If you use Spotify, you likely received your “Spotify Wrapped” yesterday. For those unfamiliar, Spotify Wrapped compiles your listening data to create a personalized “story” about your habits and how you rank among listeners worldwide.

When I got my results, I wasn’t surprised. My top artists this year were The Beatles, James Taylor, Dire Straits, Paul Simon, and Bonnie Raitt. Spotify also provided a playlist of my most-played songs, and the big winner was “News” by Dire Straits.

Dire Straits, a band from London, England, was formed by the brilliant guitarist and singer Mark Knopfler. You might know their first hit single, “Sultans of Swing,” which cracked the top ten in both the UK and US upon release. “News” comes from their second album, Communiqué, released in 1979.

Brother Fact: Mark Knopfler’s brother, David Knopfler, played rhythm guitar for the band before leaving during the recording of their third album.

Pick Fact: I remember watching an interview with Mark Knopfler when I was younger, where he talked about his unique guitar-playing technique. He almost never uses a pick while playing the electric guitar. You can hear the unique tone he’s able to get as he finger picks. As a young man, I’d watch videos of him and James Taylor and try to emulate their styles. That’s probably the main reason you’ll see me ditch the pick and stick to finger-style typically.

“News” is a song I’ve listened to countless times, often on repeat while driving. It’s full of angst and emotion: the whining guitar, the unique chord progressions, the pauses, the incredible solo, and the drum outro. This song is a great example of Mark’s recognizable tone and guitar fills.

One of the things I appreciate most is how Mark Knopfler sings certain phrases. Lines like “He takes the road as he comes, he takes the shine off his shoes” and “You know it may be a game, but I won’t play to lose” get me going for some reason. This song pulls at something deep inside, but I can’t really put my finger on what or how to name it. However it makes you feel, I hope you enjoy this great tune.

He sticks to his guns
He take the road as it comes
It take the shine off his shoes
He says it’s a shame
You know it may be a game
Ah, but I won’t play to lose

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He’s burning the grass
He take up a glass
He swallow it neat
He crosses the floor
He open the door
He take a sniff of the street

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And she tell him that he’s crazy
She’s a-saying listen baby
I’m your wife
She tell him that he’s crazy
For gambling a-with his life

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But he climbs on his horse
You know he feel no remorse
He just kicks it alive
His motor is fine
He take it over the line
Until he’s ready to dive=

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And she tell him that he’s crazy
Yes she’s saying listen baby
I’m your wife
Yeah she tell him that he’s crazy
For gambling with his life

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He sticks to his guns
He take the road as it comes
It take the shine off his shoes
He says it’s a shame
You know it may be a game
Ah but I won’t play to lose

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He sticks to his guns
He take the road as it comes
It take the shine off his shoes
He’s too fast to stop
He take it over the top
He make a line in the news

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My name is Michael Sanchez and I’m an avid record collector and obscure song searcher. My goal is to post (hopefully) one song a day that’s been on my stereo/turntable frequently. If you don’t like the song… too bad 🙂 You can just wait for the next one. All the info I find is from wikipedia/youtube/interviews/news articles/personal stories I’ve heard/random googling. Sorry if there are any mistakes.

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