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.
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". 😢
That's absolutely right, those words always stuck to me. On the other side there's a scared man that is trying to survive, sent to war by pieces of shit in power!
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.
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.
@@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
@@allanmackenzie7761 ua-cam.com/video/ai-5U0E0sSM/v-deo.html They were banned in South Africa due to them donating all revenue from record sales there to Amnesty International.
@@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.
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♥️
I have an eerily similar story. My granddad, a former British RAF pilot, was a German POW who managed to escape from a prison camp together with an American Airborne Ranger. For 5 nights they travelled accros Germany, while hiding and sleeping during the day, until they finally came upon friendly troops.
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.
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.
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
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 ‼️ 💔
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
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
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 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
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!
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 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!
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.
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 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 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
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!❣
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
@@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.
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
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 .
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.
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.
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.
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!!!
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.
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.
Such emotion in Mark Knophers playing, one of the greatest guitar players that shake your emotions. I tear up evertime I hear this. Yes it’s about those who were lost during war and those who came back so damaged. Brothers in Arms. You guys need to listen to more Dire Straits and Mark Knopher albums. So much beauty in his music.
Song reflects on common struggles we all experience and how war makes no sense. We're all given one life and need to support each other as brothers, not enemies. My mother, who had terminal cancer, passed away in 1986. She made sure we played this song at her funeral service. This song is very important to me. Thanks for covering it.
This feels like, for whatever reason, tht Mark felt an incredibly deep emotional connection to the subject. His guitar playing is known for the its soul searing sound, but this song went beyond any other recording of his.
"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.
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
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!
He doesn’t have military experience. I read somewhere that he just wrote the song after reading and hearing about soldiers and their experiences in combat. I think you both hit the nail on the head in the way you interpret the song. I am retired army with 25 years and this song really moves me.
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
What a classic album. Also, an early fully digital recording. This, as well as Donald Fagen's 'The Nightfly', was always played back in the day to show off my sound system.
The bonds you form serving in the military are lifelong bonds. Every two years the people I served with in Fighter Squadron 84 get together for a reunion, and our bond is just as strong now decades later as it was when we were serving together.
The "Brothers in Arms" LP is the first to have been both digitally mastered(recorded) and digitally pressed. I still have my first pressing copy and the intro to this song is close to a minute longer than you ever hear on radio or UA-cam etc. First time through on it I thought "what a long gap between songs", but I was in my truck driving down the road. Plugged it in at home and I was stunned. This is one of the best LPs ever recorded for my money. Somehow, today, I was able to choke back the tears, though a few still got out. Knopfler is one of the greatest guitar players, but for some reason, rarely makes it into the "top 100 of all time lists" much lest anywhere approaching top 10. To me his ability to emote with the guitar is on a par with David Gilmour. Whenever I question these "List makers" on his or Alvin Lee's glaring absence and say both are criminally under appreciated, I get response like "No they're not. Those that 'know' guitar Know how great they both are"...Then WHY are they never on all y'all's lists? How am I supposed to consider their lists as serious or knowledgeable? Seems to me their credibility is about as strained as that of the RRHOF.
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.
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". 😢
@@tednemtzow2796 thx.
Cool. Thx.
Well said John.
That's absolutely right, those words always stuck to me. On the other side there's a scared man that is trying to survive, sent to war by pieces of shit in power!
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.
It's very haunting!
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.
@@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
@@allanmackenzie7761 ua-cam.com/video/ai-5U0E0sSM/v-deo.html
They were banned in South Africa due to them donating all revenue from record sales there to Amnesty International.
@@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♥️
Ft. Bragg
Hero stuff. May he Rest In Peace, and thankyou for his service
@@markwilken2492 ❤️
@Penderyn true its about all soldiers but written about what some British troops witnessed.
I have an eerily similar story. My granddad, a former British RAF pilot, was a German POW who managed to escape from a prison camp together with an American Airborne Ranger. For 5 nights they travelled accros Germany, while hiding and sleeping during the day, until they finally came upon friendly troops.
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.
Well this song is about a real wars WWI and WWII.nothing to have with fake Vietnam war.
@@ps3pspgoandroid Actually you are wrong, This was written about a soldier surrounded by his comrades in the Falklands War. It is about all conflicts.
This song is Packed with emotion, that guitar wailes Like a Violin full of sorrow...Great tribute
Watch the 1991 BBC Mark Knopfler | A Night In London version, it makes this version seem bright and cheery.
@@Wolverines77 thank you. I'd never heard that version before.
This is without doubt one of the most beautiful and emotive songs ever written
This one cuts right to the soul. The guitar is like a natural weeping. Like pure sadness and grief in a sound.
❤️👌💪💪
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
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.
Dire Straits had 2 lead vocalists...Mark Knopfler and Mark Knopfler's guitar.
Absolutely beautiful song, heart-wrenching lyrics.
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"
God love all OUR soldiers who where 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
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 ‼️ 💔
Two of my favorite guitar players are David Gilmour and Mark Knopfler, they convey emotion through their playing like nobody else.
John Martyn's in there somewhere.
You are so right, both fantastic
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
This song hit my soul on the 2nd season of Miami Vice. It still brings tears to my eyes,
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
Thank you for your service Tom.
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!
Nudie bottom Smith
Yes, he is!!!
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've heard this song a million times, but it never occured to me that the guitar might be crying. respect
Two of my favourite reactors!!!!
Through these fields of destruction......baptisms of fire
Such a class song!!!!!
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
My best friend is a veteran of a couple of wars, and he really relates to this song!
Transition from the rifle to guitar was awesome
Rarely can a guitarist convey emotion like he does in this song…. Epic.
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!
Such a great song. The crying guitar is ear candy.
Amazing song.....goose bumps all over! next: "Private Investigation".....one of their very best!!!!
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 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!
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.
Dude, that's the most I've ever heard Brad talk about emotion in the song ever.
The guitar sounds like a mournful wail to me. The whole song, from the voice to the amazing guitar, is perfection.
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 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...
Possible the best guitar solo I have ever heard. His playing is totally unique. Words can't describe how good this is.
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 entire album deserves to be heard. You should try "Ride Across The River" next, it has a similar storytelling quality to it.
Unfortunately they only post live stream vids . So unless you get picked for that doubt you’ll see it here
Brothers in arms and ride across the river maybe dire straits two best songs ever.
This is the only good song from the album.
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
Telegraph Road is a must-hear!!
@@cshubs Yes, especially the Alchemy live recording of Telegraph Road is amazing.
Absolutely agree. Telegraph Road is a true masterpiece - especially the long version.
My 2 favourites as well.
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!❣
The guitar was weeping... as only Mark Knofler can make it do. Thank you for choosing this amazing classic. Subscribed.
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.
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.
He and David Gilmour of Pink Floyd can evoke tears with a guitar solo. It's truly a gift.
His Guitar playing touches my soul in a special way. I could never get tired of listening to Mark play the guitar.
You're in luck, since he's still doing it and has a ton of albums
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.
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.
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."
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.
@@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.
@@heavycritic9554 Thats total Crap, Google is not allright right, stop being so Lazy and do your own research.
@@davidmcnulty8181 Of course, Maggie managed to persuade a hostile military dictatorship to invade the Falklands to make her look good.
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
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 .
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.
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.
I'm tearing up scrolling comments thinking about ukraine- your comment made me cry again 😢
The lyrics are the last words of a dying soldier , haunting guitar too.
Mark Knopfler and David Gilmour.... That is all 💜
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.
Knopfler narrates, the guitar sings.
Well said.
You are a lovely couple! Great reaction. Thankyou.
GREAT tune. You two kids are nailing it with the oldies. Funny, they weren't oldies when I first heard them.
How do you two not cry at the emotion of many of these songs you review? Especially this one!
I hope you continue down the dire straights rabbit hole. They have some amazing music
nobody has that sound - but Dire Straits. They got their own thing mastered.
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!!!
this song just hit different! another 80s Gem! great album to!
The expressive Bluesy guitar riffs, augmented by the use of volume swells, really set the mood of the song perfectly.
Brothers in Arms was the album I listened to on my way to America
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.
So deep and straight for the heart... makes me cry. This guitar... SO NICE. GREAT REACTION.
Mark's solo work is alot in this style, amazing stuff. Sailing to Philadelphia is well worth the listen.
In 1985 I saw my favorite concert EVER with Stevie Ray Vaughan opening up for Dire Straits when this album came out
The bit where he say's 'every man has to die' and the guitar cuts in always gives me chills.
Gut punch every time
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.
The Knopf plays with his hands (no plectrum) and thinks the less is the best. Very warm, unique sound, you must love.
The entire Brothers in Arms album is a masterpiece. Playing the SACD with a 5.1 surround system is on another level
Love this song...one of my favourite Dire Straits songs, with a great message.
Such emotion in Mark Knophers playing, one of the greatest guitar players that shake your emotions. I tear up evertime I hear this. Yes it’s about those who were lost during war and those who came back so damaged. Brothers in Arms. You guys need to listen to more Dire Straits and Mark Knopher albums. So much beauty in his music.
Song reflects on common struggles we all experience and how war makes no sense. We're all given one life and need to support each other as brothers, not enemies. My mother, who had terminal cancer, passed away in 1986. She made sure we played this song at her funeral service. This song is very important to me. Thanks for covering it.
Lex would go nuts over Nobody’s Fault But Mine!
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
This feels like, for whatever reason, tht Mark felt an incredibly deep emotional connection to the subject. His guitar playing is known for the its soul searing sound, but this song went beyond any other recording of his.
The emotion that Mark Knopfler has been able to come out of his guitar is just so phenomenal and amazing.
"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.
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
The most beautiful guitar playing ever recorded in my opinion.
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!
reminds me of my brothers who passed away in 1981 and 1984 ...love you and miss you
With we don’t understand the past, we will die like brother in the arms but stand sitting.
you could go anywhere in the world, where there is a bar/pub that has a Jukebox still in the corner...you will find this song ...love it.
YES! Finally. I must have recommended this song at least 10 times 😊
I never tire of seeing peoples reactions to this song
Phenomenal song, and a really good reaction by Brad and Lex - thoughtful comments
More Dire Straits, please. So many good songs.
I agree with Brad's interpretation on this. Most excellent guitar work!
This entire album is a piece of art.
So many good songs to mention from them.
To kick off with a few:
Telegraph Road, Private Investigations, Romeo and Juliet.
He doesn’t have military experience. I read somewhere that he just wrote the song after reading and hearing about soldiers and their experiences in combat. I think you both hit the nail on the head in the way you interpret the song. I am retired army with 25 years and this song really moves me.
He grew up in Newcastle so he kinda does lol 😆
Some songs from this album get a lot of play, and deservedly so.
This one will always be my favourite. ❤
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
Back in the day if you went into a hi fi shop this is what they would play to demonstrate CDs
What a classic album. Also, an early fully digital recording. This, as well as Donald Fagen's 'The Nightfly', was always played back in the day to show off my sound system.
Guitar is so haunting.
The bonds you form serving in the military are lifelong bonds. Every two years the people I served with in Fighter Squadron 84 get together for a reunion, and our bond is just as strong now decades later as it was when we were serving together.
The "Brothers in Arms" LP is the first to have been both digitally mastered(recorded) and digitally pressed. I still have my first pressing copy and the intro to this song is close to a minute longer than you ever hear on radio or UA-cam etc. First time through on it I thought "what a long gap between songs", but I was in my truck driving down the road. Plugged it in at home and I was stunned. This is one of the best LPs ever recorded for my money. Somehow, today, I was able to choke back the tears, though a few still got out.
Knopfler is one of the greatest guitar players, but for some reason, rarely makes it into the "top 100 of all time lists" much lest anywhere approaching top 10. To me his ability to emote with the guitar is on a par with David Gilmour. Whenever I question these "List makers" on his or Alvin Lee's glaring absence and say both are criminally under appreciated, I get response like "No they're not. Those that 'know' guitar Know how great they both are"...Then WHY are they never on all y'all's lists? How am I supposed to consider their lists as serious or knowledgeable? Seems to me their credibility is about as strained as that of the RRHOF.