Romeo and Juliet (Dire Straits song) Romeo and Juliet (Dire Straits song) "Romeo and Juliet" is a song by the British rock band Dire Straits, written by frontman Mark Knopfler. It first appeared on the 1980 album "Making Movies" and was released as a single in 1981. Reviewer Dan Bolles has called the song a "classic". The song subsequently appeared on the Dire Straits live albums "" 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 track was also featured on the greatest hits albums "Money for Nothing", "",
Dire Straits appeared on the 1990 album "Hell To Pay" as a gift to Canadian blues/jazz artist Jeff Healey from Knopfler. This was prior to the time that Knopfler, Illsley and manager Ed Bicknell decided to reform the band the following year. In early 1991, Knopfler and Illsley resurrected Dire Straits, bringing back with them former keyboardists Alan Clark, and Guy Fletcher. Retaining Bicknell as their manager, Dire Straits was trimmed down and comprised only four members once again. The band began recording tracks for a new album, integrating new session players who included steel guitarist Paul Franklin, and percussionist Danny Cummings.