Their first single, "Sultans of Swing", from their 1978 self-titled debut album, reached the top ten in the UK and US charts. It was followed by a series of hit singles including "Romeo and Juliet" (1981), "Private Investigations" (1982), "Twisting by the Pool" (1983), "Money for Nothing" (1985), and "Walk of Life" (1985). Their most commercially successful album, "Brothers in Arms" (1985), has sold more than 30 million copies worldwide; it was the first album to sell a million copies on compact disc (CD) and is the eighth-best-selling album in UK history. According to the Guinness Book of British Hit Albums, Dire Straits have spent over 1,100 weeks on the UK Albums Chart, the fifth most of all time.
Dire Straits' sound drew from various influences, including country, folk, the blues rock of J. J. Cale, and jazz. Their stripped-down sound contrasted with punk rock and demonstrated a roots rock influence that emerged from pub rock. There were several changes in personnel, with Mark Knopfler and Illsley being the only members who remained with the band for its whole history. After their first breakup in 1988, Mark Knopfler told Rolling Stone: "A lot of press reports were saying we were the biggest band in the world. There's not an accent then on the music, there's an accent on popularity. I needed a rest." They disbanded for good in 1995, after which Knopfler launched a solo career full-time. He has since declined numerous reunion offers.
Dire Straits were called "the biggest British rock band of the 80s" by Classic Rock magazine; their 1985–1986 world tour, which included a performance at Live Aid in July 1985, set a record in Australasia. Their final world tour from 1991 to 1992 sold 7.1 million tickets. Dire Straits won four Grammy Awards, three Brit Awards (Best British Group twice), two MTV Video Music Awards, and various other awards. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018. Dire Straits have sold between 100 and 120 million units worldwide, including 51.4 million certified units, making them one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dire_Straits
Discography
Dire Straits (1978)
Communiqué (1979)
Making Movies (1980)
Love over Gold (1982)
Brothers in Arms (1985)
On Every Street (1991)
BOOM
Dire Straits Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ring-a-ding-ding
Milkshake mixers
That's my thing, now
These guys bought
A heap of my stuff
And I gotta see a good thing
Sure enough, now
That's kroc with a 'k'
Like 'crocodile'
But not spelled that way, now
It's dog eat dog
Rat eat rat
Kroc-style
Boom, like that
The folks line up
All down the street
And i'm seeing this girl
Devour her meat, now
And then I get it, wham
As clear as day
My pulse begins to hammer
And I hear a voice say:
These boys have
Got this down
Oughtta be a one of these
In every town
These boys have
Got the touch
It's clean as a whistle
And it don't cost much
Wham, bam
You don't wait long
Shake, fries
Patty, you're gone
And how about that
Friendly name?
Heck, every little thing
Oughtta stay the same
Or my name's not kroc
That's kroc with a 'k'
Like 'crocodile'
But not spelt that way, now
It's dog eat dog
Rat eat rat
Oh, it's dog eat dog,
Rat eat rat
Kroc-style
Boom, like that
You gentlemen
Ought to expand
You're going to need
A helping hand, now
So, gentlemen
Well, what about me?
We'll make a little
Business history, now
Or my name's not kroc
Call me ray
Like 'crocodile'
But not spelt that way, now
It's dog eat dog
Rat eat rat
Kroc-style
Boom, like that
Well we build it up
And I buy 'em out
But, man they made me
Grind it out, now
They open up a new place
Flipping meat
So I do, too
Right across the street
I got the name
I need the town
They sell up in the end
And it all shuts down
Sometimes you gotta
Be an s.o.b.
You wanna make a dream
Reality
Competition?
Send 'em south
If they're gonna drown
Put a hose in their mouth
Do not pass go
Go straight to hell
I smell that
Meat hook smell
Or my name's not kroc
That's kroc with a 'k'
Like 'crocodile'
But not spelt that way, now
It's dog eat dog
Rat eat rat
Oh, it's dog eat dog
Rat eat rat
Kroc-style
Boom, like that
The lyrics of Dire Straits' song "Boom, Like That" tell the somewhat ambiguous story of Ray Kroc's rise to success with the McDonald's franchise. The song begins with Kroc traveling to San Bernardino, California, to meet the two brothers who own the original McDonald's restaurant. Kroc is impressed by their efficient system of food production and decides to get involved. The chorus - "It's dog eat dog, rat eat rat, Kroc-style, boom, like that" - seems to reflect Kroc's ruthless approach to competition and his willingness to do whatever it takes to succeed.
As the song progresses, Kroc expands the McDonald's franchise, taking on partners and buying out other fast-food chains. The lyrics describe Kroc's determination to stay ahead of the competition, even when it means opening a new restaurant directly across the street from a competitor. The final verse is particularly dark, with Kroc saying, "Sometimes you gotta be an s.o.b. if you wanna make a dream reality" and suggesting that his competitors should "go straight to hell" if they can't keep up.
Overall, the lyrics of "Boom, Like That" paint a complex picture of a man who was both a visionary entrepreneur and a ruthless businessman, willing to do whatever it took to achieve his goals. Whether or not this interpretation is accurate may be up for debate, but there is no denying that the song is a fascinating glimpse into the world of fast-food commerce and the people who built it.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm going to san bernardino
I am heading to San Bernardino
Ring-a-ding-ding
A description of the sound of the clanging bells
Milkshake mixers
The name of the product used to create milkshakes
That's my thing, now
Making milkshakes is my expertise
These guys bought
A group of individuals purchased
A heap of my stuff
A large quantity of my products
And I gotta see a good thing
I need to witness something positive
Sure enough, now
Indeed, without question
Or my name's not kroc
My name is Kroc and I am determined
That's kroc with a 'k'
The spelling of my name includes a capital K
Like 'crocodile'
A similarity to the vicious predator
But not spelled that way, now
However, it is not spelled like the animal
It's dog eat dog
A description of ruthless competition
Rat eat rat
Unforgiving rivalry
Kroc-style
The way in which Kroc operates
Boom, like that
Action taken quickly and effectively
The folks line up
People are queuing
All down the street
In a long line that extends outside
And i'm seeing this girl
I notice a particular girl
Devour her meat, now
Eating her food enthusiastically
And then I get it, wham
Suddenly, realization hits me
As clear as day
Completely straightforward
My pulse begins to hammer
My heart races with excitement
And I hear a voice say:
I hear a voice telling me
These boys have
These guys possess
Got this down
Have mastered the process
Oughtta be a one of these
There should be more of these establishments
In every town
In each and every city
The touch
The attention to detail
It's clean as a whistle
Very hygienic
And it don't cost much
Inexpensive
Wham, bam
Quick and efficient
You don't wait long
You do not wait for long periods of time
Shake, fries
Milkshake and fries
Patty, you're gone
The meal is consumed quickly
And how about that
An expression of admiration
Friendly name?
A welcoming title?
Heck, every little thing
Every detail matters
Oughtta stay the same
Remain consistent
You gentlemen
The men present
Ought to expand
Should increase the size of your enterprise
You're going to need
You will require
A helping hand, now
Assistance
Well, what about me?
What is my role in this?
We'll make a little
We will attempt to create a small
Business history, now
A successful enterprise that will be remembered
Call me ray
My name is Ray
Well we build it up
We create a franchise
And I buy 'em out
I purchase the competition
But, man they made me
They really forced me to work hard
Grind it out, now
I put my all into it
They open up a new place
The competition opens a new restaurant
Flipping meat
Cooking meat
So I do, too
I copy their business model
Right across the street
Directly opposite their establishment
I got the name
I have the brand name
I need the town
I desire this territory
They sell up in the end
They eventually give up
And it all shuts down
Their business ceases trading
Sometimes you gotta
Occasionally, you need to
Be an s.o.b.
Be tough and ruthless
You wanna make a dream
If you want to achieve a goal
Reality
The actual state of things
Competition?
Our rivals?
Send 'em south
Send them elsewhere, usually with negative connotations
If they're gonna drown
If they cannot manage
Put a hose in their mouth
Metaphorically speaking, shut them down
Do not pass go
Without hesitation or delay
Go straight to hell
My contempt for them is immense
I smell that
I can sense
Meat hook smell
The unpleasant aroma of raw, fresh meat
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MARK KNOPFLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@denise0223
Mark Knopfler is my hero. I truly LOVE his music, guitar playing, songwriting, story telling. The feel and emotion behind his playing is magical, to me. Heard the music of Dire Straits in ‘78 and fell in love with it all.
At 62 years young, I’m watching videos of Mark on YT doing whatever. Grateful that there’s so much stuff to learn more about him.
I saw Dire Straits in the Boston area, March of 1992. I dropped off a card and letter to his hotel explaining multiple surgical issues with both hands (I play guitar), leaving my wrists totally fused and asked if he would consider signing my guitar. The concert was one I’ll never forget! 31 years ago…..where has time gone???
His music has ALWAYS touched my heart and I never tire of it. There’s so much to love and enjoy.
Two nights after the concert I received a call…..from Mark himself. 💃🏼😳
At 31 yrs old, I should’ve been calm, cool and collected after hearing who was calling…..but, I was shocked and remember saying OMG a few times.
Mark was so gracious and offered to meet me at ‘quarter till 11’ the next morning!!
He was everything you’d expect. So VERY kind and concerned. We talked a bit about me trying the keyboard given the inability to move my wrists.
He happily signed my white 1988 Gibson ES-335 showcase edition (200 made).
I’ll never forget that day as it’s etched in my heart. So very grateful to him.
Peace, love & prayers to all,
Denise from MA
@user-shakhanovp90
ОБОЖАЮ!!!
ШИКАРДОСИЩЕ!!!
Брутальный шедевр!
Не надоест Н И К О Г Д А 😎😎😎
Это моя пожизненная мелодия сигнала вызова📲✅🎵🎶🎙🔊🎸👍✊✊✊💪💪💪
так и хочется сесть на мотик и по прерии и катить и катить...
Thank you very much Mark for your creativity! With best wishes, Warm greetings from Russia!✌✌✌
@Bf2enjoyer6
2024 anyone?
@rlh5870
You bet! Boom like that!
@JasonSchmidt-1979
2027
@dutt_arka
oh yeah! Boom,like that! :)
@Colonelstickmustard_
Always brother, a song I can’t resist
@dutt_arka
@@Colonelstickmustard_ My life's going through a very tough time — been dealing with a lot of stuff. In these trying times,Mark's work has given me peace and joy.
@lynnebrowning4502
I love Mark Knopfler and I admire his continuing talent to perform. 2024. Yes!!!!!
@denise0223
Mark Knopfler is my hero. I truly LOVE his music, guitar playing, songwriting, story telling. The feel and emotion behind his playing is magical, to me. Heard the music of Dire Straits in ‘78 and fell in love with it all.
At 62 years young, I’m watching videos of Mark on YT doing whatever. Grateful that there’s so much stuff to learn more about him.
I saw Dire Straits in the Boston area, March of 1992. I dropped off a card and letter to his hotel explaining multiple surgical issues with both hands (I play guitar), leaving my wrists totally fused and asked if he would consider signing my guitar. The concert was one I’ll never forget! 31 years ago…..where has time gone???
His music has ALWAYS touched my heart and I never tire of it. There’s so much to love and enjoy.
Two nights after the concert I received a call…..from Mark himself. 💃🏼😳
At 31 yrs old, I should’ve been calm, cool and collected after hearing who was calling…..but, I was shocked and remember saying OMG a few times.
Mark was so gracious and offered to meet me at ‘quarter till 11’ the next morning!!
He was everything you’d expect. So VERY kind and concerned. We talked a bit about me trying the keyboard given the inability to move my wrists.
He happily signed my white 1988 Gibson ES-335 showcase edition (200 made).
I’ll never forget that day as it’s etched in my heart. So very grateful to him.
Peace, love & prayers to all,
Denise from MA
@Om-resistor
Привет! Хранит Вас Бог!
Вы может знаете, есть у него семья, жена и дети?
@careyw3161
The guitar tone, the phrasing, the fingerpicking, the incredible melodious lines...it's all of these things that make Mark Knopfler one of the greatest guitar players of our time, and a superb singer/songwriter as well.