In my opinion, Brothers in Arms by Dire Straits is one of the most significant rock ballads of all time. Like me, the band Dire Straits are from the city of Newcastle upon Tyne in England, so you could accuse me of bias in my choice of rock ballads. However, if you watch the video above I'm sure you'll realize my opinion is based on the lyrics of the song. As I understand it, vocalist Mark Knopfler sings the song from the perspective of a dead or dying soldier. The rock ballad was released in Britain in 1985, not long after the Falkland War that Britain fought with Argentina while notorious female Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was in power. Brothers in Arms differs from other rock ballads in that its subject matter is atypical. Most rock ballads speak of lost love in romantic relationships. Brothers in Arms is about love and the loss of comrades in battle, making it one of the most powerful anti-war songs ever written. This ballad is particularly meaningful given the current conflict in Iraq. If Brothers in Arms does not make you contemplate the futility of war, then perhaps you lack compassion.

                                                 rock ballads