I’ve heard that Mark Knopfler was in a department store and overheard two movers talking while watching a band playing on the wall of TVs. The song Money For Nothing is the conversation almost verbatim.
Would the Teeming Million know if this is true? If it is true, does anyone know which store and what band? You know, if this story is true the ultimate irony is how The Dire Straits made a kajillion dollars from this song, while the mover is probably still humping appliances.
True, yes. Which store? Dunno.
Perhaps too many dopers wanted to know the straight dope on it because the site is now temporarily unavailable.
Those movers should have gotten a tiny percentage. For songwriting assistance or something. Those little faggots really know how to do it!
And as a follow-up question, is that Sting singing backup vocals, as I’ve always suspected? He especially stands out at the end with a “money for nothing” line.
Not only does he sing, but he gets a co-author credit.
It never clicked for me that he sang “I want my MTV” to the same melody as Don’t Stand So Close to Me, until I read the linked interview.
That’s kind of neat.
Yes, it’s Sting. Someone told me that they only included the dog in the CG video because they decided to keep an impromptu dog-howl that Sting suddenyl inserted in the ad lib in one of the recording sessions. Dunno if that’s true, but it ought to be.
According to a story told by Mark Knopfler at a benefit concert called “Music for Monsterrat,” Dire Straits was at the famous recording studio on Montserrat recording “Brothers in Arms.” They said offhand to the producer or engineer that they only wished they could have Sting do a backup vocal. The Producer or engineer said “Oh, I just saw him on the beach.” Sting was on vacation.
So Mark Knopfler trotted out on the beach, found Sting soaking up some rays, and asked if he’d do the backup vocal. He agreed and the rest is history.
Sting also performed at the same benefit concert and did not deny the story.