Classical Composer Reacts to DIRE STRAITS: Tunnel of Love (live) | The Daily Doug (Episode 604) 

The Alchemy Live performance of this song is pretty magical, too. Nice to see Dire Straits being appreciated for their immense talent and musical legacy.

My favourite dire straits song. Nobody talks about the piano work. Powerful and brilliant!

At the risk of being a Knopfler Nerd, last year I was heading up north so went to the site of the Spanish City just to see the site of this song. Some of the lyrics of the chorus, the “girl you look so pretty to me just like you always did” part, are embedded into the pavement stones along the seafront outside it. As a lover of this for four decades and counting it was magical to be honest.

Dire Straits come from a time when the world was not short of truly world class bands / musicians ! However, they are one of a very small number of bands who really have their own ‘sound’. No other band sounds like Dire Straits, when you hear the start of any of their songs you know instantly who it is. Wonderful band 🫡

As Douglas Adams said about Dire Straits, and The Tune of Love in particular, "Mark Knopfler has an extraordinary ability to make a Schechter Custom Stratocaster hoot and sing like the angels on a Saturday night, exhausted from being good all week and needing a stiff drink"

I could listen to a Knopfler outro on repeat for hours. Most non-musicians don't realize how difficult it is to find the right musicians to "find a groove" with and create something special. When it's working, everyone knows it and it doesn't need to be spoken of. I very much enjoy your analysis-driven commentary mixed with a bit of "fan-boy" as well.

The closing solo of this version is a true work of art.

The whole album Makin Movies is full of songs that just leave you feeling, amazingly good. IMHO it is their best.❤️🎸

Having been brought up in Whitley Bay and spending lots of time in the Spanish City as a child this is a very emotional song for me. It is a wonderful song with a guitar outro that is otherworldly. Within the last few years some of the lyrics to the song were inscribed near to the Spanish City for posterity. Love the channel and your reactions Doug.

You did not catch on that he played "Stop in the name of love" and "Don't let me be misunderstood" in the intro? This was also Marks fathers favorite song, he never played it live again after his father died

My absolute favourite DS song and a great version. Knopfler such a virtuoso, only matched by Gilmour in his ability to 'talk' through his guitar.

When they renovated the Spanish City in the tiles around the entrance they had the words of "Tunnel of Love" embossed in them. Every day they open the start by playing this. Newcastle United Football Club use Marks Going Home Theme from the film Local Hero he wrote when the teams come out.

Terry Williams, incredible drummer. Twisting By The Pool showcases his talents.

I like the subtle riffs Knopfler always slips into the live performances. Did anyone else notice before the song starts @6:09 he plays 'Stop, in the name of love, before you break my heart'? Then laughs... Brilliant.

My grandmother used to go to the Spanish City as a kid, I think everyone in the area did. This song always brings so much joy & great memories back for her.

Said it before, I'll say it again...this is by far the best rendition of this song ever. Ever. Evvvvvver.

I saw them live in '85 at the Showering Pavillion in Shepton Mallet. Exactly the same arrangement as this. It was an amazing night I'll never forget, and I'll never see anything like it again.

I come from a place called Wallsend near Newcastle in the north east of england. It’s only 2 miles from Cullercoats and 3 miles from Whitley Bay both seaside resorts and both mentioned in the song and places I used to frequent in my formative late teens to mid 20s. The Spanish City was an amazing domed complex full of fairground rides and booths. As a child I’d play on the beach in the sand and swim in the sea or when older go ice skating at Whitley Bay and out in the pubs and clubs in the evenings and listen to this new band called Dire Straits. I’m now 61 and the memories are all still strong and happy. Every time I hear this track I become engulfed in a happy nostalgia Whicker I’ll keep forever.

I played this song so many times while at University, hearing about the Spanish City and Cullercoats and Whitley Bay. Little did I dream that within three years later I would be starting my first teaching job and living very near the Spanish City.

Mark's playing is unique and amazing, but Terry Williams' drumming is tight AF, it always stands out to me with DS performances and nobody seems to mention it.

Saw Straits on their first US tour in ‘79… magical! Saw them again in ‘83…. Even more amazing! Met Knopfler and Illsley at a vintage guitar show. Both were kind and gracious talking about their musical equipment. A class act.

Just the best live band for me they were brilliant in every incarnation. Always love to see someone appreciating them. I live it when someone notices he’s playing lead and rhythm at the same time and just how damn clean his playing is that’s his signature no one else makes a guitar sound like that.

I’m 73 now and was there on the day. Saw them twice in Glasgow Scotland & Manchester England. Still my favourite band of all time. Favourite songs Sultans of Swing, Brothers in Arms. Oh don’t forget Telegraph Road. ❤ I think that they were the first band on MTV. ?

I live less than a mile from Spanish City but I never knew it from the period Mark wrote of in this song. It was derelict for a long time but was renovated a few years back and it looks wonderful. Lots of regeneration in this area and it's often listed on best places to live and visit in the UK these days. I can vouch that it's a great place to live and bring up my son.

Mark basically went out and put together a Brit E Street Band during this time. They were one of the best live outfits going. Glad you enjoyed it.

Of all the pieces of music on the planet that have been written, this is mine! I want this in my ears when I die. I am 70 years of age, been listening to Mark most of my life. Thanks for sharing this work of art with us. Love it!

Another fact for you Doug. Brothers In Arms was basically the first main album designed wholly for CD. It was recorded digitally for the CD format. When it was released in 1985, if you had a new CD player, you had this album. I knew you'd love Tunnel of Love. Now that you've heard this, 'Sultans, 'Telegraph and Brothers In Arms, we need to line you up with Private Investigations :)

This is the very best version of Tunnel Of Love. Thank you

I recorded this concert on VHS tape when it was played on Channel 4 in the UK, Channel 4 was very much in it’s infancy at the time, I’d guess this would have been 86 or 87, I was mortified when my sister recorded over the tail end of the show, Tunnel of love was before an encore which included Brothers in arms and the show closes with Local Hero featuring Hank Marvin. I still have the recording somewhere and have watched this particular track literally hundreds of times, I’d go as far as to say it is one of the best live performances I’ve ever seen by any band! The other stand out tune from this set is Sultans of swing…..look that up too. Great to finally find a reaction to this amazing performance, it’s been a part of my life for 35 odd years.

This is a masterpiece of a song, and an incredible performance. The studio version is also great, but this recording was different class. The build up of the solo at the end is sublime.

What a masterpiece, always makes my eyes watery

I'd cry when the piano is entrering during the guitar solo. Beautiful.

I was at the 2nd night of this live tour. The 1983 Alchemy Live version was stunning. This for me knocked it out of the park. Fantastic review as always Doug. Thankyou buddy Neil UK

This such a beautiful and emotional song. Thanks for sharing and commenting on it.

I've seen Mark Knopfler live 6 times since 2001 on his tours...'Tunnel of Love' is the one song I wish I could have seen him play, but never have. Thanks to RU-vid for all these old concert films...

Also nice how MK cites "in the name of love" in the intro🎉

Making Movies is one of my all-time favorite albums - heard it first in '84 when a radio station was playing a "perfect album side." Am I the only one who noticed (ahem, while Doug was talking - lol) a few bars of Stop In The Name Of Love at 6' 10"??

From the 1985 Brothers in Arms tour live at Wembley Arena. Remember watching it at the time shown on the Tube music program on channel 4. Uk. Taped it and have watched it a zillion times since. Magnificent and brings tears to my eyes every time 🙂

I was at that concert in 1985

A truly great band, I believe Mark was born in Glasgow. I lived in Whitley Bay for a short time back end of the seventies and know and remember Spanish City quite well! I hear this track and I’m transported back, the smells, noise, laughter, the girls the taste in the air, bloody marvellous.

My favorite Dire Straights song is Romeo and Juliet. Live version. Might be from the same performance.

Mark is such a truly unique player, and writer. He’s such a hero that I’m building a guitar In tribute to him.

Oh man, this is a classic!

My dad always had dire straits playing out loud on a weekend so grew up loving it.This song reminds me of my first young love having met a Greek girl on the island of Corfu when I was 16 so there after whenever I played this track or heard it always reminds me of her.Love your channel!

Hi Doug, thank you so much for featuring this epic DS song. It's been my all-time favorite since I first heard it when Making Movies came out back in 1980, I can honestly tell you I wore that album out! I've been a DS MK fan since I first heard Sultans back in 78. I saw DS live on the Brothers in Arms tour and then again on the On Every Street tour. I've seen MK five or six times through the years after DS broke up. His music means so much to me, especially TOL. I'm not partial to any one rendition but my favorite has always been on the Live Alchemy album. One quick fact, I read somewhere that MK doesn't play TOL live anymore since his Dad passed away some years ago as it was his Dad's favorite song. Anyhow thanks again for featuring it! I really enjoyed your reaction and commentary.

I remember getting out of this concert (not this particular one, but another one of the tour) totally on cloud nine... and I get a burst of dopamine everytime I think of it.

My favorite band and my favorite song of all time.

I saw this tour -- such a great memory! Thanks for the musical analysis-- however he did it this song has strong EMOTIONAL power! I think that's why you got so many requests...

Thanks for featuring this. I'd never seen/heard this version. Your comments were right on target: playing lead and rhythm, finger picking with so much soul, and the band being right in the pocket.

Not heard this version before. Fantastic!

Love watching your reactions 😊 It's like you're actually inside the music as you commentate on its composition. Cheers from Melbourne Australia 🇦🇺

My late mother was born in Newcastle. I bought this record on cassette when I was 17 (I was hooked on Dire Straits from their eponymous first album onwards). When I played this song at home, my mum’s face lit up, and she said she’d been to the Spanish City many times when she was a child.

So happy that I have seen them live

The 2nd time I lived in Toronto, On. I heard that Stevie Ray Vaughn was coming there. So, I called up Ticket Master and asked for a ticket to see Stevie. The girl said that he was opening for Dire Straits. I said that's even better. Great concert!

Thank you. One of the more enjoyable reactions to this song. Your respect for Mark's distinctive style is spot on. Best breakdown of the epic solo I've heard. 🤟😁

I used to go on the rides at Spanish City as a kid when visiting family in Whitley Bay, so this song always makes me smile (and I also think the Alchemy version is THE definitive version)

the song you did not mention at the beginning that jumps out to me is Romeo & Juliet. Somewhat short and understated (for Dire Straits, that is), but that is part of it's charm. Lovely, lovely song (with the best use of a dobro I have ever heard, it really makes this song so special).

Omg, those transitions 😍 Powerful beauty 🕎

Thanks for the enthusiasm!! I was born in May 1980, must have heard this song when I was 6 months old maybe, must have grown on me, the rather unknown album from Dire Straits "Making Movies" is only 6 songs, but it is amazing, including of course Romeo and Juliet and Solid Rock, but also a song that really incarnates the title of the album, which is Skateaway: sounds like a movie in itself, special love for this one.

I don’t know what was more fun, listening to a beautiful song I’ve never heard before, or watching a brilliant musician deciphering it and truly enjoying the music. Brilliant!

As a teenager playing guitar in Music School I one day discovered DS thru a friends parents who played Sultans of Swing at home. And I was hooked. Mark even played with fingers, like me! Tunnel of Love was always one of my favorites because it was the first time I could feel how a solo just prolonged the lyrics and story. I could feel the desperation of loosing track of the girl and he slowly start to panic and search for her. At least that's how I interpreted it back then :) After this my view of playing solos took a 180 and I cared more for the feeling rather than technique or speed. They just came years later anyways from practice.

I see you’ve watched Telegraph Road from Alchemy and this song is the song just before they do Telegraph Road. What makes that whole concert video so awesome is that they are playing their hearts out from beginning to end. The level of intensity each band member brings to that particular performance is just magic. I think the video of that concert is one of the most awesome videos of its kind available. This good, but the original Alchemy line up (the one you see in Sultans of Swing and Telegrapah Road) just had a special energy to them.

Thanks Doug. I've loved that track from the moment I first heard it - it's light and shade, it's epic and the solos on the both the album version and the live version are among his very best (which let's face it, isn't too shabby). One of Mark's trademarks - he does it so often - is veering off into an instrumental melody, every bit as composed and arranged as the song itself. I don't know too many writers who do that but he majors in it. You talk of building a song up, checkout Mark 20-30 years later with his regular band and Emmylou Harris doing "Speedway to Nazareth." Incredible cohesion in that band.

What can I say? Wonderful stuff..thankyou so much...your commentary is so natural ,informative..a joy to watch thankyou 🎸

Hi Doug glad you like Dire straits , I went to see Mark in Manchester in 2000/2001 on the sailing to philadelphia tour , he was amazing , played some of the sailing album then did most of the dire straits back catalogue , was on stage for 4 hours straight ,no support act . AMAZING

First time coming across your channel. I am now a subscriber. Great reaction, love the detail you went into and am SO glad you chose this live performance. It’s one of my all time favorites. The album version is great but this is on a whole other level. Great job and look forward to seeing more of your videos now!!

I like what you said about the creative process, especially those moments when it just flows out from some place which is not you.

Along with his briliant guitar work and composition, Mark is a master story teller too.

Keep up your reviews Doug ,they are excellent .

This brings back memories I had the Alchemy concert on cassette, almost wore it out playing it in the car, then later I got my first SACD and it was Alchemy, what. a. concert. Thanks for brining back the memories Doug.

Mark knows his chords, I believe. I love their music. 👍🫶

Love Dire Straits, especially this live set. My neck of the woods, band member from the same village, visited Spanish City all my life. It is still a great song and all amazing musicians.

Truly awesome - one the best, if not the best, all time rock performances.

The encore was Mark Knopfler's theme to the film 'Local Hero', with guest guitarist Hank Marvin.

Every time I hear this song, tears come to my eyes. Simply beautiful!!!

Dire Straits were the first band that I can say I genuinely liked. My uncle had their tapes playing in the car, so listening to this always takes me back to that time. Listening to this to this day, still gives me goose bumps because it's just perfection.

this just satisfies the soul! Great reaction.

You picked up on the line "In the screaming ring of faces". Such an evocative line and one of the best ever which gives me the picture of the rider on the "Racer" going round and seeing all the other kids on the perimeter waiting for their turn or perhaps just people watching when, . . . he sees her amongst them "standing in the light". Another great line is "In the roar of dust and diesel". You can almost smell it, never mind hear it!.

Hello, Doug! Really enjoyable video, great analysis. Go on like that!

I’ve been playing this for thirty five years…..love it

Great track. One of my favorites from D.S. I love the changes of emotion in the lyrics and the changes in dynamics of the music.

I was at Wembley 4th July 1985, watching The Boss and we could hear Straits playing at the Arena, what an incredible experience!

Never get tired of this masterpiece

The one he did in sydney 86 was another guitar solo masterpiece as he tweeked a little and sounded as good

Loved you loving this…cheered me right up. 👊🏼

Lovely memories for me,i used to go to the "Spanish City" amusement park in Whitley Bay about 4 miles from Newcastle,where we come from we're called "Geordies" hard working class people who love a good time & love our Football club "Newcastle United"Cullercoats is mentioned aswell,its just along the road from Whitley Bay,happy days getting a bag of chips to eat on the way home & just enough money to get home 🙂🙂🙂

You know when you go into the sauna to relax and the guy next to you just won’t shut up. You’re that guy!

I heard this live version on a Friday or was it a Sunday night on my local rock station in 1989. I taped it on cassette. A huge Dire Straits fan. The most underrated rock group here in the USA, in my opinion. They usually only play the amazing Sultans of Swing or Walk of Life tunes.

Love the melodic sound of Dire Straits and the story they tell through their music he makes love with his guitar and the arrangement was excellent great band unique sound by far my fav band of the past

I saw them on this tour in Philadelphia. First concert I ever went to. It was amazing

Wonderful reaction, thanks again for yet another great video! 🙂 I love this version, but I’m also one of those that put the Alchemy one at the very top. And… Talking about Alchemy, I strongly recommend that you check the Sultans of Swing track from that album. It reigns supreme.

This is a great video. So much emotion in that song as well. Subsribed!

It was playing on the jukebox in the barroom scene in An Officer & a Gentleman. Great movie. Great scene. Great song!

First time on here and I enjoyed watching your good self as much I enjoyed the music. All the best

I absolutely love your reaction vids. There's a nice aura around you that just makes me smile every time. As the Danes would say, the good vibe just amounts to a whole lot of hygge :)

Whenever i feel down, i would just switch on his sultan and tunnel solos, listen again and again and u know what my mood picks up and feels so anew

What an album this was Making Movies ...... great musicians. love the reaction Doug and all the informative stuff too.

For me the highlight is the slow quiet bit in the middle where the audience keeps the time and the guitar weaves an intricate little tune around it.

Kudos for your great research before listening 🍻👍🏻and this version is one of the best/beautiful ones out there... cheers 🍻👍🏻

Seen them live they are great, it's a real treat.