Wiktionary
n. A difficult position
WordNet
n. a state of extreme distress [syn: desperate straits]
Wikipedia
Dire Straits were a British rock band formed in 1977 by Mark Knopfler (lead vocals and lead guitar), his younger brother David Knopfler (rhythm guitar and backing vocals), John Illsley (bass guitar and backing vocals), and Pick Withers (drums and percussion). Dire Straits' sound drew from a variety of musical influences, including jazz, folk, and blues, and came closest to beat music within the context of rock and roll. Despite the prominence of punk rock during the band's early years, their stripped-down sound contrasted with punk, demonstrating a more " rootsy" influence that emerged from pub rock. Many of Dire Straits' compositions were melancholic.
Dire Straits' biggest selling album,1985's Brothers in Arms has sold over 30 million copies, and was the first album to sell a million copies on the then new CD format. They also became one of the world's most commercially successful bands, with worldwide records sales of over 100 million. Dire Straits won four Grammy Awards, three Brit Awards—winning Best British Group twice, two MTV Video Music Awards, and various other music awards. The band's songs include " Money for Nothing", " Sultans of Swing", " So Far Away", " Walk of Life", " Brothers in Arms", " Private Investigations", " Romeo and Juliet", " Tunnel of Love", and " Telegraph Road".
According to the Guinness Book of British Hit Albums, Dire Straits have spent over 1,100 weeks on the UK albums chart, ranking fifth all-time. Their career spanned a combined total of 15 years. They originally split up in 1988, but reformed in 1991, and disbanded for good in 1995 when Mark Knopfler launched his solo career full-time. There were several changes in personnel over both periods, leaving Mark Knopfler and John Illsley as the only two original bandmates who remained throughout the band's career.
Dire Straits, is the eponymous debut studio album by the British rock band Dire Straits released on 7 October 1978 by Vertigo Records internationally and by Warner Bros. Records in the United States. The album produced the hit single " Sultans of Swing", which reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 8 on the UK Singles Chart. The album reached #1 on album charts in Germany, Australia and France, #2 in the United States and #5 in the United Kingdom. Dire Straits was later certified double-platinum in both the United States and the United Kingdom.
Dire Straits were a British rock band.
Dire Straits may also refer to:
- Dire Straits (album), the band's 1978 debut album
- Dire Straits Tour, the band's 1978 debut tour
- "Dire Straits", a 2013 song by Mads Langer from his 2013 album In These Waters
Usage examples of "dire straits".
It was essential to make Britain suffer as long as possible in order to bring home to the dense Westerners the dire straits in which they found themselves.
Else thou art like to find thyself among a multitude in battle and in dire straits.
Francesca had known from the first day she met Kat that the girl's family was in dire straits.
Since they trust me, mayhap I can counsel them into surrender by pointing out in what dire straits they now lie.
By 1994-95, when Iraq was in dire straits, Saddam may have concluded that he should have cooperated in 1991, but to change course--and especially to do so at that point--would have been to admit that he had been wrong and that this mistake had simply impoverished Iraq and destroyed its economy to no purpose.
By 1994-95, when Iraq was in dire straits, Saddam may have concluded that he should have cooperated in 1991, but to change course—.
You are the first, and believe meDalamars brows constrictedif you had not been in such dire straits, you would not be here now.
Some of the rangers guffawed at the condition of the borrowed piece of equipment, believing it to place Cordyan in even more dire straits.