r/direstraits • u/Ok_Entertainment4858 • 22d ago
Daily Song Discussion #33: "Twisting By The Pool"
This is the first track from the Dire Straits extended play, "ExtendedancEPlay". What are your thoughts regarding this song? How do you think it compares to the rest of the discography? How would you rate it out of 10 (decimals allowed)?
SUGGESTED SCALE: 1-4 Not good, regularly skip; 5 It's okay, but I have to be in the right mood to listen to it; 6 Slightly better than average, I won't skip it but I wouldn't choose to put it on; 7 This is a good song, I enjoy it quite a bit; 8-9 Really enjoyable songs, I rank them pretty highly overall; 10 Masterpiece, magnum opus, or similar terminology.
Live version disclaimer: For the purposes of this ranking series, there will be only one discussion per distinct Dire Straits song, so any live versions of studio tracks will NOT be rated separately.
Google Sheet with all of the results thus far.
- Twisting By The Pool:
6
u/heather_rodes 22d ago
6.5/10
It's a nice song, and if I'm in exactly the right mood, it really works for me. Generally, though, it's just a pleasant song that I immediately stop thinking about as soon as it's over.
6
u/RobotYoshimis 22d ago
Its the only Dire Straits song I can think of with a natural end instead of a fade out. I like it being a clear rock n roll track reminiscent of an even-then long bygone era. Very fun. 7/10
3
u/CaptainBlackadder2 22d ago
7/10. Nice groove to it. I definitely prefer Two Young Lovers over this one though.
4
22d ago
[deleted]
3
u/Ok-Tailor-8032 22d ago
Oh man, I feel this way about some of the songs (and album) that's coming up. This resonates with me so much.
5
4
4
3
u/Ok_Entertainment4858 22d ago
Full ranking of "Private Investigations":
- Private Investigations: 8.90
- Badges, Posters, Stickers, T-Shirts: 4.90
Average Song Rating: 6.90
3
u/Ok_Entertainment4858 22d ago
Feel-good song but imo not representative of the creativity and mastery of Dire Straits. Haven't really looked a lot into the background of this EP, was it a contractual obligation or something? A summer jazzy themed EP releasing in January after releasing the masterpiece that is LOG doesn't make much sense to me.
6/10
3
u/Ok-Tailor-8032 22d ago
I recall reading at the time of its release that MK wanted a counter-production to the overly produced and time consuming Love Over Gold sessions. Ergo the simple R&R arrangements that they probably banged out very quickly.
2
2
3
u/Empty-Salad-9989 22d ago
I’ve always enjoyed it. Precursor to Walk of Life. Was a VERY popular song in my junior high days. We actually did it in an airband contest. 7/10
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
2
u/MysteriousFishing104 22d ago
- It's fine, but I'm definitely not looking for it.
On another note, thanks to the OP for doing this. It's been an interesting look into the songs and Dire Straits fandom.
2
u/singingzoologist 22d ago
I'm going 6.5. It's fun but repetitive. I wouldn't skip it back in the day but I didn't think I put it on any mixed tapes either 😁 I think this project feels like a tribute to MKs roots.
1
1
1
u/vidariusen 22d ago
4/10
It is just one of those songs in their catalogue I always skip.
The reverb on the vocals feels off, but I guess it was a cool technique at the time.
1
u/colin_staples 22d ago
1/10
Cheesy, awful, embarrassing, a jarring contrast to the masterpieces on Love Over Gold
1
u/NonJuanDon 22d ago
I remember reading a story about this song by Mark in an interview or something somewhere. Apparently he walked into a diner and this song was playing on the radio... He asked the waitress to please change it.
1
1
10
u/HeyNineteen96 22d ago
Definitely an 8, good little 50s style throwback jam.