Sultans Of Swing by Dire Straits

Sultans Of Swing was the first hit single by Dire Straits from their self titled first album, Dire Straits.

Dire Straits were a great English rock band, formed by Mark Knopfler in 1977 and best known for their hits Sultans Of Swing and Money For Nothing. As well as Mark Knopfler, the band comprised also his brother David Knopfler (guitar), John Illsley (bass), and Pick Withers (drums).

Although the band was formed in an era when punk rock ruled the charts, their unique style of Rock Music, simpler than the Classic Rock of the 1970's, woowed new audiences quickly.

Their first single Sultan's Of Swing immediately put them into the spotlight. By the time their most famous album, Brothers In Arms was released, with the single Money For Nothing which of course was recorded at Live Aid they had reached the top.

This song, Sultans Of Swing is a great song from their first album, Dire Straits.

Written by: Mark Knopfler from the Album: "Dire Straits" - 1978

You get a shiver in the dark
It's raining in the park but meantime
South of the river you stop and you hold everything
A band is blowing Dixie double four time
You feel alright when you hear that music ring

You step inside but you don't see too many faces
Coming in out of the rain to hear the jazz go down
Too much competition too many other places
But not too many horns can make that sound
Way on down south way on down south London town

You check out Guitar George he knows all the chords
Mind he's strictly rhythm he doesn't want to make it cry or sing
And an old guitar is all he can afford
When he gets up under the lights to play his thing

And Harry doesn't mind if he doesn't make the scene
He's got a daytime job he's doing alright
He can play honky tonk just like anything
Saving it up for Friday night
With the Sultans with the Sultans of Swing

And a crowd of young boys they're fooling around in the corner
Drunk and dressed in their best brown baggies and their platform soles
The don't give a damn about any trumpet playing band
It ain't what they call rock and roll
And the Sultans played Creole

And then the man he steps right up to the microphone
And says at last just as the time bell rings
'Thank you goodnight now it's time to go home'
and he makes it fast with one more thing
'We are the Sultans of Swing'

Treat yourself and add a Dire Straits CD to your collection today. Their debut album Dire Straits is an excellent choice, almost every track could be a single.

Grab yourself something cool, maybe a rare t-short or a concert program, or even just a bargain price on a Dire Straits CD or DVD. eBay has it all, and it's different every day.