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Dire Straits Quizzes, Trivia and Puzzles
Dire Straits Quizzes, Trivia

Dire Straits Trivia

Dire Straits Trivia Quizzes

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12 Dire Straits quizzes and 120 Dire Straits trivia questions.
1.
  Anatomy of a Song: "Sultans of Swing"   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Just how much do you know about Dire Straits' classic "Sultans of Swing"? Pit yourself against ten questions about the song and/or associated facts. Song #32 in the 'Anatomy' series.
Average, 10 Qns, FussBudget, Apr 11 17
Average
FussBudget gold member
2602 plays
2.
  Classic Album Review: "Making Movies"   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
After a brilliant debut album in 1978, Dire Straits fared poorly with their second album. In 1980, Dire Straits came roaring back with the brilliant "Making Movies", announcing themselves as a new global force in rock music.
Average, 10 Qns, 1nn1, May 04 19
Average
1nn1 gold member
May 04 19
201 plays
3.
  Dire Straits: 'Brothers In Arms'   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
What do you remember about one of the band's best known albums? Take this quiz to find out.
Average, 10 Qns, rossian, Aug 26 18
Average
rossian editor
Aug 26 18
316 plays
4.
  How Well Do You Know Your Dire Straits?    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A short, hopefully fairly easy quiz on one of my favourite bands, Dire Straits. Trivia and lyrics.
Average, 10 Qns, blue_icicle, Jul 31 05
Average
blue_icicle
1305 plays
5.
  Anatomy of a Song: "Industrial Disease"   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Just how much do you know about Dire Straits' classic "Industrial Disease"? Pit yourself against 10 questions about the song and/or associated facts. Song #6 in the 'Anatomy' series.
Average, 10 Qns, FussBudget, Mar 12 05
Average
FussBudget gold member
1111 plays
6.
  "On Every Street" - Dire Straits    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
All these tracks feature on the album "On Every Street". How much do you know about the lyrics of these songs? Sing along.
Average, 10 Qns, zorba_scank, May 06 19
Average
zorba_scank gold member
May 06 19
133 plays
7.
  Dire Straits and Mark Knopfler Trivia   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
10 questions for true Dire Straits fans.
Tough, 10 Qns, steventhomas42, Feb 12 03
Tough
steventhomas42
1284 plays
8.
  Making Movies    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is all about the Dire Straits album "Making Movies".
Average, 10 Qns, Shadowmyst2004, Jun 03 19
Average
Shadowmyst2004
Jun 03 19
295 plays
9.
  Dire Straits Lyrics Test    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Very simply, I will give you a quote from the lyrics from ten songs - all you have to do is decide which word should replace the blank that I leave in the text. All songs were UK chart hits and all info about chart positions relate to UK positions.
Average, 10 Qns, tali21, Dec 01 05
Average
tali21
1615 plays
10.
  Dire Straits, LEGENDS    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Dire Straits are legends in the eyes of millions around the world. does that include you? Let's find out with 10 questions on the band.
Average, 10 Qns, Jack_torrance, Jun 18 18
Average
Jack_torrance
Jun 18 18
1008 plays
trivia question Quick Question
What day of the week gets mentioned in the song's lyrics?

From Quiz "Anatomy of a Song: "Sultans of Swing""




11.
  10 Questions about Dire Straits Lyrics    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Hello there Dire Straits fans! I will give you a random line from a Dire Straits song and you have to tell me which song it is. Good Luck!
Average, 10 Qns, hrrgrah, Jun 11 08
Average
hrrgrah
705 plays
12.
  Dire Straits - Mark Knopfler's Career    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
10 Questions on Mark Knopfler's career. For fans or those purely wanting learn more about his career.
Tough, 10 Qns, golden_power, Sep 10 08
Tough
golden_power
601 plays

Dire Straits Trivia Questions

1. "Making Movies" was the third studio album from Dire Straits. What year was it released in?

From Quiz
Making Movies

Answer: 1980

It was their first record released in the 1980s. It followed "Dire Straits" (1978) and "Communique" (1979). "Love over Gold" was the follow up album in 1982. The album was certified as gold or platinum in seven different countries.

2. "Tunnel of Love", the opening track on Dire Strait's 1980 album "Making Movies", begins with a musical introduction from which Rogers & Hammerstein 1945 musical that compliments the title nicely?

From Quiz Classic Album Review: "Making Movies"

Answer: Carousel

The song opens with Roy Bittan's subtle tinkling of a few bars of "The Carousel Waltz" before his descending arpeggio introduces us to the song proper. From this point forward John Illsley and Pick Withers start building a wall of sound while Mark Knopfler fires response licks from his guitar in between a tumbling tale that tells of two "victims of the night", both "perfect strangers" and unspoken sex. And as the lovers part and the singer realises that he needs to leave the moment alone, Knopfler cleverly lets the sound descend to a moment's silence... a chance to let the listener soak it all in. You almost picture the carnival lights going dim before a single Knopfler note breaks the quiet... then come two and, with a gentle caress, he begins to build that sound into a two minute outro that cascades into a waterfall of emotional notes which spell out heartbreak and joy in a single beat until, finally, the masterstroke arrives as Bittan's piano brings in a conclusion that delivers the message that we had just borne witness to something more beautiful than a mere one-night stand. Footnotes: 1. The link aspired to in the question was that both the Carousel and the Tunnel of Love are carnival attractions. 2. "Tunnel of Love", because of its introduction, is one of only three Dire Straits songs that have a songwriting credit not solely attributed to Mark Knopfler. Question by Pollucci19

3. 'Brothers in Arms' was the fifth studio album released by the band. In which year was it released?

From Quiz Dire Straits: 'Brothers In Arms'

Answer: 1985

The 1980s were the heyday for the band, whose first, self-titled, album came out in 1978. The biggest hit from that album was 'Sultans of Swing', which became a hit in 1979. The 'Brothers in Arms' album was supported by a long-lasting world-wide tour, lasting from April 1985 until April 1986.

4. From which song would you find the following lyric: 'You promised me everything You promised me thick and thin, yeah'?

From Quiz Dire Straits Lyrics

Answer: Romeo and Juliet

From the album 'Making Movies'. (1980) 'Where you can fall for chains of silver, you can fall for chains of gold. You can fall for pretty strangers and the promises they hold. You promised me everything. You promised me think and thin, yeah. Now you just say "Oh Romeo yeah, you know I used to have a scene with him."'

5. Which side of the river gets mentioned during the song's lyrics?

From Quiz Anatomy of a Song: "Sultans of Swing"

Answer: The south side

"South of the river you stop and you hold everything" Ordinarily, I would have told you which river this refers to, but to do so would betray another question in the quiz. So, I won't!

6. Who was the lead singer for Dire Straits?

From Quiz How Well Do You Know Your Dire Straits?

Answer: Mark Knopfler

Mark Knopfler was born in Scotland. He now has a solo career. He is a great guitarist and songwriter. (I have seen him live; he was amazing!)

7. Which actress is mentioned in the song?

From Quiz Anatomy of a Song: "Industrial Disease"

Answer: Bette Davis

This fact is revealed when Dr Parkinson speaks: "Doctor Parkinson declared I'm not surprised to see you here You've got smokers cough from smoking Brewer's droop from drinking beer I don't know how you came to get the Bette Davis knees But worst of all young man, you've got Industrial Disease"

8. "I don't know why it is I'm still on the case, it's a __________ town".

From Quiz Dire Straits Lyrics

Answer: Ravenous

From the song "On Every Street", from the album of the same name. The song was the third to be released from the album, but did not chart very highly in the UK - just missing the Top 40.

9. What was the name of Dire Straits' first album?

From Quiz Dire Straits, LEGENDS

Answer: 'Dire Straits'

The first album was fairly unsuccessful in the UK until the single 'Sultans Of Swing' took off in Holland and across Europe.

10. Mark was born in which UK city?

From Quiz Dire Straits - Mark Knopfler's Career

Answer: Glasgow

His family moved to Newcastle when he was very young and he was brought up there.

11. The album saw five officials singles released, but only one charted on the Billboard Hot 100 list; which was it?

From Quiz Making Movies

Answer: Skateaway

"Solid Rock" reached number 56 on the Hot Rocks Tracks list, "Expresso Love" reached number 39 on the same list and "Romeo and Juliet" reached number eight on the UK charts. None of those three charted on the Hot 100 in the U.S. "Skateaway" reached number 58 on the Hot 100, 31 on the Hot Rocks list and 37 on the UK charts.

12. "Iron Hand" is Dire Strait's commentary of the UK miner's strike and the Battle of Orgreave. How does the following line finish? "No music for the shameful scene; That night they said it had even shocked..."

From Quiz "On Every Street" - Dire Straits

Answer: The queen

Relating to the UK miner's strike and the Battle of Orgreave, "Iron Hand" is the eighth track on the album "On Every Street". The song was written by Mark Knopfler and was first released in 1991. Knopfler commented on how much the battle reminded him of medieval times and wrote the song with this in mind. "Iron Hand" also appeared on the 1991 compilation album "Nintendo: White Knuckle Scorin'". Question by lones78.

13. Which member of Dire Straits was notably absent from the "Making Movies" credits because he left the band during the recording of that album?

From Quiz Classic Album Review: "Making Movies"

Answer: David Knopfler

The pressures of having to live up such a critically acclaimed debut album, which surfaced in the band's somewhat flawed second album "Communique" (1979), overflowed prior to the creation of "Making Movies". This was evident in the creative differences that separated David Knopfler from his elder brother Mark. The end result was that David walked away from the band to pursue a solo recording career, having minor success with the single "Soul Kissing" from his first album "Release", which was published in 1983. The band completed the album as a trio, though David had laid down some rhythm guitar tracks for "Making Movies"; however, these were re-recorded by Mark. Some video footage is available of David playing on tracks "Solid Rock" and "Les Boys" in concert, but these were, purportedly, recorded prior to the album. Question contributed by Pollucci19

14. Track one has Mark Knopfler singing about 'being in love and all alone' because he's separated from his girlfriend. What is the title?

From Quiz Dire Straits: 'Brothers In Arms'

Answer: So Far Away

'Here I am again in this mean old town; and you're so far away from me' are the opening lines of the song, which has Mark bemoaning his bad luck at being separated from her. Since he refers to her being 'in the sun, while he's in the rain, she might just be on holiday in Spain. Being stuck in a rainy UK is enough to make anyone feel bad.

15. 'It took six hamburgers and Scotch all night' is a lyric from which song?

From Quiz Dire Straits Lyrics

Answer: Heavy Fuel

From the album 'On Every Street'. (1991) 'Last time I was sober, man I felt bad. Worst hangover that I ever had. It took six hamburgers and Scotch all night. Nicotine for breakfast just to put me right.'

16. What's the weather like during the song?

From Quiz Anatomy of a Song: "Sultans of Swing"

Answer: It's raining

Ah! But the weather is mentioned twice. "You get a shiver in the dark, It's raining in the park but meantime" and "And now you step inside but you don't see too many faces, Comin' in out of the rain you hear the jazz go down" Who'll stop the rain? "Sultans of Swing" was Dire Straits' first single release in 1979. The song reached number four in the U.S. and number eight in the U.K. The album from which the single was lifted, "Dire Straits", reached number two in the U.S. charts, and number five in the U.K. charts.

17. "Now look at them __________, that's the way you do it, you play the guitar on the MTV".

From Quiz Dire Straits Lyrics

Answer: Yo-yos

From the song "Money For Nothing", which was on the "Brothers in Arms" album. The song featured the uncredited extra vocals of Sting, and was a top 10 hit for the band.

18. 'Dire Straits' frontman Mark Knopfler was born and raised in which cities respectively?

From Quiz Dire Straits, LEGENDS

Answer: Glasgow and Newcastle

Mark was born in Glasgow but moved down to Newcastle, in the North East of England, where he was raised with brother and fellow band member David. He also spent time in Leeds before moving to London to form the band.

19. What was his occupation prior to the music business?

From Quiz Dire Straits - Mark Knopfler's Career

Answer: Teacher

He studied English literature at Leeds University, and was a junior reporter for a local paper, the "Yorkshire Evening Post", and then for a short while an Essex newspaper.

20. What country had the highest certification (gold, platinum, diamond ...)for "Making Movies"?

From Quiz Making Movies

Answer: United Kingdom

The album was certified platinum in the U.S. meaning it sold a million copies. It went double platinum in the UK, meaning it sold at least 1.2 million copies (they certify platinum at 600,000) The album was certified gold in Germany, meaning it sold at least 250,000 copies. It sold at least 100,000 copies in France to be certified gold there too. At the time the record was released, exact sales figures weren't reported publicly, instead data is used only from the sales certifications.

21. In "My Parties", Mark Knopfler mentioned three endangered species of mammals. Which did he *NOT* mention?

From Quiz "On Every Street" - Dire Straits

Answer: Elephant

The last couplet of the song starts with "Now don't talk to me about the POLAR BEAR // Don't talk to me about ozone layer // Ain't so much of anything these days, even the air // They're running out of RHINOS // What do I care? // Let's hear it for the DOLPHIN " I've capitalized the clue words. Alas, no elephant - it was Kamahl who sang in 1975 about the endangered elephant. Question by JanIQ.

22. Perhaps because Mark Knopfler is such a brilliant guitarist, it overshadows his prowess as a song writer. Mr Knopfler's depiction of London is well documented but in "Tunnel of Love" he depicts another maritime city he used to live in, which is?

From Quiz Classic Album Review: "Making Movies"

Answer: Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Mark Knopfler was born in Glasgow in 1949 but moved to Newcastle when he was seven and stayed until he went to college aged 19. "Tunnel of Love" mentions several Newcastle locations: The "Spanish City" is a fairground in Whitley Bay (also mentioned) located north east of the Newcastle city centre. "Cullercoats" is the train stop before Whitley Bay and the "Rockaway" is the breakwater in Cullercoat Bay. Once you know the geography the song makes sense. "Oh girl it looks so pretty to me just like it always did Like the Spanish City to me when we were kids... ...To rockaway rockaway from Cullercoats and Whitley Bay out to rockaway" "Down to The Waterline" (1979) from their debut eponymous album was another Newcastle song that told of a teenage romance. Imagine this author's surprise when in Newcastle in 2017, he came upon a stairway from the waterline to a road bridge across the Tyne with a modest rusty sign "Dog Leap Stairway" Question contributed by 1nn1

23. Which television channel is mentioned in the lyrics of 'Money for Nothing'?

From Quiz Dire Straits: 'Brothers In Arms'

Answer: MTV

Not only do the lyrics of the 1985 single 'Money for Nothing' mention the music channel MTV, the song's video was the first one to appear on the MTV Europe channel when it launched two years later. The song is about two men discussing how music videos appear to be a good way to earn a lot of money for very little effort. The song featured guest vocals from Sting, who also received a co-writer credit.

24. 'There's so many different worlds.' is from the third verse of which well known song?

From Quiz Dire Straits Lyrics

Answer: Brothers in Arms

From the album 'Brothers in Arms' (1985) 'There's so many different worlds. So many different suns. And we have just one world. But we live in different ones.'

25. What was the second Dire Straits album called?

From Quiz How Well Do You Know Your Dire Straits?

Answer: Communique

"Communique" didn't make a big splash, but this fan thinks it's an awesome album. There is no Dire Straits II album; both "Brothers in Arms" and "Making Movies" are later albums by Dire Straits. Some great songs from "Communique" are "Where Do You Think You're Going?" and "Portobello Belle".

26. In the song we are told that "The watchdog's got rabies". But what affliction does the foreman have?

From Quiz Anatomy of a Song: "Industrial Disease"

Answer: Fleas

"The watchdog's got rabies the foreman's got the fleas Everyone's concerned about Industrial Disease" I think the Foreman can still consider himself better off.

27. "You can fall for __________ strangers, and the promises they hold".

From Quiz Dire Straits Lyrics

Answer: Pretty

From "Romeo and Juliet", which was on the "Making Movies" album. This song was a top 10 hit in the UK. The song "Love Over Gold" from the following album is alleged to be the sequel to this song.

28. What was the name of the band's second album?

From Quiz Dire Straits, LEGENDS

Answer: 'Communique'

Jerry Wexler, Warner Bros. insisted that the band record the second album in a much more posh recording studio than the first, but he later said that he'd underestimated the potential of 'Dire Straits' saying: "It would have been a hit even if it had only been available in grocery stores"

29. After university he was in a part-time band. What was the name of this band?

From Quiz Dire Straits - Mark Knopfler's Career

Answer: Brewer's Droop

His main income at this time, though, was from teaching.

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