Blogcritics The critical lens on today's culture & entertainment
Some people take a classic and make it unwatchable. I know to some, West Side Story is a classic interpretation of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet. I could never get past gangbangers that snapped at each other and danced in circles or the songs. Some people find Shakespeare's English a difficult barrier to overcome. I'd rather tangle with thee, thou, and forsooth than hear anything Officer Krupke has to say. The less said about the Claire Danes/Leonardo DiCaprio version of Romeo & Juliet, the better.
For me, only one modern interpretation of Shakespeare's overwrought classic has come close to improving upon the original and it came from the mind of Mark Knopfler. It never makes the countdowns, but I have to ask: how many love songs are better than Dire Straits’ “Romeo & Juliet?” It’s actually fittingly symbolic that this song floats ever so slightly beneath the radar, because that’s Mark Knopfler. The guy’s fuckin’ great, but doesn’t quite get the acclaim he deserves.
Everything about this song is perfect. The intro is perfect. Knopfler picks at his dobro, giving the song a sound from another time. He isn't a classically great singer, but his vocal limitations help keep this from becoming a maudlin mess of nothing. And then he creates a celestial starscape with a shapeless guitar solo that lets this troubadour's tale reach for the heavens.
Knopfler and Dire Straits albums generally get/got mildly positive reviews, but if a more celebrated name turned out these albums and these songs you know the reviews would be more effusive. A rose by another name, right?
Listening to this song reminds me of a line from The Princess Bride. There is such a shortage of perfect songs in this world. It’s a shame to see one go as unnoticed. We'll just keep it our little secret.
Brilliant. Perfect.
