When Mark Knopfler was 13, he had a Saturday morning job as a copyboy for the Evening Chronicle in Newcastle, England. There, he became friends with the copy editor, the late poet Basil Bunting (1900-1985). Three decades after Bunting’s death, Knopfler penned the song “Basil,” in tribute to the writer and released it on his 2015 solo album, Tracker.
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With a knack for the most perceptive lyrics, Knopfler has always allowed people, places, and experiences to inspire the song. His perceptive lyrics immediately penetrated Dire Straits, by the time they formed in the late 1970s on one of their biggest hits “Sultans of Swing“—inspired by watching a house band perform to a handful of drunken patrons at a small pub. As the band’s singer and primary songwriter, Knopfler kept Dire Straits’ hits coming throughout the 1980s with “Romeo and Juliet,” “Private Investigations,” “Walk of Life,” and the Sting co-penned 1985 MTV video hit, “Money for Nothing,” among many others.
Along with releasing nine solo albums, from the 1996 debut, Golden Heart, through Down the Road Wherever in 2018, Knopfler has scored nine films, including the 2016 drama, Altamira, and released two collaborative albums with Emmylou Harris and another with Chet Atkins, Neck and Neck, which won three Grammys.
Along with his Dire Straits, solo, and collaborative catalog, here are four songs Knopfler wrote for film and other artists over a 30-year stretch.
1. “Private Dancer,” Tina Turner (1984)
Written by Mark Knopfler
Initially, Knopfler wrote “Private Dancer” for his band Dire Straits in 1983. After realizing the song would be best sung by a woman, he pitched it to Tina Turner, who used it as the title track of her 1984 comeback album.
Featuring Jeff Beck on guitar, the song showed Turner’s more sensual side and peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 3 on the R&B chart
I’m your private dancer, a dancer for money
I’ll do what you want me to do
I’m your private dancer, a dancer for money
And any old music will do
I’m your private dancer, a dancer for money
I’ll do what you want me to do
I’m your private dancer, a dancer for money
And any old music will do
2. “Storybook Love,” Mark Knopfler, featuring Willy DeVille (1987)
Featured on ‘The Princess Bride’ soundtrack, scored by Mark Knopfler
Knopfler composed the original soundtrack for the 1987 cult classic The Princess Bride, starring Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Billy Crystal, wrestler Andre the Giant, and many more.
The soundtrack opens on the song “Storybook Love,” performed by Willy DeVille and Knopfler, who also produced the track, and follows a fantastical look at love as if it were pulled from the pages of a fairytale.
The Princess Bride soundtrack picked up an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song.
My love is like a storybook story
But it’s as real as the feelings I feel
My love is like a storybook story
But it’s as real as the feelings I feel
It’s as real as the feelings I feel
This love was stronger than the powers so dark
A prince could have within his keeping
His spells to weave and steal a heart
Within her breast, but only sleeping
3. “I Think I Love You Too Much,” The Jeff Healy Band (1990)
Written by Mark Knopfler
Off The Jeff Healey band’s second album, Hell to Pay, Knopfler penned the bluesy rocker “I Think I Love You Too Much.” Knopfler also sings backing vocals and plays guitar on the track.
The album was one of the top 25 best-selling albums in Canada in 1990 and also features a cover of the George Harrison-penned Beatles classic “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” with Harrison and Jeff Lynne on guitars and backing vocals.
I’m not alone, you’re sittin’ right there
How come I get the feeling,
You could vanish into the air?
I love you more than anybody else baby
Can’t you tell I’m an easy touch
Oh, baby baby, I think I love you too much
If I picked you up, you’d slip right away
And if I locked you up,
You’d find a way to make me pay
You’re gonna hurt me more than anybody else baby,
‘Cause you know I’m an easy touch
Oh, baby baby, I think I love you too much
4. “Oldest Surfer on the Beach,” Jimmy Buffett (2013)
Written by Mark Knopfler
In 2013, Knopfler wrote and played guitar on the song “Oldest Surfer on the Beach,” off Jimmy Buffett‘s 28th album, Songs From St. Somewhere. The song reflects on the passing of time and a man’s undying love to catch the waves.
The album debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart.
There’s nothing that I want to do
No place I’m trying to reach
Only time is now more precious to
The oldest surfer on the beach
The oldest surfer on the beach
I stopped searching for perfection
Many waves ago
What really matters is the here and now
And that’s about all I know
Photo by Mick Hutson/Redferns
