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Dire Straits — Ride Across The River
Album: Brothers In Arms
Avg rating:
8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3850









Released: 1985
Length: 6:35
Plays (last 30 days): 4
I'm a soldier of freedom in the army of man
We are the chosen, we're the partisan
Well the cause it is noble and the cause it is just
We are ready to pay with our lives if we must

Gonna ride across the river deep and wide
Ride across the river to the other side

I'm a soldier of fortune, I'm a dog of war, yeah
And we don't give a damn a-who the killing is for
It's the same old story with a different name
Death or glory, it's the killing game

Gonna ride across the river deep and wide
Ride across the river to the other side

Oh nothing gonna stop them as the day follows the night
Right become the wrong, the left become the right
And they sing as they march with their flags unfurled
Today in the mountains, tomorrow the world

Gonna ride across the river deep and wide
Ride across the river to the other side

Gonna ride across the river deep and wide
Ride across the river to the other side
Comments (264)add comment
timeless and majestic, one of the songs of my life....always turn it up!
 Laptopdog wrote:

That was back when I thought CD players were supposed to be a huge improvement over vinyl. Still, it sounded fantastic. I played the hell out of that CD.


Why did you change your mind?  You were bang-on.
GREAT TUNE!!   Thanx RP!   
Great release to listen to in its entirety NOT on shuffle
 Laptopdog wrote:

I was a contestant on Wheel of Fortune in 1986. This was back before everyone just won money for solving the puzzles. Back then, if you solved the puzzle, you had to spend your winnings on stuff they had available in themed rooms, for example, Pat would say something like, "Congratulations, you won $2800 with that puzzle. Let's go shopping in the Dining Room." Then, a stage would slowly spin around revealing prizes with attached price tags. You would then say, "For $850, I'll take the Lazy Susan" or something like that.

For $1200, I got to select a CD player with a pair of TEAC speakers in their Entertainment Corner, or whatever it was called. That was my first CD player. I got it delivered about 3 months later. I immediately went out and bought Brothers In Arms as my first CD. That was back when I thought CD players were supposed to be a huge improvement over vinyl. Still, it sounded fantastic. I played the hell out of that CD.



CD players were a huge improvement over vinyl - lossless music with no analog garbage like hiss or skips. Don't buy into the retro hype. This album was recorded, mixed, and mastered digitally (DDD.) They had to dumb it down for the LP. 

Get a decent equalizer and you can make any CD sound like vinyl. It doesn't work the other way around.
Never gets old this song. Never.
At the exact same time I hear this song on RP, I read an article saying that Jack Sonni died... 
 parttime wrote:

I had the CD before I had a player..




The prism on the play surface was always entertaining back then :-)
 Laptopdog wrote:

I was a contestant on Wheel of Fortune in 1986. This was back before everyone just won money for solving the puzzles. Back then, if you solved the puzzle, you had to spend your winnings on stuff they had available in themed rooms, for example, Pat would say something like, "Congratulations, you won $2800 with that puzzle. Let's go shopping in the Dining Room." Then, a stage would slowly spin around revealing prizes with attached price tags. You would then say, "For $850, I'll take the Lazy Susan" or something like that.

For $1200, I got to select a CD player with a pair of TEAC speakers in their Entertainment Corner, or whatever it was called. That was my first CD player. I got it delivered about 3 months later. I immediately went out and bought Brothers In Arms as my first CD. That was back when I thought CD players were supposed to be a huge improvement over vinyl. Still, it sounded fantastic. I played the hell out of that CD.



cool story!
I was a contestant on Wheel of Fortune in 1986. This was back before everyone just won money for solving the puzzles. Back then, if you solved the puzzle, you had to spend your winnings on stuff they had available in themed rooms, for example, Pat would say something like, "Congratulations, you won $2800 with that puzzle. Let's go shopping in the Dining Room." Then, a stage would slowly spin around revealing prizes with attached price tags. You would then say, "For $850, I'll take the Lazy Susan" or something like that.

For $1200, I got to select a CD player with a pair of TEAC speakers in their Entertainment Corner, or whatever it was called. That was my first CD player. I got it delivered about 3 months later. I immediately went out and bought Brothers In Arms as my first CD. That was back when I thought CD players were supposed to be a huge improvement over vinyl. Still, it sounded fantastic. I played the hell out of that CD.
If a guitar could tell you a story...
 jfoges wrote:

I recall a college dorm mate got one of the first CD players and would crank this album when it came out.  We are all amazed . . . crystal clear sound, no pops or hiss, and pushing the speakers to the max.
Now my nephews want vinyl records of 70s and 80s bands for their birthdays.



I so regret giving up almost all of my vinyl and my Technics  turntable (especially that, given the cost of them now. Think I paid maybe a hundred for it in the late 80s.  Now it's  400-600? ouch). Can't say I see CDs making a comeback like that
 parttime wrote:

I had the CD before I had a player..




my first one on CD. Earlier albums I had on vinyl. Sadly no longer have the vinyl.
It's interesting how back in 1985 the pop radio stations had no problem playing "Money For Nothing" and "Walk Of Life" all day long but they didn't want to touch this song, a track off the very same album.  The album oriented rock stations definitely gave it a lot of airplay though.
The second cd I bought, the first being "Graceland" Paul Simon.
I had a new Akai sound system with additional corner speakers and the new cd technology sounded magnificent. I thought I was everybody! 
 CamLwalk wrote:
Naboo: This is Liquid Music. Howard Moon: Whats in it? Naboo: The tears of <span class="highlight_word">Mozart</span>... Naboo: ...mixed with the urine of Mark Knopfler.



Now you're crimpin,' Future Sailor!
Sure the lead licks are outstanding, but the little stuff he plays in between... stellar. 
 eileenomurphy wrote:
Great Tune! I never heard this tune before. Thank You RP!  

🤯 Really?
 scadawizard wrote:

The original Vinyl version of this recording is not only musically wonderful but is one of the outstanding examples of top-notch studio technique and mix-down that is in my record library.  Total genius from artist to final master.


Check out the new documentary, "Under the Volcano". It all about George Martin's AIR Studios in Monserrat in the 80's, where this album (and many other classics) were recorded.

in the Miami Vice soundtrack !!!! Amazing !!!! My sweet sixties ! Signé un français de 50 piges !!! TY RP !!!!
I'm grateful that I saw them play that tour, Red Rocks, summer of '85! Tish and I sat and looked out at the sunset-lit sky -- goose bumps
This is a truly truly great album, one that takes me back to those days in the 80's. You look back at DS's back catalogue and it's magnificent!!
 CamLwalk wrote:
Naboo: This is Liquid Music. Howard Moon: Whats in it? Naboo: The tears of <span class="highlight_word">Mozart</span>... Naboo: ...mixed with the urine of Mark Knopfler.




I got sober in ‘83. The first concert I went to see straight was Dire Straits. I sooo enjoyed actually seeing and hearing and REMEMBERING a show!!🤣 Have always been a favorite. Saw Mark Knopfler the summer before the pandemic. Absolutely amazing.
Seems like another lifetime... They were such a huge phenomenon, and their songs were on the TV and radio waves, record players, and car stereos almost every day for quite a while, becoming forever woven into the fabric of the soundtrack of our lives. This still sounds amazing, to me -- and thanks, RP, for keeping all of that alive!
Will always remind me of that one episode of Miami Vice...

That notwithstanding,  I probably played this record till the grooves went white. Great stuff. 
 parttime wrote:

I had the CD before I had a player..



Nice...and known as one of the best recordings at that time too (all digital which was rare then) "DDD"
 scadawizard wrote:

The original Vinyl version of this recording is not only musically wonderful but is one of the outstanding examples of top-notch studio technique and mix-down that is in my record library.  Total genius from artist to final master.


You need to check out the new documentary, "Under the Volcano". It all about George Martin's AIR Studios in Monserrat in the 80's, where this album (and many other classics) were recorded. 
 CamLwalk wrote:
Naboo: This is Liquid Music. 
Howard Moon: Whats in it? 
Naboo: The tears of Mozart... 
Naboo: ...mixed with the urine of Mark Knopfler.



Are you sure this is a compliment? 
I recall a college dorm mate got one of the first CD players and would crank this album when it came out.  We are all amazed . . . crystal clear sound, no pops or hiss, and pushing the speakers to the max.
Now my nephews want vinyl records of 70s and 80s bands for their birthdays.
Chilled out man
Turning the volume up to 11!! 
Pjesnik wrote:

Haustor- Treci svijet, kao inspiracija Knopfleru. Zanimljivo.

 
Pilsenaaa wrote:

Why is it always the Polish insisting communicating in Polish on an English forum , it's not very communal and cool


It's Bosnian, so there goes your proof

 bctreefarmer wrote:

One of the earliest CD's I bought. I agree with reijkman. Everytime I'd set up a PA system this CD was used to see what the room sounded like. If it was just a little too clear with the bottom end a little too quiet I knew it would work well for the live band. Strangely enough I usually skip this song. Maybe I'm just too eager to get to my other favorites?


Interesting. I also use this as a "demo" when buying new stereo gear. This and Krafwerks Man Machine (for The Robots...verifies the spectrum imho).
One of the earliest CD's I bought. I agree with reijkman. Everytime I'd set up a PA system this CD was used to see what the room sounded like. If it was just a little too clear with the bottom end a little too quiet I knew it would work well for the live band. Strangely enough I usually skip this song. Maybe I'm just too eager to get to my other favorites?
 expatlar wrote:
Boy if this one doesn't make you reach over and turn it up...
 
I just did.
Still a great album after all these years.I used to use it a lot when I was working in an audio store for demos.
I was in college back in Montreal circa 1987-1988 and Dire Straits was touring, maybe for this album. Mark was also touring with Eric Clapton at the time. As most college students typically are, I too was a young adult trying to stretch my $ as far as it would go. I had to choose between the two, and I opted to see Knopfler/Clapton. If only I could go back in time and change that ticket to see Dire Straits instead. I've seen Mark twice since then in Toronto and Detroit, but truly regret that I missed out on seeing Dire Straits in concert. GREAT band. 
 reijkman wrote:

Over 30 years old and it's still used as a standard for audiophiles. This CD was a pretty big deal back in the days as one of first recorded digitally and having a DDD code on the back. Every store selling highend speakers had a copy of Brothers in Arms within reach...
 Another one I used to use was Cowboy Junkies' Trinity Sessions'. Auditioned a nice Sony CD player with it - you can hear how big the church is.
c.

 nEco26 wrote:
For some reason the intro reminds me of Monkey Island theme :)



I've spoken with apes more polite than you!

I'm glad to hear you attended your family reunion!


 jonahboo wrote:
TOO LONG
shit can the last 3 minutes 
 
Hit the "skip button", Zippy, if you don't like it!
TOO LONG
shit can the last 3 minutes 
This came out when I was first becoming really aware of music. When this song came on my friend's new CD player I had to close my eyes and stand by the speakers, and the end of the song was like waking from a dream. Foolishly I assumed that it was only the tip of the iceberg, and that I'd keep discovering more and more of its calibre or better. More fool me, it's 35 years later and there's still nothing like it.
 parttime wrote:
I had the CD before I had a player..
 
It was one of my first CDs. Such a great recording.
Tremendous album and this song is amazing. Title track still brings tears to my eyes.
 nEco26 wrote:
For some reason the intro reminds me of Monkey Island theme :)
 
You just knocked my rating up by one.
This piece is a great example of the high quality of the streaming audio that I have only heard on RP.
Long Live Radio Paradise
My rating is a                                                    SOLID               9 -OUTSTANDING
For some reason the intro reminds me of Monkey Island theme :)
Dear Pilsenaaa, Duh, apparently this is Croatian Pjesnik wrote: Haustor- Treci svijet, kao inspiracija Knopfleru. Zanimljivo. Why is it always the Polish insisting communicating in Polish on an English forum , it's not very communal and cool Posted 4 weeks ago by Pilsenaaa from Toronto
 Pjesnik wrote:
Haustor- Treci svijet, kao inspiracija Knopfleru. Zanimljivo.
 
Why is it always the Polish insisting communicating in Polish on an English forum , it's not very communal and cool
I even hear Van Morrison in this spiced with  Marley , great tune and superb guitar as always
Just did expatlar wrote:
Boy if this one doesn't make you reach over and turn it up...
 

Just did that
Brilliant piece of a brilliant mix this morning. Well done RP as usual.
 h8rhater wrote:


His voice is HIS voice and works on all of his songs.  They wouldn't be his without it.
 Thank you Captain Obvious, but original post is not hacking on Knoffler, just commenting.  Same comment on vocals could be made for many legends including Dylan, Hendrix, Clapton maybe?

despite the over-production that was the calling card of the 80’s ...  wow is Knofler a wonderful musician.  
Haustor- Treci svijet, kao inspiracija Knopfleru. Zanimljivo.
 Retrograde-orbit wrote:

Well then, you should hear it on a pair of KEF LS50Ws.  My fav off this solid album is Brothers in Arms.  Love that song.  Interestingly the weakest song is the one that gets overplayed - I will not mention its name.
 
Over 30 years old and it's still used as a standard for audiophiles. This CD was a pretty big deal back in the days as one of first recorded digitally and having a DDD code on the back. Every store selling highend speakers had a copy of Brothers in Arms within reach...
 GR82DRV wrote:
Knoffler is undeniably in company of a handful of true guitar geniuses.  Absolutely incredible on the guitar (although this is not his best piece).

His voice however only works well with some of his songs.  He always sounds like he's just waking from a three day bender...  The Communique album has some really great work.   
 

His voice is HIS voice and works on all of his songs.  They wouldn't be his without it.
Boy if this one doesn't make you reach over and turn it up...
 Highlowsel wrote:
A song still relevant today because....well....because we humans never change do we?  Not really.  We all start off with the best of intentions.  Yet for the most part it all becomes....

"I'm a soldier of fortune, I'm a dog of war, yeah
And we don't give a damn a-who the killing is for
It's the same old story with a different name
Death or glory, it's the killing game"

A cynics point of view regarding the conditions of his/her isn't it? 
We stop listening to the small voice inside.  

But that's okay.  It will all be fine. 
It'll all come 'round, you'll see.  
Everything in its time.  
Everything in its glory as fate and life decree.
You just have to learn to accept that you cannot rush the blooming of the Rose.

Highlow
American Net'Zen
 
I guess you're complimenting the song so that is good. But the use of the word "relevant" is subjective. All music is relevant to someone. I'd call the song more prophetic or telling. I'd call it and the whole album a pure gem.
The great unheralded Dire Straits track.
A song still relevant today because....well....because we humans never change do we?  Not really.  We all start off with the best of intentions.  Yet for the most part it all becomes....

"I'm a soldier of fortune, I'm a dog of war, yeah
And we don't give a damn a-who the killing is for
It's the same old story with a different name
Death or glory, it's the killing game"

A cynics point of view regarding the conditions of his/her isn't it? 
We stop listening to the small voice inside.  

But that's okay.  It will all be fine. 
It'll all come 'round, you'll see.  
Everything in its time.  
Everything in its glory as fate and life decree.
You just have to learn to accept that you cannot rush the blooming of the Rose.

Highlow
American Net'Zen
 FernandoJCano wrote:
One of the best songs by Dire Straits to me.
 
I agree

I recall hearing years ago that Knopfler's guitar work on this album inspired ZZ Top to attempt to replicate the sound on their album Eliminator. I also believe that Billy Gibbons considered the duplication a failure despite Eliminator's massive success. I may be misremebering...
 john.hills1 wrote:
One of the outstanding tracks on Brothers in Arms :)
 

They are all outstanding and get better with age
One of the outstanding tracks on Brothers in Arms :)
Saw them in 1985 at Wembley Arena on this very tour. They opened with this number.

I was 11 years old and it's been in the blood ever since...

How this song in particular gets less than 10 on average is beyond me.

{#Notworthy}
 Aaronosteo wrote:
Sublime. Sounds great on my Bower Wilkins Zeppelin . . . 
 
Well then, you should hear it on a pair of KEF LS50Ws.  My fav off this solid album is Brothers in Arms.  Love that song.  Interestingly the weakest song is the one that gets overplayed - I will not mention its name.
One of the best songs by Dire Straits to me.
Sublime. Sounds great on my Bower Wilkins Zeppelin . . . 
The original Vinyl version of this recording is not only musically wonderful but is one of the outstanding examples of top-notch studio technique and mix-down that is in my record library.  Total genius from artist to final master.
I had the CD before I had a player..
Eternity since 80-s ...... I put 10.
Great songs today. Keep it up!
very relaxing
I woke up this morning with this playing in my head, I knew it was Dire Straits, but couldn't remember the title. Here it is and now I know. Ain't that weird {#Question}
dont stop  {#Sunny}
More Mark Knopfler, Bill and thanks keep it up.  Mark Knopfler for President of the World: Bob Geldof for V.P.!
Is it possible to share your link on FB with another image besides Dire Straits? 
Greetings from Brazil. I'm your follower. Congrats. 
 1wolfy wrote:
I wish I could turn up the volume of just the horns in this song

 
And leave out the cheesy keyboard sound.
Thanks RP!
I seems that your selections tonight are just grand.
It's a wonderfully good vibe boost to my weekend.
 
 GR82DRV wrote:
Knoffler is undeniably in company of a handful of true guitar geniuses.  Absolutely incredible on the guitar (although this is not his best piece).

His voice however only works well with some of his songs.  He always sounds like he's just waking from a three day bender...  The Communique album has some really great work.   

 

Their best album!

thanks Bill' 
I like this song a lot.  But, somehow it seems like I hear it a lot; here and in my own listening.
What a band...fantastic!
                         {#Cheers}  grande!!
Soooooooooo gooooooooooooood!!! even if a little over-produced, IMHO (like a majority of albums of the mid 80's, actually).
Anyway, I put a real 10.   {#Notworthy}
Knoffler is undeniably in company of a handful of true guitar geniuses.  Absolutely incredible on the guitar (although this is not his best piece).

His voice however only works well with some of his songs.  He always sounds like he's just waking from a three day bender...  The Communique album has some really great work.   
I can't believe how well this song (album) holds up. Fantastic!!
 hugogdt wrote:
Not the best song of the album, and even though a great song. I agree, all this CD is good vibrations ...

 
That says a lot about the other songs on this album because this is great.
This entire album is inextricably tied up with memories of a long-ago Christmas week with pre-school sons.  Warm, pleasant memories ...
I like everything about this album, even the cover! Mr Knopflers gitars in this one invite specially to turn up the volume wow!!
I wish I could turn up the volume of just the horns in this song
Not the best song of the album, and even though a great song. I agree, all this CD is good vibrations ...
I bought this CD at least 4 times. Every time some one  "borrowed"  it from me I replaced it. I never got it back. I love this CD. It has a great vibe. 
Theme from 'Breaking Bad' kind reminds me of this.

My fav off Brother in Arms.  I love the groove.
Feeling it today.  9 > 10 
Love.
 bc wrote:
I think Calexico wrote this song.

Then they put it in a time machine and sent it back 20 years.

Thankfully, they sent it to Dire Straits and not Def Leppard.
 
You're welcome.
 
 
Apparently, Def Leppard declined the offer they were too busy working on a project having just returned from post apocalyptic 2045 to be bothered about Calexico.
Arguably my favorite song.  Period.

Unbelievably great guitar work on this - even better than on "Brothers in Arms."
I think Calexico wrote this song.

Then they put it in a time machine and sent it back 20 years.

Thankfully, they sent it to Dire Straits and not Def Leppard.
 
You're welcome.
 
This entire album is a time machine that takes me back to my senior year in high school. If I only knew then...
Dire Straits most under-rated song. Sounds like they were lying in hammocks when they recorded it.  
 daveshel4 wrote:


Totally — I've always thought of track 4, "Your Latest Trick" as the ultimate speaker auditioning song because of the range of sounds (and it's a good song too)
 
Funny you should say that - when I went shopping for a good set of hi-fi speakers 15 years ago I brought this CD along with me and used "Your Latest Trick" as one of the test tracks. Great song on a great album.


 h8rhater wrote:

I'm amazed at your commentary.  You are clearly an artist and not merely a technician but I do understand your unpopularity. 

 
Haha, good point...

 MiracleDrug wrote:
this was SO well recorded...
  excellent observation.


Once I have a sound system sorted in my current car, I put this track on.  I think it's a great test track.

{#Curtain} Little-known factoid:  The National Steel (Reso-phonic) guitar was invented by John Dopyera in Los Angeles in the mid-1920's for playing Hawaiian and Jazz music. When the electric guitar was invented in the 1930's, the National Steel guitar fell out of favor. Dopyera also invented the Dobro.

Amazing what you can learn from the Internet, innit?  It adds one more layer to the saga of why I love Dire Straits and the National Steel guitar... {#Cheers}
Great band of all times!
this was SO well recorded...
 Dave_Mack wrote:
This is beautiful song from an awesome album.  When I got my first CD player, my first CD was Aqualung, an all-time fave album, but the CD sounded terrible with tons of noise.  Not long after that, fortunately, "Brothers in Arms" came out — digitally recorded!  Now THAT'S what I was hoping for.  So clean, you can turn it up to maximum volume and it's totally noiseless.  I used it for auditioning speakers for years.
 

Totally — I've always thought of track 4, "Your Latest Trick" as the ultimate speaker auditioning song because of the range of sounds (and it's a good song too)
Love this....great music.  Love you RP!
 Welly wrote:
I'll never forget this being the last song played on the sound system before David Bowie took the stage on  tour. This sounded unbelievable on a giant sound system that was very clear, as the lights slooooooowly went down.

 
David Bowie + Dire Straits!!! What a GODLIKE mix.
Great moment you lived there.
This is beautiful song from an awesome album.  When I got my first CD player, my first CD was Aqualung, an all-time fave album, but the CD sounded terrible with tons of noise.  Not long after that, fortunately, "Brothers in Arms" came out — digitally recorded!  Now THAT'S what I was hoping for.  So clean, you can turn it up to maximum volume and it's totally noiseless.  I used it for auditioning speakers for years.
 sirdroseph wrote:
Always been my favorite Straits tune!{#Clap}
 
Me too.

Pinging: Cynaera wrote:

Echoing Johnny_Wave, too - Great tune, great album.  Something about that floating National Steel guitar just makes me shiver in awe... I fear that should I ever have the honor to hold one, I'd prolly drop it and it would shatter, and there'd go my chances at a hereafter...

Mark Knopfler is one of my top five guitarists, and this album/CD is one of my all-time favorites. {#Bounce}
 


This sounds like the sountrack from Legend.

Go Tim!