Dire Straits' 'Brothers in Arms' Spent 9 Weeks at No. 1

On June 15, 1985, British rock group Dire Straits began a record-breaking run atop the Billboard 200 with their hugely popular album, Brothers in Arms. Despite achieving relative success with their first four albums, Brothers in Arms was the record that finally transformed Dire Straits into rock music legends.

Released in May 1985, Brothers in Arms features hits such as "Money for Nothing" and "Walk of Life", which both broke into the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. Their popularity fuelled sales of Brothers in Arms, which eventually became the best-selling album ever in CD format at that time.

Dire Straits certainly had their fans before Brothers in Arms, but whatever popularity they'd previously enjoyed seemed feeble in comparison to the spotlight this album placed them under. It was the first album to ever go 10x Platinum in the United Kingdom, and it remains the eighth best-selling record ever in the band's home country.

Dire Straits' previous album, Love Over Gold, had also reached No. 1 in the United Kingdom, but was less of a success story on the other side of the Atlantic. It wasn't until Brothers in Arms that they scored their first Billboard No. 1, and once they had it, they weren't letting go.

The album remained in the peak position on the Hot 100 for an incredible nine weeks, only losing its position to the Miami Vice soundtrack, which dominated the charts in the second half of the year.

The success of Brothers in Arms allowed Dire Straits to undertake a highly anticipated world tour to promote the album, which introduced the beloved rock icons to a much wider audience across the world. Their popularity ultimately led them to victory at the 1987 Grammy Awards, where they were recognized for Best Engineered Album and Best British Album.

Following the huge acclaim of Brothers in Arms, Dire Straits took an extended hiatus from making music. Tracks such as "Money for Nothing" and "Brothers in Arms" were re-released throughout the '80s while the band rested, ultimately returning in 1991 with their final studio album, On Every Street.

On Every Street was another chart-topper in the United Kingdom, landing at No. 12 on the Billboard 200. By stepping back from the industry while they were miles ahead, Dire Straits cemented their legacy as undisputed legends of '80s rock-a title they're still proud to hold today.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 15, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

2026 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.

This story was originally published June 15, 2026 at 4:23 AM.