THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

829-Dire Straits-Sultans of Swing.

1978-Number 8 single.

Best Bit-At 5.18. The best ‘Pub Rock’ inspired song, in every sense.

Dire Straits (see also best songs 298) were formed in London, England, in 1977, by Mark Knopfler (lead vocals, and lead guitar) his brother, David Knopfler, (rhythm guitar, and backing vocals) John Illsley, (bass guitar, and backing vocals) and Pick Withers (drums, and percussion.) David Knopfler would leave the group in 1980 to pursue a solo career, and Paul Withers would remain a member through until 1982, playing on the first four studio Albums. Dire Straits remained active until 1988, but did reform again in 1990, until the final split in 1995. In total there have been nine different official members come and go, with Mark Knopfler, and John Illsley, being the groups only two constants. When first forming, the group called themselves the ‘Cafe Racers,’ but it was a friend of Paul Withers, while hearing them rehearse, who suggested ‘Dire Straits.’ They got their first big break when they approached the British DJ Charlie Gillett, (1942-2010) with a five song demo tape, which included an early version of ‘Sultans of Swing.’ The band had simply wanted advice, but Gillett was so taken by the music, that he began playing ‘Sultans of Swing’ on his ‘BBC Radio London’ show, which led to the group signing a recording contract with the ‘Vertigo’ division of ‘Phonogram Records.’ Dire Straits went on to become one of the worlds best selling artists, with sales estimated between 100-120 million records sold worldwide.

‘Sultans of Swing’ was the first single release from Dire Straits, and was taken from the groups self titled debut studio Album, from June 1978, a second and final single from the Album, ‘Water of Love,’ was only released in Australia, and the Netherlands, in October 1978. ‘Sultans of Swing’ was written by Mark Knopfler, and produced by Muff Winwood, (see also best songs 840) who also produced the Album in full as well. Mark Knopfler has said that he took a lot of his inspiration for songwriting from things he saw around him, but has said that he found it harder to do the more famous he became.

Mark Knopfler got his inspiration for ‘Sultans of Swing’ after witnessing a Jazz band playing in a corner of a practically deserted public house in Deptford, South London. At the end of their performance the lead singer announced that they were the ‘Sultans of Swing,’ and Knopfler found the contrast between the groups dowdy appearance, and surroundings, and their grandiose name amusing. Mark Knopfler has said,’When the guys said ‘Thank you very much, we are the Sultans of Swing,’ there was something really funny about it to me, because Sultans, they absolutely weren’t. You know they were rather tired little blokes in pullovers.’

The lyrics to ‘Sultans of Swing’ name check ‘Guitar George,’ and ‘Harry.’ This is a nod to George Young, (1946-2017) and Harry Vanda, who were both guitarists in the 1960’s Australian group the ‘Easybeats,’ (see also best songs 939 and 447)) who would later go on to produce several of the landmark ‘AC/DC’ Albums (see also best songs 797-245 and 170.) The line ‘The band was playing Dixie double four time,’ is a reference to ‘Dixieland Jazz,’ which is a traditional style of Jazz that originated in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the early part of the 20th Century. ‘Double four time’ means the 4/4 time signature, with a quarter note being one beat, and four beats per measure. It is the most common time signature in Jazz, and popular music, and was heavily popularised by the Belgium musician Django Reinhradt, (1910-1953) and also by the American guitarist Les Paul (1915-2009) during the earlier part of his career. In 1988, 10 years after it’s original release,’Sultans of Swing’ was re-issued in order to promote Dire Strait’s greatest hits Album ‘Money for Nothing,’ which featured tracks from the bands first five studio Albums, this time the single peaked in the UK at Number 62.

‘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,’ then he makes it fast with one more thing. We are the Sultans, we are the Sultans of Swing.’