I’ve wrapped up my brief deep dive into Dire Straits six-album discography, and my biggest takeaway is that this is one of the most consistent artists I’ve given the treatment.
Granted, I’m sure they’d have some soft spots if they had put out a dozen or more albums, but I do think there is something about the band’s sound that just works. It’s the tone of Mark Knopfler’s guitar, the comforting rasp of his voice, the expansive but welcoming soundscapes of his production. And while Knopfler is the primary creative force behind Dire Straits, I also must shout out the expert musicianship of his various bandmates.
All that to say that my ranking of these six albums is mostly a matter of very small degrees. My top two are locked in, and what I consider Dire Straits’ masterpieces, but after that it’s super close. More time spent with any one of those albums could shift the order considerably.
These are six excellent albums, well worth your time if you don’t know them already.
1. Brothers in Arms (1985)
2. Making Movies (1980)
3. On Every Street (1991)
4. Communique (1979)
5. Dire Straits (1978)
6. Love Over Gold (1982)
I am just an aging drummer boy
And in the wars I used to play
And I’ve called a tune, to many a torture session
Now they say I am a war criminal
And I’m fading away
Father, please hear my confession
[Verse 1]
I have legalized robbery, called it belief
I have a-run with the money, I have hid like a thief
Re-written history with my armies and my crooks
Invented memories, I did burn all the books
[Chorus]
And I can still hear his laughter
And I can still hear his song
The man’s too big
The man’s too strong
[Verse 2]
Well I’ve tried to be meek, I have tried to be mild
But I spat like a woman and I sulked like a child
I have lived behind walls that have made me alone
Striven for peace which I never have known
[Chorus]
And I can still hear his laughter
And I can still hear his song
The man’s too big
The man’s too strong
[Verse 3]
Well, the sun rose on the courtyard, and they all did hear him say
“You always was a Judas, but I got you anyway
You may have got your silver, but I swear upon my life
Your sister gave me diamonds and I gave them to your wife”
[Chorus]
Oh, Father please help me
For I have done wrong
The man’s too big
The man’s too strong
Meet Me In Montauk 
Agreed with all you’ve said about Dire Straights. Thanks for the brief deep dive into their music.
I enjoyed the brief dive very much … well done. When I saw Dire Straits for the Brothers In Arms tour the performance of “The Man’s Too Strong” was breathtaking, definitely the highlight of the night for me, and the highlights were numerous. It was an amazing show with the band firing on all cylinders. And to make the night even more amazing, Stevie Ray Vaughn was the opening act. Can you ask for more?