Sultans of Swing

"Sultans of Swing" was the first single release of the British rock band Dire Straits. It entered the American music pop charts in 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 US, and helped drive sales of the album, which also became a hit.

Related Topics:
British - Dire Straits - American - 1979

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

With its relatively plain melody and vocals, 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. Most of the instruments as well as the vocals were performed by band founder and leader Mark Knopfler.

Related Topics:
Disco - Punk - Guitar - Bass - 4/4 beat - Drum - Mark Knopfler

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The song's story was that of the diverse members of a working-class jazz group trying to become popular in the clubs of London. The album version of the song featured an extended guitar solo.

Related Topics:
Song - Jazz - London

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~