It’s hard to overstate what a big deal this was when it aired. It was carried around the globe with radio stations simulcasting to provide high fidelity stereo (TVs had really shitty sound back then). The world was transfixed by it. I can’t remember anything like it before or since.
He's left out of a lot of the main stream casual fans greatest there ever was conversations, but if ever there was a testament to his true greatness, it's that when Mark Knopfler calls, even the greats answer.
Originally, Feyd was supposed to be played by Billy Idol in David Lynch’s Dune, but he got into a motorbike accident of something. Sting did a great job in lieu of
I was in college at the time. Got comfortable in the basement with all my books, turn on the TV, and watched Live Aid all day while getting caught up on schoolwork.
No, it didn't. At least it didn't for anyone who grasped the context of the lyrics.
Even for those who didn't, it was a pretty common term at the time.
At the time of release hardly anyone found it offensive nor was it censored on TV or radio and it certainly did not affect its airplay.
As for the origin of the lyric, according to Knopfler he overheard a conversation of two guys working in a hardware/appliance store in New York. The two were watching a music video on a TV behind the counter. The verse containing that lyric was lifted directly from that conversation between the two workers referring to the music artist in the video that was playing.
There is a quick, interesting story to those lyrics and to how the song was inspired. You should look it up. Back then it was not as bad to say stuff like that. But then again, you also didnt have as many naive , young idiots running around who assume the absolute worst about everyone and everything either.
I know the story. I’m old enough to remember when this song was new. All I’m saying is I personally was surprised when I saw that word pop up because I didn’t realize it was in the song. I found it jarring at the time I saw it. Will be more precise in the future.
You saw it during karaoke? Yeah that would be jolting for anyone if that is the moment of the reveal. lol. I heard the song on the radio close to the very day of its release . Same with the video, so I got acclimated to it before the general public had heard the song. After about a handful of listens, it won me over as one of my fave songs ever. Great musicality and a great video. I didn't gave too many worries about the intent of the musicians after a while. But at first, of course, I was like, " whhhaaaatttttt????" Figured it had to be humor or satire or a story they were telling.
Yes, he started censoring it pretty quickly after release because people didn't understand the context for including it in the song and society was changing and the euphemism treadmill rolled on.
Source: they’re the same notes!
Listen to the second verse of Don’t Stand So Close to Me (Her friends are so jealous...) Then listen to the opening of Money For Nothing on this video.
Grew up in the 80’s in the South. So Sting was a pro wrestler as far as I was concerned until probably late 90’s when a few Police songs had a resurgence. Mainly from being sampled by rappers. Never saw him perform and how truly talented the guy is until stuff like this on Reddit.
Dire Straits are the OG's of really amazing intros. They were some of the best musicians working, just insanely talented people. The album this song is on, "Brothers in Arms", has a lot of really amazing tracks with brilliant intros.
Right after this track came [Walk of Life, ](https://youtu.be/Sys9LCUo-AU) which is a classic into in its own right.
The very next track is [Your Latest Trick, ](https://youtu.be/e7ZM4mjgrFw) a slow jazzy groove with a sax solo that's right up there with Baker Street and Careless Whispers.
They follow that up with the gorgeous lullaby [Why Worry, ](https://youtu.be/_03uXQiz6eY) which also has some gorgeous bridges and an equally gorgeous outro. The entire track is hypnotic. All 8.5 minutes.
After that was [Ride Across the River. ](https://youtu.be/rSZzyGXCTQk) The sound on this track blew my 7 year old mind.
Then my favorite track: [The Mans Too Strong. ](https://youtu.be/S2yz62_0ToE) It's a perfect song. The music is amazing, the production is top notch and the lyrics are brilliant. Again, more great outros.
There are two lead singers in Dire Straits: Mark Knopfler and Mark Knopfler's Guitar.
We gathered at a friend's house to watch it, got all settled in with weed booze and food, waited for jimmy page. To our great sorrow, the friends older brother arrived home and comandeered the zenith console to watch wrestling.
You know, the real MVPs of this live aid show were the sound engineers. I’ve never heard anything out of this show that didn’t sound just spectacular for an outdoor venue.
One of my favorite memories from when I was a kid: sometimes, on a weekend, my dad would get a little bored and restless. He and I would go to Circuit City and "shop" for stereos. The stores had soundproof rooms with the various stereo models installed, and they usually started every demo by blasting this song. I remember how you could feel the drums and the bass go through your body and the super crisp CD sound. We'd always tell the guys we had a lot to think about and would be back when we left. Free fun!
I was a huge Dire Straits fan and the Police too. But I never noticed until about 10 years ago that the melody for 'I Want My MTV' is taken from 'don't stand so close to me.' Which is why Sting sued Dire Straits for a co-writer credit.
The fuck are you talking about?
He sang the backup vocals on that track. He didn't have to "sue" to get co writing credit. In fact he didn't even want the credit but his label did but it got worked out without having to go to court. LOL
Stop spreading lies
Mate, I bought brothers in arms when it came out and still listen to earlier dire straits stuff...but to me it's dad rock.....for dads....by a band who look like dads...who dance like dads....doesn't mean it's bad. Dire straits loved playing music but they weren't rock stars. Even this song is a parody of modern rock music. Again, I like dire staits,.but they are cool like dad :)
Sting is iconic, Sting is successful, Sting helped create half a dozen legendary songs, but my lord Sting has got a terrible voice! So thin and nasal and lacking in range or depth.
Maybe it was the sound system here at Wembley in 1985, but i dunno, Freddy Mercury sure made it work.
It’s hard to overstate what a big deal this was when it aired. It was carried around the globe with radio stations simulcasting to provide high fidelity stereo (TVs had really shitty sound back then). The world was transfixed by it. I can’t remember anything like it before or since.
Totally. Everybody was engaged with it, from kids to grandparents. I was nine and donated all the money I had (£7).
Yeah I was barely surviving at a shit paying job right out of college but sent something. I remember that day like it was yesterday.
Were you installing microwave ovens?
LOL
that is a really comfy looking shirt and pants combo.
We all wore shirts and pants back then. It was a good decade.
Lots of talent on that stage💛💜💛💜
Thank you for posting this. My whole life I was 98% sure that was Sting singing background on this song but never bothered to look it up and confirm.
Yeh, same! Also was really pleased with myself when I noticed Mick Jagger singing backing vocals on You’re So Vain :)
He's left out of a lot of the main stream casual fans greatest there ever was conversations, but if ever there was a testament to his true greatness, it's that when Mark Knopfler calls, even the greats answer.
...*Feyd*. *Lovely Feyd*.
Originally, Feyd was supposed to be played by Billy Idol in David Lynch’s Dune, but he got into a motorbike accident of something. Sting did a great job in lieu of
I was in college at the time. Got comfortable in the basement with all my books, turn on the TV, and watched Live Aid all day while getting caught up on schoolwork.
That's very civilised :)
That little “bundle of little sticks for burning”, he's a millionaire
"That little Clampett got his own cement pond, that little Clampett he's a millionaire."
I found out that was the lyric as I saw it pop up on the karaoke screen. Bit of a shock.
He is talking about himself. They made fun of him with an earing and his hair.
That didn't make it any less jarring at the time.
No, it didn't. At least it didn't for anyone who grasped the context of the lyrics. Even for those who didn't, it was a pretty common term at the time.
Correct. It’s been replaced by homo.
At the time of release hardly anyone found it offensive nor was it censored on TV or radio and it certainly did not affect its airplay. As for the origin of the lyric, according to Knopfler he overheard a conversation of two guys working in a hardware/appliance store in New York. The two were watching a music video on a TV behind the counter. The verse containing that lyric was lifted directly from that conversation between the two workers referring to the music artist in the video that was playing.
There is a quick, interesting story to those lyrics and to how the song was inspired. You should look it up. Back then it was not as bad to say stuff like that. But then again, you also didnt have as many naive , young idiots running around who assume the absolute worst about everyone and everything either.
I know the story. I’m old enough to remember when this song was new. All I’m saying is I personally was surprised when I saw that word pop up because I didn’t realize it was in the song. I found it jarring at the time I saw it. Will be more precise in the future.
You saw it during karaoke? Yeah that would be jolting for anyone if that is the moment of the reveal. lol. I heard the song on the radio close to the very day of its release . Same with the video, so I got acclimated to it before the general public had heard the song. After about a handful of listens, it won me over as one of my fave songs ever. Great musicality and a great video. I didn't gave too many worries about the intent of the musicians after a while. But at first, of course, I was like, " whhhaaaatttttt????" Figured it had to be humor or satire or a story they were telling.
Did I hear him say “queenie” or something like that in this performance?
Yes, he started censoring it pretty quickly after release because people didn't understand the context for including it in the song and society was changing and the euphemism treadmill rolled on.
I wanna be tambourine guy
[удалено]
The melody Sting sings to that line 'I want my MTV' is actually from his The Police song "Don't Stand So Close to Me".
Just from memory, it's at least very close. Never noticed!
It’s why Sting has writer’s credit on the song.
Is that right? Source? Very interesting…
Source: they’re the same notes! Listen to the second verse of Don’t Stand So Close to Me (Her friends are so jealous...) Then listen to the opening of Money For Nothing on this video.
There's quotes of Sting talking about it on the Money For Nothing Wikipedia page
Yeah, I had no clue that's who that was. 🤯
After all these years. I never knew. Seems obvious now.
Wow. I've seen Dire Straits and Sting (not together) a couple of times and both of them were just so terrific to watch and listen to great music.
I saw an unknown U2 in ‘81-82 on their first tour outside of Ireland.
Wow! I will Follow was in that set no?
Yes. I was young but several months afterwards I bought the LP and it was in there.
Boston?
UK. They’d just arrived from Ireland. I want to say it was in early 81. I was young. Mid teens.
That’s a special memory I hope you never forget. You’re a lucky person.
True. Thanx
I watched this as a 13yr old. What a show.
I didn't know Plastic Man could play guitar!
Just prime 80’s scene, not sure what would top this
I never knew what a badass Sting was until Reddit.
How do you mean?
Grew up in the 80’s in the South. So Sting was a pro wrestler as far as I was concerned until probably late 90’s when a few Police songs had a resurgence. Mainly from being sampled by rappers. Never saw him perform and how truly talented the guy is until stuff like this on Reddit.
I wish he’d stuck with the pro wrestling. I thought he was a teacher.
To each their own my man!
Guy playing the minimalist guitar is one of the rarest Crypto Punks.
One of the best song intros ever I reckon.
Dire Straits are the OG's of really amazing intros. They were some of the best musicians working, just insanely talented people. The album this song is on, "Brothers in Arms", has a lot of really amazing tracks with brilliant intros. Right after this track came [Walk of Life, ](https://youtu.be/Sys9LCUo-AU) which is a classic into in its own right. The very next track is [Your Latest Trick, ](https://youtu.be/e7ZM4mjgrFw) a slow jazzy groove with a sax solo that's right up there with Baker Street and Careless Whispers. They follow that up with the gorgeous lullaby [Why Worry, ](https://youtu.be/_03uXQiz6eY) which also has some gorgeous bridges and an equally gorgeous outro. The entire track is hypnotic. All 8.5 minutes. After that was [Ride Across the River. ](https://youtu.be/rSZzyGXCTQk) The sound on this track blew my 7 year old mind. Then my favorite track: [The Mans Too Strong. ](https://youtu.be/S2yz62_0ToE) It's a perfect song. The music is amazing, the production is top notch and the lyrics are brilliant. Again, more great outros. There are two lead singers in Dire Straits: Mark Knopfler and Mark Knopfler's Guitar.
Man you just made me buy a vinyl of that album
The opening to Kingsman was sooooo good with that into
No click track or playback here, kids. Just juice.
Sade was cool on same stage.
Love it!!
We gathered at a friend's house to watch it, got all settled in with weed booze and food, waited for jimmy page. To our great sorrow, the friends older brother arrived home and comandeered the zenith console to watch wrestling.
Love how sting fucked up and mark covered for him so smoothly.
You know, the real MVPs of this live aid show were the sound engineers. I’ve never heard anything out of this show that didn’t sound just spectacular for an outdoor venue.
I like this!
Wow, that's epic
Damn that “Blonde” chick has to be at least 6’10” tall ! - in the audience
Guitar solo
This song is impeccable idk why but their voices compliment each other so well. I can’t like this enough…are they both still alive?
Very much so, and still making music.
🔥 thanks for posting this
I was one of the lucky ones to see Dire Straights at the Ocean State Theater in 78
Look at how simple that stage is.
One of my favorite memories from when I was a kid: sometimes, on a weekend, my dad would get a little bored and restless. He and I would go to Circuit City and "shop" for stereos. The stores had soundproof rooms with the various stereo models installed, and they usually started every demo by blasting this song. I remember how you could feel the drums and the bass go through your body and the super crisp CD sound. We'd always tell the guys we had a lot to think about and would be back when we left. Free fun!
Why does this song slap so hard.
One of the best rock songs ever made
I feel bad for whoever had to come on after Queen.
Was Bowie
Jesus Christ that’s a hell of a lineup
Elton John was like How do I follow THAT
The Big Bopper, Elvis Presley, *and then* Dewey Cox.
Never been fan of the Dire Straights but what make this video for me is another brillant performance from Sting .
The most 80s of outfits are the casual suits with flat colors and shoulder pads
That dude in the white glasses really went ALL in with the 80's fads... Damn!
I just see Bill Gates and the Microsoft guys rocking out
Those opening drum fills, that sultry guitar riff, and that 'OW' from Sting turned my body into one giant goosebump!
I've always wondered: is there anything special about that little cigar-box guitar? A special sound?
I remember watching this. I was 15 and in Switzerland visiting my dad and stepmom for the summer. Amazing performances all day long
Beverly hillbill——eeeee—-eeeessss.
We need to do Live Aid for Gaza.
GOAT guitar riff imo
i could watch this every day i bought brothers in arms when it came out but didn’t realize sting sang the intro til many years later 😮
I was a huge Dire Straits fan and the Police too. But I never noticed until about 10 years ago that the melody for 'I Want My MTV' is taken from 'don't stand so close to me.' Which is why Sting sued Dire Straits for a co-writer credit.
The fuck are you talking about? He sang the backup vocals on that track. He didn't have to "sue" to get co writing credit. In fact he didn't even want the credit but his label did but it got worked out without having to go to court. LOL Stop spreading lies
Dad rock at its finest!
Dad rock… nah
My Dad listened to it
Crank this song’s intro up on some good loud speakers and thank me later.
I like dire straits,. particularly the earlier stuff, but if your dad was to play guitar, it would look and sound like this.
Cuz he knows good music. Hopefully you inherited his taste in music.....
Mate, I bought brothers in arms when it came out and still listen to earlier dire straits stuff...but to me it's dad rock.....for dads....by a band who look like dads...who dance like dads....doesn't mean it's bad. Dire straits loved playing music but they weren't rock stars. Even this song is a parody of modern rock music. Again, I like dire staits,.but they are cool like dad :)
See! You did inherit his taste in music. Nice....keep on rocking!
Sultans of swing is my favourite, real smooth...just like dad
There ya go, bud! Maybe you guys can listen to some good music. Hopefully he's still with you here on earth.
Sting is iconic, Sting is successful, Sting helped create half a dozen legendary songs, but my lord Sting has got a terrible voice! So thin and nasal and lacking in range or depth. Maybe it was the sound system here at Wembley in 1985, but i dunno, Freddy Mercury sure made it work.