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Tunnel of Love (Dire Straits song)
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Wikipedia article
"'Tunnel of Love'" is a 1981 single by Dire Straits. It appears on the 1980 album 'Making Movies', and subsequently on the live albums 'Alchemy' and 'Live at the BBC' and the greatest hits albums 'Money for Nothing', 'Sultans of Swing: The Very Best of Dire Straits', and 'The Best of Dire Straits & Mark Knopfler: Private Investigations'. The song was also featured in the 1982 Richard Gere film 'An Officer and a Gentleman' and was included in the films accompanying soundtrack album.
"Tunnel of Love" is one of only three Dire Straits songs not credited to Mark Knopfler alone (the other two are "Money for Nothing" and "What's The Matter Baby?"). The song itself is entirely by Knopfler, but the opening instrumental is an arrangement of the "Carousel Waltz" from the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical 'Carousel'.
The song mentions the 'Spanish City' which, at the time the song was released, housed fun fair rides and amusements, referenced throughout the song. Spanish City is in Whitley Bay, which is also referenced near the end of the song (along with Cullercoats). It tells the story from the protagonist's point of view of meeting a young girl at the amusement park, spending time with her only to lose her in the park and unable to find her again.
Reception
'Ultimate Classic Rock' critic Michael Gallucci rated "Tunnel of Love" as Dire Straits' 4th best song and said it contains Mark Knopfler's best guitar solo. 'Classic Rock' critic Paul Rees rated it to be Dire Straits' 2nd best song, saying that it combines "Dylans and Springsteens biggest moments with Geordie grit."
Chart performance
"Tunnel of Love" reached the position of number 54 in the UK Singles Chart upon its single release in October 1981, despite being one of the band's most famous and popular compositions. However, it fared much better in other countries, especially Italy (#7) and Spain (#11).
Personnel
Dire Straits
* Mark Knopfler vocals, guitar
* John Illsley bass, vocals
* Pick Withers drums, vocals
;Additional musicians
* Roy Bittan piano, Hammond organ
* Sid McGinnis guitar (uncredited)
Music videos
Two music videos exist for the song, one depicting Mark Knopfler, John Illsley and Pick Withers performing on a blank set, intercut with imagery and actors, most notably the 'heroine' played by a young Leslie Ash relevant to the lyrics, the other featuring a larger band arrangement and telling the story of a couple escaping a group of soldiers who chase them from a funfair.
Live performances
In 1980s concerts, Dire Straits played the central theme of The Animals' "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" during an extended instrumental introduction to the song, as Knopfler talked about that group's hometown of Newcastle. Knopfler's outro solo has received numerous plaudits over the years:
Mark Knopfler also sometimes played melody from chorus of "Stop! In the Name of Love" by The Supremes, as an additional intro prior to the "Carousel Waltz" while performing this song live.
Certifications
References
Category:1981 singles
Category:Dire Straits songs
Category:Songs written by Mark Knopfler
Category:Songs with music by Richard Rodgers
Category:Song recordings produced by Mark Knopfler
Category:Song recordings produced by Jimmy Iovine
Category:1980 songs
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