Sultans Of Swing (5:47)
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“Sultans of Swing” was the first single release of the British rock band Dire Straits.
It was first recorded as a demo at Pathway Studios, North London, and quickly acquired a following after it was put in the rotation at Radio London. It did not take long for the popularity to find its way to record executives, and Dire Straits were offered a contract with Phonogram, a British record company. The song was then re-recorded and released in both the United Kingdom and the United States, though the demo version remained on the original UK Vertigo single.
It entered the American music pop charts in early 1979. Unusually, the success of this single release came more than six months after the relatively unheralded release of the band’s debut album in October of 1978; the song reached the top 10 in both the UK and the U.S., reaching number 8 on the UK Singles Chart and number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and helped drive sales of the album, which also became a hit.
With its Dylanesque lyrics and economic guitar fills, the song was a marked change from the waning disco style and the nascent punk movement. The arrangement of “Sultans of Swing” was straightforward: two guitars, a bass, and a straight 4/4 beat on the drums. Dire Straits’ original lineup has Mark Knopfler on vocals and lead guitar, David Knopfler on rhythm guitar, John Illsley on bass, and Pick Withers on drums.
The song’s story is that of the diverse members of a working-class jazz group who only want to play their distinctive sound in a small London club, and don’t care how popular they are. One player mentioned by name, “Guitar George”, may have been a reference to musician George Borowski.
It was first recorded as a demo at Pathway Studios, North London, and quickly acquired a following after it was put in the rotation at Radio London. It did not take long for the popularity to find its way to record executives, and Dire Straits were offered a contract with Phonogram, a British record company. The song was then re-recorded and released in both the United Kingdom and the United States, though the demo version remained on the original UK Vertigo single.
It entered the American music pop charts in early 1979. Unusually, the success of this single release came more than six months after the relatively unheralded release of the band’s debut album in October of 1978; the song reached the top 10 in both the UK and the U.S., reaching number 8 on the UK Singles Chart and number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and helped drive sales of the album, which also became a hit.
With its Dylanesque lyrics and economic guitar fills, the song was a marked change from the waning disco style and the nascent punk movement. The arrangement of “Sultans of Swing” was straightforward: two guitars, a bass, and a straight 4/4 beat on the drums. Dire Straits’ original lineup has Mark Knopfler on vocals and lead guitar, David Knopfler on rhythm guitar, John Illsley on bass, and Pick Withers on drums.
The song’s story is that of the diverse members of a working-class jazz group who only want to play their distinctive sound in a small London club, and don’t care how popular they are. One player mentioned by name, “Guitar George”, may have been a reference to musician George Borowski.
Video
Added by kazimann
Live preformance from Mark Knopfler, of the Dire Straits fame. This was taken from the 'Night in London' VHS.
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Shouts
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merlinsucher wrote:
dieses lied hörte ich vor 33 jahren das erste mal im radio. dasnächste mal nach 1 jahr. dann nach 1 woche.dann3xtäglich
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OskiRocks wrote:
1978. A VERY good year.....
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PartyBoy666 wrote:
Brings back memories of better times of my youth[2]one of the best songs ever written
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patgoud wrote:
der beste song von dire straits - erinnert mich an vieles, das weit hinter mir liegt.....
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sterma_albatros wrote:
Greatest guitar solo of all time. Greatest song to drive to.
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Brooklyn211 wrote:
awesome AWESOME !!!!!!
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philbert1998 wrote:
Brings back memories of better times of my youth.
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trainchaser wrote:
Ahhh, classic.
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laboursadvocate wrote:
love the guitar
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June47 wrote:
genial (einer der besten Songs die ich gehört habe)
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heppie4 wrote:
coming in out of the rain, hearing the jazz coming down♪
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CaesarAnavel wrote:
This song is excellent at any time of day, any day, any where, for anything. I love it!
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randomlife310 wrote:
Really fun to play on Expert level in Guitar Hero.
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zodiac_4_music wrote:
one of the best songs ever made!!!!
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HAYO71 wrote:
i love jello biafrara, but mark knopfler..........great two bottle of vine in haed :-) love the sound
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HAYO71 wrote:
perfect sound!!!!!!!!
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BrickTop71 wrote:
perfect guitar!!
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Jopperle wrote:
dumdredumdedum!
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RHCPfan24 wrote:
This is pretty much a perfect song in every regard.
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brettlayton wrote:
fantastic
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