Supposedly, Mark Knopfler was browsing at a NYC hardware store with MTV playing on the TV. Workers were discussing their mundane jobs and comparing themselves to the rock stars in the video, not knowing that one of the customers browsing actually WAS a rock star.

Sting from The Police on backup vocals

That falsetto at the beginning "I want my MTV" was sung by Sting.

The whole "brothers in arms" album is outstanding

Cutting edge state-of- the art CGI Graphics!! Mesmerizing in 1985!

The story behind the song: Mark was in a store in NY, and on one whole wall of the store there were TVs tuned to MTV (Music Television); he overheard the workers making derisive (perhaps jealous) comments about the performers in the videos and how easy those guys had it compared to their own blue-collar jobs (moving TVs, microwaves and refrigerators etc.). Mark grabbed a pen and paper and wrote their remarks down verbatim, and those comments became the lyrics of the song. Given that they (Dire Straits) are musicians themselves, singing the lyrics (in an MTV video no less), it's also good natured, self-parodic and cheeky, especially since in contrast to some the 'glam rock' of the time, Dire Straits was 'pub rock'. As to the 'offensive F' word at issue: 1) That was the word used by the blue collar workers themselves in the store about the guys in the MTV videos; (2) it was very common parlance at that time; (3) it was sometimes used to suggest 'poser' or 'pretty boy' (i.e. the glam rockers of the time, 'with the earrings and the makeup' who were seen to have sold out to corporate media) rather than to homosexuals (after all, gay guys wouldn't be concerned about getting 'chicks' for free, would they?); (4) Notably, when the band plays this track live, and in the first person, they leave out that word. Context is everything! If you really want to see Dire Straits at their best, check out "Sultans of Swing" (released in 1977) "Telegraph Road" (1984) and "Once Upon a Time in the West" (1979) all from 'Alchemy Live'.

Hey fellas, the song's about an incident in which Mark overheard some Home Furniture installers bitching about rockstars while watching MTV on a wall of display TV 's at their place of employment.

They are not homophobes. They are musicians, tongue firmly in cheek, making fun of homophobes.

So ... the part Sting is singing is the same melody as his Police song "don't stand so, don't stand so, don't stand so close to me". Saw their Vancouver show during this tour, and the intro drums shook my entire body. Never forgot that sensation.

I want my MTV was a big promo in the 80's...they had a lot of musicians to say the catch phrase in commercials.

This was revolutionary when it first came out. Thanks for reviving all the great memories when MTV was actually great!

Back in the day MTV played it relentlessly it was huge.

The songwriting credits are shared between Mark Knopfler and Sting. According to Knopfler, he used the network slogan "I want my MTV" after seeing an MTV advertisement featuring The Police and setting it to the tune of "Don't Stand So Close to Me" (written by Sting), hence the cowriting credit. On March 1, 1982 is when the then-struggling music video network launched the ad campaign that saved the day: "I Want My MTV!" What would really sell the campaign, however, was the delivery: MTV exec Les Garland cajoled his friend Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones to shout the line into a camera. Once Jagger finally agreed to do it, David Bowie and Pete Townshend of the The Who were persuaded to film spots as well. After that, getting new stars to join in snowballed into the famous "I Want My MTV!" commercials. The spots were a hit with cable providers, and subscriptions soared. The line "I want my MTV" inspired Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits while he was writing the band's smash hit, "Money for Nothing" “I’d seen the Police doing an MTV advert, saying ‘I want my MTV,’ just saying it all together; and I thought, ‘If I set that to the notes of “Don’t Stand So Close to Me” it’ll work,’" Knopfler told Ultimate Classic Rock. "I remember saying to the guys, ‘I’d really like to get Sting to do this.’ We knew them anyway because we’d done a lot of gigs together in Germany. One of them said, ‘That’s fine, because he’s here on holiday,’" referencing the British island of Montserrat, location of the famous AIR recording studios. "And because I’d used the five notes from ‘Don’t Stand So Close to Me,’ that’s how the co-writing thing happened. Which is fine; it’s absolutely fine with me and it worked out well. I remember quite clearly Sting coming into the studio and saying, ‘What’s wrong?’ I said, ‘What do you mean?’ He said, ‘Nobody’s fighting!’”

This was literally on 24/7 in the early 80’s on MTV

Yes MTV used that part that Sting sang “I want my MTV” for their advertisements.

this song was absolutely everywhere for a few years after it was released

This video won all sorts of awards for creativity. It does explain the origin of the lyrics.

FYI, Sultans of Swing was released in ’79 which thrust them into the spotlight and as you said, they ruled the 80’s with MTV coming on in ’82.

Dire Straits's first lp was released in June 1978.

This was the beginning of MTV... Early 80s baby.💜

This song and video was fire back then. My mom still quotes this song to this day! (she's 75 LOL)

This song at live aid was insane

Ya'lls vids are 10000 clearer than when you started. Crispyyyy!

sultans of swing was on the debut album in 1978 and was released as a single in january 1979

You're intro always reminds me of a rainy day. I watched you guys for like 3 hours straight at my last warehouse job. It was raining. I snuck out for one hits and cigarettes. Came back in wet and then the intro would hit. IDK, burned in my memory.

Believe it or not, in the early days of MTV this video was considered ahead of it's time with the computer animation and graphics...way back when... ( damn, I'm old ) lol

Y'all need to change your music when the logo comes up at the beginning of your videos to "I want my, I want my, I want my Airplay Beats." The ladies will come flocking to you. 😁😉

If you were around in the 80's and had a heartbeat you've heard this song before because it was literally everywhere when it came out.

If I have a kid, they are getting raised on music this, perfect blend of musical talent electronics.

As others have pointed out, Mark wrote this after overhearing some workers complaining about the MTV life, and THEY were using the "F" word, not Mark. So, technically, he was relaying what he heard, not what he thought. That's probably why you got it past the YT censors.

This is the short single version. The Album version is about double the length. The song was huuuge when I was a teen and the video was setting a totally new level.

This song was a staple in every strip joint in the 80's. I actually DO miss REAL MTV from back ion the day.......

Mark was in a appliance shop and he overheard this guy who worked there glance at the TV that happen to have MTV on, inspiration for the lyrics

I remember when this video first came out, it was the first computer graphics I had ever seen. Blew my mind at like 8 years old.

"Maybe get a blister on your... little finger... Maybe get a blister on your thumb" It's so hard being a rock star!

I caught them live on this tour at a relatively small theater, 2000 seats, small considering just how big they were at the time, 12th row center stage. Absolutely incredible show!

MTV , EARLY 8O' , WAS REVOLUTIONARY,, No Internet, no phones, but while mom and Pop were watching CBS, ABC, NBC, and PBS, we teens in the ,80s, were watching MTV. Iconic song from an iconic decade. ✌️

💜💜💜 bass line

MTV was new at the time. They still did commercials at the time with music stars urging you to "call your cable operator, and tell them "I want my MTV!!"

Great reaction fellas! You’ve gotta check out the live performance at Live Aid 1985 featuring Sting on stage with them! 🔥

This song is meant to be play loud!!! good reaction!

What an interesting songwriting exercise it would be to just walk around for a day and write songs out of things you overhear. Reminds me also of the story of the Guess Who's "No Sugar Tonight", which Randy Bachman wrote after hearing a random woman telling off her significant other on a California street.

Dire Straits - One World

It’s about working class guys (back in the early days of MTV) imagining what it’s like being a rock star.

This is like one of the First MTV Videos Ever! Lol😂 you guys so funny

I was literally born to this album in 1986. The midwife played Brothers in Arms on her stereo because I was late. My parents kept the tape and we often played it in the car. A little graphic, I know, but it reminds me more of my dad's car than the event in question, thankfully.

Back when MTV was actually the Music Television Video channel.

there is a Whole lot more to Knopfler than just this, and his guitar playing something else in this, but fellas, that mans music will take you places...his guitar work continues to blow me away

This was from when MTV used to play Music Videos. This was a spoof on the whole business of it all. I want my MTV is sung by Sting. Sting is the harmonies throughout the song

Back when you was kids 😊 To me you are kids. Keep it up gentlemen ✨️🎶✨️

Brothers in Arms is their finest album 😊

"I want my MTV" at the start is aung by Sting of the Police

WOOOOOHOOOOO!!! LOVE THIS SONG!!! Dire Straits + STING!! ENJOY, FELLAS!!

Sting sings the intro and chorus

Sting just puts it over the top !

This was on heavy rotation on MTV!

This was the 1st song I ever heard by Dire Straits, and I was hooked!

❤ luv this album 🎶

WELL NOW!.... It's about time you two Brothers saw this video that OWNED-MTV and MILLIONS saw who Mark and his Dire Straights band was and he/they became legends. back then we all "Want My MTV"

This was one of the 1st big hits on m tv...I don't have it I watched vids. On night flight on TNT and TVs....

So glad you listened to this song. It was huge when it came out! Most of the younger crowd today have no idea who Dire Straits was, or just how good they were.

Late 70’s / 80’s band. Sultans of Swing was off their debut album and first hit released 1978

Sting is the one who sings "I want my MTV". I remember, when I was at the University (in France), one of my English teatcher told us that Dire Straits was a must listen band because of their lyrics. He was right !

Please do the OTHER version of this song. Beverly Hillbillies by Weird Al Yankovic.😂

The headbands were because he sweated during performances and it affected his hands and guitars. Then it became "a trademark look". 🥰🥰

MARK KNOFLER WROTE "PRIVATE DANCER" FOR TINA TURNER'S COMEBACK ALBUM & TOUR👍🏼👍🏼❤❤❤🎸🎸🎸🎹🎹🎹🎶🎤🎵🎶🎤🎵🎸🎸🎹

'Brothers in Arms' is a great album, but you really need to take a look at their self titled debut album!

Fun Fact;Mark’s guitar here recently sold at auction for charity for $749,000.00

Memories of MTV!

Loved it guys this has always been a good one with good memories.,,Play the guitar on the MTV. lol

Another banger! Great stuff. Mark Knopfler has a great and unique guitar style. Once you hear it, you don’t forget it. His vocals are also very distinctive.. An underrated player as far as I’m concerned. He jams with Clapton on a few tunes , check it out on You Tube, guaranteed you’ll like it!!

Y'all almost to 50k subs !! Woohoo!! Go guys. Check out the live version w Sting, Phil Collins on drums, Eric Clapton and a few more.

STING SINGS "I WANT MY MTV" ON THIS AND ON MTV🎸🎸👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼🎶🎤🎵🎸🎹👍🏼🎶🎤🎵🎸🎹

To pick up on the comments, all true. Knopfler is playing a character, working class, as he was, with a different ''vocabulary 'and levels of envy and success. Sting ...just the guys came from Newcastle ...knew each other... no one knew the level this would go. Check out the Live Aid version of Dire Straits and Sting.

Great video. Legendary

"Telegraph Road" is an epic Knopfler/Dire Straits tune. Worth a listen, the production on that, the lyrics...it's hard hitting.

Understand one thing in the history of Music Moments....I want my MTV....80s baby...❤

There were clean edits later that removed the offensive parts. Interesting fact - the sound of the guitar was a happy accident that was the result of conditions at the studio - random mic placement and setup - and they were never able to replicate it.

That's sting singing in the beginning, he happened to be in the studio the day this was recorded. This song is a critic of the way that other people talk about bands and band members and how it's supposedly according to some people an "easy job". It's not. . Mark Knophler used to listen to how every day people talk about what they saw on MTV in the 1980s.

Thank you for playing the uncensored version.

A comment on society changing. Now everyone can have a video platform. Terrific song.

The digital animation was unique back in the day.I think the band got an award for it.

You can't unhear Sting

Thats Sting singing the " I want my MTV". Still used today even though they dont play music videos anymore

Another fun one!

So many great songs by this band. One of the best debut albums ever. This song? MTV fodder.....

I still remember hearing this for the 1st time while shopping in Tower Records when it came out. The whole store just stopped and listened as it blasted through the speakers.... think they sold a few records that day

but actually mark was so right cos back in th 80's we did say this sort of thing even though he over heard that guy in the convenient store all those years ago.

checkin in...

Love it😊

Based on a conversation he heard from a couple of guys who worked at an appliance warehouse. Wonder if they every got any of the credit for the inspiration?

Good reactions, btw.

Fun fact: the drummer on the track is not Terry Williams (except for the drum intro) who is in the music video... Drums in the studio were played by Omar Hakim, an accomplished session musician w/ an impressive resume of recordings for artists like David Bowie, Sting, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Mick Jagger (solo), George Benson, etc... Omar Hakim recorded most of the drum tracks on Dire Straits' 1985 album 'Brothers in arms'... which sold 9x platinum in the US alone... Sting did backing vocals on 'Money for nothing'... and Omar Hakim also played on Sting's solo records.

I love when you guys do records. Modest mouse-the lonesome crowded west

There was a time whenever you tuned into radio this was always there ! Great tune I could only suggest you follow up with AC/DC "Money Talks" 😉

Love the music that they made before mtv...Communique, Making Movies...try a song from them..'Once upon a time in the west ', 'Tunnel of love ',...plenty more. Plus then they had Mark's brother as rhythm guitar...not after that.

This was some of the computer animation used in a rock video. We were blown away!

You guys might like thier song called 'Industrial Disease' It as the classic Dire Straits sound, with funny yet poignant lyrics

Side note: one of the early albums to be fully digitally recorded.

Check out the live version at one of those legendary live aid benefit concerts I think? Sting performs with them, and it’s so good.. such clean playing by marky mark and sting sings his ass off