Croatian guitarist Josip Susic returns with another impressive tribute to the music of Dire Straits and Mark Knopfler.
After previously sharing his beautiful cover of “Going Home”, Josip decided to explore another iconic moment from the Dire Straits catalogue: the final guitar solo from “Tunnel of Love.”
Originally released on the 1980 album Making Movies, the song remains one of the band’s most celebrated compositions. Its dramatic arrangement and expressive guitar work have made it a favorite among guitarists and Mark Knopfler fans for decades.
In January 2021, Josip released a short electric guitar performance featuring the final solo from “Tunnel of Love.” Rather than covering the entire song, he focused on one of its most memorable guitar passages. The performance gives listeners a chance to hear his interpretation of Knopfler’s expressive playing in a concise instrumental arrangement.
The solo demonstrates the qualities that have made “Tunnel of Love” such an important part of Dire Straits’ musical legacy: melodic phrasing, controlled dynamics, and a strong emotional connection between the guitar and the song.
Inspired by Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits
Josip Susic is a lifelong admirer of Mark Knopfler’s music and guitar style.
His performances show a particular interest in the details behind Knopfler’s playing rather than simply reproducing the notes. For guitarists, this makes his covers an interesting example of how a musician can study a legendary player’s technique while developing his own musical voice.
His earlier performance of “Going Home” introduced Dire Straits Blog readers to his playing, and the “Tunnel of Love” solo became another chapter in his musical journey.
Josip Susic Working on Original Music
At the time of the performance, Josip also shared some exciting news about his future plans. He revealed that he was working on original material influenced by artists including Mark Knopfler, Dire Straits, and Tommy Emmanuel. His goal was to combine those influences with his own ideas and create music that reflected his personal approach to guitar.
Speaking exclusively to Dire Straits Blog, Josip said:
“Thank you very much for featuring my video on your blog. It’s nice to see it up there in good company. I will surely notify you about my future videos where I play Mark Knopfler songs. I am working on some new original material which is very much in the style of Mark Knopfler, Tommy Emmanuel & CO.”
He also explained that he was working on a new website and hoped to share more of his music with listeners in the future.
“Once again, your support is much appreciated. All the best from Croatia.”
A Guitar Tribute to “Tunnel of Love”
“Tunnel of Love” remains one of Dire Straits’ most atmospheric songs. Released on Making Movies in 1980, the track combines cinematic keyboard textures, memorable melodies, storytelling, and one of Mark Knopfler’s most expressive guitar performances.
Josip’s short interpretation focuses entirely on the final solo, allowing the guitar to take center stage.
For fans of Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits, performances like this are a reminder of how influential the band’s guitar work continues to be among musicians around the world.
Watch Josip Susic Play the Final Solo
If you enjoy Dire Straits guitar covers and Mark Knopfler-inspired performances, Josip Susic’s interpretation of the “Tunnel of Love” final solo is well worth watching.
Listen to the performance below and discover another talented guitarist from Croatia paying tribute to one of Dire Straits’ most memorable songs.
You can also explore Josip Susic’s other Dire Straits inspired performances, including his acoustic and electric arrangement of “Your Latest Trick” and his cover of “Going Home” – HERE.
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