Expresso Love

This song was written by Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler, as were all except one of the songs from the Making Movies album. Songs on the album run as long as just over eight minutes. At just over 5 minutes, this song is also a good example of the more ambitious style the band was shooting for. Recall their earlier hits such as "Sultans Of Swing;" they began with a much simpler style. This album introduced more of a progressive rock style, which they have stuck to ever since.

The lineup at this point in Dire Straits: Mark Knopfler on guitar and vocals, John Illsley on bass and vocals, Pick Withers on drums and vocals. Roy Bittan, a member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, helped out on keyboards as a session player. It wasn't until after Making Movies was recorded that keyboardist Alan Clark and guitarist Hal Lindes joined the band as full-time members. The album had its best performance on charts in Norway and Italy, where it scored #1. It hit #4 in their native UK and in Sweden, and lower in other countries.

Notice Mark Knopfler's opening guitar here, because it's a good example of his style. He's at his best doing solid bridge or middle-pickup work. He understands dynamics on a Stratocaster; that is, he knows not to rush it or push it, else he risks distortion. It's the kind of thing you miss in regular listening, but guitarists describe Knopfler's sound as "tasty." Most guitarists wouldn't bother with being so fussy, but Dire Straits has always had a polite demeanor and almost self-deprecating humility.