The Killers Cover Dire Straits

There are three types of covers: 1) So dreadful they're an insult to the source material and original artist. 2) Tolerable but only because they're so similar to the original. 3) Better than the original.

This is #2. Covers like this make me want to turn it off halfway through in favor of the original.

Posted by: Moses at 02/19/07 3:03 PM | Reply
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whyyyy my favorite dire straits song? the cover is okay. hopefully mark agrees.

Posted by: lk at 02/19/07 4:53 PM | Reply
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There's a generation of women who were college kids in the 90s who are going to hear their younger siblings playing this Killers cover and say, "Why are these guys playing an Indigo Girls song?"

Posted by: Jack Fear at 02/19/07 5:03 PM | Reply
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They've also done a pretty bad cover of Joy Division's Shadowplay for the closing credits of the upcoming Ian Curtis film - goody!

Posted by: Richie at 02/19/07 6:18 PM | Reply
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cover is so-so. mostly, it just makes me want to watch empire records and listen to the real thing.

Posted by: flora at 02/19/07 6:31 PM | Reply
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Surprisingly not awful.

But still -- nothing beats the original (although the Monte Montgomery version comes damn close)

Posted by: andrew at 02/19/07 10:30 PM | Reply
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i'm not a big fan of covers either but i can't stop watching this! the performance is just so good and i love the stripped down killers. i know i'm in the minority when i say that think they did dire straits justice , but so what! i read somewhere that brandon was actually feeling under the weather when this was recorded and was probably under medication, so that explains the non-manic moves and non-overreaching of notes (haha!). it's all good 'coz i prefer sedated brandon actually.

Posted by: finn at 02/19/07 11:36 PM | Reply
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I swear that for some bizarre reason Brandon Flowers has now chosen to amplify all the bad qualities of his voice to the absolute max. It's like a bad Bob Dylan impression.

Posted by: Sean at 02/20/07 12:28 AM | Reply
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What a beautiful cover. Although Mark's guitar was missing, i still beleive Brandons voice is alot more sweeter. It suits the song.
It was obviously sung with passion, and just the fact that these men appreciate this song, really shows in their performance.
I say well done!

Posted by: Friendly person. at 02/21/07 12:11 AM | Reply
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WHY HELLO!
what protentious fucks to say Romeo & Juliet is 'corny.'
HA.. i laugh in your face HA HA HA.
Wright a better song, and i promise i will close my mouth.
But for now.. i'm just waay to ammused by illiterate peoples' comments. It's just priceless. Y'know the whole idea that people who sit on their fat asses at the computer all day a criticising musicians who work and work and work to entertain your fat heads. Yeah they get paid loads of money, but please... someone give me some evidence that you have a right to criticise this amazing cover. Go ahead.
fuck you!
Much love :-)

Posted by: youstupidassholes at 02/21/07 12:45 AM | Reply
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Learn to spell before you start calling people illiterate (which has absolutely nothing to do with a person saying they don't like a song and far more to do with someone not being able to spell both 'pretentious' and 'write').

We earned the right to criticise the cover the minute Brandon Flowers sang it in public/in front of a camera. Just because someone works hard at being a singer (something I'm not convinced Brandon Flowers does) doesn't mean we should accept whatever shit spews out of their mouth into the micrphone. You can like the cover all you want, but it doesn't change the fact that we have a right NOT to like it.

That being said, the new Killers' record was absolutely terrible for the same reason - Flowers doesn't have the voice to pull off the songs he is trying to sing now.

Posted by: Sean at 02/21/07 10:59 AM | Reply
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for someone who was sick with flu when this was recorded, i think brandon did an amazing job. and somewhere i know mark knopfler is nodding his head. having said that, i still have to agree with sean to a certain extent. sam's town wasn't a terrible album, i have it on constant spin in my ipod, but it could've worked better if brandon had the vocal chops for it.

Posted by: finn at 02/21/07 10:47 PM | Reply
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So we're illiterate BECAUSE we spend all day reading music blogs.

I see your point.

Posted by: Scotta at 02/21/07 11:08 PM | Reply
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Granted the song has nothing on the original, but nevertheless I think the killers did a good job. Brandon et al clearly respect Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits and the song is sung with emotion and a stripped-down sincerity.

Posted by: bob at 02/26/07 4:54 PM | Reply
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Wot on earth u taking about Sean? Brandon Flowers has an amasing voice and Sams town is brillaint!!!! Just cos you don't know a good song when u hear it u tit....... If Brandon Flowers didn't have a good voice, he woulndn't b where he is now and if Sam's town was such a terrible album, why has thousands been sold?!?! Mmmmm.........???? Think u should keep ur opinions 2 ur self!!!!!!!!!! I think this is a gud cover of the song, sounds like Brandon has put a lot of emotion into it and to say he was ill, full of cold when he done this i think he's done a bloody good job!!!!!!! Well done Killers :) Went to see them at newcastle arena a couple of wks ago, were amasing :0

Posted by: Ms Lynch at 03/06/07 4:00 PM | Reply
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To the person who posted above me, please do not do that again and embarrass yourself. Everyone has the right to their own opinion.

Right. I've loved the original version of this song since I raided my dads CD collection. I love The Killers, and when I heard they were doing a cover I was terrified they'd butcher it.

I turned out to be pleasantly surprised. I'm glad Brandon toned it down and didnt try to do anything flashy with his voice, and it turned out sounding great. The guitar is probably not quite as good as the original, but I wouldnt expect it to be.

And as for Brandon not having a good voice? I guess it's unique, and something that you either hate or love. I love it.

Posted by: Kiz at 03/11/07 11:35 PM | Reply
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This version of romeo and juliet is actually better than the first one if thats possible the killers are A-mazing jeah

Posted by: CWIL at 03/19/07 12:58 PM | Reply
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I've always loved Dire Straits, and I was flicking through the channels one night and heard something familiar... Romeo and Juliet? I switched back and was about to be disgusted to see The Killers whom I have never liked. That is until before I could get my prejudices flowing I actually found it was a fucking good cover. Nobody could have been more shocked than me. I say well done, this is probably the best session The Killers have ever done. The singer should get sick more often! Does anyone know where I can download the audio?

Posted by: Laura at 03/29/07 4:06 PM | Reply
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yeah..i heard he was sick when he did the cover...i compared the original and with their version, and all i can say is...it's ok.

i mean i would've loved it more if they did something that could enhance the song, i mean isn't that partially the point of a cover? in your admiration for the band you create a tribute that puts your style in it without sucking up the song...

bah...anyway, at least it's good.

to people who obviously hates the killers but are ehem...looking for a fight in all the right places...buzz off. you don't like them so just scoot and find a band that you like.

i'm not annoyed because you hate the killers, i'm annoyed of the stupid people who cannot spell correctly, they are making it seem as all of the fans are dumb. no, they just happen to be dumb and fans.

Posted by: ima at 04/08/07 4:50 AM | Reply
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The Killers and Dire Straits are two of my favourite bands...And I have to say that this cover is awesome!!!Perfect!And who the hell are those who say that Brandon Flowers has a bad voice?He has a really special and beautiful voice and a great style. God Save The KIllers!

Posted by: alvaro at 04/11/07 9:04 AM | Reply
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I like it.
I think they're an amazing band, who deserve a ton more credit for their hard work.
I've seen these guys live, and I've bought anything they're ever released.
Lay off them, they did it justice.

I recommend 'When You Were Young', which was also recorded the same day there... it is truly amazing.

Posted by: Jason at 04/22/07 6:25 AM | Reply
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I think its awesome i think the original is good but i can't even listen through the whole thing even though i like the The Dire Straits.

The Killers played it better i was able to listen through the whole thing and still want to hear it again.

Posted by: Casey at 06/26/07 10:33 PM | Reply
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Could someone tell me where i will be able to purchase the killers doing a cover of dire straights romeo and juliet on cd PLEASE PLEASE

Posted by: LYN THOMAS at 08/31/07 11:59 AM | Reply
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