Dire Straits appeared to be a dying breed even in its heyday. Fancy dressers they were not? No dance moves, great haircuts or many tunes about girls and cars, either. What Dire Straits did have was incredible musicianship and an ability to write timeless classics. Dire Straits isn’t cool; it’s just one of the greatest rock bands of all time.

It’s time to celebrate the achievements of Mark Knopfler and his group and to call the bets off – yes, Dire Straits’ music outlived the impact of MTV and music videos. These are the greatest 10 songs by British masters.

The Greatest 10 Songs by Dire Straits

10. “Six Blade Knife”

J.J. Cale wanted a word with Mark Knopfler as soon as Dire Straits’ debut was out and selling. Was it a case of imitation as flattery? Was it a case of mistaken identity by the public?

Cale turned around (and would join a regretful Knopfler on tour). And the fans would soon turn loyal toward Dire Straits, one of the few bands bridging the gap between roots-rock and modern styles likes new-wave or punk.

9. “Lady Writer”

I heard this one as a child. I knew nothing of Bob Dylan, J.J. Cale, or country & western guitar players. All I knew was that the sound coming out of the guitar players’ fingers burned like hot coal.

That’s what “Lady Writer” still sounds like. However, virtuoso showmanship is far from the only thing Knopfler offers. These are story songs which are both complex and alluringly mysterious.

8. “Down to the Waterline”

In 1978, making an album like “Dire Straits” was either madness or a revolutionary act. Even the site you’re reading this on was inspired by the late 70s punk, gothic, or new-wave bands.

Knopfler didn’t sound all hat, though. His skilful guitar playing had the energy of punk. And his story-telling was clever and mean, a soundtrack to a Steve McQueen movie that the public had never been allowed to see.

7. “On Every Street”

Dire Straits’s massive 1980s popularity risked over-exposing the band. One person who was certainly fed up was Mark Knopfler. He hadn’t hurried with a new album and when he did release one, it was, essentially, a solo record.

“On Every Street” is a beautiful, poetic ballad. It’s part of an album meant to, first and foremost, please the ones making it. I think that this is an underrated gem that deserves a reappraisal.

6. “Walk of Life”

“Walk of Life” was inescapable upon its release. And it stayed that way for many years afterwards. The country & western sound, together with the video of sports bloopers, made it all seem a bit gimmicky.

But Dire Straits needed all the help that they could get in an MTV-refereed fight against the haircut bands of the era. When the dust settles, “Walk of Life” is a pretty fun song and all. I just doubt Knopfler would prefer to be remembered for this one alone.

5. “Tunnel of Love”

If you’re looking for epic, theatrical rock, Dire Straits may just be on par with Meat Loaf or Pink Floyd. “Tunnel of Love” is, perhaps, the very best of their lengthy, carefully orchestrated compositions.

Partly an ode to lost, young love and partly a demo in guitar pyrotechnics, “Tunnel of Love” is one of the shortest 8-minute songs there are.

4. “Money for Nothing”

It’s that riff, innit? But it’s the video, the “I want my MTV!” catchphrase and Sting’s contribution, too, right?

Yeah, Dire Straits’ “Money for Nothing” sure is iconic. And to think that they created an MTV hit by writing a song in which they made fun of the kinds of bands that got shown on MTV. Clever!

3. “Brothers in Arms”

At his best, Mark Knopfler was a sensational songwriter who could play guitar really, really well. Both his writing and his playing had a distinctive sound to them.

“Brothers in Arms” belongs to a category all of its own. It’s not strictly a power ballad, and it’s not a classic singer-songwriter effort. The guitar lead nearly makes me cry, and I’ve seen grown men do the same.

2. “Sultans of Swing”

You’re driving. The car is full. “Sultans of Swing” comes on the radio. Everyone knows the song. Everyone has heard it a million times. Does anyone change the radio station? No!

“Sultans of Swing” is part of the fabric that makes up rock n’ roll. Yet, it’s a song that’s not yet aged or become unbearable. Each part, down to the chicken-picked guitar outro, is sensational.

1. “Romeo and Juliet”

“Romeo and Juliet” is a thing of extraordinary beauty. But, you get the sense that this was, if not a throwaway, surely not a song that didn’t come naturally.

The fingerpicked acoustic guitar and the lengthy outro are just as important as the story. The lyrics fit the pacing of the song perfectly. Juliet loves Romeo, but just not at the right time. This is Dire Straits’s finest hour and one of the best songs in the history of rock music.