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Dire Straits — Skateaway
Album: Making Movies
Avg rating:
7.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2171









Released: 1980
Length: 6:23
Plays (last 30 days): 0
I seen a girl on a one-way corridor
Stealing down a wrong-way street
For all the world like an urban toreador
She had wheels on, on her feet
Well, the cars do the usual dances
Same old cruise and the curbside crawl
But the roller girl, she's taking chances
They just love to see her take them all

No fear alone at night, she's sailing through the crowd
In her ears the phones are tight, and the music's playing loud

Hallelujah, here she comes, queen rollerball
And enchanté, what can I say, don't care at all
You know, she used to have to wait around
She used to be the lonely one
But now that she can skate around town
She's the only, only one

No fear alone at night, she's sailing through the crowd
In her ears those phones are tight, and the music's playing loud

She gets rock 'n' roll and a rock 'n' roll station
And a rock 'n' roll dream
She's making movies on location
She don't know what it means
And the music make her wanna be the story
And the story was whatever was the song, what it was
Roller girl, don't worry
D.J. play the movies
All night long, all night long

She tortures taxi drivers just for fun
She likes to read their lips
She says, "toro, toro, taxi, see ya tomorrow, my son"
I swear, she let a big truck graze her hip
Aw, she got her own world in the city, yeah
You can't intrude on her, no, no, no, no
She got her own world in the city
The city's been so rude to her

No fears alone at night, she's sailing through the crowd
In her ears those phones so tight, and the music's playing loud

She gets rock 'n' roll and a rock 'n' roll station
And a rock 'n' roll dream
She's making movies on location
She don't know what it means
But the music make her wanna be the story
And the story was whatever was the song, what it was
Roller girl, don't worry
D.J. play the movies
All night long, all night long

Slippin' and a-slidin'
Yeah, life's a rollerball
Slippin' and a-slidin'
Skateaway, that's all
Skateaway
Sha-la sha-lay, hey, hey
Skateaway
Now, sha-la sha-lay, hey, hey
She's singing sha-la sha-lay, hey, hey
Skateaway

Oh, sha-la sha-lay, hey, hey
Comments (251)add comment
I can still see the video in my mind - wonder where the Roller Girl is today?

Edit: Jayzik Azikiwe - she died in 2008 from cancer.

Just bumped this up from 9 to 10. It was Pick Withers' drums that did it. I realised as I was walking my dog on the beach, with RP in my headphones, that the drums were taking over from the air guitar in my mad littoral gesticulations. 
 e_b wrote:
I don't know man...there are a few bands/artists that get a huge rating no matter what song is played...that goes for Dire Straits/Mark, Radiohead, Dylan, etc....not all of their songs are that good (IMO)—I guess we've all got our groups like that that make our list.
 

I'm underthrilled by Radiohead.  Dylan is brilliant but is sometimes an acquired taste. To my taste, even Knopfler (during and after the Straits) spans the dial from OK to fantabulous.  The best of Knopfler, tho, is in a class by itself, and truly deserves all those 8s and 9s.   He's not just a phenomenal guitarist, but a first rate movie score composer (although not enough of them!)  That double stardom sustains the orbit.  The guitar on Tunnel of Love, Telegraph Road and Darling Pretty is from the same mind that gave us Local Hero and Princess Bride. That's truly a thing to behold.   
 nance wrote:
{#Bananajam} 

I don't blame them at all for not showing up to r&r induction.... they were ridiculously overdue (especially Mark) I wouldn't have gone either and it was lame anyway..... I've never watched it before but 2 of my favorites were on deck... Dire Straits and Moody Blues.... also way over due and they did a really bad job of presenting them.... nothing said about Justin Hayward being the heart of the group....it has turned into a joke.
 
When you induct a group, you induct the group.  Singling one member out for extra accolades makes no sense.
I will never get tired of this album !!
I was serving in the Royal Artillery (M110 8" heavy artillery) in Germany when this came out. We went out on exercise for 3 weeks that summer and one gun crew had this album on cassette. Just this album. At the end of the 3 weeks every member knew just about every note. Whenever it's mentioned at reunions grown men shudder. Good days.
{#Bananajam} 

I don't blame them at all for not showing up to r&r induction.... they were ridiculously overdue (especially Mark) I wouldn't have gone either and it was lame anyway..... I've never watched it before but 2 of my favorites were on deck... Dire Straits and Moody Blues.... also way over due and they did a really bad job of presenting them.... nothing said about Justin Hayward being the heart of the group....it has turned into a joke.
 coloradojohn wrote:
Memories make me smile... My brother lived near Venice Beach from the early to late '80s, and I took all my college breaks out there...

 
I also like to use the ellipse....either in place of a semicolon (like I just used) or for innuendo like you did CoJo....and often as a way to let the reader know you've combined several ideas into one rambling sentence....like I just did twice!

college breaks at Venice Beach with an older (presumably) brother....that HAD to be a blast!  Stories abound I'm sure....maybe some related to the title of the album this track was on!


Memories memories. This is at least a 9.
Memories make me smile... My brother lived near Venice Beach from the early to late '80s, and I took all my college breaks out there...
 hugogdt wrote:
Happy to hear one of my favourite songs of DS, although it was never a single (AFAIK) it is beautiful!

 
Yes it was released as a single, but shortened.
https://www.discogs.com/Dire-Straits-SkateawayLes-Boys/master/23993
This could have been their album but it never seems to get recognized as a great album. Maybe it had to do with the release year: 1980. This was the beginning of the downward spiral.   
Hmmm.  Might just be my favorite DS song because its long and has drive to it.  Helps if you like the primary riff which I do.  And its a cool story.
 Shimmer wrote:
This is an OK song, but it goes on too long and sounds like every other mid-tempo Dire Straits song. The nice moments don't make up for the slog.

   

h8rhater wrote:

I never thought I'd ever hear a Dire Straits song described as a "slog" and was thinking just how soulless this comment was.  Then I saw it came from Bethesda, MD. 

If ever there was a soulless suburb...

 
{#Roflol}{#Clap}   Overpriced, too. 

Had an interesting exchange with bam23 and others on another song comment page about nearby Rockville, MD. Trust me, Rockville's even worse. I lived out there for less than a year but it felt like five. I lived in a row of cookie-cutter townhouses plopped down in a maze of lookalike streets in the middle of suburban nowhere. I regularly got lost when walking around because it all looked the same.

A few weeks ago I used Google Street View to check out my old place. That whole neighborhood seems to have been bulldozed for a university campus, bigger houses packed together and more highway-like streets. It still felt like an abandoned movie set, or some Potemkin village creation from a dystopian show like "The Prisoner." 

"Skateaway" is 6:19 long—still beautiful even though it's from a bygone era. There's always the PSD button, Shimmer. Just pray the button doesn't send you to Rockville or Bethesda oh wait... 
 Shimmer wrote:
This is an OK song, but it goes on too long and sounds like every other mid-tempo Dire Straits song. The nice moments don't make up for the slog.

 
I never thought I'd ever hear a Dire Straits song described as a "slog" and was thinking just how soulless this comment was.  Then I saw it came from Bethesda, MD. 

If ever there was a soulless suburb...
When I bummed around Europe in the Spring of 1981, this album, hands down, was the fave.  Italy, Germany, France, England, Netherlands - it didn't matter.  I heard Dire Straits everywhere.
This was my intro as a 10-11 year old to Dire Straits on MTV.
This is an OK song, but it goes on too long and sounds like every other mid-tempo Dire Straits song. The nice moments don't make up for the slog.
 dwhayslett wrote:

I rather think this is a story, not a confessional.

 
Steely Dan's "Hey Nineteen" is closer to a confessional.
 kcar wrote:
Krispian wrote:

Dire Straits underrated? I find DS gets equal airplay with Clapton on the classic rock stations here in Vancovuer... and Knopfler is certainly a household name in my household!
  

Hannio wrote:


Of course.  Why, just the other day I remarked to my wife that Mark Knopfler would certainly approve of the new drapes in the solarium.  She gave me a quizzical look and said nothing, but I think she agreed.
 
Mark finished my basement in crushed velour. And he's my proctologist!  

 
He turned me into a newt!  Oh, wait, that's something else.
 wgsu_1978 wrote:
Knopfler lusting over young chick on skates. Hasn't aged as well as most Dire Straits, but I guess that was to be expected. Still a 7.

 
I rather think this is a story, not a confessional.
I don't know man...there are a few bands/artists that get a huge rating no matter what song is played...that goes for Dire Straits/Mark, Radiohead, Dylan, etc....not all of their songs are that good (IMO)—I guess we've all got our groups like that that make our list.
Knopfler lusting over young chick on skates. Hasn't aged as well as most Dire Straits, but I guess that was to be expected. Still a 7.
My intro to Dire Straights was this song on MTV.  

 Image result for roller girl
hmmmm yeah..... {#Bananajam}
Krispian wrote:

Dire Straits underrated? I find DS gets equal airplay with Clapton on the classic rock stations here in Vancovuer... and Knopfler is certainly a household name in my household!
  

Hannio wrote:


Of course.  Why, just the other day I remarked to my wife that Mark Knopfler would certainly approve of the new drapes in the solarium.  She gave me a quizzical look and said nothing, but I think she agreed.
 
Mark finished my basement in crushed velour. And he's my proctologist!  
Great song from great album.
 kingart wrote:
From what may be Dire Straits' best album.  VERY hard to fathom it's 33 years past already. A classic. I wore out two copies of the LP.  Not that Communique and Love Over Gold are shabby. 

 
What he said. 
She tortures taxi drivers just for fun

One of their best songs.
Always brings back memories of this LP cranked way up in my little dorm room.  Good times.
 Papernapkin wrote:
Not melodic.

 
I agree, compared to Romeo Juliet. The guitar and the singing and the beat all seem to be different. It works in a way, and it's strangely epic, but I have not enjoyed listening to it. Perhaps it's like great art, you don't have to like it to appreciate it.
Screen shot of 'Skateaway' video by Dire Straits.

Look at those lips, could kiss my screen
Yum Yum!  this delicious skater saves this goofy song, imo. 
Amazing piano in this tune by (Professor) Roy Bittan.  One of the best albums of all time.  "Tunnel of Love" is in the top 3 songs to take to a desert island.  
Happy to hear one of my favourite songs of DS, although it was never a single (AFAIK) it is beautiful!
I have three daughters... This song reminds me of each at that certain point in their llfe...
 Before Jobs, Mortgages, Kids....
Yet, the Grandkids show this same spirit of freedom and youth....
  
Great song.  

Love that tune!

Played the grooves out of Making Movies, back in the day.

Real strong album, start to finish – probably in my top ten all time ...


Screen shot of 'Skateaway' video by Dire Straits.





Thanks for keeping this album "alive".  All we seem to hear this days are DS cuts off the debut or that monolith LP from 1985.

Everybody in my church thinks this song rocks...
 rdo wrote:

'When I use a word,' Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, 'it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.'

Lewis Carroll 

 
"You keep using that word.  I do not think it means what you think it means."

-- Inigo Montoya

{#Wink}
From what may be Dire Straits' best album.  VERY hard to fathom it's 33 years past already. A classic. I wore out two copies of the LP.  Not that Communique and Love Over Gold are shabby. 
 Proclivities wrote:

You must be employing some alternate definition of that word.
 
'When I use a word,' Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, 'it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.'

Lewis Carroll 
 Papernapkin wrote:
Not melodic.
 
You must be employing some alternate definition of that word.
 sandyl wrote:
So reminds me of my teens. This was one of my favourite albums then and it still tingles my spine........
 
"tingles my spine" too
Jackson Browne much?
Not melodic.

Probably one of their best songs ever.

 


JHZ wrote:
Leaning towards burdell's point here. Up there with their best tunes, since it strikes a nice balance between simplicity and complexity, while Dire Straits at other times overdid the complexity a bit. Great melodies too in this one.

burdell wrote:
Disagree. This IS their best tune.  

Hr-Rosendahl wrote:
Love DS

Not there best tune, but brings me good memories!

From when I was a handsome young man :)
 
 
 


Leaning towards burdell's point here. Up there with their best tunes, since it strikes a nice balance between simplicity and complexity, while Dire Straits at other times overdid the complexity a bit. Great melodies too in this one.

burdell wrote:
Disagree. This IS their best tune.  

Hr-Rosendahl wrote:
Love DS

Not there best tune, but brings me good memories!

From when I was a handsome young man :)
 
 


Not their best song...
Why throw this in the air (or on internet) when they have made better music?
 msymmes wrote:
The best album from Dire Straits ever !!!
 

Yup, I agree.
She tortures taxi drivers just for fun
She like to read their lips
She says, Toro Toro taxi
see you tomorrow my son
I swear she let a big truck
Grease her hip

Always loved that imagery! 
 socalhol wrote:
This song always makes me think of BOOGIE NIGHTS — Heather Graham's character "Rollergirl".  Was the character based on a real life person?    {#Think}
Heather Graham as Rollergirl in Boogie Nights
 

 

Don't know if she was - the main character was, of course. JOHN HOLMES, his name, if you remember (hehehe...).


This song always makes me think of BOOGIE NIGHTS — Heather Graham's character "Rollergirl".  Was the character based on a real life person?    {#Think}
Heather Graham as Rollergirl in Boogie Nights


PERFECT just now as I've been thinking since yesterday about Venice Beach and Marina del Rey and Santa Monica, remembering such good times had over the years out there — including the Skateaway gals who used to rule the beach path and streets there back in the day this was the hippest group — feels GREAT!
Always good on long journeys, while playing billiard und brings back lots of memorys...
Disagree. This IS their best tune.  

Hr-Rosendahl wrote:
Love DS

Not there best tune, but brings me good memories!

From when I was a handsome young man :)
 


I've never been a Dire Straits fan and now more than ever their music sounds perfectly fine in the background.
 citizenkeith wrote:
Love the slapback on the kick drum.
 
That is a really cool sentence...I wish I knew what it meant.  It will, at least, give me something to say next time I go to the kid's band concert!
Love DS

Not there best tune, but brings me good memories!

From when I was a handsome young man :)
Appropriately, I am going skating tonight.

Ice though, not wheels.

Putting this song in my head might help me skate smoooooooooooth though.
 Phototrekker wrote:
I like DS and MK - have always basically liked the band and Mark's solo stuff. But, in my opinion they get WAY too much air play here on Radio Paradise. It is one band / person that I will hear everyday usually multiple times - and that I don't like.
 
More MK and DS!

Turning up the volume...:)
 unclehud wrote:

Wish I was.  Fifty-something comes with special bummer moments — like what is the upper limit of "middle-aged"?

 
If you slip, catch yourself and don't fall, your still middleaged or a weeble or something ...

The best album from Dire Straits ever !!!
 mack32 wrote:
One of my favorite Dire Straits tunes from the early days.

 

{#Yes}
I like DS and MK - have always basically liked the band and Mark's solo stuff. But, in my opinion they get WAY too much air play here on Radio Paradise. It is one band / person that I will hear everyday usually multiple times - and that I don't like.
One of my favorite Dire Straits tunes from the early days.

 Papernapkin wrote:
 .... I'd say you're terminally stuck at 37.
 
Wish I was.  Fifty-something comes with special bummer moments — like what is the upper limit of "middle-aged"?

 Hannio wrote:


Of course.  Why, just the other day I remarked to my wife that Mark Knopfler would certainly approve of the new drapes in the solarium.  She gave me a quizzical look and said nothing, but I think she agreed.

 
I nominate this is comment of the day.

My wife was asleep when I read this comment to her, but I think she agreed.

Right around the time this came out, I had an old Strat (yup, it was a Strat-O-Caster with a "Whammy" Bar!), and I remember that the guy I bought it from showed me this: "The Dire Straits Sound is best approximated with the pickup toggle in this position..." whereupon he tossed off a couple of juicy MK licks. Transfixed and in awe, I bought the costly thing!  Some 6 or 7 years later I broke down and sold it, using the same ploy! to buy a new set of ski gear when I went back for a 2nd round of ski-bumming up at 'A-Bay' after my first stint over here...it was a sacrifice I had to make at the time, but — ouch! it still hurts sometimes!  That old 'Dire Straits Position'-thing just blew me away, as did this song! Still does, too...Thanks for the Oscar-worthy Making Movies flashback, RP!

 Krispian wrote:

Dire Straits underrated? I find DS gets equal airplay with Clapton on the classic rock stations here in Vancovuer... and Knopfler is certainly a household name in my household!

 

Of course.  Why, just the other day I remarked to my wife that Mark Knopfler would certainly approve of the new drapes in the solarium.  She gave me a quizzical look and said nothing, but I think she agreed.

 scrubbrush wrote:
Dire Straits is one of the most underrated bands in history. Mark Knopfler should be a household name like Clapton.
 
Dire Straits underrated? I find DS gets equal airplay with Clapton on the classic rock stations here in Vancovuer... and Knopfler is certainly a household name in my household!

 scrubbrush wrote:
Dire Straits is one of the most underrated bands in history. Mark Knopfler should be a household name like Clapton.
 
Agreed!


Dire Straits is one of the most underrated bands in history. Mark Knopfler should be a household name like Clapton.
YES!
 citizenkeith wrote:
Love the slapback on the kick drum.
 
Me too.
Love the slapback on the kick drum.
"The cars do the usual dances..."
 Papernapkin wrote:

Looking at your favs list, I'd say you're terminally stuck at 37.
 
You need to get together with stingray; you both have such issues with folks' age. Kinda odd. {#Ask} 


I always thought this song was groovy. Plus makes me think of hot chicks on roller skates which is always a good thing.
Being a huge fan of DS and MK, i must say this album really got the least of my attention... Don't know why, think i'll change that now.... This song though always sticks with me...

9
This is the song that made me change my mind about Dire Straits. I had shrugged off their previous efforts but this song - descriptive lyrics and the fluid guitar work that complements it perfectly - made me think that there was something here I had missed. I've been a huge fan of Mark Knopfler ever since.
 Papernapkin wrote:

Looking at your favs list, I'd say you're terminally stuck at 37.
 
Yup, am living in a state of blissful ignorance, probably until I grow up.

 scadawizard wrote:
I'm cured, I'm cured!!   Thanks Bill, I was 67 a few minutes ago, now I'm 37 again.......
 
Looking at your favs list, I'd say you're terminally stuck at 37.
Great song from a truly under rated album.
I'm cured, I'm cured!!   Thanks Bill, I was 67 a few minutes ago, now I'm 37 again.......
Please tell me this isn't 30 years old. Yikes. That makes me... oh no. I gotta' sit down...
 lhauckphx wrote:
I love this song.  I remember the first time I saw the video (back before videos were commonplace) - I think it was on The Midnight Special with Wolfman Jack.

 

Night Flight on USA Network

and the one hosted by Brit Eckland
"Toro, toro, taxi/See you tomorrow, my son..."
Bill, you're on a roll now!  Did you somehow psychically know I had a headache?  It's going away now. 
 {#Lol}You funny
Govi wrote:
These guys are good and I liked them, once.  Unfortunately for me, we lived next door to a band that seemed to specialize in Dire Straits covers and they were good at it.  They practiced often.  They also seemed to have the musical equivalent of OCD, because they'd repeat the same song endlessly, perfecting something.  So I now have an allergic reaction to Dire Straits which has nothing to do with their music or talent, just my unfortunate history.  Play on. 
 


I love this song.  I remember the first time I saw the video (back before videos were commonplace) - I think it was on The Midnight Special with Wolfman Jack.

This is one group that just does nothing for me


Dire Straits & Eric Clapton - "I Think I Love You Too Much" Live 1990 Knebworth:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkBgo1ynvGw


classic...can't be beat...lOve iT!


 drjimmy wrote:
One-third of one of the great album sides of all time: Tunnel of Love, Romeo and Juliet, and Skateaway.
 
Agreed.

Lest not forgetteth the B-side o' the Joshua Tree... 
One-third of one of the great album sides of all time: Tunnel of Love, Romeo and Juliet, and Skateaway.

These guys are good and I liked them, once.  Unfortunately for me, we lived next door to a band that seemed to specialize in Dire Straits covers and they were good at it.  They practiced often.  They also seemed to have the musical equivalent of OCD, because they'd repeat the same song endlessly, perfecting something.  So I now have an allergic reaction to Dire Straits which has nothing to do with their music or talent, just my unfortunate history.  Play on. 
Luvvin it. Beatles with or without the 'the' , Nirvana, Dire Straights - RP - there is no nostalgic substitute...

Ps. You Tube + Copyright = Noo Tube

Or

You Tube + Copyright = You Tube = 0 + a lot of stuff that's only interesting to the submitters grand mother +/- auntie.

 ScottFromWyoming wrote:

I guess I never saw the video for this so I had to go look. 

Video's been removed due to a copyright claim by WMG.
Now, keeping it for yourselves is going to get you lotsa money, dudes. Well done.


ScottFromWyoming wrote:
I guess I never saw the video for this so I had to go look.
Great! I love how the band just makes a quick cameo...LOL... Sexy and {#Chillpill}

Mark has a signature sound on his Fender Strat that is unmistakable. He is a guitarist par excellence! I had this album on cassette in my car around 1983 I think.....was always a favorite and Making Movies still stands the test of time
 peter_james_bond wrote:
What a great way to start my morning:

Dire Straits - Skateaway
Beatles - While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit
Santana - Soul Sacrifice

Thanks RP! {#Sunny}
 
Weird. Same sequence as tonight. RP repeat-o-tron?
 

i am pretty sure i would enjoy spending a few hours on my deck with mark knopfler and a couple geetars
 sunybuny wrote:
This song has lost none of its' charm from the first time I heard it so long ago.
I can still see the Roller Girl in the video - she let's that big truck graze her hip.....
 
I guess I never saw the video for this so I had to go look.

What a great way to start my morning:

Dire Straits - Skateaway
Beatles - While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit
Santana - Soul Sacrifice

Thanks RP! {#Sunny}
k_trout wrote:
hallelujah - here she comes

{#Cowboy}

what better expression and acknowledgment of a divine presence?

 sunybuny wrote:
This song has lost none of its' charm from the first time I heard it so long ago.
I can still see the Roller Girl in the video - she let's that big truck graze her hip.....
  Ha ha, yes! {#High-five} great when it came out, and still sounding great!

AM radio, . . . .blaaach!
say what you will about the Dire Straits, but the voice of Knopfler is very unique and just plain cool.
Was wondering how a Duet of him with Neil Young would sound like. Hmm, crazy thought for a Friday morning ...
As a kid, I burned out on Dire Straits (and this album in particular) more quickly than any other band. In the space of about a month, I went from knowing nothing about the band to playing them every day, to never wanting to hear them again. They're not bad, but there's a sameness to the songs that just wears thin quickly.

I can still enjoy their good songs (like this one), but it takes some effort to suppress the gag reflex.

Yay - I tuned in just as this song was starting! {#Dancingbanana}


 Welly wrote:
I've always loved this song. Such a great summer driving tune!
 
It sure is! Turn the bass up REAL high, and let it rattle the windows! Not too close to town, though. You don't want a ticket! {#Drummer}{#Bananajam}{#Beat}
hallelujah - here she comes

{#Cowboy}
I love me some Dire Straits. 
love this. perfect for a sunny start to my saturday. thanks!
' City's bein' SO...RUDE TO HER...
She's got no fears, she's sailin' through the crowds... She's got no fears, and the music's playin' loud...
Wow — Time machine music!  My bro had a place in Redondo when it was a more hapnin' spot — when this song began to slide along the radio waves...and the Roller Girls were out there, from Torrance up to Venice and beyond, skating up and down, their Walkmans clutched tightly, hips shimmying sinuously to that endless sunny groove...Skateaway, that's all!

i wonder what ever happened to that way kool woman skating in this video? remember when walkman's where the king!
I've always loved this song. Such a great summer driving tune!
Not crazy about the choruses. But the verses, and the resolution back into them... slippin' and a slidin'...