Romeo and Juliet (Dire Straits song)

"Romeo and Juliet"
Song
B-side	"Solid Rock"

"Romeo and Juliet" is a song by the British rock band Dire Straits, recorded in 1980. It first appeared on the album Making Movies and then on the live albums Alchemy and On the Night. It was released as a single in 1981.

The song was written by Dire Straits singer Mark Knopfler.

The song opens on an arpeggiated resonator guitar part played by Knopfler, who also sings the lead vocal. The instrumentation remains simple during the verses and moves to a full-on rock arrangement in the chorus sections.

The lyrics of the song comprise a description of a conversation between the two lovers of the title.

In addition to the obvious reference to William Shakespeare's play of the same title, the song makes playful allusion to other works involving young love, including the songs "My Boyfriend's Back" and "Somewhere" from West Side Story (which is itself based on the Shakespeare play).

This song was inspired by Mark Knopfler's broken romance with Holly Vincent, leader of the band Holly and the Italians. Some of the lyrics imply that Knopfler felt that she used him to boost her career.

Cover versions

• By the Indigo Girls on their 1992 album Rites of Passage.
• By Cliff Eberhardt on his 1995 album Mona Lisa Café.
• By Edwin McCain on his 2003 album The Austin Sessions.
• By Matt Nathanson on his 2006 album At the Point.
• By The Killers on their 2007 album Sawdust.