On this day May 13, 1985, Dire Straits released their fifth studio album Brothers in Arms, a landmark record that became one of the most successful albums of the decade. Some sources state May 16 but most on the 13th. Known for its blend of rock, jazz and blues influences, the album featured the global hit Money for Nothing and elevated the band to international superstardom.
Brothers in Arms debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and also topped charts in the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Spain, Austria, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Australia and New Zealand. Its polished production, emotional songwriting and guitar-driven sound resonated with audiences around the world. Money for Nothing, with its iconic opening riff and memorable video, became a staple of 1980s music television and helped define the early era of MTV.
The album was also one of the first fully digital recordings in rock history and played a major role in popularizing the compact disc format. It would go on to sell over 30 million copies worldwide, solidifying Dire Straits’ legacy as one of the most important rock bands of the 1980s.
Fun fact: Brothers in Arms was the first album to sell over one million copies on CD and helped establish the CD as a dominant music format.
Brothers in Arms debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and also topped charts in the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Spain, Austria, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Australia and New Zealand. Its polished production, emotional songwriting and guitar-driven sound resonated with audiences around the world. Money for Nothing, with its iconic opening riff and memorable video, became a staple of 1980s music television and helped define the early era of MTV.
The album was also one of the first fully digital recordings in rock history and played a major role in popularizing the compact disc format. It would go on to sell over 30 million copies worldwide, solidifying Dire Straits’ legacy as one of the most important rock bands of the 1980s.
Fun fact: Brothers in Arms was the first album to sell over one million copies on CD and helped establish the CD as a dominant music format.
