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From album
Dire Straits
Dire Straits · 1978 · Track 2
Details
Duración5:26
ÁlbumDire Straits
Año1978
ISRCGBF087800639
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The story behind
"Water of Love" is one of those songs that invite you to immerse yourself in a particular atmosphere. From the first chord, a connection with blues and rock is felt, with touches that some have compared to the style of J. J. Cale or even with country influences. Mark Knopfler himself described it as a piece born out of an internal need, of feeling stuck and seeing an uncertain future, rather than stepping into someone else's shoes. It is one of the compositions that were part of the initial demo of Dire Straits, that tape they sent to Charlie Gillett which, when played on his radio show, opened the doors to their first record deal. On the 1978 self-titled debut album, "Water of Love" is found on the first side, sharing space with other songs that explore complicated relationships.
The recording of this piece, like much of Dire Straits' first album, took place in 1978. The producer was Muff Winwood, and the sound engineering was handled by Rhett Davies. The track was released as a single in some markets, reaching number 28 in the Netherlands and 54 in Australia in 1978, following their first major hit, "Sultans of Swing". The song has also had a presence in live performances, such as on the album *Live at the BBC*, where Knopfler, with his characteristic dry humor, introduced it as a "strange idea" to think about. Its style, that mix of witty phrases with more everyday ones, has been subject to analysis, and its B-side, "Down to the Waterline", shared a romantic vision that contrasted with the bitterness of other songs by the band. Even, without Knopfler's approval, his publisher made country-tinged versions, which led to interpretations like that of The Judds, where Mark Knopfler himself contributed his guitar.