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From album
Dire Straits
Dire Straits · 1978 · Track 1
Details
Duración4:02
ÁlbumDire Straits
Año1978
ISRCGBF087800019
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The story behind
When you hear the beginning of Down to the Waterline, it's as if a sonic fog dissipates to make way for the music. This moment is described as if the band were emerging from the mist, an effect that, according to those who heard it at the time, did not feel forced. The electric guitar, soft at first, suddenly transforms into a powerful melody, accompanied by the voice of Mark Knopfler, articulated in a way that recalls an oboe reed. The song, released in 1978 as part of Dire Straits' first album, evokes images of a fleeting encounter, with an erotic charge described as tender and passionate, but without falling into sentimentality. The rhythm, sometimes called a "gallop," invites you to move almost without realizing it.
The inspiration behind the lyrics of Down to the Waterline comes from Mark Knopfler's youthful memories. His brother and bandmate, David Knopfler, recounted that they are based on the nocturnal walks Mark took by the River Tyne, under the lights, when he was a teenager. This piece was fundamental from the beginning; it was part of the demo tape the band sent to Charlie Gillett, a key step that opened the doors to their first record deal. Although it was not released as a lead single, it did appear as the B-side of the single Water of Love. The recording, which took place in 1977 at London's Basing Street Studios, was produced by Muff Winwood, and sound engineering was handled by Rhett Davies. The debut album, Dire Straits, was crafted from demos recorded with the band's own resources.