A great title track is par for the course when it comes to great albums. If the title track doesn’t cut it, what does that say about the album itself? This month, the Mental Jukebox will be playing some of my favorite title tracks – inspired by @NicolaB_73’s music Twitter challenge, #TopTitleTracks.
Dire Straits has to be one of the more underrated rock bands out there. Their sound may not be up everyone’s alley – including mine – but the musicianship and originality are admirable. Knopfler is a masterful guitarist that rarely seems to get mentioned among rock’s greats. But he should. You could point to many different songs for proof: “Once Upon A Time In The West”, “Romeo & Juliet”, “Sultans of Swing” and the title track from their 1985 album.
“Brothers In Arms” is my favorite track off the album. A phenomenal, slow winding epic, which is a rare find these days. The sparseness, bluesy guitar work and vocal delivery have a distinct Pink Floyd-esque vibe. Knopfler is no Gilmour, but he’s a genius in his own right. I have to tip my hat to Knopfler for his guitar solo on this track. It’s a thing of beauty that melts me every time. “Brothers In Arms” has become a popular song played at memorial services for military servicemen. I can only imagine what that solo does for the loved ones of fallen soldiers.
“In the fear and alarm You did not desert me. My brothers in arms.”