this song more and more lately. It's an older song from the 80's, most likely written about WWI, but resonates with anyone that has been through war and the comradery that is created in times like those. Mark Knopfler and Dire Straights are fantastic musicians but this song is a classic.
OMG! Not ashamed to say you broke the dam & the flood is going with your reaction! Dayum, girl, the honesty of your reaction is SO refreshing. I cherish how real you are!!! Thank you so much for sharing this. Wishing all your days are filled with love and light.
The next one I’d suggest would definitely be Telegraph Road from the same live concert video that you did Sultans Of Swing from. Really epic storytelling song with great playing as usual, Knopfler is a genius on the guitar. Plays with no guitar pick, just his fingers which helps with his unique sound.
This is the first time I've heard this powerful song since I lost someone very close to me last year, and it's now even more poignant than before. Your analysis is brilliant , thank you so much.
Thank you, Aileen! I discovered Dire Straits in '83, but I don't remember this song. It's truly uniquely powerful and crucial! And his voice . . . Damn!
I had this song on repeat for yrs thru middle school and high school. You can't hate this song. Anyone that does, doesn't know what this song means to everyone that lost someone. Military men and women would cry hearing this song.
Dear lady i've been in a war back in 1977 and even got a DSC from the President of the US. This song mirrors my feelings after recovering from PTSD and is still heartbreaking for me 'cause there are wars still raging and feel that Mark Knopfler grabbed the essence. I have always tears in my eyes when I listen to it. Thank you.
I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve heard this . When you said that guitar sounds like it’s crying, I just about lost it. Have you heard “In Any Tongue” by David Gilmour? Would love to hear you do a reaction to that one. His Live in Pompeii version sounds best.
Thank you for this reaction. I thoroughly enjoy your reactions. I remember when this album came out (yes I'm that old) and this was my absolute favorite song from that album. Mark Knopfler is a phenomenal guitarist. I wish I could play like that.
I can't disagree with a lot of the commentrs here when they say that your next reaction to Dire Straits should be Telegraph Road (but the live version from Alchemy Live). A remarkable performance - as they all are. Can't comment on this one - it cuts too deep for personal reasons. 😔
Hi there, loving your channel and reactions. Thanks for this beautiful reaction to my fave artist of all time, Mark Knopfler. The live version from DIRE STRAITS "On The Night" 1993 is extended with Marks solo is something to be hold. I really recommend Private Investigations from the same concert. Dire Straits in concert is so much better, you really appreciate the band's talent and Mark's fascinating style of guitar playing. It's so unique. Cheers from Australia 😊🎸🎸🎸
The fact you were pretty much speechless with the first couple minutes of the song was already so telling about the video itself, let alone the rest of it. You were so right about the guitar sounding like it was doing a sort of crying, especially hearing the lyrics going along with it. Excited to see the next song by these guys from you! ❤️
The style of the video is meant reflect the cloudy and misty memories and recollections of a dying soldier, who knows that he won't be leaving the Falklands but wishes his 'Brothers in Arms' a final Bon Voyage as he anticipates their journey home - a journey he won't be able to make with them. "We're fools to make war on our brothers in arms". Such a telling line! Perhaps if the politicians were made to put themselves in the actual firing line, there would be no more war! I was one of the fortunate ones. In my 14 years of UK service - 1966-1980, I was only ever fired on once. Unfortunately, for two of my close friends, that once was enough! RIP Al and Sam. To all my 'Brothers in Arms', I salute you though I know you not.
Brothers in Arms is another perfect example of Mark Knopfler's ability to tell a story in his songs. A side story, I met Alan Clark (their keyboard player) in my local pub in the mid 90s. He played a few songs on the badly tuned pub piano before anyone realised who it was and stopped for a couple of drinks.
Aileen, I very much appreciate the articulate analysis and emotion you bring to every review, as you add to the experience and memories of each track, by clearly immersing yourself in each review you do.
You are the empathic. emotional conduit that the unfeeling desperately needs. Then again, you a an old soul and quite intelligent. That in itself is a rainy and a treasure. I hope you continue to realize your gift and need for humanity.
This song was played at a funeral of a school member when I was about 16 years old. Everytime I hear this song again, I get emotional and get tears in my eyes, even though it is over thirty years ago already. I still keep listening to this song, because it is one of the best songs by Dire Straits.
Check out "The Walk of Life" and "Money For Nothing"(Sting lends his voice). Back when MTV was just getting started, one their catch phrases was "I want my MTV" which you will hear in this song.
I’ve loved this song since the first time I heard it about 25 years ago. A year or so I bought a 45rpm remaster of this album on 180grm vinyl and it’s absolutely beautiful. His guitar work come through so clean and haunting.
Aileen, this version has cut out quite a bit of the instrumental at the end. Check it out. It is really something and carries on the emotions of the song. In addition, check out "Industrial Disease" by Dire Straits. It's Mark Knopfler's ascerbic attack on Margaret Thatcher's (British PM in the 1980's) economic policies that damaged British Industry and hurt workers immeasurably. The sarcasm in his voice and the lyrics are something to behold...... He's something of a genius. That word is overused these days, but appropriate in his case I think.
This beautiful Song was my only consolation when I lost a friend to cancer at the age of 13... I didn`t find one word to say to his mother everytime I met her in the following Fall after his passing... At the age of 47 or 48, I randomly met her in a store and got to tell her how much I loved her son... Forever missed, R.I.P. Maciej !!
An amazing song. I heard an acappella cover of this song by the group Home Free; that gave me chills too. Each version has its own power, which speaks to how powerful the song is. Bravo to Mr. Knopfler.
Brother in arms is probably one of the best songs dire straights wrote. I have just looked through your videos, and you must be the only reactor that has not done any Tom mackdonald or Brandon hart. Will you look at those two artists, too ❤
In the 80s when CD first came out only 2 companies produced the lasers used I'm the players, Sony and Phillips Both companies used the Brothers in arms album to balance the lasers because it was the most perfect sounding albums at the time Dire straits were the epitome of brilliant musically and Mark Knopfler could make the guitar sing ❤
Brothers in Arms was the first CD I bought. I played it so many times I thought it would wear out (people said CDs wouldn’t last). It still plays like new today. I had a 1400w sound system I built and fitted in my Golf GTI - it sounded awesome in there!!!
I am 62 years old now and I was 20 years old when I served in the 2nd Battalion B Company of the Parachute Regiment and fought at Goose Green in the Falklands War 1982. I lost good friends there and saw many horrific things on both sides in the battles of Goose Green and Darwin all of which still haunt me to this day.
I left the army after that as I had my fill with war, or I thought I had, as many years later I would experience it again. I couldn’t cope with life in the UK as everyone thought you were a hero, yet I didn’t feel like a hero, just numb and I think people who have served in battle will know the feeling. Anyway, I started to travel the world and over two years I had been to over thirty countries and felt refreshed and clean again.
I met a Polish girl on my travels and fell in love and moved to Poland and that was in 1989. I have been here since then living my life quietly and happily until Putin decided to invade Ukraine and as I have many friends there it has affected us deeply. We have lost two good friends to this disgustingly unjust war who both left behind families grieving for their fathers and husbands, but they are two families out of many that daily suffer the same fate.
Both of the previously mentioned wars were a consequence of political initiation for the wrong reasons, with Margret Thatcher’s unpopular government seeing a chance to gain popularity again as her PR machine went into overdrive at that time and cemented Thatcher’s reputation as the ‘Iron Lady’ and the Falklands War saved her political skin.
When I listen to Brothers in Arms it is deeply personal to me, and I despise war and the pointless tragic consequences it brings. It’s a shame that politicians forget that they serve for the good of people and not their own megalomaniac political control over people’s lives.
There’s nothing I could write that could possibly do justice to what you have written, but…genuinely, not in some naff pseudo-patriotic way…thank you for your service. I did not, for health reasons, serve, but my father served in the Fleet Air Arm just post WWII. He remembered being shown footage from the camps, footage that the UK public weren’t shown for decades, and told “this is why we fight, to prevent this”. Your post shows the other side, the darker side (he served but did not see action), but despite the horrors of what you saw, this country is lucky to have you (as is Poland). Thanks again.
I understand mate I was in the RN when it all kicked off and you deserve support on all aspects on all health and mental health mate
Whilst I sympathize with your thoughts and feelings and of course what you experienced and also agree that The Falklands happened at a time that the government could take full political advantage, what other choice was there?
Just as Russia have totally unjustly invaded Ukraine, so too did Argentina totally unjustly invade The Falklands. I don't see what other choice the British government had!
Glory and Victory to Ukraine and Glory to the Heroes. 😊😎🎸🇺🇦🇬🇧
Mate, the Tory government put you in harms way and then when you returned they couldn't give (Maggie Thatcher's and John Knotts policy) a fuck about you and then proceeded to start to shut down all the UK military hospitals. Vote Reform, they will look after us!
Well whether you think it our not, I believe that all the men that went down to the Falklands are heroes for liberating the people of the islands who were suffering from an illegal invasion of their home by the Argentinian government. Just like those who fight for the freedom and sovereignty of Ukraine against Putin's illegal Russian invasion are also heroes.
"It almost sounds like the guitar is crying" EXACTLY! That's spot on.
yes that is spot on and this is so beauful and same time sad song... just a perfection from Dire Straits
@@MKitchen75 And this song always ends too soon.
@@PeterRabbit70 yes it should be 10 minutes long
This song is about a Royal Marine killed in the Falklands war. As a soldier and disabled veteran myself it holds a very special meaning for me. It reminds me of the conflict I still have within me -- between my mind and my spirit - trying to deal with the horror of war and the devastation caused in the past by wounds and the loss of comrades, while simultaneously embracing the present. That same conflict can be heard between Mark Knopfler's voice and the voice of his guitar. One is calm, while the other struggles in torment. I cannot listen to this song without losing my composure. Thank you for reviewing this.
only a robot could listen to this song and not cry, even if you didn't know English, the music alone is deeply moving.
the song is deeply moving, but so is your comment. Bless you!
i am from Cumbria my dude and thankyou for your service i am 52 and a generation younger but i have friends who Faught there same as you. Respect
What always moved me about this song is that it could really be a battlefield anywhere at any time in human history. It has a timeless sort of sound and feel.
There’s so many notes he hits on the guitar that just absolutely pull at your heartstrings. One of my favourite songs ever! Thanks for this!
the song is written from the perspective of a dying soldier and his buddies (his brothers in arms) are staying with him while he is dying. This was written after the Falkland War in 1982 where the story of the song is taking place but in reality it’s about all soldiers from any nation at any times, they were all brothers in arms
As an ex-military who participated in war as a solider, this song is special to me. It’s been almost 20 years, but this song reminds me the part of myself that was lost there. I still have flashbacks and memories from living in hell, but my brothers in arms who were with me helped to come out on this other side. In wars there are only losers, no winners - that’s what this song means to me. Thanks for covering it.
"Only losers, and no winners." Truer words never spoken, brother.
Even now, 30 years after the war, I visit my brothers and sisters in arms who served together with me on the line in those misty valleys, dark forests and snowy mountains where they fell. Every year I apologize to them that I returned home and they are still there on the last watch. Whenever I want to remember them so I don't forget their faces, I play this song
Not really, winners are the ones that sell the arms.
Thank you for you service Sir, You are so much appreciated we should tell you more often.
Thank you for my freedom and my familys freedom.
You are our Brother in Arms every time you risk your life for us.
i cant decide which is the best tribute to the people involved in war, this song or Sabaton's a lifetime of war
"Now the sun's gone to hell and
The moon's riding high
Let me bid you farewell
Every man has to die
But it's written in the starlight
And every line in your palm
We're fools to make war
On our brothers in arms"
Such powerful lyrics!
None more poignant words written in our era
That verse breaks me every time I hear it.
ye every time hits
The sun's gone to hell, and the moon's riding high = it's night time lol... but he's saying it's been an assh*le of a day, and now that he has a break... he can mourn the lives lost...
Edit: And he reveals at the end that he's mourning lives lost on both sides... "we're fools to make war on our brothers in arms". In other words a soldier is a soldier is a human person doing his duty for his country etc...
If this song doesn't choke you up, you are not a human being.
Very true
This is the genius of Mark Knopfler. He can make his guitar sing and cry along with him. I love Dire Straits music because Mark let's the guitar do most of the singing and crying, preferring for his vocals to take a bit of a back seat. What an immensely powerful and emotional song, paying tribute to all those incredible service-men and women who give their lives for their countries around the world to enjoy the freedoms we all take for granted every day of our lives. 💔💔💔💔💔💔
Once saw a interview were he said he was pretty unsure about his singing and tried to avoid it at any opportunity.
Pretty weird to be a lead singer with that in your mind, but thank God he did
I retired from the US Army after 22 year and this gets me in the feels every single time!
i was never in military and it gets me every single time.
And that is not to belittle your experience in the military.
Just means....war is bad - we're all human, why can't we fix this damn world ? This could be fun.
Hi Aileen, Mark wrote this during the Falklands War between UK and Argentina. He is depicting it in the words of a dying soldier. If you really want to experience the raw emotion Mark feels when performing this I recommend: Dire Straits - Brothers in Arms - LIVE Wembley 1988 - Audio HQ Remasteriser! (It’s at the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday tribute, and Dire Straits were a necessary group to perform on this occasion Ias they had sold many many albums in South Africa and when the S.A. powers that be asked Mark who they should pay their royalties to, he said, ‘Amnesty International’ and they were henceforth banned from performing in S.A. I❤MK most beautiful guitar tones ever.
I fully agree, the '88 Mandela concert is pure genius.
@penderyn8794 It's not a stretch, It was directly influenced by the Falklands War.
“I want my MTV” video by Dire Straits. So much fun!
I never knew that thanks for the info mate.👍
@penderyn8794It's was inspired by the Falklands conflict.
I'm a veteran; this song brings me to tears every. damned. time.
I'm not a veteran, but same.
Mark is one of the best guitarists of all time. Certainly one of the most recognisable.
I lost my Son in Afghanistan in 2012. This song makes me a blubbering fool every time I hear it. Thank you for reacting to this song, Aileen.
Prayers and thank you for raising a true patriot
Stay strong Richard. Sorry for ur loss my friend..The song gives me goosebumps every time too.. wishing u the best from 🇬🇧
So sorry for your loss, Richard. ❤
Sorry mate. That’s tough
💔
He sings, “Every man has to die.” The song is about a soldier dying in battle far away from his home.
Written in the 80s but it has been very popular amongst veterans through to today and I respect that. Sometimes it takes a song to release those emotions. Thank you Aileen.
I posted this on FB as my contribution to Armistice Day. It's not so much anti-war, as about war. Just beautiful.
This song sears my soul. I am the granddaughter of a WWI medic who served on the battle fields of death in France. The daughter of a WWII soldier who saw the horrors of and helped liberate a German CC and lost his best friend to a sniper while they shared a fox hole.
And i am the wife of a veteran who served 21+ years serving in the worst of Iraq and Afghanistan and losing many brothers in arms.
This song will always make me weep.
Thank you for sharing your review.
'Brothers in arms' was the biggest album by Dire Straits in 1985... the title track was a somber song reflecting on the Falklands War between the British and Argentina over the Falkland Islands of South America in 1982... Dire Straits was British... (Iron Maiden in 1998 also wrote a song about the Falklands casualties, trying to make peace - "Como estais amigos")
The entire album 'Brothers in arms' needs to be reacted to... it's a great pop rock album (it sold 9x platinum in the US)... Every song is a classic - 'So far away' ... 'Money for nothing'... 'Walk of life' ... 'Your latest trick' ... 'Why worry' ... 'Ride across the river' ... "The man's too strong" ... 'One world"... 🔥🔥
My first concert was Elvis with my mom. I was at the original Wall tour in New York. I've played guitar since I was three and am heavily into metal, but I love a lot of different types of music. My idol is David Gilmour. All of that to say that this is the most beautiful and soul wrenching guitar work I've ever heard in any song. As you pointed it out, the guitar solos and riffs convey the sorrow, and it sounds like his guitar is crying. This song makes my eyes water every time I listen to it.
it's the Les Paul. Same with a couple tracks on The Wall. Strats just don't give that high watt marshal grunt re: 'Money for Nothing'.
Dave Gilmour and Mark Knopfler. They alternate as my idols, depending which one I listened to last.
“Mark Knopfler has an extraordinary ability to make a Schecter Custom Stratocaster hoot and sing like angels on a Saturday night, exhausted from being good all week and needing a stiff drink.”
― Douglas Adams, So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish
The Strat sings on Sultans of Swing, but on this, the tone of the Gibson Les Paul brings a gravity more appropriate for this song.
Mark, the lead guitar and vocal (he is dire straits), spent all the income from the song to soldiers with ptsd. And he can put you in the mood he wants to fit the song. Otherwise he wouldn't have written about 15 movie soundtracks! If you play more, i would choose live performances!
Yeah, you caught the emotions of this song well Aileen.😊 This guy emotes so heavily from his instrument. Beautiful song, makes me cry every time ❤
Beautiful! Enough to make a grown man cry. Such a tight band, with the bass and drums carrying a lovely foundation to work on as always 👌🏽 Knopfler is such a wizard on the guitar, he doesn’t even need much effects pedals, his clever little tricks like plucking a string with the volume down then gradually increasing the volume to merge the guitar cry is just amazing! I love his style, I always have and always will ❤ Thank you for sharing this one 🙏🏽
The spacing and extension of the notes are hauntingly beautiful. Exactly like a guitar and violin weeping. Masterfully done! Just love this.
This was specifically about the Falklands War. Means a lot to me because I went to a military boarding school in the UK where half the kids' fathers were fighting in it in 1982. One poor boy's father died. I think of him and it makes me cry. Thanks for your beautiful review.
x 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment. (1 RAR) from the first time I heard this in 1985 and forever more, brings tears to my eyes every time.
he wrote the song based on the Falklands Conflict (1982) and the lyrics are written as if from the perspective of a dying soldier on the battlefield in his last moments here on earth
Mark Knopfler is a living legend! I saw him live when he was over 60. I will NEVER forget that evening. Total goosebump concert. He is the master of those notes that aren't played, the ones that can hardly be heared and his picking style is somethin else, cuz his thumb goes down where it doesn't belong. His feel on guitar and his voice are so recognizeable that you only need one or two notes to know who's performing. Check out his solo stuff aswell. Totally worth it. Greets from Germany, enjoy!
Hi Aileen. just to help with the context of the song.
This is the last song of a dying warrior buried on the mountainside of the Falkland islands, his grave being his "Home now to me".
When they "Hurt me so bad" it describes the "family" bond of the men he serves with, who stayed with him as he died. His brothers in arms.
one of their best and most emotive songs, i have been listening to the "brothers in arms" album since it was released, (thank you dad for such great musical taste), it brings tears to my eyes whenever i hear it. thank you for the opportunity to see you react to it for the first time, i think you have a grasp on every part of it, and your emotion is genuine when you hear it.
Its why Mark is my favorite all-time guitarist. When he plays its nothing super technical or special that noone can copy. But noone can invent what he invented, and he really makes the guitar into another singer, so to speak. He speaks about this in interviews too, how he has modeled his guitar vibrato after how really good singers use their vibrato.
Actually very few can copy MK. His multi-layered fingerpicking is unique. Lindsy Buckingham could do it.
this tune makes me cry.
I've been a danish navy seal, working with the US navy seals and been in combat.
The tune tells what its like in combat.
Many of my friends ended op dead and many got wounded.
Mark Knopfler is probably one of the most underrated guitarists of all time. His song writing is sublime.
i don't think underrated is the right word but i agree that he deserves the appreciation
He raises loads of cash for the British former servicemen
He is absolutely not underrated. I can't find a single list of legendary guitar players where he is not highly rated :p
maps.app.goo.gl/sVERSuXsZgPUBCrs6
He plays here still now n then
MK perfected his own guitar technique (Claw technique --> Thumb, Index, and Middle Fingers), and he teaches master classes on guitar 🎸 as well.
Telegraph Road, Romeo and Juliet, and Tunnel of Love are two of my favorites from Dire Straits. Would love to see a reaction to those masterpieces!
Telegraph Road might be too long for a reaction video, but there's some live versions out there that are simply incredible with Mark just casually playing the guitar while it makes amazing sounds. And Mark doesn't sing songs, he tells stories.
I agree with many that the Mandela birthday tribute version is incredibly. They all are tbh, knopfler and band are on another level. Check out any live version and definitely some from the amazing On Every Street tour or 1991/92, or any solo knopfler tours. Excellent reaction again.
Thank you for doing this, Aileen. This song means a lot to those of us who have served and have lost our 'Brothers In Arms', John 15:13 in the Bible sums it up perfectly.
The human cost of war is a background fact of life for us today, but Knopfler's generation in Britain had lived without war for decades until the rather petty conflict in the Falklands. The song is trying to understand something strange.
Knopfler wrote songs as stories about people: a mediocre pub musician, a delivery man, a soldier, a busker, a fairground worker. The genius of his lyrics is seeing the world though someone else's eyes.
2:06 : “almost sounds like the guitar is crying” the same way I felt when I first heard this song, its prophetic the emotions it brings on 🥹🥹
Mark Knopfler's music comes streaming straight from his heart, without affectation or seeking special effects from technology. Because of this, he is one of my all-time favourite musicians. Apparently he started out musically as a folk style guitar picker, and perhaps that is why he has such an incredible feel for his instrument. I'm always moved by his performances, he is truly a great.
Feelings through musical instruments is an awesome gift & we who can feel - feel it
❤ Wonderful response, thank you. Telegraph Road Alchemy live, should be your next. Mark wrote great film music, worked with many other artists, such as Tina Turner (Private Dancer) Bob Dylan Notting Hillbillies and much more. He is a gift!
Yes. This. That live Telegraph Road is the band's finest hour, EVERYBODY shines throughout it. It's incredible.
Telegraph Road is indeed the pinnacle of Dire Straits. Maybe check another song or two out first because there is no going back. It’s alway a bit of a tough one for reactors as it’s long with a big chunk of instrumental.
And just to throw a different opinion out there, I think the album version is near perfection. It’s the OG, it’s studio clean, it’s the most rich in terms of soundscape. That’s just me & and you really can’t go wrong with any version.
Just so brilliant.
The sun is the only part of the video that is in colour.
It was originally written about the 1982 Falklands War and its still relevant today
💛💛💙💙
This song makes me tear up every time I hear it, many times, great choice, they have so many more great songs to hear 👍
I often visit motorcycle clubs that consist of veterans. They have their club night on Friday evenings and they have a tradition. On Friday evening at midnight they raise their glasses and commemorate the veterans who died in battle. And then Brothers in Arms comes on really loud in the clubhouse on the stereo! I always find that special and nice that they do that
This song makes me think about the last moments I had with my grandfather I miss doing stuff with him fishing,hiking I’m getting teary eyed watching this and indeed very powerful with lots of emotion
“Almost sounds like the guitar’s crying”
Yep. You nailed the point of the song 2 minutes into the video, most worthwhile sun I’ve ever made I think, I’m loving these reactions
I´ve got the luck of never fight in a War...... But..... every Man who was a Soldier (me to) have to cry about this Song!!!! We are always Brothers in Arms.....
Wonderful reaction Aileen. Though this was written about the Falklands War, it is prevalent to any conflict in human history. I love Dire Straits, and "Sultans of Swing" is by far, one of my favorites. However to me, this song is Dire Straits most impactful and meaningful. This many years after it was released, it still brings tears to my eyes.
Unrivalled.....a genius at work. Every song tells a story..... Legendary period
Well done Aileen. Your reaction did this song complete justice.
the most beautiful song imo
Mark Knopfler, in this performance, is the only guy in the world who can reach out and pull your heart from its depths into true belief in your emotional fragility. Absolutely heart rending to anyone fighting their own emotions, whether on the battle grounds of war or in the tribulations of life. Thanks for sharing your own reactions to this tremendously powerful masterpiece.
Such a great Song. It won the Grammy for Best Music Video, too...well deserved!😊
He’s like David Gilmore of Pink Floyd knows how to bring the souls out of their guitar 🎸 and you feel it performers masters at work ❤
"It almost sounds like the guitar is crying…" Exactly! 🙏💔
This song is so powerful. Myself, and most of my male friends have all shed tears to this song. It's the musical equivalent of the "I'm Spartacus" scene.
Most male.... most, except Lia Thomas, Dylan Mulvaney and the younger generation of soft men.
Thank you, Aileen, for your mature and insightful reaction to this, and your other videos as well. Keep up the good work.
Love your great insight of interaction between words and music. Best reviewer by far.
Mark Knopfler and David Gilmour are the masters of putting emotions when they are playning their guitar. Both had their unique style and always wortt to listen.
I'd recommend reacting to Romeo and Juliet by Dire Straits as well, beautiful and with Mark Knopfler playing a different style of guitar - one of their best (plus the entire Alchemy live album with Going Home as the finale)
I always love it, when you are becoming so emotional during hearing songs, especially song like this one
This is THE song that reminds me of the war we had in the early 90's. This was the background music for a battelfield tv-report/montage/collage. It was called Banijska ratna praskozorja by a tv cameraman, Gordan Lederer. When Lederer was killed on the front lines, this montage was aired over and over again in his honour. Brothers in arms became the unofficial soundtrack of the war and this segment was the perfect video to acompany it. Chilling and beautiful.
Sadly, due to copyright issues with the music, youtube regulary takes this video segment down. Shame...
Thank you Aileen, you picked up on the emotive tones of Mark's guitar work so well in this song. For me the music video just seemed to work so well with the song, portraying all the feelings evoked by those lyrics and haunting guitar.
🙏
It's quite comforting to know that there are those out there, like yourself, who understand the meaning of what this song is about and what it conveys. I love this song even though it almost moves me to tears every single time I hear or see it. I lost a close friend in 2009 when we were deployed together in Afghanistan. I think solely of him when I hear/see this because it evokes the emotions of losing him and remembering the brotherly love that we had with one another and for our fellow soldiers. I spoke the eulogy at his memorial service that our unit conducted in-country. Hearing "Taps" being played is both quite mournful and eloquent while in the company of others, but "Brothers In Arms", while by myself, has a much deeper meaning for me.
Thank you for doing this. You have a beautiful heart. :)
As a combat veteran, I am drawn to this song more and more lately. It's an older song from the 80's, most likely written about WWI, but resonates with anyone that has been through war and the comradery that is created in times like those. Mark Knopfler and Dire Straights are fantastic musicians but this song is a classic.
Was actually about the Falklands war.
OMG! Not ashamed to say you broke the dam & the flood is going with your reaction! Dayum, girl, the honesty of your reaction is SO refreshing. I cherish how real you are!!! Thank you so much for sharing this. Wishing all your days are filled with love and light.
The next one I’d suggest would definitely be Telegraph Road from the same live concert video that you did Sultans Of Swing from. Really epic storytelling song with great playing as usual, Knopfler is a genius on the guitar. Plays with no guitar pick, just his fingers which helps with his unique sound.
This is the first time I've heard this powerful song since I lost someone very close to me last year, and it's now even more poignant than before.
Your analysis is brilliant , thank you so much.
Thank you, Aileen! I discovered Dire Straits in '83, but I don't remember this song. It's truly uniquely powerful and crucial! And his voice . . . Damn!
This song brings me to tears every time I hear it.
So powerful.
Telegraph Road should be next, its really good - pulls on the heart strings as much as this classic.
I had this song on repeat for yrs thru middle school and high school. You can't hate this song. Anyone that does, doesn't know what this song means to everyone that lost someone. Military men and women would cry hearing this song.
It was written for a British soldier in the Falkland war did him respect well done ❤
Dear lady i've been in a war back in 1977 and even got a DSC from the President of the US. This song mirrors my feelings after recovering from PTSD and is still heartbreaking for me 'cause there are wars still raging and feel that Mark Knopfler grabbed the essence. I have always tears in my eyes when I listen to it.
Thank you.
I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve heard this . When you said that guitar sounds like it’s crying, I just about lost it.
Have you heard “In Any Tongue” by David Gilmour? Would love to hear you do a reaction to that one. His Live in Pompeii version sounds best.
Thank you for this reaction. I thoroughly enjoy your reactions. I remember when this album came out (yes I'm that old) and this was my absolute favorite song from that album. Mark Knopfler is a phenomenal guitarist. I wish I could play like that.
I can't disagree with a lot of the commentrs here when they say that your next reaction to Dire Straits should be Telegraph Road (but the live version from Alchemy Live). A remarkable performance - as they all are. Can't comment on this one - it cuts too deep for personal reasons. 😔
Great reaction Aiken, I was hoping you would react to this. I am an ex serviceman and saw peoples suffering. It always brings tears to my eyes.
Hi there, loving your channel and reactions. Thanks for this beautiful reaction to my fave artist of all time, Mark Knopfler. The live version from DIRE STRAITS "On The Night" 1993 is extended with Marks solo is something to be hold. I really recommend Private Investigations from the same concert. Dire Straits in concert is so much better, you really appreciate the band's talent and Mark's fascinating style of guitar playing. It's so unique. Cheers from Australia 😊🎸🎸🎸
Hi, Aileen. I love this song. Stay safe to you and your loved ones.
Najlepsza wojenna ballada,którą w życiu słyszałem,gitara po prostu PŁACZE !!! CUDOWNE!!!
I can believe you have not heard this it makes me fell so old and luck at the same time this is a very powerful song 😢
The fact you were pretty much speechless with the first couple minutes of the song was already so telling about the video itself, let alone the rest of it. You were so right about the guitar sounding like it was doing a sort of crying, especially hearing the lyrics going along with it. Excited to see the next song by these guys from you! ❤️
The style of the video is meant reflect the cloudy and misty memories and recollections of a dying soldier, who knows that he won't be leaving the Falklands but wishes his 'Brothers in Arms' a final Bon Voyage as he anticipates their journey home - a journey he won't be able to make with them.
"We're fools to make war on our brothers in arms". Such a telling line! Perhaps if the politicians were made to put themselves in the actual firing line, there would be no more war!
I was one of the fortunate ones. In my 14 years of UK service - 1966-1980, I was only ever fired on once. Unfortunately, for two of my close friends, that once was enough! RIP Al and Sam.
To all my 'Brothers in Arms', I salute you though I know you not.
You have the best reaction videos I've seen. Love how you articulate so well what you're hearing. This one is a timeless classic.
Dire Straits the greatest band of all time, greetings from Spain :)
Brothers in Arms is another perfect example of Mark Knopfler's ability to tell a story in his songs. A side story, I met Alan Clark (their keyboard player) in my local pub in the mid 90s. He played a few songs on the badly tuned pub piano before anyone realised who it was and stopped for a couple of drinks.
welcome to your journey into Dire Straights, this song is AMAZING
Aileen, I very much appreciate the articulate analysis and emotion you bring to every review, as you add to the experience and memories of each track, by clearly immersing yourself in each review you do.
You are the empathic. emotional conduit that the unfeeling desperately needs. Then again, you a an old soul and quite intelligent. That in itself is a rainy and a treasure. I hope you continue to realize your gift and need for humanity.
This song was played at a funeral of a school member when I was about 16 years old. Everytime I hear this song again, I get emotional and get tears in my eyes, even though it is over thirty years ago already. I still keep listening to this song, because it is one of the best songs by Dire Straits.
One of my favourite songs of all time, from one of the first albums I ever bought. Thanks for reviewing.
I cried when I saw them play this live, I still cry 38 years later.
Check out "The Walk of Life" and "Money For Nothing"(Sting lends his voice). Back when MTV was just getting started, one their catch phrases was "I want my MTV" which you will hear in this song.
I’ve loved this song since the first time I heard it about 25 years ago. A year or so I bought a 45rpm remaster of this album on 180grm vinyl and it’s absolutely beautiful. His guitar work come through so clean and haunting.
One of a few channels where I can hit “like” right away without watching to the end. Very emotional reaction again. Keep it going! 😊
Aileen, this version has cut out quite a bit of the instrumental at the end. Check it out. It is really something and carries on the emotions of the song.
In addition, check out "Industrial Disease" by Dire Straits. It's Mark Knopfler's ascerbic attack on Margaret Thatcher's (British PM in the 1980's) economic policies that damaged British Industry and hurt workers immeasurably. The sarcasm in his voice and the lyrics are something to behold......
He's something of a genius. That word is overused these days, but appropriate in his case I think.
This beautiful Song was my only consolation when I lost a friend to cancer at the age of 13... I didn`t find one word to say to his mother everytime I met her in the following Fall after his passing... At the age of 47 or 48, I randomly met her in a store and got to tell her how much I loved her son... Forever missed, R.I.P. Maciej !!
An amazing song. I heard an acappella cover of this song by the group Home Free; that gave me chills too. Each version has its own power, which speaks to how powerful the song is. Bravo to Mr. Knopfler.
Brother in arms is probably one of the best songs dire straights wrote. I have just looked through your videos, and you must be the only reactor that has not done any Tom mackdonald or Brandon hart. Will you look at those two artists, too ❤
In the 80s when CD first came out only 2 companies produced the lasers used I'm the players, Sony and Phillips
Both companies used the Brothers in arms album to balance the lasers because it was the most perfect sounding albums at the time
Dire straits were the epitome of brilliant musically and Mark Knopfler could make the guitar sing ❤
Brothers in Arms was the first CD I bought. I played it so many times I thought it would wear out (people said CDs wouldn’t last). It still plays like new today. I had a 1400w sound system I built and fitted in my Golf GTI - it sounded awesome in there!!!