Dire Straits - Sultans Of Swing

Video Overview & Insights

Released: 1978

From the album: Dire Straits

Mark Knopfler - Vocals, Lead Guitar

David Knopfler - Rhythm Guitar

John Illsley - Bass Guitar

Pick Withers - Drums

*Lyrics*

You get a shiver in the dark,

It's a 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 the music ring

Well now you step inside but you don't see too many faces

Coming in out of the rain they hear the jazz go down

Competition in other places

Uh but the horns they blowin' that sound

Way on downsouth

Way on downsouth

London town

Check out guitar george, he knows-all the chords

Mind he's strictly rhythm he doesn't want to make them cry or sing

They said 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 the honky tonk like anything

Savin' it up, for Friday night

With the Sultans

We're the Sultans of Swing

Then a crowd a young boys they're a foolin' around in the corner

Drunk and dressed in their best brown baggies and their platform soles

They don't give a damn about any trumpet playin' band

It ain't what they call rock and roll

Then the Sultans

Yeah the Sultans they play creole, creole

And then the man he steps right up to the microphone

And says at last just as the time bell rings

Goodnight, now it's time to go home

And he makes it fast with one more thing

We are the Sultans

We are the Sultans of Swing

Written by: Mark Knopfler