Hip Hop Fan Reacts To Telegraph Road By Dire Straits 

Telegraph Road is probably their best song. I never get tired of it. Great reaction!

Mark Knopfler is easily one of the greatest guitarist's out there. And the fact that he "finger picks" makes him all the more brilliant. I think he came out of the womb holding a guitar.

FYI the particular Telegraph road the song is about is in Detroit.

One of the greatest songs ever written

Another underrated song on Love Over Gold I think is Private Investigations. The live version is great too. Basically it's a private eye investigating his own life and not being happy with the outcome. Well put together.

so much emotion, the hope and pain its very hard to listen to

The Alchemy version is one of the best live performances of any song ever. It's the band at their peak, and they're just phenomenal.

Telegraph Road is in Detroit Mi, it's a major urban road, and this talks about the abandonment of the middle class

Telegraph Road was written by Mark using the rise and fall of Detroit as inspiration. The story goes that Mark was travelling down Telegraph Road in Detroit and that he was inspired to write a song about the situation of the people living there.

If i had to pick 2 more must hear Dire Straits - Romeo and Juliet / Tunnel of Love.

Undeniably a masterpiece of a song. Agreed that a studio version should be a first listening. But it kills me that after 14 minutes they still have a fade out haha. You know they are still jamming, but we can't witness it. With bands like Pink Floyd and Dire Straits some live versions are definitely an add-on or sometimes even the superior version. Usually due to extended guitar solos, but also due to their amazing musician skills hardly no details and nuances get lost in a live version, so you get the best of both worlds.

A masterpiece of epic proportions.

What you're hearing with the "ambiguity" is the music alternating between the major and the relative minor key. Hence the up and down feel, hope and sorrow, etc. The arranger of those keys is their pianist Alan Clark. Because you are so good at analysis, the outro is in fact supposed to give the sense of freedom and escape. Do yourself and listen to the live "Alchemy" version, you won't be sorry.

A Masterpiece. Mark Knopfler, a genius

This is it for me. All of life encapsulated in 14 minutes of an emotional rollercoaster. It twists and turns. Sometimes dark, sometimes hopeful, aspirational, joyful and delicate. When it's time for me to go from this earth I'm going out with this playing loud in a set of headphones! Telegraph Road is more than just a song by a band. It's taken on a life of its own. Yes and check out the Alchemy version with the formidable drum performance of Terry Williams. It puts this version into the next gear.

Mark wrote this whilst on the tour bus driving down Highway 24 (Telegraph Road) through Detroit and reading a book about the growth of a Town.

Only hear this song 2-3 times a day............time not wasted!

Great reaction. The Alchemy live version is phenomenal. Another brilliant track from this album is Private Investigations. They released it as a single and it got to number two in the UK which, when you hear the song, is crazy! Not commercial or a typical single at all but they released it anyway. The album after this (well, after Alchemy) sent them into the stratosphere globally. Brothers In Arms was one of those albums in the 80s. Either you had it or someone you knew had it.

At one point in my life, this was my favourite song in the world, and it's still up there. I think you made a great choice listening to the studio version first, because that's the best way to really get the concept and the idea of what the construction of the song is all about, musically and lyrically. Another underrated song from this record is 'It Never Rains', which was consciously written as a Bob Dylan rip off - I think you'd really enjoy it.

Brilliant Brilliant reaction to the greatest rock song ever written in my humble opinion. You really would love the Alchemy live version. It's absolutely epic!! Take care.

I'm in the minority, but my favorite Dire Straights song is Industrial Disease. It has a sort of vibe to it that just works for me, some of the best lines ever, and crazy guitars. Because of the lyrics, I think it'd be a great choice for this channel.

NOW you need to listen to the Alcamy Tour Concert live version! AWESOME song and reaction!

MAN, That drummer was the genius (Terry Williams) WHAT A DRUMMER

The live version of this song is so much better in my opinion

Its the story of Detroit Michigan. Telegraph Road is a main street there!

Great reaction. Both this studio version and the Alchemy Live version are amazing. The latter has as raw energy that a studio version cannot match, but the studio version allows every note of every instrument to shine through.

I have often been in nature and have already seen so many "Telegraph Roads" ... Since this song every time I put my backpack down, I think of it and how easy everyone could be the first, who through his first step could turn a paradise into an inferno. Actually, it is the same outcry against robbery in nature (and ultimately mankind itself) like Michael Jackson's "Earth Song", but a Mark Knopfler does not scream so loudly, he serves us a bitter sweet potion, in the hope to "infect" us with his message. I understood this message crying when listening for the first time.

Greatest song ever. The history of civilization in about 10 minutes, including 2 fantastic guitar instrumentals.

A long time fan of Dire Straits, I bought their first Album in LP when I heard their first song on the radio. And everything since. They are my favorite, among the top in my library. And Telegraph Road is one of the top DS songs. Telegraph Road, Brothers in Arms, Romeo and Juliet, Private Investigations and many more. I never tire of them.

I like your reaction! Thank you! I saw them live two weeks ago. Now they are The Dire Straits Experience with two origin members. It was two hours of pure music with most of the big hits. Private Investigation, Going Home, Sultans Of Swing, MTV and so on .. and im still listen it.

"He left it all behind!" Exactly. That's the revelation of the long coda of this song. The character heads out to a new beginning. Just like the guy at the beginning of the song.

Never saw your channel before, but this is such an amazing song, that I had to see your reaction. Well done 👍🏻

I love it when people discover ‘new music’ for the first time….. I remember being at school when Dire Straits were huge, not my cup of tea but did come to love it years later….meanwhile my Dad knew best …. He always loved Dire Straits and that was why we chose Brothers in Arms at his funeral

Centuries of history in one story - starts with one man, ends with one man. From innocence to corruption. Wilderness to "Civilization" .

Great reaction! Such an epic song that really takes you an a musical and emotional journey. I agree with you about the the great way they use the piano to create a landscape. And Mark Knopfler is such a wonderful guitarist - he can play a single note and you know it's him.

Thanks for your reaction today ´ this great track. Indeed, don’t miss the Alchemy Live version for its energy! It pushes it a notch further.

A short song and not from this album but my fav' is called "The Man's too strong" followed by Six Blade knife.

I can t not go for One week without listing to telegraph road. And it's been like this for about 35 -38 years now. I heard it around i was 15-16 years old. And it's been a part of my life since. I am now 53 going on 54 . I just love this song. And All dire straights songs a lot of mark Knopfler Solo. It's a part of my existence. My first dire straights song was oonce upon a time in the west from Communiqué the second album from dire straights. You really must listen to that song and album

This man has hypnotic vocals the arrangements of the music and execution thereof is perfection!Ty brother for this

Inspired by the birth of Detroit, which sits on the Telegraph Road.

Got to say, one of the best reaction videos I have seen, you broke it down really well and your feeling on the meanings and themes of the music pretty much match my own which is pretty good for a first listening, I've been listening to this track since it first came out. It's a classic and never gets old, gives me the same emotional journey today that it did all those years ago when I first heard it. Another song of theirs which tells a great story is Brothers in Arms, that track is incredibly powerful.

Thanks for bringing back the memories man. I'm almost 62 years old and have solid memories of listening to these guys whilst driving the New south Wales coast of Australia looking for surf back in the late 70's. I bought every album they released but my Favorite is their first. self-titled Dire Straites. Also, do yourself a favour and have a listen to Marriane Faithfull "Broken English".

He is not a shreeder. He is also an educated / trained instructor in the english language . Mark also never plays anything the same way twice and often playes backup for other greats . He is a composer extraordinary

Epic masterpiece!!!

I've always thought this was a fine song. The lyrics are great but the music adds an extra dimension. Some background to the song from Songfacts: "The Telegraph Road is a major north-south 70 mile thoroughfare in Michigan. Mark Knopfler was inspired to write this song while riding in the front of the tour bus, which made the journey down Telegraph Road. At the time, Knopfler was reading the novel The Growth Of the Soil by the Nobel Prize winning Norwegian author Knut Hamsun and he was inspired to put the 2 together and write a song about the beginning of the development along Telegraph Road and the changes over the ensuing decades. This was a metaphor for the development of America and the ruining of one man's dreams in the wake of its decline, in particular focusing on unemployment."

Knopfler is for me still the best guitar player when it comes to telling a story just with notes. Besides all his amazing technique, it is just the incredible "textuality" that his riffs have for me at least🎉

Nice reaction, Syed. Marc Knopfler is the creative force behind Dire Straits and wrote all of their songs. He's also one of the most beautiful guitarists in rock and roll history. If you dive further, I most recommend: • TUNNEL OF LOVE Like Telegraph Road, it's a song with a variety of colors and sounds. It's from my favorite Dire Straits album, "Making Movies", which as you might guess is full of great story songs. It also rocks quite nicely. Guest musician Roy Bittan, best known as a member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, plays beautiful piano on this album. • ROMEO AND JULIET Knopfler plays beautiful acoustic guitar on this. It's probably my favorite Dire Straits song. Great, aching love song. • SO FAR AWAY This was a big radio hit in the 80s. Beautifully done. After you've experienced more of this band, don't miss their live album, "ALCHEMY". The Sultans of Swing live version you reviewed is from this album, and the entire album is fantastic. Lastly, knowing your interest in Bob Dylan, his album "Infidels" from 1983 is worth your time. Dylan's band on the album include Marc Knopfler and former Rolling Stones member, Mick Taylor on guitars. Dylan chose Marc Knopfler to co-produce it with him, so Knopfler's influence is strong on it. The band also features reggae greats Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare on drums and bass. Yes, it's as great as you think it would be. Here's a song from it, "Jokerman": ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-1XSvsFgvWr0.html

The high-pitched sound represents the ever-present shrill sound of the wires as they buzzed and vibrated.

This might be one of my favorite songs & your analysis showed me things I hadn't noticed listening to it since the mid 80's! Great job!!

i just came back from watching avatar 2 a very good movie, honestly if we had this music in the theater it would trump it

Every little aspect of this song is pure musical genius. One small thing I'd like to point out: after the first piano riff in the outro, there's a repeat (at 16:35). But then, the guitar and the bass also play the same rhythm and melody. It's like this three-headed monster attacking you - absolutely breathtaking. Just one of the details I really enjoy about this epic track.

The Alchemy live version of Sultans of Swing is an amazing transformation of the studio version. If you haven’t you should check that. It’s has two epic guitar solos.

Great reaction! I remember this album coming out and my brother bringing it home. I would have been about 14, and this song captivated me.

Great review for a truly epic tune. So much laid out in the song that doesnt seem to hurry at any point. Even the guitar taking off at the end was all about riding the wave of the story.

One of the best reactions I've seen you do: great job! The song is also a personal fave of mine, as is Mark Knopfler. Real genius there.

masterpiece

That high pitched sound you speak to may well be thought of as the sound of wind in the telegraph wires the birds perch on. And while Mark Knofler's guitar is sublime as always - Pick Wither's drumming brings in equal measure a special energy and life to this astonishing track

My favorite song from them!! Another great one is Tunnel of Love. It's incredible!!

I love the sound of Marks guitar. So distinct.

I can't believe you didn't do the live version of this after hearing the live version of Sultans, would love to see your reaction to that version......

I would say the the high pitched tone is representing the constant of time.

Congratulations, you know how to express your feelings with words very well. This song is also a personal favorite of mine, ever since I was a kid. The ever present high pitch noise, as you describe it, connects the various "episodes" in the history of the city, as presented in the lyrics and represents the timelessness of the city, in my opinion.

That sound is a keyboard I believe……made to sound like a violin endlessly playing a very high and pure note. And yes, it’s very effective…..Mark Knopfler’s guitar sound is so unique….you always know it’s him……very bright…very clear….very little distortion…. Beautiful keyboards….great rhythm section. Dire Straits…..such a good band!

Imagine us oldies have known the magic of Mark.K and the band for around 40 years.....

"Private Investigations" is the other amazing track from "Love Over Gold" - very low-key, and very atmospheric - definitely an "audio movie" - it sends chills down my spine every time. Mark Knopfler in particular was working on more atmospheric sounds at the time - he wrote the soundtrack to the movie "Local Hero" a few months after this album came out, and it's full of atmospheric music.

Hey fella, loving your content. Such a bright chap. Slighty different, but you can you do a reaction on the great Fred Dibnah laddering chimneys..... Love to watch and hear your thoughts the steeplejack legend.

Great reaction to the instrumentals but I really greatly appreciated your connection to the storyline.

I remember buying the L.P.... and being blown away with track ! Awesome, glad you liked it!

I've listened to a number of "reaction" videos by a number of people on this site, and yours is one of the few that is articulate and substantial in commentary. The "Telegraph Road" track is definitely epic--rich musically and lyrically, sustaining not just interest but mood variations and exquisite, often powerful guitar playing by Mark Knopfler. Yes, the band under Knopfler's direction has a blend of influences--blues, classic rock, country, jazz and folk. The lyrics are more literate and deep than what we get from most bands.

This song builds up over a long time, up to the best outro with the guitar, bass drums, piano, and something else combined in something beautiful. This song captures the wonder of movememt so well- just like Free Bird does.

EPIC PIECE. I've know since it was released and still one of the best ever written

In the vain of great story tellers and baladeers with incredible, guitars, and beautuful haunting songs, like Dire Straits, it would be great if you checked out Al Stewart. "On the Border" , "Roads to Moskow" , Modern Times", He had some very big hits in the 70,s, like "Year of the Cat" , and "Time Passages". but is rarely heard from these days. To me he is one of the greats, He and his band are the only ones i would put in the same category as Dire Staits. Hear his songs abd you will know why. His music is truly a treat for your ears. Really like your show. Keep up the good work!!

Your next Dire Straits song should be the beautiful but haunting Brothers in Arms.

Dire straits were an amazing band if you listen to their live recorded music they were as tight and precise as any band. Mark’s playing is on a different level he really is one of the finest guitar players of the last 50 years. The way modern music is digested it doesn’t allow for breaks in songs for these great players to showcase their improvisational talents anymore it’s a shame. I think this band over the years unfairly get branded dad rock after all i am 40 and I heard this music growing up from my dad but that doesn’t mean people shouldn’t absorb this stuff. I am being absolutely serious when I say nothing would get me more excited than if these guys announced they were doing some gigs I know it won’t happen but out of all the possible reunions that could still take place these would be up there.

Incitefull, you seem to be on your way to a career in music. Good luck

Beautiful insight

And the bridge is brilliant: three lanes moving slow.... music slowing to nearly a stand still. Into a sorrowful sound, and then out of it again into the light and back to sadness and even despair.... absolutely brilliant story telling

the outro is my favourite part .

Another great Dire Straits song, they tell some incredible stories with their music, I think that the piano coupled with an acoustic guitar create such an evocative sound. Another of my favourites from them is Private Investigations which is another atmospheric production

Your reactions are deep and thoughtful and I enjoy your analysis. Espresso Love is another great Dire Straits song for your reaction.

Great reaction, and I second what Dan Roth said in that this is the pinnacle of their greatness for me. However, it only just pips Private Investigations, which is another classic, and definitely worth your very own investigation!

If Mark had any Southern influences, it must have been from the South of England, because he grew up outside of Newcastle and has lived his entire life in England.

I wish as a kid, as I was listening to top 40 hits, someone from the future dropped by and played me Dire Straits. Then I could have lived an even more hopeful life, waiting for them to show up.

Music tells the story 😊😊❤😅😊 Matching the words...Respect

To me this is a sad song. From the innocence and hope of building a town, village, city that thrives and then decays. I see it everywhere around me these days. The music fits that feeling I have. Why must man destroy what he creates? Does the ending indicate hope for new creations?

Stay on the album and listen to Private Investigations, probably the die hard fans favourite, you’ll love it, it’s like Telegraph Road but a lot darker and deeper

Brilliant music as usual from Dire Straits…

It's great you look at the lyrics too

The Telegraph road is a highway that runs through Michigan, Mark Knopfler was riding along in the front seat of the tour bus on the Telegraph road while reading a 1920 Nobel Literature Prize winning book "Growth of the Soil" by Norwegian author Knut Hamsun. The song is basically about the rise and fall of Detroit. Mark is heavily influenced by Scottish/Northumbrian Folk/Celtic, having been born in Glasgow and growing up in Newcastle in the North East of England. He was also heavily influenced by Jaz/Blues music as well as country and Rock of course. He describes his music as where the Tyne meets the Delta. (The Tyne being the river that runs through Newcastle, and the Delta referring to the Mississippi Delta).

Thanks for the reaction! I can concur the Alchemy Live version is worth checking out as well

Also his colaboration with other great musicians are worth checking out .

Yep and he is the guitar player in Bob Dylan’s Blind Willie Mc tell, one of Dylan’s best songs

According to Guy Fletcher (who is basically Knopfler's partner in crime for the last 30 years :-)), Telegraph Road is the the song that requires the most of the band when playing live in terms of concentration and attention. I can totally see why. For me, it is and always well be the best song ever. If Love over Gold only had that single song, I would also be happy. And do check out the Alchemy version. You'll never see something like that again :-)

Keep checking out Marks music , he is still producing 45 years on . His stories are fantastic . Try Romeo & Juliet ,or some of his strictly instermentals like Brothers in Arms or Going Home ( from the movie Local Hero )

Real musicians playing real musical instruments, before quantizing and auto tune. If this were released today, it would never get any radio play. Nice video 😊

Oh, you must do the Live version! Even for just your own viewing….

Live they had 2 keyboardists with about 8 keyboards and a piano. The alchemy version is this just turned up a little.

Check out Ride Across the River live in Sydney 1986, the guitar/flute call and response is really good.

Well done son you knew when to shut up and listen I've had this in my life for forty years.thank God and Mark

Thanks..