On 16th May '25, to mark the 40th anniversary of its original release on 17th May '85, the UMC/EMI label will reissue Dire Straits' landmark album Brothers In Arms, one of the biggest selling albums in history.
Dire Straits' Brothers In Arms (40th Anniversary Edition) will be available in single LP vinyl, 5LP Deluxe and 3CD Deluxe editions.
Emerging from the club and pub circuit in 1977, Dire Straits straddled the globe with their sophisticated rootsy guitar rock wedded to literate story-telling lyrics. They were led by charismatic Geordie singer-songwriter, record producer and composer Mark Knopfler, whose breathtaking guitar virtuosity has seen him often hailed as one of the greatest guitarists in the world.
Dire Straits released six era-defining studio albums: Dire Straits (1978), Communiqué (1979), Making Movies (1980), Love Over Gold (1982), Brothers In Arms (1985) and On Every Street (1991) and played to millions on extensive tours of the globe. After releasing their final album Knopfler called time on the band and set off on a new path as a solo artist.
Produced by Neil Dorfsman and Mark Knopfler, and recorded between November '84 – March '85 at George Martin's AIR Studios in Montserrat and the Power Station in New York, Dire Straits' fifth studio album Brothers In Arms features the global hit singles 'Money For Nothing', 'Walk Of Life', 'Brothers In Arms', 'So Far Away' and 'Your Latest Trick'. It is one of the world's best-selling albums having sold more than 30 million copies. It is certified 14 x Platinum in the UK. It has earned multiple accolades including multiple Grammys and Best British Album at the Brits. Dire Straits were inducted into the Rock'n'Roll Hall Of Fame in 2018.
The studio band line-up of Dire Straits on Brothers In Arms is made up of: Mark Knopfler (Guitar, Vocals), John Illsley (Bass, Vocals), Alan Clark (Keyboards), Guy Fletcher (Keyboards, Backing vocals), Omar Hakim/Terry Williams (Drums).
The vinyl 1LP of Brothers In Arms (40th Anniversary edition), re-issued in this configuration for the first time since 1985, is identical to the original pressing where tracks 'So Far Away', 'Money For Nothing', 'Your Latest Trick' and 'Why Worry' were abridged to fit the audio limitations of the vinyl format.
The 5LP and 3CD Deluxe versions include the album tracks in their entirety and a previously unreleased full-length live concert from the band's Municipal Auditorium, San Antonio show on the band's Live In 85 Tour. The tour ran to a total of 248 gigs (including Live Aid in London) in 117 cities. It was seen by over two and a half million people.
The Deluxe editions include a 16-page booklet featuring new liner notes by Paul Sexton, with new interviews with band members Mark Knopfler, John Illsley and Guy Fletcher, and come with exclusive art cards.
1. So Far Away
2. Money For Nothing
3. Walk Of Life
4. Your Latest Trick
5. Why Worry
6. Ride Across The River
7. The Man's Too Strong
8. One World
9. Brothers In Arms
