Dire Straits - Discography (1978-2023) AAC

Dire Straits were a British rock band formed in London in 1977 by Mark Knopfler (lead vocals and lead guitar), David Knopfler (rhythm guitar and backing vocals), John Illsley (bass guitar and backing vocals), and Pick Withers (drums and percussion). They were active from 1977 to 1988 and again from 1991 to 1995. Dire Straits are one of the world's best-selling music artists, with album sales of over 100 million.

Their first single, "Sultans of Swing", from their 1978 self-titled debut album, reached the top ten in the UK and US charts. It was followed by hit singles including "Romeo and Juliet" (1981), "Private Investigations" (1982), "Twisting by the Pool" (1983), "Money for Nothing" (1985), and "Walk of Life" (1985). Their most commercially successful album, Brothers in Arms (1985), has sold more than 30 million copies; it was the first album to sell a million copies on compact disc, and is the eighth-bestselling album in UK history. According to the Guinness Book of British Hit Albums, Dire Straits have spent over 1,100 weeks on the UK albums chart, the fifth most of all time.

Dire Straits' sound draws from various influences including country, folk, the blues rock of J. J. Cale, and jazz. Their stripped-down sound contrasted with punk rock and demonstrated a roots rock influence that emerged from pub rock. There were several changes in personnel, with Mark Knopfler and Illsley being the only consistent members. After disbanding once again in 1995, Knopfler launched his solo career full-time. Dire Straits won four Grammy Awards, three Brit Awards (Best British Group twice), two MTV Video Music Awards, and various other awards. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.

Studio (04:36:12)
1978 - Dire Straits (1983, Vertigo 800 051-2, W.Germany) (00:41:15)
1979 - Communique (1983, Vertigo 800 052-2, W.Germany) (00:41:49)
1980 - Making Movies (1983, Vertigo 800 050-2, W.Germany) (00:37:25)
1982 - Love Over Gold (1983, Vertigo 800 088-2, W.Germany) (00:41:04)
1985 - Brothers In Arms (Vertigo 824 499-2, W.Germany) (00:54:40)
1991 - On Every Street (Vertigo 510 160-2, Germany) (00:59:59)

Singles (05:24:59)
1978 - Sultans Of Swing (1988, CDVS, Warner Bros. 9 25814-2, USA) (00:14:28)
1978 - Sultans Of Swing (1989, CDMS, Vertigo 872 611-2, W.Germany) (00:19:59)
1978 - Sultans Of Swing (1998, CDS Promo, HDCD, Vertigo SULT 98, UK) (00:05:48)
1982 - Private Investigations (12'' Single, Vertigo DSTR 112, England) (00:10:55)
1982 - Twisting By The Pool (1988, CDVS, Warner Bros. 9 25810-2, USA) (00:15:56)
1985 - Brothers In Arms (1986, CDMS, Vertigo 884 285-2, W.Germany) (00:22:06)
1985 - Brothers In Arms (1988, CDVS, Warner Bros. 9 25812-2, USA) (00:17:58)
1985 - Money For Nothing (1988, CDVS, Warner Bros. 9 25813-2, USA) (00:16:56)
1985 - Walk Of Life (1988, CDVS, Warner Bros. 9 25811-2, USA) (00:16:23)
1990 - I Think I Love You Too Much (From Knebworth - The Album) (CDS Promo, Polydor CDP 330, USA) (00:05:56)
1991 - Calling Elvis (CDS Promo, Warner Bros. PRO–CD–4953, USA) (00:11:02)
1991 - Calling Elvis (CDS, Vertigo DSCD 16, 868 757-2, UK) (00:13:59)
1991 - Heavy Fuel (CDS Promo, Vertigo DCDDJ 17, UK) (00:09:08)
1991 - Heavy Fuel (CDS, Vertigo DSHAM 17, UK) (00:17:00)
1991 - Until September (CDMS Promo, Vertigo SEPT 1, UK) (00:19:51)
1992 - On Every Street (CDMS, Vertigo DSCDC 18, 866 411-2, UK) (00:23:30)
1992 - On Every Street (CDS Promo, Warner Bros. PRO-CD-5394, USA) (00:09:05)
1992 - The Bug (CDMS, Vertigo DSCD 19, 866 967-2, UK) (00:16:53)
1992 - You And Your Friend (CDS, Vertigo 864 613-2, Germany) (00:15:13)
1993 - Encores (CDMS, Vertigo DSCD 20, 862 209-2, Germany) (00:20:50)
1993 - Your Latest Trick (Live) (CDS Promo, Vertigo SAMPLER OTN 2, UK) (00:04:36)
1994 - Ticket To Heaven (CDMS, Vertigo 858 875-2, Germany) (00:17:27)

RMs 1996 (08:34:54)
1978 - Dire Straits (1996 RM, Vertigo 800 051-2, Germany) (00:41:47)
1979 - Communique (1996 RM, Vertigo 800 052-2, France) (00:42:40)
1980 - Making Movies (1996 RM, Vertigo 800 050-2, France) (00:38:23)
1982 - Love Over Gold (1996 RM, Vertigo 800 088-2, Germany) (00:41:09)
1984 - Alchemy - Dire Straits Live (1996 RM, Vertigo 818 243-2, Germany) - 2CD (01:34:04)
1985 - Brothers In Arms (1996 RM, Vertigo 824 499-2, UK) (00:54:49)
1988 - Money For Nothing (1996 RM, Vertigo 836 419-2, France) (01:06:17)
1991 - On Every Street (1996 RM, Vertigo 510 160-2, UK) (01:00:15)
1993 - On The Night (Live In France & Netherlands 1992) (1996 RM, Vertigo 514 766-2, France) (01:15:30)

RMs 2008 (08:15:53)
1978 - Dire Straits (2008 RM SHM-CD, Vertigo UICY-93727, JP) (00:41:55)
1979 - Communique (2008 RM SHM-CD, Vertigo UICY-93728, JP) (00:42:46)
1980 - Making Movies (2008 RM SHM-CD, Vertigo UICY-93729, JP) (00:38:30)
1982 - Love Over Gold (2008 RM SHM-CD, Vertigo UICY-93730, JP) (00:41:12)
1984 - Alchemy Live (2008 RM SHM-CD, Vertigo UICY-93731-2, JP) - 2CD (01:34:05)
1985 - Brothers In Arms (2008 RM SHM-CD, Vertigo UICY-93733, JP) (00:55:15)
1991 - On Every Street (2008 RM SHM-CD, Vertigo UICY-93734, JP) (01:00:37)
1993 - On The Night (Live) (2008 RM SHM-CD, Vertigo UICY-93735, JP) (01:15:30)
1995 - Live At The BBC (2008 RM SHM-CD, Vertigo UICY-93736, JP) (00:46:03)

RMs SACD (04:40:06)
1978 - Dire Straits (2019 RM SACD Hybrid, MFSL UDSACD 2184, USA) (00:41:55)
1979 - Communique (2019 RM SACD Hybrid, MFSL UDSACD 2185, USA) (00:42:37)
1980 - Making Movies (2019 RM SACD Hybrid, MFSL UDSACD 2186, USA) (00:38:33)
1982 - Love Over Gold (2019 RM SACD Hybrid, MFSL UDSACD 2187, USA) (00:41:22)
1985 - Brothers In Arms (2013 RM SACD Hybrid, MFSL UDSACD 2099, USA) (00:55:16)
1991 - On Every Street (2023 RM SACD Hybrid, MFSL UDSACD 2239, USA) (01:00:23)

Live (03:35:30)
1984 - Alchemy - Dire Straits Live (Warner Bros. 9 25085-2, W.Germany) - 2CD (01:33:56)
1993 - On The Night (Vertigo 514 766-2, Germany) (01:15:31)
1995 - Live At The BBC (Vertigo 528 323-2, Germany) (00:46:03)

Compilations (05:52:12)
1988 - Money For Nothing (2022 RM, WEB, UMC 00602445795413, Worldwide) (01:06:45)
1998 - Sultans Of Swing (The Very Best Of Dire Straits) (HDCD, Vertigo 558 658-2, UK) (01:18:05)
2005 - Private Investigations (The Best Of) (Spcl Ed, Mercury 9873051, EU) - 2CD (02:16:50)
2018 - Six Blade Knife (The Magic Of Dire Straits) (RM, Chinese Dragon DSM-08-054, Taiwan) (01:10:32)

1985 - Brothers In Arms (2025 40th Ann. 3CD Box, Vertigo 7565089, EU) (02:59:38)
1993 - Bijou Live (4CD Box, White Fly WF 004-4, Italy) (05:06:54)
2023 - Live 1978-1992 (8CD Box, Vertigo-Mercury 5553922, EU) (06:52:44)

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