Romeo and Juliet (Dire Straits song)

"Romeo and Juliet"
Song
B-side	"Solid Rock"

"Romeo and Juliet" is a song by the British rock band Dire Straits, written by Dire Straits singer and lead guitarist Mark Knopfler. It first appeared on the 1980 album Making Movies and was released as a single in 1981. The song subsequently appeared on the Dire Straits live albums Alchemy and On the Night, and later on Knopfler's live duet album with Emmylou Harris, Real Live Roadrunning (though Harris does not perform on the track).

The song opens on an arpeggiated resonator guitar part played by Knopfler, who also sings the lead vocal. The instrumentation remains simple during the verses and moves to a full-on rock arrangement in the chorus sections.

The lyrics of the song comprise a description of a conversation between the two lovers of the title. In addition to the obvious reference to William Shakespeare's play of the same title, the song makes playful allusion to other works involving young love, including the songs "Somewhere" – from West Side Story, which is itself based on the Shakespeare play – and "My Boyfriend's Back".

Cover versions

• By the Indigo Girls on their 1992 album Rites of Passage.
• By Cliff Eberhardt on his 1995 album Mona Lisa Café.
• By Michael Braunfeld on his 1997 album Steel City.
• By Edwin McCain on his 2003 album The Austin Sessions.
• By Matt Nathanson on his 2006 album At the Point.
• By The Killers on their 2007 album Sawdust.
• By Monte Montgomery on his 2003 live album New & Approved.
• By Emmylou Harris