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Private Investigations

by Dire Straits

Released: November 11, 2005

Roots rock

musicOnOff editorial

Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Title Meaning.

The Album

The album contains one previously unreleased track, "All the Roadrunning," a duet with American country singer Emmylou Harris. The compilation is named after the band's 1982 hit single "Private Investigations." It includes songs from Dire Straits' six studio albums, spanning from their debut in 1978 through to their dissolution in 1995, with the notable exception of the 1979 album Communiqué. "Private Investigations: The Best of Dire Straits & Mark Knopfler" is the third compilation album by the British rock band Dire Straits and their lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter Mark Knopfler.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

Released in 2005 by Mercury and Vertigo internationally…

Released in 2005 by Mercury and Vertigo internationally, and Warner Bros.

in the United States, the album features a…

in the United States, the album features a collection of material from both Dire Straits' discography and Knopfler's solo work.

In addition to the band's tracks, the album…

In addition to the band's tracks, the album features selections from Mark Knopfler's solo career, including songs from his soundtrack work.

The U.S. version of the compilation differs slightly…

The U.S. version of the compilation differs slightly from the international release: it omits the song "Darling Pretty" but adds "Skateaway.".

Watch and listen

Explore the Album

Dire Straits - Private Investigations

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Then

Reception

This song was later released as a single and reached #8 on the UK charts.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"Private Investigations: The Best of Dire Straits & Mark Knopfler" is the third compilation album by the British rock band Dire Straits and their lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter Mark Knopfler. Released in 2005 by Mercury and Vertigo internationally, and Warner Bros. in the United States, the album features a collection of material from both Dire Straits' discography and Knopfler's solo work.

The compilation is named after the band's 1982 hit single "Private Investigations." It includes songs from Dire Straits' six studio albums, spanning from their debut in 1978 through to their dissolution in 1995, with the notable exception of the 1979 album Communiqué. In addition to the band's tracks, the album features selections from Mark Knopfler's solo career, including songs from his soundtrack work.

The album contains one previously unreleased track, "All the Roadrunning," a duet with American country singer Emmylou Harris. This song was later released as a single and reached #8 on the UK charts.

The U.S. version of the compilation differs slightly from the international release: it omits the song "Darling Pretty" but adds "Skateaway."