- The final studio album that closed the Dire Straits era with elegance, introspection, and tour photography worth framing.
The 12" vinyl LP “On Every Street” by Dire Straits captures the band’s reflective farewell after a decade of defining modern rock. Produced by Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits, this 1991 release pairs storytelling mastery with pristine musicianship. It includes the fan favorites “Calling Elvis” and “Heavy Fuel” — tracks that balance nostalgia and craftsmanship with cinematic polish.
This Dutch pressing stands out for its deluxe presentation — an official merchandise leaflet and a 40-page full-color photo booklet from the 1992 world tour. More than an album, it’s a collector’s time capsule, complete with Vertigo label details and tour photography by Paul Cox, Deborah Feingold, and Terry O’Neill.
Dire Straits’ "On Every Street" 12" Vinyl LP Album captures the band’s final chapter with remarkable clarity and emotional weight. Released in 1991, it reaffirmed their reputation for meticulous musicianship and thoughtful songwriting, blending rock, blues, and folk influences into a mature, reflective soundscape.
This edition stands out for its inclusion of an official merchandise leaflet, offering fans a tangible link to the band’s world. From T-shirts to posters, it reflects the visual and cultural identity that surrounded Dire Straits during their early-’90s peak.
Even more distinctive is the 40-page color booklet, packed with vivid tour photography and behind-the-scenes insights from the 1992 world tour. Each page radiates the energy and unity of a band performing at its creative summit, bringing readers closer to both the stage and the camaraderie behind it.
Commercially, "On Every Street" achieved major success, topping charts across Europe and confirming Dire Straits as one of the era’s most influential rock acts. Its blend of storytelling, atmosphere, and precision guitar work carried forward the band’s unmistakable identity.
What makes this album endure is its timeless atmosphere—it balances introspection with the gritty realism of everyday life. Decades later, "On Every Street" still resonates deeply, standing as both a farewell statement and a final triumph in Dire Straits’ extraordinary journey.
"On Every Street" marked the end of Dire Straits’ studio journey, released in 1991 as their sixth and final album. It closed a 13-year run that reshaped modern rock with its blend of elegance, storytelling, and restraint. After the massive world tour that followed, Mark Knopfler dissolved the band in 1995, choosing to return to smaller, more intimate projects.
The album wasn’t designed as a farewell, yet it feels like one. Its introspective tone, slower tempos, and lyrical maturity reveal a band aware of its legacy and nearing the quiet fade-out of an era. Where earlier albums chased the spotlight, "On Every Street" feels like the lights dimming gracefully after the encore.
Dire Straits’ top three commercial triumphs tell the other side of the story. "Brothers in Arms" (1985) remains their best-selling album, with over 30 million copies sold worldwide and defining hits like “Money for Nothing.” Next came "Making Movies" (1980), a breakthrough that paired cinematic rock with emotional storytelling through songs like “Romeo and Juliet.” Rounding out the top three is their self-titled debut, "Dire Straits" (1978), which introduced the world to Mark Knopfler’s fingerstyle guitar and the timeless “Sultans of Swing.”
By the time "On Every Street" arrived, Dire Straits had already conquered the world. It wasn’t a commercial peak—it was a coda. A record made by musicians who had nothing left to prove, only stories left to tell. For collectors, it’s more than just another vinyl; it’s the sound of closure pressed into wax.
Pop Rock
Pop Rock fuses melodic pop sensibilities with the rhythmic drive of rock. Dire Straits’ version blends introspective storytelling, rich guitar textures, and restrained production — a mature evolution of their earlier sound.
Vertigo 510 160 (510160)
Original custom inner sleeve with printed lyrics.
Includes a 40-page photo booklet featuring tour images and behind-the-scenes moments.
Record Format: 12" LP Vinyl Gramophone Record
1991 – Made in Holland
Note: The periods listed above indicate when each musician was active as a member or touring contributor to Dire Straits.
Disclaimer: Track durations not listed on label. Actual playtime may vary between regional pressings.
"On Every Street" was Dire Straits’ final studio album, released in 1991 after a six-year hiatus. It showcased a more reflective, mature sound, contrasting the arena dominance of their earlier years. The album led to a massive 1991–1992 world tour, after which Mark Knopfler disbanded the group.
The record achieved commercial success, particularly in Europe, and remains a fan favorite for its understated tone and lyrical depth. Songs like “You and Your Friend” and “On Every Street” capture the quieter side of Dire Straits’ artistry.
Within their catalog, "Brothers in Arms" (1985) stands as their biggest success, followed by "Making Movies" (1980) and their self-titled debut "Dire Straits" (1978). Together, these albums form the backbone of the band’s enduring legacy in rock history.
The front cover of Dire Straits’ 1991 album “On Every Street” is a study in restraint and design precision. The composition relies on bold contrasts — a vivid electric-blue background interrupted by a smaller red-orange frame near the center. The inset image, rendered like a photo negative, shows metallic trumpet-like forms suspended in reflective light, hinting at movement without revealing their context. The surrounding blue field fades into textured gradients, resembling steel or the smooth body of an instrument under soft illumination.
Across the top, the title “dire straits : on every street” is written entirely in lowercase red sans-serif type. The typography is understated yet distinctive, creating an impression of quiet continuity with the band’s established minimalist visual language. The red hue of the text mirrors the inset, uniting the color scheme while emphasizing contrast — calm versus intensity, reflection versus action.
The artwork’s power lies in its abstraction: nothing literal, no faces, no scenes, just shapes and color balancing emotion and structure. It evokes both distance and intimacy, echoing the album’s tone — a mature farewell from a band defined by precision and understatement. The cover’s tactile matte finish and bold duotone palette stand as a reminder of early 1990s album design, where simplicity carried as much meaning as sound itself.
Note: The image shown is from the original 12" vinyl LP from the personal collection. Slight variations in color and saturation may occur due to scanning and lighting differences. Zoom for full detail on the tonal gradation and typography alignment.
The back cover of Dire Straits’ “On Every Street” extends the album’s minimalist visual concept with precision and balance. The design is centered around a large circular postal-stamp motif in pale turquoise, enclosing the band’s name and album title in uppercase sans-serif type: “DIRE STRAITS – ON EVERY STREET.” Within the circle, three wavy lines symbolize the motion of a cancellation mark — a subtle visual metaphor for movement, distance, and communication.
The background maintains the same textured blue tone as the front sleeve, creating continuity across both sides. Superimposed in delicate red type are the track titles — barely visible at first glance, requiring close observation to read. The color interplay between red, blue, and turquoise establishes a cool, sophisticated contrast typical of early 1990s design trends in European vinyl artwork.
In the bottom left corner, part of the red-orange image from the front cover reappears, this time cropped within a white, perforated frame resembling a postage stamp. The connection between front and back is deliberate — a loop of visual correspondence echoing the album’s themes of travel and communication. In the top right corner, the Vertigo Records logo, catalog number 510 160-1, barcode, and a small retail price sticker complete the composition, grounding the artwork in the physical culture of collectible vinyl.
Note: This back cover photograph is taken from the original 12" LP in the personal collection. Slight variations in color may result from camera lighting and scanning process. Zooming reveals the fine typography and embossed texture typical of early Vertigo pressings.
This large full-page color photograph from the inner sleeve of Dire Straits’ “On Every Street” captures the complete band lineup and touring collaborators during the group’s final recording period. The image features nine individuals arranged in three relaxed rows, posed before a soft, dark studio backdrop. The composition radiates warmth and quiet confidence — an ensemble at ease after years of global acclaim.
At the center front sits Mark Knopfler, dressed in an open-collar white shirt, his expression calm yet assured. Around him are the musicians who helped shape the refined sound of the band’s last studio era, including long-time and touring members. Their attire reflects the era’s understated aesthetic — a blend of smart casual shirts, rolled sleeves, lightweight blazers, and relaxed denim, typical of early ’90s professional portrait photography for established rock acts.
The soft, even lighting highlights each face without sharp shadows, producing a friendly and approachable atmosphere. The group’s positioning, slightly asymmetrical yet balanced, conveys collaboration rather than hierarchy. Behind the easy smiles lies the weight of finality — a sense that this was both a celebration of craftsmanship and a farewell image. The photograph serves as a visual counterpart to the album’s reflective tone, capturing a moment of unity before the band’s curtain call.
Note: This photograph appears on the original 12" LP inner sleeve of “On Every Street”. Image reproduced from the personal collection; colors may vary slightly due to lens and lighting conditions during documentation.
This full-page inner sleeve photograph from Dire Straits’ “On Every Street” album features Mark Knopfler in a relaxed, personal pose that perfectly captures the understated artistry behind the band’s sound. He sits casually against a dark, textured backdrop, wearing a bright pink sweatshirt and light blue jeans, his posture calm and assured. Across his lap rests a natural wood-finish Gibson archtop guitar, the instrument that defined so much of his clean, melodic playing.
The composition blends warmth and precision — Knopfler’s thoughtful expression and gentle hold on the guitar speak of familiarity and mastery rather than performance. The light source, diffused yet directional, highlights the polished curves of the instrument and the intricate mother-of-pearl inlay along the neck. The amber and gold tones of the guitar stand out vividly against the muted studio tones, lending the portrait a tactile sense of depth and intimacy.
In the lower right corner, the album’s recurring “Dire Straits – On Every Street” postal emblem in blue ties the image to the album’s overall graphic identity, reinforcing continuity between music and design. This portrait serves not merely as a musician’s photo but as a statement of closure — a calm, reflective moment from one of rock’s most distinctive stylists, poised between the end of an era and the start of a solo path.
Note: Image scanned from the original 12" LP inner sleeve. Slight tonal variations may occur due to lighting and printing differences between vinyl editions.
This full-page inner sleeve portrait from Dire Straits’ “On Every Street” album captures Mark Knopfler in a composed, introspective pose that mirrors the reflective tone of the music itself. He sits before a softly painted backdrop of brown and green tones, the palette evoking warmth and subtle nostalgia. His posture is calm yet deliberate — the guitar upright, his chin resting gently on his hand, his gaze steady and contemplative.
The photograph’s focal point is Knopfler’s Gibson archtop guitar, its golden maple body and black pickguard rendered with exquisite detail under studio lighting. The metallic hardware gleams, while the guitar’s curved body lines draw the eye naturally back to Knopfler’s thoughtful expression. His dark jacket adds contrast to the luminous hues of the instrument, balancing the overall composition with visual harmony.
The portrait conveys a sense of artistic closure — an artist comfortable in his legacy, surrounded by the tools of his craft. The choice of lighting and tone reinforces the calm confidence of a musician whose work had defined an era. This image, like the album it accompanies, feels intimate and unguarded — a quiet statement from one of rock’s most distinctive voices.
Note: Image reproduced from the original 12" LP inner sleeve of “On Every Street.” Scanned from the personal collection; minimal retouching applied to preserve original texture and color balance.
This close-up shows the Side One label of Dire Straits’ “On Every Street” 12" vinyl LP, released in 1991 on Vertigo Records. The label is printed in a distinctive blue tone with red-orange typography — a visual pairing that gives it both clarity and character. The band’s name and album title appear prominently at the top in lowercase, maintaining the minimalist aesthetic consistent with the album’s sleeve design.
Below the title, centered text lists credits: “all songs written by Mark Knopfler” and “produced by Mark Knopfler & Dire Straits.” On the left, the text block “SIDE ONE 33RPM” stands in bright red, balanced by BIEM/STEMRA rights information and catalog number 510 160-1. Vertigo’s iconic swirl logo appears on the right, its deep orange color providing an eye-catching contrast against the matte blue surface.
Around the outer rim, small red text reads, “All rights reserved. Unauthorized copying, reproduction, hiring, lending, public performance, and broadcasting of this record prohibited,” ending with “Made in Holland” printed at the bottom center. The clean layout and standardized typography exemplify early 1990s Vertigo label design, where legibility and uniform branding defined the label’s European pressings.
Note: Image captured from the original 12" vinyl LP. Slight light reflections on the record surface are inherent to the glossy finish of Vertigo pressings.
You don’t buy this album just for the music — the inner sleeve and booklet photos alone justify the price. The visual storytelling on full-size vinyl packaging pulls you in before the needle even drops, turning every fold and print into a piece of rock history you can actually hold.
This is where the LP format crushes the compact disc. On vinyl, every photo breathes — sharp details, natural grain, and layout meant for real eyes, not squinting through a plastic jewel case. The CD insert might fit in your pocket, but it kills the scale, mood, and tactile presence that collectors crave.
These photographs are more than decoration — they’re an experience. On a record sleeve, the imagery expands the sound, setting tone and texture. You don’t need a magnifier to enjoy them, just a good light and a little time to get lost in the art. This is what made vinyl an album, not just a container for songs.
The Dire Straits album pages in this collection trace the band’s climb from smoky London pubs thick with the smell of beer and after-hours chatter to the bright glare of world stages. Each record in thisvinyl records discography captures that same working-class pulse — guitars that whisper more than shout, lyrics that sketch city nights and worn-out hearts. It’s a chronicle of restraint and rhythm, of songs aged well because they were never chasing style. What follows brings that slow-burn rise into clear focus, one clean chord at a time.
"Alchemy: Dire Straits Live" perfectly encapsulates the energy and musical virtuosity of a Dire Straits concert. The album was recorded during their 1983-1984 "Love Over Gold" tour
Alchemy Live 2LP (1984 France)
'Brothers in Arms' on 12" Vinyl LP is a sonic masterpiece produced by Mark Knopfler and Neil Dorfsman. This iconic album showcases the band's musical prowess and includes hits like 'Money for Nothing'.
Brothers in Arms (1985, Holland) Brothers in Arms (1985, West-Germany)
"Communiqué" is listed in three versions: European, German, and a rare Club Edition, each offering a unique experience on 12" vinyl LP.
Communiqué European Release Communiqué (1979, Germany) Communique Club Edition (1979, Germany)
The self-titled debut album of "Dire Straits" is available in four distinct versions, including the rare Portuguese edition, which is notably elusive to find.
DIRE STRAITS - Self-Titled (1978, England) DIRE STRAITS - Self-Titled Black Vertigo (1978, France) DIRE STRAITS - Self-Titled (1978, France) DIRE STRAITS - Self-Titled (1978, Portugal)
Vertigo 609 230 , 1979 , Germany
"Lady Writer" by Dire Straits is a captivating musical gem. Featuring the hit "Lady Writer" on one side and "Where Do You Think You're Going?" on the other, this release showcases the band's signature sound
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Warner Bros WBMS 109 , 1979 , USA
The rare promotional 12" Vinyl LP album, "Dire Straits - Live Promo - Warner Bros Music Show", offers a unique glimpse into the band's live performances.
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"Love Over Gold" the Dutch and West-German editions each having different coloured record labels , the West-German release mentions "Digital Recording".
Love Over Gold OIS (Netherlands) Love Over Gold (West-Germany)
The Dutch, German and USA release of "Making Movies" produced by Mark Knopfler and Jimmy Iovine and engineered by The Shelly Yakus, it features custom inner sleeves with lyrics and artwork. Recorded in July-August 1980
German Edition of Making Movies Dutch Edition of Making Movies Making Movies Genuine USA Edition
Vertigo INT 836 419 , 1988 , UK
"Money for Nothing" is a musical treasure with a mix of studio and live tracks. It features the iconic "Sultans of Swing", a live version of "Portobello Belle", and a remix of "Twisting by the Pool".
Learn moreDire Straits’ final studio album, On Every Street (1991), blends refined rock craftsmanship with introspective songwriting. This Holland pressing stands out for its 40-page world tour booklet and official merchandise leaflet, making it a must-have vinyl for collectors and fans of Mark Knopfler’s signature sound.
Vertigo 6863 201 , 1982 , France
The French Promo 12" Vinyl Maxi-Single of "Telegraph Road" by Dire Straits is a highly sought-after collector's item. Featuring a rare 14:37 version of the song, it predates the official release of the LP "Love Over Gold".
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The Netherlands release of the 12" EP "Twisting By the Pool" by Dire Straits features a concise tracklist. The Fren ch Edition also includes the bonus track "Badges, Posters, Stickers, T'Shirts"
Twisting By the Pool / ExtendedancEPlay (1983, France) Twisting By the Pool / ExtendedancEPlay ( 1983 Holland )