Added: 2 years ago
From: AcidFlashGordon
Views: 126,978
Sort by time | Sort by thread (beta)

Link to this comment:

Share to:

All Comments (190)

Sign In or Sign Up now to post a comment!
  • One of the best!

  • Comment removed

  • This is arguably one of their best songs.

  • you notice no other group can even come close to doing this these days, such great great storytelling and passionate playing.

  • great use of gated reverb on the bass drum, without it the song wouldn't have been the same. Great drummer, great song!

  • From back when the world made sense.

    Thank you!

  • Damn i was 17 when this video came out, had my first girlfriend, not a care in the world, music was fantastic, our country America was amazing, OMG where did the time go lol 0_0 !

  • YEAH! My favorite Dire Straits track! And with it's original video!

  • this vid is understated in it's slickness

  • I loooove this song! Oh how it brings back memories of such great times I had back in the day! Skating my heart out to all the totally awesome songs of this time and how this video and song represents the feel of what it meant to be in the 80's and getting excited to head to the local skate rink with your friends on a Friday night and skate the night away and fly around the floor like nobody's business and feeling so free! Just so darn free like you've never felt before or again! I miss it all!

  • killer guitar at end of song-LISTEN!!

  • old skool kool...!!!

  • I wish this group would get back together. It's been a looooong time. But it sounds like Mark Knopfler just doesn't want to.

  • i remember Dire Straits 1st album , wow. good song here also.

  • love it, but feeling my age, lol.

  • Yep takes me back as well. Making Movies and Reo Speedwagon's High Infidelity were my first two Rock albums. Great music for great times. I miss the 80s!

  • 1:12 anyone else think the middle shadow is Stephen Fry?

  • I've always loved this song and Dire Straits

  • Five dislikes should just skateaway! Seriously, how could you not like this song?

  • Dire Straits are so underrated!

  • I worked at Specs Dade Land Mall when this lp came out...

  • THIS song takes me back to the days!!! "She toys with Taxi Drivers, just for fun...she says 'Toro toro Taxi, see you tomorrow paisan!' boom boom, honk honk~uh!" Mark Knopfler is a genius (and I'm sure I just spelled his name wrong, sorry man!) I just heard it on the radio last night ~ first time in the 8 years I've been here that I've heard it on the radio!!! Gads, Lubbock bites but Dire Straits rules!

  • so true.

  • Absolutely LOVE this Dire Straits tune !!! Why doesn't this get radio airplay ??

  • @TheMichaelmc99 and it didn't make the best of album! Yeah I know!

    

  • 5 people accidently hit the dislike button.

  • The natural of naturals, Mark Knopfler. She has wheels on her feet!

  • The natural of naturals, Mark Knopfler.

  • reminds os Neal Diamond a little

  • anyone remember the very first video MTV aired?:) that will bring a lot of memories

  • @sds3306 the buggles, video killed the radio star.........why didn't that tune get much radio play???

  • Ah the good ol days...I wish I had it to do over again...

  • Roller girl, she's taking chances.......

  • This song puts me in a such a place where I feel very melow dramtic. I see images and emotions run deep.

    Just briliant.

  • So many of Dire Straits' songs have the driving rythym, perfect for listening to when rolling down the highway. This being one of them.

  • Who is the girl in this video?

  • @skipper020406 Jayzik Azikiwi, she passed away recently.

  • @marcusdolby1 Oh...sad.

  • JUST Great

  • Jayzik, RIP Rollergirl  I had A big crush on you !!!

  • Such a beautiful girl. Love this song and will now think of rollergirl when I hear it. Skateaway Angel!

  • Thank you for posting this. One of my favorites.

  • 2:59 is the pigsqueal and it rocks!

  • It's odd that being this accomplished a skater, it would be mentioned somewhere in all the info I found online about Jayzik...never a word. This is serious good skating. I wonder if they used a double here.. there are so many shots you can't see her face very well. Just my opinion. I dearly love it anyway.

  • Cool, smooth song, one of the first videos I saw on MTV and to me it's a classic.

  • Hmmm: "The full original video. No audio modifications", says the very good author! In our mindless days of over-processing, remixing, retooling, & remastering to the zillionth degree, AcidFlashGordon has got it right! I too recorded miles & miles of historic early MTV footage, BUT Gordon here is the TRUE master, rolling his VHS machine or Video Capturing Unit in thousand-hour mode to give us some TRUE, ORIGINAL, RAW & UNCUT MASTER VIDEO MAGIC! I too, miss my very, very 'old' (and beloved) MTV.

  • I Have endured to The End.

  • "Toro, toro taxi see ya tomorrow my son...she made a big truck graze her hip..." classic line.

  • This is a super well done, straight, none-computerized effects, crap-free video. Probably shot in film. If done today would have been ruined with all sorts of effects.

  • When this video first came out on MTV in 1980, I went right out and bought myself a pair of roller skates. I skated all that summer on the bike paths around Eugene, Oregon (Go, Ducks!), but never could do it as gracefully as she did. I was 34.

  • @Nephthalem Ummm... MTV didn't begin broadcasting until August, 1981. You're off by about a year.

  • @DBMalone Yep, I believe you're right. I still had a great summer! I met the girl of my dreams on the foot bridge across the Willamette River at the east end of Alton Baker Park. I was on skates and I didn't make the sharp turn at the north end. Fell and landed right in her lap. Yep, that was a great summer!

  • @Nephthalem I fell in love in Oregon...can't help it. Oregon is for lovers.

  • Wow. I was born a month before the girl in this video. I have probably heard the sound a thousand times on the radio over the years, yet never even knew there was a video that went with it until tonight.

  • Just then a big truck grease him

  • I didnt know Joan Jett could skate so well....

  • I could listen to this song 24 / 7 /365!!!

  • I sure miss the 80's! I wish I could go back to that time! It was a much better time! I guess this is my idea of what I wish heaven could be like!

  • -- I wanted her sooo bad when this video came out!! She kept skating away from me.....rollergirls! "Enchante'!! What can I say??"

  • @63weezer I wanted to be her. at 40 years old I'm still envious!

  • Thank you so much for finding this! This was one of the first videos I saw on MTV and it still sticks with me to this day. So much fun to watch.

  • The ORIGINAL Rollergirl.

  • Ahhhhh, brings back memories:) Yeah made me a bit sad for my 'lost MTV youth' for sure. Funny how much they put into videos these days, it makes what started out on MTV seem so primitive but they weren't to 'Us' were they? They were all so amazing & cool weren't they? They usually told a story instead of just glitz, special effects, & ego's muggin' for the camera. Sure glad I came up in the world of the beginnings of the MTV era:)

  • @jlalewicz

    me to, nowadays it's just hoochie rock, or someone rappin about how bad they are.

  • A great song and video. Mark Knopfler is a true guitarist in my book, not a guitar "player". I remember reading years ago that he plucks the strings instead of strumming them with a pick. No flash. No frills.

    Granted this was made in 1981, but Roller Girl is sexy and classy without having to look trashy. Yet everyone who posts a comment admires and respects her.

    Bye Roller Girl. Say "hi" to my roller girl for me please. She also left this world too soon.

  • This song came out before the was an MTV...

  • @frostedhead exactly.. thank you. true. early 1979 right?

  • that guitar is the best

  • stumbled upon this this week and I am in love with this video I totally relate to Rollergirl

  • Ive learned you can make nobody happy.you can choose to be happy.That thought lead me to look up this video.

  • This reminds me of my skating days......I was actually pretty good......I love this song and can really relate....sexy......

  • I love this video, and I never saw if before until recently. Rollergirl is cute as heck! Nobody roller-skates anymore :(

  • I love Dire Straits and looked up this video. Feeling a bit reminiscent tonight. Watched it and was curious about the beautiful lady in the video I hadn't seen in over two decades. Checked out Jayzik Azikiwe. What a beautiful lady.

  • Love the Walkman on her hip. Cutting edge back then.

  • @stucat06 I told my Dad way back when that I would pass on a high school class ring for a Walkman instead. I think he sort of regretted that deal when he would holler through the house wondering where I was only to find me lying on my bed listening to music and completely oblivious to his yelling. *L*

  • My introduction to Dire Straits and I will always love this song and video. Thanks for posting it. 

  • Is it true that the girl in this video passed away?

  • I miss 1981 and music like this...

  • My favorite MTV video! Not sure why, I guess a combination of the music and roller girls incredible moves! There is something about this video, it just reaches out and grabs me!

  • Masterpiece. Classy, cool and timeless. I miss old MTV.

  • @vidiot9

    You said it! I was up that night 8/1/81, when MTV started, I was in the sixth grade but I had an older brother of 15 years and he said this is going to the next level!!

  • @vidiot9 I miss the old MTV too, I loved video music...

  • This song goes great to a hot July summer day with the skaters rolling up and down the streets in Manhattan NYC!!!

  • the music make her wanna be the story and the story was whatever was the song what it was <3

  • Oh baby!!!!!

  • @WiccansEatShit Who are you to say such a thing? You're probably someone who is very alone and has no friends.

  • @percyroxs your dad liked to masterbate to Queen in concert.

  • @WiccansEatShit hmmmm a troll perhaps yes you are.

  • @WiccansEatShit Yes, some people are gay. So what? Should they date girls, to appease you? That little faggot's got his own jet airplane. Is penis some kind of forbidden fruit to you, stimulating you into presuming that you have the right to dictate how others seek happiness? No offense.

  • IMO, the best ever music video.

  • Is it Just me that wants her HeadPhones?

  • Love this one!

  • According to this article, she died of pneumonia in Gambia in early 08. So sorry.

    RIP Rollergirl!

    The system will not allow me to post the link, but it was from Nigerian-Newspaper if one wants to Google it.

  • @WarriorSpirit3a don't be sorry...she lived a great life

  • Awesome video. Better than 99% of the million dollar videos they make today. Stylized, sexy and easy on the eyes.  Good song too.

  • She's making Movies on location...She don't know what it means.

  • Comment removed

  • There's 1 "dislike" on this page and 1 "dislike" on the page with just the audio from the album. Anyone think it might be the same person finding Skateaway just to click "dislike?"

  • I love this video...it has a distinct FIORUCCI flavor to it.

  • Screw the one numbnuts that disliked this.

  • Back in the day when great rock groups made great

    rock'n'roll music....not this computerized crap we

    are bombared with today.

  • One of My Absolute Favorite Videos ! ! ! !

  • tonight is the first time I saw the video for this song. I've had it on vinyl, tape and cd. still play it a lot...now on my ipod machine. Excellent jam.

    p.s. chicks today don't know how to rollerskate. Just saying. Shalla Shallay.

  • Thanks for posting, Always looked for this under Rollergirl. Sad to hear that she past away. Brings back the 80's when I graduated from h.s.

  • "She says 'Toro Toro taxi...see you tomorrow my son' ~ then she let a big truck graze her hip...shwee shwee,beep beep, oh oh..." HELL YEAH!!! This song is SO me and my BFF ~ Shastie, this one's for us gurl!!! Let's go get our skates, lol ;D

  • love this songs remind me of visiting jersey when I was a kid back in the late 70's

  • With this lovely girls' passing a part of my youth is also gone forever. As a young fellow watching MTV in the 80s I always wondered what it would be like to do on a date and roller skating in Central Park with this girl and I never even knew her name until now. Something sad about that. My favorite part of this video is 4:49 to 4:53 when you actually see her cute smile.

    Until the next dimension roller-girl!

    Love, Tim

  • @mosihasteen You are right she has a dam cute smile.

  • @mosihasteen Her real name was Jane but she changed it when she moved to Gambia, Africa.

  • @mosihasteen well said,Tim

  • Dire Straits needs to reunite...Was lucky enough to see them on the Brothers In Arms tour...Admire Knopflers solo stuff,but it isn't near as good as Straits,at least for my tastes...

  • coolest vid ever

  • Best video ever!Song rips too

  • i always felt this should be on Dire Straits Greatest hits.

  • Jazik is missed, I will never forget this vid and this song... Skakeaway.... Thats all...

  • like only one of the greatest songs ever!

  • I want her

  • same set as romeo and juliet video? i think so...

  • @TheIslandersMusic It's a whole video... movie I guess? That's what they did in the '80s :)

  • Good Lordy, Jayzik was a complete doll. Think I'll name my next guitar "Skate-A-Caster". Already got 2 Strats, so what the hey-hey. 

    Rollergirl, you will never be forgotten by your kindred spirits, be-it we strap on Fenders and/or skates. Mr. Knophler, you da man.

  • This is the song I thought of when I first read Douglas Adams' line (Zarquon rest his gentlemanly soul) in "So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish" about Mark Knopfler's "amazing ability to make a Fender Stratocaster hoot and sing like angels on a Saturday night".

  • Love this song...Rollergirl......RIP

  • RIP rollergirl.

  • Timeless.

  • In the 80's I actually enjoyed watching MTV. At some point though they quit showing the heavy metal and pop music videos and started replacing them with these lame ass rap videos and horrible reality shows. That was when I stopped watching MTV.

  • I truly love Dire Straits. Seen them in person. Phenomenal. I think this is one of there best song even though they have so many phenomenal ones. Just listen to that guitar. He gets it to cry. Thanks so much for posting.

  • I love chicks on rollerskates. This one and Rollergirl from Boogie Nights. What more could you ask for.....

  • My 10 year old daughter wants me to play this video when I turn on You Tube

  • time to go cruise the strip...this is a perfect cruising tune!

  • What the Hell happened to MTV? do they even play Music Videos anymore? Haven't watched it since 1987.....so sad....RIP

  • Rollergirl is early 80's hotness. Great band, great song!!

  • Loved going to skate arenas back then. Great memories Thank You

  • i always liked the outro of this song

  • @truemetalist89 I agree with you, the outro on this song gives me a sense that the song took me somwhere and its saying goodbye in a very sweet way. The volume swells Mark does on his guitar are so choice.

  • Mark Knopfler, no doubt one of the best!

    No, THE best.

    Incomparable talent.

  • Mark Knopfler, no doubt, one of THE best!

    No, the Best, incomparable talent.

  • Music is going a tad to fast.

  • @aitraining

    More than a tad. Any faster and it would be chipmunk territory. Poster: Can you fix the speed and re-post it?

  • Toro toro taxi! See you tomorrow, my son.

    Good quality, thanks for posting.

  • Dire Straits rocks and rolls right into your soul. Best band ever.

  • LOve this song!!!

  • I didn't know who she was, but Jayzkik was one of the most memorable images I have seen in a video. RIP.

  • So fabulous! Didn't hear them til college 82, what for being oppressed by my father who couldn't stand to hear anything hip... No regrets, I've loved this music now for 28 yrs??! Indeed, where did all the fab music go!!!??

  • Why did they allow that geeky drummer to come in there and ruin this master piece of a video by doing that pathetic leg dance?

  • Jazik was beautiful inside and out!!

  • It's a shame this song is fairly obscure nowadays.

  • This is one of my favorite songs ever.

  • This was video and Song.... where did all the good songs go? besides to rap.

  • i could watch that girl skate all day. i could be going out the door and this video come on i'd have to stay and watch

  • IF YOU DO NOT THINK THIS IS THE SHIT, I WILL FIGHT YOU!

    Great tune and I love the how gracefully that young lady moves on those skates.

  • This Is Still One The Coolest Videos Ever!!! Musically And Visually. Long Live Dire Straits, RIP Sweet Roller Girl.

  • When MTV played videos those were the days! I sure miss the 80's. I remember seeing MTV back in 82 what a time it was. Those were the days!

  • "She's makin' movies on location, she don't know what it means."

  • ....

  • RIP THE ROLLERGIRL

  • Jazik Azikiwe, May 12, 1958 - January 31, 2008. RIP Lovely Rollergirl and Skatewaway with the angels.

  • @SteveD328... Wow, that's sad to hear. Thanks for posting this info. She had tasty legs and beautiful face.

  • Comment removed

  • @mosihasteen Yeah, I read it. I agree with her legs, but not every..

  • @SteveD328 - Thanks for sharing that. I had no idea who she was.

    This song and video are fantastic. We used to watch MTV for hours on end in the first couple years of its existence.  Then it went ultra-commercial and the more obscure artists got pushed aside for the popular stuff that had to be heavily repeated in the video rotation. *YAWN* By 1984/85, MTV was dead, as far as I was concerned.

  • @ruleta74835 I watched the very first video they put out - Video Killed The Rdio Star. Black and white portable tv. It was electrifying, something big was coming. Sad to see what evolved to. I had such high hopes. Skateaway was one of the first vids offered also, late at night... oh those were the days.

  • @SteveD328 ...what happened to her......?

  • @SteveD328 Met her back in1991. She was the most down to earth,friendliest person i ever met. So sad she is gone. Miss her much!!

  • @SteveD328 I never even knew her name until now. Such a beauty; may she indeed rest in peace.

  • @SteveD328 I'm so sad to learn of this. I've love this song and video since it first came out. I can't listen to this song without picturing her.

  • Skateaway is one of the rare videos that improves on the song alone; it’s hard to believe that it was made by the same people as the awful ToL and R&J videos. I think the difference proceeds from the fact that ToL and R&J have such visually and emotionally stronger verbal images/metaphors and story arc that the film makers have no choice but to turn them into hilariously literal images that no one cares about.

    In contrast, the Skateway lyric’s images are much weaker and more abstract,

  • so there is room for visual interpretation that we accept: “But Rollergirl, she’s taking chances” is conceptual not visual, so when Jayzik swings on the bus’s hand grip and sashays backwards, the image becomes part of our experience of the song. Likewise, we know conceptually what is going on in Halleluja! Here she comes! Queen Rollerball! “En enchanté! “What can I say? “…(She don’t) care at all.”

    but the dude’s Gallic shrug at the brush-off is the perfect image.

    Compare the live

  • performances of Skateaway and R&J on the “Friday Live – 80” show. Listen to the lyrics but don't think of the videos. Although the band obviously enjoys playing it, Skateaway is abstract, fragmentary, and aloof. R&J is much more emotionally evocative and gets a stronger reaction from the audience. I suspect MK may have his reservations about Skateaway. Unlike the other two, he stopped playing it, and it’s not in the compilations, except as a substitute in the US release of the 2005 compilation.

  • I miss real music that actually meant something. I haven't heard this song in almost 7 years. Being in Radio one would think I would hear it all, but I'll tell you this. I'm not only a lover of music and a guitar player, this, this video and this BAND, brings me back to why I do what I do. LOVE THIS SONG and the band