*REACTION* Dire Straits - "Brothers in Arms" | Singer-Songwriter Reacts

[@grimreaper-qh2zn]

Surely the last line "Were fools to make war on our Brothers in Arms" i.e the song is not just about your own side but the futility of war in general.

[@grahamedney2432]

A thing not many people know or talk about is the fact that Marks family were I believe Hungarian, which fought on the side of the Germans, so he actually had family fighting on both sides, so it comes from that perspective too

[@grimreaper-qh2zn]

@@grahamedney2432 Marks father was Hungarian and fled Hungary to escape from the Nazi's. He then married a Geordie girl. They lived in Glasgow for about 7 years and then moved to the North East (Blyth) where Mark spent all his youth.

[@frankster1477]

The guitar is so atmospheric. One of the most haunting songs I've ever heard.

[@petervenkman69]

In the first 2 verses the term "Brothers in Arms" referred to the people on his side, in the third verse it meant all soldiers referring to the futility of war. The song was written from the perspective of a soldier dying on the battlefield surrounded by his comrades. The song was written at the time of the Falklands conflict between the UK and Argentina. Mark had an Uncle who served as a piper in the Black Watch and was killed in WW2 defending retreating soldiers at Dunkirk. He wrote a song called "Piper to the End" (not with Dire Straights) with similar themes of dying surrounded by comrades. As far as the Dillan references, Mark produced and toured with Dillan.

[@Choltonandthewheelies]

“We are fools to make war on our brothers in arms” it’s an anti war song, the song is sung from the prospective of a dying soldier reflecting on the futility of war. “So I bid you farewell, every man has to die, but It’s written in the starlight, and every line in your palm. We are fools to make war on our brothers in arms”. But remember it’s not the soldiers (the brothers in arms) that make war but the politicians and in some instances religious leaders who make war.

[@dagmar.6954]

Mark Knopfler is one of the best guitarists around. This song was was written in 1982 about Britain's involvement in the Falklands War. Home Free does an awesome version of "Brothers In Arms". Other hits by Dire Straits are "Sultans Of Swing", "Money For Nothing", "Romeo & Juliet", "Private Investigations", "Twisting By The Pool", "Walk Of Life", "Telegraph Road", "So Far Away" etc. They don't have a bad song.

[@estranhokonsta]

I didn't read the comment you mentioned about the meaning of "brother in arms" in the video. But I interpret that expression in the song as fellow humans fighting for life on this same battlefield that is Earth. So in that sense, the guys in the two side of a war are still Brothers in arms even if some others guys and circumstances has them hurting each others.

[@Ribs13]

I have loved this album for over 30 yrs. Interesting factoid, Dire Straits was/is huge in brasil, in the late 80s early 90s all guitar players were studying/playing Dire Straits.

[@matthewthomas9654]

Great reaction. I see others have pointed this out, but I’ll chime in as well and say that the last line makes it pretty explicit. “We’re fools to make war on our brothers in arms”. You don’t make war on your own side so clearly he is saying the combatants on the other side are his brothers in arms. Everyone in a war is united in the sense that they’re risking their lives (and taking lives) for often very dubious reasons.

[@lewismaddox4132]

Just follow the lyrics. "We are fools to make war on our brothers in arms." Any questions?

[@CoolCoyote]

my interpretation is simply that bros in arms is' we fought for this war so we could have freedom for our bros and sisters but now we are fighting each other after the 'war' and so its the same all around the world. WE THOUGHT WE WOULD LEARN TO NOT GO TO WAR. WW2 the war to 'end all wars' BUT IT NEVER HAPPENED DID IT.

[@PB...]

-We can see a classic scene with this song, on the TV show "Miami Vice" in the 1980's, (in last scene of the episode: 'Out Where the Buses Don't Run')

[@pamforrester844]

The original and the best, I think mark is always one of the most underrated guitar players ever, guessing because he came along at a time when guitar was king and so many guitar gods were out there he some how got lost. Love this song by them, love the variety you do, keeps it interesting, hoping to hear something for us pentaholics soon. Also would love more from these guys. Appreciate the work you put into the video and commentary

[@StevenQ74]

Mark Knopfler worked with Bob Dylan on several albums both playing guitar and also producing. Mark plays on "Slow train coming", "Infidels"(wich he also co produced) and "Down in the groove". Mark wrote this song about the Falklands war in 1982 between the UK and Argentina. Mark puts so much emotion in his guitar here. Other great songs you might like as a songwriter are "Telegraph Road", "Tunnel of love", "Private investigations" and "Why Worry"(wich was also covered by both the Everly Brothers and Art Garfunkel)

[@susanmarks2382]

Mark Knopfler has worked with many artists including EmmyLou Harris, Sting, Phil Collins...

[@MercuryCircuit]

I am English and remember this Song and Video from the 1980's. I think this a a song dedicated to all Brothers in arms as the anmations reflect several conflicts from the past. Including WW1/WW2, Vietnam and the Falklands. A song for the ages for me and it's power never decreases....brilliant.

[@fasullodavvero]

Bisogna complimentarsi anche con l'autore del filmato,un vero genio allo stesso livello dei Dire Straits,è allineato perfettamente con il brano,bravo!

[@beadwright]

This is a powerful song. I love both versions and that Home Free can do an acapella version of this blows my mind.

[@vladimird5280]

That cover is disgrace to this masterpiece

[@tonybennett4159]

@@vladimird5280 I am inclined to agree with you. The problem for me is that acapella songs are so carefully phrased that they tend to drain the life out of material. Knopfler starts with almost a whisper, and allows emotion to dominate over phrasing, although it's not difficult to hear the words. The biggest thing though is that Knopfler's melancholy, plaintive guitar, which gives it a whole different dimension is totally missing in the acapella version.

[@graciefolden2359]

​@@vladimird5280 The biggest disgrace was the use of the 🇺🇸 in the video insinuating that this song has anything to do with Americans, should have not used any flag then anyone watching could envision their own countries servicemen being represented OR just use the Union Jack 🇬🇧 and keep the video's story true to the original.

[@chrisvickers7928]

'It's Written in the starlight and every line on your palm." I interpret that as fate.

[@susanmarks2382]

Great song, great artist, great guitarist. ❤ Home Free's great too....

[@willypete12]

You said it right man

[@derekfleming3095]

He is referring to both sides of a conflict, as they have been sent there by their leaders, regardless of how they feel about the reasons

[@grummash3652]

If you can perform “Sprechgesang” properly it will always hit hard emotionally… and Mr Knopfler is an exemplar

[@cr10001]

This (the video version) is a short version - just 5 minutes. It always feels cut-short to me. The album version (can also be found on KZbin) is 7 minutes, and is the best version (in my opinion) kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6rOi5ZrepuIe6c And also a fantastic live version from their 'On the Night' tour kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2PVqWZ_dqp8iaM

[@racing2cat]

The first time I heard this song, it was the Home Free version. Their version is so different, while still retaining the somber feel. Probably because I heard it first, it is the version I prefer. However, I do appreciate the skill and talent of Knopfler and Dire Straits. I'm guessing your HF reaction had to be taken down for copyright reasons, which sucks because I know you're going to get a lot of comments from folks recommending you see that one. I liked your breakdown of the lyrics, Cole - glad you decided to react to the original version of this one. -Cat 🙂❤

[@charlestwombly3241]

Really good comments, but they often break in just when the song is about to make real emotional impact. Merely my subjective impression? Probably.

[@nanook8721]

No, not just you. I felt the constant, stopping and chatting took away from the deep meaning of this song. I realize they can't play the whole song through but to play it for 40 seconds and talk for 60 seconds is a little annoying to me

[@willswomble7274]

Who in hell are 'Home Free'? Listen to the ORIGINALS of works of art. Life is too short to waste spending time with second or third or fourth bests of anything. With a very few, fairly well known exceptions the real deals are by far the best. I am perfectly certain MK has never tried or wanted to sound like Dylan (who he, says UK lover of music).

[@marcelrenes2435]

Strange thing. Everbody is talking about the Falkands, but in the video I see clearly soldiers from WWI. So what's the deal? I think this song is universal. No matter what country you are from, war is hell. Greetings from The Netherlands. ❤ But I will listen to the song Home Free.

[@tednemtzow2796]

Both of Mark Knopfler's grandfathers fought in World War I. They fought on opposite sides -- his paternal grandfather for Austria-Hungary and his maternal grandfather for the UK.

[@roaringviking5693]

Videos don't necessarily accurately represent everything the song is about. A good example of this is actually another Dire Straits song, "Walk of Life". For some reason the video is full of American football clips, even though the song clearly isn't about that. It's pretty well-known that Mark wrote the song about the Falklands war.

[@russellmaiers2781]

He does both intentionally

[@Quicksilver51]

Wish commentators would stop insisting this is about the Falklands Conflict - it's not. Inspired by it maybe, but about the futility of war in general. As for the "Home Free" version, just listened to it and a perfect example of how to ruin a classic song. Actually thought it was a spoof when the ridiculous basso profundo voice came in !

[@MrAndersenify]

If you really want to understand this song, you need to understand the Falklands war. Mark interpetation are right on.

[@billhiggins1882]

Too many pauses

[@andrewlaird9496]

It's a bloody anti war song, get over it!

[@KevPage-Witkicker]

Not anti-war as such... just an ode to soldiers.

[@philholden6708]

Too much irrelevant chat about wanna be cover versions.

[@carolburnett190]

I’d never heard the Dire Straits version before. The last line of the song does indicate to me that they are saying war is stupid for everyone. The guitar in this is great! I listened to some Dire Straits back in the day but it was their lighthearted stuff. All in all, I do prefer Home Free’s version but that is nothing against Dire Straits. Thanks, Cole!

[@davidfeltz8697]

Check out the live versions of this tune. You.may like Homered better, but they did not write it. Nobody plays like MK