The song also is featured in the 1995 movie Empire Records (though it did not make the cut for the official Empire Records soundtrack album).
The song was written by Dire Straits singer and lead guitarist Mark Knopfler.
The song opens on an arpeggiated resonator guitar part played by Knopfler, who also sings the lead vocal. The instrumentation remains simple during the verses and moves to a full-on rock arrangement in the chorus sections.
There is a good 10:05 live version here too : live version
The lyrics of the song comprise a description of a conversation between the two lovers of the title.
In addition to the obvious reference to William Shakespeare's play of the same title, the song makes playful allusion to other works involving young love, including the songs "My Boyfriend's Back" and "Somewhere" from West Side Story (which is itself based on the Shakespeare play).
This song was inspired by Mark Knopfler's broken romance with Holly Vincent, leader of the band Holly and the Italians.
Romeo and Juliet
Mark Knopfler DIRE STRAITS Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Laying everybody low with a love song that he made
Finds a streetlight steps out of the shade
Says something like you and me babe how about it?
Juliet says hey it's Romeo you nearly gimme me a heart attack
He's underneath the window she's singing hey la my boyfriend's back
You shouldn't come around here singing up at people like that
Juliet the dice were loaded from the start
And I bet and you exploded in my heart
And I forget I forget the movie song
When you gonna realize it was just that the time was wrong, Juliet?
Come up on different streets they booth were streets of shame
Both dirty both mean yes and the dream was just the same
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?
When 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 thick and thin
Now you just say oh Romeo yeah you know I used to have a scene with him
Juliet when we made love you used to cry
You said I love you like the stars above I'll love you till I die
There's a place for us you know the movie song
When you gonna realize it was just that the time was wrong Juliet?
I can't do the talk like they talk on TV
And I can't do a love song like the way it's meant to be
I can't do everything but I'd do anything for you
I can't do anything except be in love with you
And all I do is miss you and the way we used to be
All I do is keep the beat and bad company
All I do is kiss you through the bars of orion
Julie I'd do the stars with you any time
Juliet when we made love you used to cry
You said I love you like the stars above I'll love you till I die
There's a place for us you know the movie song
When you gonna realize it was just that the time was wrong Juliet?
A lovestruck Romeo sings the streets of serenade
Laying everybody low with a love song that he made
Finds a convenient streetlight steps out of the shade
Says something like you and me babe how about it?
The lyrics to Dire Straits' song "Romeo and Juliet" tell the story of two lovers, Romeo and Juliet, who come from different worlds and face obstacles to their relationship. The song is a lament to lost love and a poignant reflection on the nature of human relationships. The opening lines describe Romeo's lovestruck state as he serenades the streets with his love song. He steps out from the shadows and asks Juliet if she will join him in a relationship. Juliet reacts with surprise but ultimately agrees to be with him.
The next verse sees Juliet questioning Romeo's motives for being there and singing up to her window. She accuses him of being inauthentic and using his charms to get what he wants. Romeo tries to explain that his love is sincere and that he wants to be with her, but Juliet is skeptical. She reminds him that the "dice were loaded from the start," which suggests that the odds were against them from the beginning.
The third verse explores the theme of missed opportunities. Romeo and Juliet were brought together, but the circumstances were not right. The time was wrong, as the song suggests. The dreams they shared could not come true, leading to a sense of loss and regret. The final verse is a plaintive reflection on the nature of love. The singer is unable to express his emotions in the way he wants to, but he would do anything for his love. The song ends with a reprise of the opening lines, reminding the listener of the lost romance.
Line by Line Meaning
A lovestruck Romeo sings the streets of serenade
Romeo, who is deeply in love, is walking around singing love songs to the city streets.
Laying everybody low with a love song that he made
Romeo's love song is so powerful that it is affecting everyone around him.
Finds a streetlight steps out of the shade
Romeo locates a streetlight and walks out of the darkness.
Says something like you and me babe how about it?
He suggests to his lover that they should be together.
Juliet says hey it's Romeo you nearly gimme me a heart attack
Juliet is startled to hear Romeo's voice and it causes her heart to race.
He's underneath the window she's singing hey la my boyfriend's back
Juliet is letting Romeo know that she is already in a relationship.
You shouldn't come around here singing up at people like that
Juliet warns Romeo that his public serenading is not appropriate.
Anyway what you gonna do about it?
Juliet challenges Romeo to come up with a plan to win her heart.
Juliet the dice were loaded from the start
Juliet believes that their love was predetermined, like a roll of the dice.
And I bet and you exploded in my heart
Juliet fell deeply in love with Romeo.
And I forget I forget the movie song
Juliet forgets the romantic fantasies created by love songs and movies.
When you gonna realize it was just that the time was wrong, Juliet?
Romeo and Juliet's relationship was doomed from the start because the timing was not right.
Come up on different streets they booth were streets of shame
Romeo and Juliet come from different backgrounds, but both have experienced hardship.
Both dirty both mean yes and the dream was just the same
Their lives were difficult, but they still had the same dream of finding love.
And I dreamed your dream for you and now your dream is real
Romeo helped Juliet achieve her dreams, and now they have become a reality.
How can you look at me as if I was just another one of your deals?
Juliet is hurt that Romeo may view their relationship as a transaction.
When you can fall for chains of silver you can fall for chains of gold
Love can come in many forms, and people may fall in love with different material things.
You can fall for pretty strangers and the promises they hold
People may be attracted to those who seem promising, but this does not always lead to true love.
You promised me everything you promised me thick and thin
Romeo made many promises to Juliet and assured her that he would be there for her no matter what.
Now you just say oh Romeo yeah you know I used to have a scene with him
Juliet now treats Romeo as just another person from her past whom she no longer loves.
Juliet when we made love you used to cry
Their love was so powerful that it moved Juliet to tears.
You said I love you like the stars above I'll love you till I die
Juliet professed her undying love for Romeo.
There's a place for us you know the movie song
Juliet refers to the romantic fantasy from the movie 'West Side Story.'
I can't do the talk like they talk on TV
Romeo is not good at expressing his love in a flashy or scripted way like in movies or on TV.
And I can't do a love song like the way it's meant to be
Romeo cannot express his love in a traditional or typical way.
I can't do everything but I'd do anything for you
Despite his shortcomings, Romeo would do anything for Juliet.
I can't do anything except be in love with you
Romeo's love for Juliet is all-encompassing and he cannot imagine a life without her.
And all I do is miss you and the way we used to be
Romeo longs for the past and misses the way things used to be between him and Juliet.
All I do is keep the beat and bad company
Romeo's life is now filled with troubles and bad influences.
All I do is kiss you through the bars of orion
Romeo's love for Juliet is so strong that even being separated by distance or bars cannot keep him from showing affection for her.
Julie I'd do the stars with you any time
Romeo would do anything for Juliet, even if it means traveling to the stars.
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing
Written by: BOB HAMILTON, FREDDIE GORMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@anthonywillson7349
Great tune to sing, along with here’s the lyrics;
A lovestruck Romeo sang the streets of serenade
Laying everybody low with a love song that he made
Finds a streetlight, steps out of the shade
Says something like, "You and me, babe, how about it?"
Juliet says, "Hey, it's Romeo, you nearly gave me a heart attack"
He's underneath the window, she's singing, "Hey, la, my boyfriend's back
You shouldn't come around here singing up at people like that
Anyway, what you gonna do about it?"
"Juliet, the dice was loaded from the start
And I bet, and you exploded into my heart
And I forget, I forget the movie song
When you gonna realize it was just that the time was wrong, Juliet?"
Come up on different streets, they both were streets of shame
Both dirty, both mean, yes, and the dream was just the same
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?
When 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 thick and thin, yeah
Now you just say "oh, Romeo, yeah, you know I used to have a scene with him"
"Juliet, when we made love, you used to cry
You said 'I love you like the stars above, I'll love you till I die'
There's a place for us, you know the movie song
When you gonna realize it was just that the time was wrong, Juliet?"
I can't do the talk like they talk on the TV
And I can't do a love song like the way it's meant to be
I can't do everything but I'd do anything for you
I can't do anything except be in love with you
And all I do is miss you and the way we used to be
All I do is keep the beat and bad company
All I do is kiss you through the bars of a rhyme
Julie, I'd do the stars with you any time
"Juliet, when we made love you used to cry
You said 'I love you like the stars above, I'll love you till I die'
There's a place for us you know the movie song
When you gonna realize it was just that the time was wrong, Juliet?"
And a lovestruck Romeo, he sang the streets of serenade
Laying everybody low with a love song that he made
Finds a convenient streetlight, steps out of the shade
He says something like, "You and me, babe, how about it?
You and me, babe, how about it?"
@imanuel6879
Anyone else listening to this masterpiece in 2024
@Gylfi465
Yes.
@imanuel6879
@@Gylfi465 😍😍
@judgegixxer
Yes, enjoyed it but wondering what happened to Emmy Lou Harris?
@itaintalfot
Only found it last year
@1sonicraz
Oh yeah. Been listening to this masterpiece for years!
@user-im6ei1kl7t
I was 76 years old when I was diagnosed with stage 4 Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. A dear friend recommended that my wife and I listen to Mark Knopfler’s music. I had never heard about Mark Knopfler before and so I’ve started listening to him and it was amazing how how he kept me out of my head and put me straight into my heart through the process of simply listening to his words and music. It helped me take care myself I spite of cancer and after 6 months I was cancer free. I’m still listening to Mark Knopfler and I will listen to him for the rest of my life.
@Gordan75
❤❤❤
@LadyDragonfly200
I am so, so glad to know you are now cancer free! I am praising God for your miraculous recovery! I just turned 65 ... today ... and I have just now found Mark Knopfler and I am really enjoying him! I will keep listening to him and I'm sure your story will add fuel to this new flame! God bless you!
@user-im6ei1kl7t
@Patricia-go3wg
I am headed to my final colonoscopy I suspect because my genetic colon cancer has grown Sand spread..it hurts..I am filled with hope, but deep down I know that zI will not win this battle..this was a Good Life and this enchanting music makes me glad hearted. I am 70 and alone, but not fearful..