Classic Album Review: "Making Movies" Quiz

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

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

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

Answer: Romeo and Juliet

The song is believed to have been inspired by Mark Knopfler's failed romance with Holly Vincent, who was just starting out in the music business. Holly and Mark hooked up and his profile helped her raise hers, to the level that she was interviewed by music publications and her band also appeared on TV show The Old Grey Whistle Test. By the time of her TV appearance though, she had ended the relationship and Knopfler was left feeling as if he had been used in order for her to further her career. This is believed to have led to the lyrics in "Romeo and Juliet", such as those in the question and 'I dreamed your dream for you and now your dream is real. How can you look at me as if I was just another one of your deals?'


Question contributed by 480154st

Answer: Twisting by the Pool

'Twisting by the Pool' was eventually released in 1983 on an EP ('ExtendedancePlay'), which also included 'Two Young Lovers', another faster than usual Dire Straits song. As a single, 'Twisting by the Pool' reached number fourteen on the UK Singles Chart, and in Australia it was their biggest hit, reaching number two.

All the other tracks were written by Mark Knopfler but did not appear on 'Making Movies'. 'Going Home' was the theme song for the film 'Local Hero' (1983), 'Private Dancer' was a hit for Tina Turner in 1984 and 'Lady Writer' was on the band's previous album, 'Communiqué'.

Question contributed by Rossian

Answer: Bruce Springsteen played guitar on two tracks

Mark Knopfler was really impressed in the production of Patti Smith's 1978 hit "Because the Night" (co-written by Bruce Springsteen). Jimmy Iovine was the producer on "Easter", Ms Smith's album that contained the hit. Mr Iovine was the recording engineer on "Born to Run" and "Darkness on the Edge of Town". Mr Knopfler invited Mr Iovine to co-produce "Making Movies" with him. Mr Iovine was instrumental in bringing E Street Band keyboardist Roy Bittan to play keyboards for the album. (Dire Straits had never featured keyboards in their music prior to this album). After the album was recorded Alan Clark became the regular keyboard player for the band. On 17th October 1980, both "Making Movies" and Mr Springsteen's "The River", arguably two of the best rock albums of the decade, were released on the same day. This author, a poor university student at the time, didn't eat lunch that week so both albums could be purchased. Sorry Mr Springsteen but "Making Movies" was played first.

Question by 1nn1

Answer: Skateaway

Dire Straits were on of the first bands to capitalise on the 80s invention of MTV. They had very clever clips. And if ever there was a song that epitomised the 80s pop culture, it was "Skateway". The clip featured a girl roller skating through traffic while listening to music and seeming almost oblivious to the vehicles around her. Mr Knopfler's lyrics described her as 'making movies on location', as she put herself into her own version of the song she's listening to. The girl, replete with fuzzy permed hair and an oversize Walkman, had plenty of scope for her escape, as the "DJ play(ed) the movies all night long".

"She tortures taxi drivers just for fun
She like to read their lips
Says, "Toro, toro, taxi, see you tomorrow, my son"
I swear she let a big truck grease her hip".

The song peaked at number 58 on the Billboard Hot 100.

This question was a collaborative effort by rossian and 1nn1

Answer: Expresso Love

"Expresso Love" is not about coffee but a boy falling heavily and fast for a girl who he describes as a "peach" and a "rose". The opening riff is lifted from the "Making Movies" track, the one song recorded for the album but not included on the album.

This was the first Dire Straits' album to feature keyboards which is most notable on this track which features a keyboards melody throughout the entire song. This song also references "Wild West End" from their debut album with the line, "Hey mister, you wanna take a walk in the wild West End sometime?"

Answer: Solid Rock

Discounting the final track ("Les Boys") on this album, all of the songs speak of either love, the breakdown of relationships or a need to escape. Even Knopfler's rollerblading damsel ("Skateaway") needs to disappear into her own world. The entire album appears to be one that's centred around Knopfler's need to share the pain of his failed romance with Holly Vincent. On "Solid Rock" he explores the fragility of relationships and how they have the power to bring your world crashing down. However, he also stands strong in the face of this adversity and tells us that he's leaving those troubles behind and moving on. Whether it was by design or by accident, it doesn't matter, but this is the penultimate song on the album and, unlike the rest on the LP, it bristles with energy, enthusiasm and hope. Knopfler's guitar snarls out a warning that, just like he, the band has turned a new leaf, that they're going to be bold, determined and they're taking chances.

Question contributed by Polluci19

Answer: Hand in Hand

"Romeo and Juliet" was about Mark Knopfler's relationship with Holly Vincent. However, Mr Knopfler has never clarified who "Hand in Hand" is about, or even if it is actually a real experience. However the the sheer heartache written into this song makes one believe it can only have been a lived experience. Following four blockbuster songs, "Hand in Hand" is a "quieter" Side B track but the song writhes in pain as it unfolds, and the listener is left with a painful melancholic ache after the last guitar notes reverberate. It is this author's view that this is the most powerful track on an album full of diamonds. I first thought that when I bought the album in 1980, and nothing changed when I played this song as I compiled this quiz with my collaborators.

Question contributed by 1nn1.