A Mark In Time

Mark Knopfler Discussion => Mark Knopfler Discussion Forum => Topic started by: Jimbo on May 19, 2025, 01:12:30 PM

Title: The worst DS songs
Post by: Jimbo on May 19, 2025, 01:12:30 PM
I like all DS songs, I think it's the band that has made no really bad songs.
I struggle to find weak points.
So I was thinking these days about the five songs that I consider the worst, including b-sides, ITILYTM, Going Home or What's the matter baby.

The five that don't leave me completely satisfied are in my opinion:

My parties, the worst
Southbound again, I like it but it's not fully developed (better live in rainbow),
Two young lovers (much better live versions)
Iron Hand, too poor arrangement, not very refined
Kingdom come.
Title: Re: The worst DS songs
Post by: dustyvalentino on May 19, 2025, 02:21:23 PM
My Parties
What's the matter baby
Badges Posters
Kingdom Come
Eastbound Train
Title: Re: The worst DS songs
Post by: TheTimeWasWrong on May 19, 2025, 05:27:56 PM
I'm not a big fan of Ticket to Heaven. It's the only song from the six studio records that I sometimes skip. So, if I really had to make a list, it would be:

Ticket To Heaven - too cheesy, even for MK's solo standards 
Communiqué - doesn't add much to their catalog, a bit boring 
Badges Posters - a silly song, not much to find in there 
Millionaire Blues - probably a 'character' song but much more unlikable than MFN and Heavy Fuel

Don't really know which fifth song to choose. ;D
Title: Re: The worst DS songs
Post by: Rolo on May 19, 2025, 09:57:03 PM
My Parties
Communiqué
Kingdom Come
Millionaire Blues
Eastbound Train
Title: Re: The worst DS songs
Post by: KnopfleRick on May 19, 2025, 10:09:42 PM
For me, there are no bad songs, just a few songs that you have to get used to.  ;)
Title: Re: The worst DS songs
Post by: qjamesfloyd on May 20, 2025, 02:12:30 PM
I can honestly say, I at least like every song, some I love and some are stunning, but non that i don't like. I can't skip an MK song, there is always something in every song that is good, maybe I am in the minority :think
Title: Re: The worst DS songs
Post by: Jimbo on May 20, 2025, 02:19:09 PM
I can honestly say, I at least like every song, some I love and some are stunning, but non that i don't like. I can't skip an MK song, there is always something in every song that is good, maybe I am in the minority :think
Maybe I wasn't clear.
I like them all too (My Parties mmmh...), I was curious to know the 5 least fantastic (let's put it that way).
Title: Re: The worst DS songs
Post by: qjamesfloyd on May 20, 2025, 02:20:02 PM
I can't choose 😩
Title: Re: The worst DS songs
Post by: Pottel on May 20, 2025, 02:32:11 PM
My Parties
Communiqué
Kingdom Come
Millionaire Blues
Eastbound Train

noooooooooooooooooooo...oooo
Title: Re: The worst DS songs
Post by: Pottel on May 20, 2025, 02:32:34 PM
My Parties
What's the matter baby
Badges Posters
Kingdom Come
Eastbound Train
heathen
Title: Re: The worst DS songs
Post by: Pottel on May 20, 2025, 02:36:22 PM
Romeo.
Two young lovers
Shangri la
why worry
love over gold
PI
Twisting
six blade
wild west
lions
news
in the gallery (but still like it more than all others on here)
all just not enough drive/guitar wizzardry
Title: Re: The worst DS songs
Post by: Pottel on May 20, 2025, 02:36:43 PM
noticed i added an MK song. still, can stay there
Title: Re: The worst DS songs
Post by: Knopflerfan on May 20, 2025, 03:19:37 PM
Sorry I cannot name 5!
For me the only DS Dislike is Romeo without doubt - all others fine with me!
Title: Re: The worst DS songs
Post by: GuitarChris on May 20, 2025, 10:19:14 PM
I wonder that nobody mentioned Les Boys till now  ;)
Title: Re: The worst DS songs
Post by: Beryl on May 20, 2025, 10:41:17 PM
In no particular order:

Les boys
One World
Heavy Fuel
The Bug
Lady Writer
Millonaire Blues
Badgers
Six Blade Knife
Title: Re: The worst DS songs
Post by: Brunno Nunes on May 20, 2025, 10:58:31 PM
I move very well through all of the DSei catalog and I take advantage of all of them, I always find their beauty, especially the more b-side songs.
Title: Re: The worst DS songs
Post by: herlock on May 21, 2025, 12:15:28 AM
Romeo.
Two young lovers
Shangri la
why worry
love over gold
PI
Twisting
six blade
wild west
lions
news
in the gallery (but still like it more than all others on here)
all just not enough drive/guitar wizzardry
Wow. So harsh.
News is a masterpiece, that evolved from a little ballad to an epic live in 80/81.
Almost the same could be said of Lions.
Romeo is not a bad song per day, it has just been overplayed, we got sick of it...
Why Worry is very touching. It can calm my wife down, which is invaluable 😂
LOG is a nice melancholic tune.
PI is a real masterpiece!
Six Blade is fine, I think.
The rest is more expandable.
Title: Re: The worst DS songs
Post by: Knopflerfan on May 21, 2025, 07:45:25 AM
I move very well through all of the DSei catalog and I take advantage of all of them, I always find their beauty, especially the more b-side songs.

100% agree - apart from R&J!!
Title: Re: The worst DS songs
Post by: Pottel on May 21, 2025, 10:30:30 AM
Romeo.
Two young lovers
Shangri la
why worry
love over gold
PI
Twisting
six blade
wild west
lions
news
in the gallery (but still like it more than all others on here)
all just not enough drive/guitar wizzardry
Wow. So harsh.
News is a masterpiece, that evolved from a little ballad to an epic live in 80/81.
Almost the same could be said of Lions.
Romeo is not a bad song per day, it has just been overplayed, we got sick of it...
Why Worry is very touching. It can calm my wife down, which is invaluable 😂
LOG is a nice melancholic tune.
PI is a real masterpiece!
Six Blade is fine, I think.
The rest is more expandable.
you know me....
Title: Re: The worst DS songs
Post by: qjamesfloyd on May 21, 2025, 11:26:10 AM
I wonder that nobody mentioned Les Boys till now  ;)

I don't have an issue with Les Boys, but, I think the Rainbow live version is better than the album version.
Title: Re: The worst DS songs
Post by: Peter1981 on May 21, 2025, 01:24:34 PM
Romeo.
Two young lovers
Shangri la
why worry
love over gold
PI
Twisting
six blade
wild west
lions
news
in the gallery (but still like it more than all others on here)
all just not enough drive/guitar wizzardry

oh wow, I'd put Wild West End, Lions, News and Love over gold in my top 10 best DS songs!
Title: Re: The worst DS songs
Post by: Robson on May 21, 2025, 01:44:52 PM
Romeo.
Two young lovers
Shangri la
why worry
love over gold
PI
Twisting
six blade
wild west
lions
news
in the gallery (but still like it more than all others on here)
all just not enough drive/guitar wizzardry

It's impossible that we can be so different :o
Title: Re: The worst DS songs
Post by: Pottel on May 21, 2025, 01:47:44 PM
Romeo.
Two young lovers
Shangri la
why worry
love over gold
PI
Twisting
six blade
wild west
lions
news
in the gallery (but still like it more than all others on here)
all just not enough drive/guitar wizzardry

It's impossible that we can be so different :o
why? it would be boring if we all chose the same favourite/least favourite songs.
these songs just do not do it for me, not enough...action. but, that also means that most of the remaining songs are my absolute favourite songs, there is no "grey" for me when it comes to MK/DS songs...
Title: Re: The worst DS songs
Post by: Robson on May 21, 2025, 01:54:41 PM
Romeo.
Two young lovers
Shangri la
why worry
love over gold
PI
Twisting
six blade
wild west
lions
news
in the gallery (but still like it more than all others on here)
all just not enough drive/guitar wizzardry

It's impossible that we can be so different :o
why? it would be boring if we all chose the same favourite/least favourite songs.
these songs just do not do it for me, not enough...action. but, that also means that most of the remaining songs are my absolute favourite songs, there is no "grey" for me when it comes to MK/DS songs...

I don't know. Maybe because I always thought that Private Investigations, News, Love Over Gold or Six Blade Knife were loved by everyone. But ok I respect the choice:)
Title: Re: The worst DS songs
Post by: Pottel on May 21, 2025, 02:52:55 PM
Romeo.
Two young lovers
Shangri la
why worry
love over gold
PI
Twisting
six blade
wild west
lions
news
in the gallery (but still like it more than all others on here)
all just not enough drive/guitar wizzardry

It's impossible that we can be so different :o
why? it would be boring if we all chose the same favourite/least favourite songs.
these songs just do not do it for me, not enough...action. but, that also means that most of the remaining songs are my absolute favourite songs, there is no "grey" for me when it comes to MK/DS songs...

I don't know. Maybe because I always thought that Private Investigations, News, Love Over Gold or Six Blade Knife were loved by everyone. But ok I respect the choice:)
you are being too kind...
Title: Re: The worst DS songs
Post by: vgonis on May 22, 2025, 12:35:29 AM
I wonder that nobody mentioned Les Boys till now  ;)
My thoughts exactly. Maybe it is a secret favourite, or doesn't actually bother as much.

Mine would be:
One World
The man's too strong
Money for nothing
Walk of life
Calling elvis
The bug
Heavy Fuel

I think that I liked WoL and MFN a bit, but got tired of them very soon, while the singles from OES I disliked from the very beginning.  Too derivative, trying to copy the singles of BiA. Which is a shame because I love the variety of styles on the album and I think I love you too much, Next time i'm in town and Your own sweet way would have been better in their place
Title: Re: The worst DS songs
Post by: dmg on May 22, 2025, 11:41:07 PM
In no particular order:

Les boys
One World
Heavy Fuel
The Bug
Lady Writer
Millonaire Blues
Badgers
Six Blade Knife


Poor badgers!   :'(


Title: Re: The worst DS songs
Post by: dmg on May 22, 2025, 11:46:00 PM
My Parties
Young Lovers
Why Bother
Twisting
Six Blade Knife
Lions
One World
Ticket to Heaven
My Parties

ALL worse than Long Highway.  R&J ranks top 10.
Title: Re: The worst DS songs
Post by: mariosboss on May 23, 2025, 02:36:37 AM
Romeo.
Two young lovers
Shangri la
why worry
love over gold
PI
Twisting
six blade
wild west
lions
news
in the gallery (but still like it more than all others on here)
all just not enough drive/guitar wizzardry
Wow. So harsh.
News is a masterpiece, that evolved from a little ballad to an epic live in 80/81.
Almost the same could be said of Lions.
Romeo is not a bad song per day, it has just been overplayed, we got sick of it...
Why Worry is very touching. It can calm my wife down, which is invaluable 😂
LOG is a nice melancholic tune.
PI is a real masterpiece!
Six Blade is fine, I think.
The rest is more expandable.
you know me....

Wow. What a strange list. Fair play for the honesty but for me the debut album stands out because of the likes of Wild West End and Six Blade Knife. Not the obvious track like SOS. News is an interesting track from Communique whilst LOG and PI are superb pieces of music. Romeo is over played but what a tune. Why Worry, yes I can see why that came up even though it's quite a soppy / delicate track.

For me there are only a few humdingers...
Lions - although it's not that bad
Maybe Single Handed Sailer / Follow Me Home although I do like bits of their melodies...
Les Boys - just awful
If I had you - wow what a rip off of the Expresso Love riff... brings nothing to the party.
Title: Re: The worst DS songs
Post by: dustyvalentino on May 23, 2025, 09:42:47 AM
My Parties
Young Lovers
Why Bother
Twisting
Six Blade Knife
Lions
One World
Ticket to Heaven
My Parties

ALL worse than Long Highway.  R&J ranks top 10.

Damn, how can I forget One World? What a stinker.
Title: Re: The worst DS songs
Post by: herlock on May 23, 2025, 10:32:42 AM
Gosh, we have different tastes! Some "worst" songs here are among my very best, like Lions and News (epic live in 80/81). One World is fantastic live. Even Les Boys has its charm, it's so funny. The only songs I'm not found of are those which don't really fit Dire Straits rock spirit: Eastbound train, Twisting by the pool, the bug, and those country-like songs from OES. Even if Two Young Lovers also has its charm, Alchemy version has a great solo from Hal...

I would have more songs to reject from MK solo. I HATE Sonny Liston! So boring. I also can't stand the overly sentimental stuff, like Darling Pretty, Wherever I go, True Love will never fade... Too mellow for my taste. Some songs also quite dull, the likes of the Fish and the Bird...
Title: Re: The worst DS songs
Post by: localhero1986 on May 28, 2025, 11:07:47 PM
My top (or low..) five:

-Badges, posters stickers & T-shirts
-Les boys
-Twisting by the pool
-Skateaway
-In the gallery

If we add solo stuff:

-The last laugh (MK had better NOT invite Van to sing, I’m sorry!). There was simply too much duet stuff on STP.
-Do america
-The fish and the bird
-The ragpicker’s dream
-Coyote
-Don’t forget your hat
-Hot or what
-All that matters
-Stand up guy
Title: Re: The worst DS songs
Post by: vgonis on May 29, 2025, 10:11:50 PM
I guess it is subjective, so I guess it is only a chance to discuss things. I have very  few skippers on the first 4 albums. None from their debut, although at times I get a bit bored of Setting me up. Only the song Communique from their sophomore does not cut it for me, but  also not actually a skipper. Making movies is wonderful, even the one most people seem to dislike, Les boys, is like a bow out from a wonderful rollercoaster trip. Skateaway is just marvelous, lyrics and  structure and production. Side 1 of Making movies is simply perfect. Love over gold is also great, even Industrial disease with the light weight funny lyrics.
Brothers in arms was great back then, and I still like it, but the song I never enjoyed was One world. OES was a wonderful album, but I disliked the three international singles. Calling Elvis was a disappointment, Heavy fuel repetitive, the bug not my cup of tea. But the rest was a bag of so many music genres. A full meal.

Badges posters and Millionaire blues, which were sibling songs, are also light weight, but good fun, while Kingdom come was lighter still, but being one of the last DS songs to be released, holds a special place in my mind. 
 
Title: Re: The worst DS songs
Post by: dmg on May 30, 2025, 12:14:07 PM
Please don't start a thread on worst solo songs or I'll be wearing out my keyboard!
Title: Re: The worst DS songs
Post by: Knopflerfan on June 01, 2025, 06:31:49 PM
Please don't start a thread on worst solo songs or I'll be wearing out my keyboard!

Really??? That's not like you to dislike any of the solo tunes!!!!  :lol :wave
Title: Re: The worst DS songs
Post by: vgonis on June 01, 2025, 11:02:39 PM
Please don't start a thread on worst solo songs or I'll be wearing out my keyboard!

Let's make a thread with songs by status quo you dislike.
Title: Re: The worst DS songs
Post by: Rolo on June 02, 2025, 10:14:25 PM
Please don't start a thread on worst solo songs or I'll be wearing out my keyboard!

Is that a saxophone?