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Dire Straits — Where Do You Think You're Going
Album: Communiqué
Avg rating:
8.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1498









Released: 1979
Length: 3:42
Plays (last 30 days): 1
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Where d'ya think you're going
Don't you know it's dark outside
Where d'ya think you're going
Don't you care about my pride
Where d'ya think you're going
I think a you don't know
You got no way of knowing
There's really no place you can go

I understand your changes
A-long before you reach the door
I know where you think you're going
I know what you came here for
And now I'm sick of joking
You know I like you to be free
A-where d'ya think ya going
I think you better go with me girl

You say there is no reason
But you still find cause to doubt me
If you ain't with me girl
You're gonna be without me

Where d'ya think you're going
Don't you know it's dark outside
Where d'ya think you're going
I wish I didn't care about my pride
And now I'm sick of joking
You know I like you to be free
A-where d'ya think ya going
I think you better go with me girl
Comments (89)add comment
Every time I'm listening to them, I'm thinking the entire world of music became poorer without them. Sultans of swing!
Posted 1 week ago by Pitjes    [ Reply ]
I am used to the version from the Money for Nothing compilation, which is a different recording as I only recently found out. Despite the fact that I have heard that version enough for it to be completely burned in my memory, it's nice to hear the original for a change.
Posted 4 months ago by DrLex    [ Reply ]
If there are ten points for rating, one have to be careful rating them too high. There are so more better songs of them, so there could it be an 8 to me only.
Posted 1 year ago by Pitjes    [ Reply ]
I've always been blown away by the emotional intensity of this song. The lead character is obviously in deep. Probably much deeper than his love interest. And probably deeper than he realizes. It's passionate, desperate and scary. How many of us have been there? How many of us would admit being there? 
Posted 1 year ago by Mugro    [ Reply ]
We really need a 10+ button.
Posted 1 year ago by xerces    [ Reply ]
"Come on now...", followed by one of the great outros in music.  It's a very simple song, but the way it builds and layers in new pieces, the way the tempo seems to increase even though it's still the same, and then the guitar solo kicks in...it's just magical, really.  And, it ends way, way too soon, there's at least a couple more minutes to this song somewhere out there.
Posted 2 years ago by keymaster    [ Reply ]
 phlatdade469 wrote:
you won't go wrong


 

Posted 3 years ago by phlatdade469    [ Reply ]
 rommesw wrote:
I am considering to add Mark to my personal list of heroes ... (up to now John Lennon, Paul Simon, Neil Young, Eric Clapton ...)
 

Posted 3 years ago by phlatdade469    [ Reply ]
 anniebear wrote:
"Where ya think you're going ? Dont you care about my pride" Well, I bet shes gettng away from you as fast as humanly possible.
 
Exactly. I've loved DS and MK for years 
. Saw them live at Western Sptings Auckland mid 80s.
Listening to this song through the filter of #metoo it struck me that it's about a chauvinist relationship. If not abusive, at least dysfunctional. Such beautiful music for such a sad topic. 
Posted 3 years ago by floydpink    [ Reply ]
Question of all questions.  
Posted 5 years ago by Pjesnik    [ Reply ]
perfect
Posted 6 years ago by aslanunal    [ Reply ]
His songs always make me want to hop in the car and take another roadtrip across the country, which is a pretty high complement from me (unless its an illness, of course. ) {#Wink}
Posted 6 years ago by jmkate    [ Reply ]
I am considering to add Mark to my personal list of heroes ... (up to now John Lennon, Paul Simon, Neil Young, Eric Clapton ...)
Posted 6 years ago by rommesw    [ Reply ]
 LizK wrote:
Mark Knofler just carries me away. {#Yes} {#Tongue} {#Cool}

 
Me too, both his voice and his guitar playing.  
Posted 6 years ago by Imkirok    [ Reply ]
{#Guitarist} 9/10 - Only this because T R is better
Posted 6 years ago by Jengling    [ Reply ]
 {#Bananajam}AGREED!

Quixx_II wrote:
I've always wished to hear an extended version of the ending solo...

 


Posted 6 years ago by Quixx_II    [ Reply ]
The Dire Straits are INCREDIBLE. This whole album blows me away. {#Dancingbanana_2}
Posted 7 years ago by Punkysoup    [ Reply ]
{#Notworthy}
Posted 7 years ago by CoYoT51    [ Reply ]
I've always wished to hear an extended version of the ending solo...
Posted 7 years ago by Quixx_II    [ Reply ]
 LizK wrote:
Mark Knofler just carries me away. {#Yes} {#Tongue} {#Cool}

 
Me too {#Clap}
Posted 7 years ago by mojcamojca77    [ Reply ]
wowww very good
Posted 8 years ago by galexcas    [ Reply ]
 whomhow wrote:
Just can't rate it less than 8 even if I try...

 
Why are you trying to rate it less?

They really were a great band. 
Posted 8 years ago by Will62    [ Reply ]
love that signature guitar
Posted 9 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
Just can't rate it less than 8 even if I try...
Posted 9 years ago by whomhow    [ Reply ]
 DaidyBoy wrote:
For me, he has / they have never done better than this.  Lovely stuff.

 
Wrote it right, sir!
Posted 9 years ago by CoYoT51    [ Reply ]
For me, he has / they have never done better than this.  Lovely stuff.
Posted 10 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
Thanks for reminding me that I need to listen to some old Dire Straits real soon. Good stuff!
Posted 10 years ago by webbrx    [ Reply ]
Mark ..............YES...{#Guitarist}
Posted 11 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
Haven't heard this in ages.  Thanks for bringing it back to me.  {#Clap}
Posted 11 years ago by cmarcan    [ Reply ]
 Dave_Mack wrote:
Strongly reminiscent of Dylan's "What Was It You Wanted".  I'll have to check the chronology.  Of course, it's got the snazzy Knopfler geetar that makes any song better.

ETA: I really shoulda known this, but Communique came out in 1979 while Bob's Oh Mercy was from 1989.  So Bob is not without his influences {#Wink}
 
Knopfler produced Dylan's album "Infidels"; according to Wikipedia "Although Mark disowned the reworked version of the album as released,<77> his production is still noticeable." I've read that he found producing the album quite trying but he and Dylan apparently tour together these days. 

Knopfler also played on "Slow Train Coming" in '79. 

I really liked "Love Over Gold" when it came out, but I can see why these days Mark is indifferent to it and subsequent albums. The earlier discs, including this one, still stand up.  
 
Posted 12 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
Dire Straits was a fabulous band, and Knopfler on his own as a soloist in collaboration with Emmy Lou and others and as a movie score composer is and has been one of the most outstanding and consistent talents of recent times. Really first rate. 
Posted 12 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
 islander wrote:
8->9. Just pushing the right buttons tonight.
 
..hard choice. I'll start with an 8 for now.
Posted 12 years ago by ovidiu    [ Reply ]
Mark Knofler just carries me away. {#Yes} {#Tongue} {#Cool}
Posted 13 years ago by LizK    [ Reply ]
Just the right night for Dire Straits to roll across the backyard with a delicious rum'n'coke in Orillia!!!  Sounds great!
Posted 13 years ago by ErnieFollis    [ Reply ]
8->9. Just pushing the right buttons tonight.
Posted 13 years ago by islander    [ Reply ]
Nice, long time no hear
Posted 14 years ago by SavetheTuna    [ Reply ]
Dire Straits and Mark Knopfler are a long-time favorite... 9 points.
Posted 14 years ago by Umberdog    [ Reply ]
 rtb wrote:

How could you possibly defend this statement? 
How? 
 
Well, you see, "abhore" means "love", and "worst" is the new slang for "greatest".  Glad I could help.

Posted 15 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
 AngieOrwell wrote:
I do abhore them! One of the very worst bands music industry has given! 
 
How could you possibly defend this statement? 
How? 
Posted 15 years ago by rtb    [ Reply ]
Strongly reminiscent of Dylan's "What Was It You Wanted".  I'll have to check the chronology.  Of course, it's got the snazzy Knopfler geetar that makes any song better.

ETA: I really shoulda known this, but Communique came out in 1979 while Bob's Oh Mercy was from 1989.  So Bob is not without his influences {#Wink}
Posted 15 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]

a classic one{#Bananajam}
Posted 15 years ago by bobcat1963    [ Reply ]
I do abhore them! One of the very worst bands music industry has given! {#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}
Posted 15 years ago by AngieOrwell    [ Reply ]
This is an excellent, early performance of this song...great stuff!  Gotta love that hair.



Posted 15 years ago by ChicoCyclist    [ Reply ]
Papernapkin wrote:
Such a non-melodic voice. Marginal at best.
   lophrequa wrote:

he makes up for it with the guitar, ya think?

 
Hell yeah!{#Bananajam}
Posted 15 years ago by WayUpNorth    [ Reply ]
 Papernapkin wrote:
Such a non-melodic voice. Marginal at best.
 
he makes up for it with the guitar, ya think?

Posted 15 years ago by lophrequa    [ Reply ]
 ocsike wrote:
My upload!!

 
Thanks, it's a good one {#Yes}
Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
 Pommie wrote:
Excellent - from before they went downhill
 
Excellent, indeed. When did they ever go downhill?

Posted 15 years ago by lingchih    [ Reply ]
Excellent - from before they went downhill
Posted 16 years ago by Pommie    [ Reply ]
Such a non-melodic voice. Marginal at best.
Posted 16 years ago by Papernapkin    [ Reply ]
no comment  -   8.
Posted 16 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
"Where ya think you're going ? Dont you care about my pride" Well, I bet shes gettng away from you as fast as humanly possible.
Posted 16 years ago by anniebear    [ Reply ]
A couple of summers ago,  I saw Mark Knoppfler live at the Greek in Berkeley, and maybe I'm a bit of a rock 'n roll dinosaur, but I still say that this was easily one of the best concerts I seen.  He's a consummate musician and entertainer who doesn't need to rely on outlandish stage production to deliver; instead, Mark Knoppfler relies on the crazy, old-fashioned thing called raw talent.  I'm looking forward to the next time I get to see him.
Posted 16 years ago by S-curvy    [ Reply ]
This makes me want to drop my head asleep at my keyboard.........zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Posted 16 years ago by hondrigata    [ Reply ]
Welcome back! nasote wrote:
This is the first Dire Straits song I have listened to more than 10 years ago. It is a very good song.
Posted 16 years ago by alux    [ Reply ]
ocsike wrote:
My upload!!
https://www.elite.net/~runner/jennifers/thankyou.htm
Posted 16 years ago by Ulises    [ Reply ]
This is the first Dire Straits song I have listened to more than 10 years ago. It is a very good song.
Posted 16 years ago by nasote    [ Reply ]
still sounds spooky, understated, timeless
Posted 16 years ago by drews    [ Reply ]
Oh WOW!!! This is incredible!!!
Posted 16 years ago by PurplePrincess    [ Reply ]
A true Classic!!!
Posted 16 years ago by Mewsique    [ Reply ]
My upload!!
Posted 17 years ago by ocsike    [ Reply ]
brookap wrote:
just upped it from 8 to 9. No, wait...10.
Same here. As someone else said, this is my favorite pre-Brothers CD from Dire Straits. Well, unless you count Alchemy, which is awesome as well.
Posted 17 years ago by ChicoCyclist    [ Reply ]
Hey kids, throw those flat picks away!
Posted 17 years ago by healyf52    [ Reply ]
just upped it from 8 to 9. No, wait...10. The guitar just washes over me and I can't help but stop what I'm doing and listen. Stands the test of time like so little music can. Genius back then - still genius.
Posted 17 years ago by brookap    [ Reply ]
Really? This is so old that some listener on RP knows this song from his Dad's greatest hits CD?!! and i have another birthday coming this month...
Posted 17 years ago by mccormry    [ Reply ]
bokey wrote:
I've found out that he's a lefty who plays right handed so his strong hand is his fret hand.Thats why he's able to bend 3 strings(at least) at once in 3 different directions.
There are only 2 directions that you can bend a string - up or down.
Posted 17 years ago by healyf52    [ Reply ]
This album has always flirted with favorite for me of the pre-"Brothers In Arms" Dire Straits era. I love hearing songs like these on RP. If you think this track is good (and it is!), then check out "Single Handed Sailor", which is the next to last cut on this album - the outtro guitar solo is among the finest ever to be heard from Mark Knopfler. It never fails to send shivers down my spine on every listen. I will never forget the mid-80's, when I received every Dire Straits album recorded to date on CD as a gift. I had everything already on vinyl, but buried under the clicks and pops of the stylus were some very subtle notes from Mark's guitar, little tiny riffs and sounds which I missed on the vinyl but came through on the CD, especially with headphones on. It was like rediscovering the music all over again. These guys are so talented - and like on reviewer said - so much phenomenal music goes unnoticed with the plethora of greatest hits records and mega-radio station playlists that insist on playing the same song over and over again (thank God for Bill and Rebecca!)If you like this song and don't own the record - get it!
Posted 17 years ago by Ja300Mes    [ Reply ]
Sublime. The menace of the lyrics and vocal, with the contrasting beauty of the guitar. This man is a bona fide genius. Shiver material!
Posted 17 years ago by nigelr    [ Reply ]
arctos wrote:
I would have to say this is yet another example of Knopfler's incredible ability to take a harmony, and use his fingers to create a peice of art.
I've found out that he's a lefty who plays right handed so his strong hand is his fret hand. Thats why he's able to bend 3 strings(at least) at once in 3 different directions.
Posted 17 years ago by bokey    [ Reply ]
Mark is so cool.......
Posted 17 years ago by nance    [ Reply ]
this is one of my favourite dire straits song. such great music.
Posted 17 years ago by flu    [ Reply ]
islander wrote:
Dire Straits songs always have "this" sound, but this one some how manages to sound different. I like it, much more listenable than the other 324 versions of the sultan of swing.
Haha, agreed!!! And although i like most of the 324 versions of Sultans of Swing, your right...they do get tiresome. I would have to say this is yet another example of Knopfler's incredible ability to take a harmony, and use his fingers to create a peice of art.
Posted 17 years ago by arctos    [ Reply ]
Dire Straits songs always have "this" sound, but this one some how manages to sound different. I like it, much more listenable than the other 324 versions of the sultan of swing.
Posted 17 years ago by islander    [ Reply ]
Shesdifferent wrote:
Love these cool groove Dire Straits songs. . . . good pick!
I agree. I've got a couple DS albums and the one he did with Chet but that was the extent of my exposure to this great musician until I strated listening to RP. Oh-and the new one with Emmy Lou,but I listen to everything by Emmy Lou,the little harmony natural.
Posted 17 years ago by bokey    [ Reply ]
bronorb wrote:
I couldn't agree more! I've dicovered jems on albums that I would have never heard otherwise. Ya gotta dig into the meat of the LP/CD and experience ALL the music on it, not just the hits. Greatest Hits music is for rookies. Greatest Hits albums mostly suck. The real music is buried in the rest of the album. The focus today is on the single song. I really think younger people are missing a lot with this itunes crap. the best part about buying an album was discovering all of the rest of the music that the record company didn't care about.
Posted 18 years ago by catbayrocks    [ Reply ]
Love these cool groove Dire Straits songs....good pick!
Posted 18 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
One of my favorite Dire Straits songs.
Posted 18 years ago by aflanigan    [ Reply ]
I bought the first album when it charted, but never bought this (their second) album. This work seems much more interesting. Here is an informatiive review of the album from Amazon.com -
Editorial Reviews Amazon.com Dire Straits seemed to be a band with no popular context when they recorded this sophomore outing. Their previous album's "Sultans of Swing" still hadn't charted and former schoolteacher Mark Knopfler, whose 30th birthday coincided with this album's release, still had little interest in mirroring the post-punk obsessions of late-'70s London. Oblivious to the changes that would soon take place (brother David leaving the band, compact discs resurrecting older rock consumers, and their own ascension to arena-rock status), the band continued to refine its pub-rock aesthetic on this unpretentious set of melancholy rock tunes. Mark's talent for cynical character sketches is further developed on tracks like "Where Do You Think You're Going" and "News," while the presence of Jerry Wexler at the production helm ensures that the rest of the band keeps the rhythms tight. But the laid-back atmosphere of recording in the Bahamas seems to have had just as much influence, from the reggae lope of the opening "Once upon a Time in the West" to those waves crashing against the beach in the hypnotic album closer, "Follow Me Home." All in all, a solid effort from a band that probably had no idea what was just around the corner. --Bill Forman
Posted 18 years ago by Steven_G    [ Reply ]
UltraNurd wrote:
Huh... never heard this one before, most of Dire Straits exposure has been from my dad's greatest hits album of theirs.
Greatest Hits albums mostly suck. The real music is buried in the rest of the album. The focus today is on the single song. I really think younger people are missing a lot with this itunes crap. the best part about buying an album was discovering all of the rest of the music that the record company didn't care about.
Posted 18 years ago by bronorb    [ Reply ]
The first two Dire Straits albums are still my favorites. This song absolutely rules! Good choice.
Posted 18 years ago by bronorb    [ Reply ]
Is this really the original production, just remastered but not otherwise fiddled with?
Posted 18 years ago by rumplestiltskin    [ Reply ]
jeremyleo wrote:
Very good - nice groove and great production on this. I always thought this album was way too underrated. Happy to hear something off it on RP.
I agree.
Posted 18 years ago by kazuma    [ Reply ]
Very good - nice groove and great production on this. I always thought this album was way too underrated. Happy to hear something off it on RP.
Posted 18 years ago by jeremyleo    [ Reply ]
wow - one of the classic, less well-known early Straits tunes. dark, moody - great song rp. Knopfler could play like anything. great transition from the senegalese tune also...
Posted 18 years ago by sbird    [ Reply ]
UltraNurd wrote:
Huh... never heard this one before, most of Dire Straits exposure has been from my dad's greatest hits album of theirs.
Go get this CD. Like finding buried treasure.
Posted 18 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
Huh... never heard this one before, most of Dire Straits exposure has been from my dad's greatest hits album of theirs.
Posted 18 years ago by UltraNurd    [ Reply ]
This is AWESOME, how have I not heard this before?
Posted 18 years ago by jlind    [ Reply ]
One of my favorite Dire Straits song. Truly belongs in RP, I was wondering why it had not been played before.
Posted 18 years ago by palexis    [ Reply ]