| Romeo and Juliet" is a song by the British rock band Dire Straits, written by Dire Straits singer and lead guitarist Mark Knopfler. It first appeared on the 1980 album Making MoviesAlchemy and On the Night,
and later on Knopfler's live duet album with and was released as a
single in 1981. The song subsequently appeared on the Dire Straits live
albums Emmylou Harris, Real Live Roadrunning (though Harris does not perform on the track).
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.
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 "Somewhere" – from West Side Story,
which is itself based on the Shakespeare play – and "My
Boyfriend's Back". This song was written after Mark Knopfler broke up
with Holly Beth Vincent, and most interpretations is that the lyrics is
about their relation. Source wikipedia
Romeo and Juliet
This
song was inspired by Mark Knopfler's broken romance with Holly Vincent,
who was the leader of the band Holly And The Italians. Some of the
lyrics indicate that Knopfler felt she used him to boost her career.
The
line, "Now you just say, oh Romeo, yeah, you know I used to have a
scene with him," came from an interview where Holly Vincent was quoted
as saying: "What happened was that I had a scene with Mark Knopfler and
it got to the point where he couldn't handle it and we split up."
Knopfler's
younger brother David, how was rhythm guitarist in Dire Straits, left
the band during the album sessions. Having two brothers in the same
band caused tension and arguments. Said David: "I left because it was
no longer possible for Mark and I to work in the same band. We'd be
walking around in the studio with eyes averted to the floor. We no
longer had a communicating relationship." Source: Songfacts
Mikes Notes:
The
perfect showcase for Mark Knopfler to display his unique style in this
hybrid picking/strumming tune. A new take on an old story of love found
and lost under tragic circumstances.
It is a style quite different to anything else around and worth adding
to your repertoire
for that reason alone. Mastery of this one shows true mastery of the
guitar itself since
this very loose arrangement demands a confident approach.
Watch their ears prick when you strike up the first couple of measures
of this one!
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