Sultans of Swing - Dire Straits (1979) 2/25/22

Have you ever noticed that today's "Great Song of 1979," "Sultans of Swing" by Dire Straits is a blues/rock tune that's not even close to "swing" music?

By definition, swing music is a danceable form of jazz that was developed by the Big Bands of the '30s and '40s. (Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Count Basie, etc.) It's a style that favors soloists who can improvise a melody over a basic arrangement.

So how and why did Dire Straits come up with that title?

One dark and stormy night, Mark Knopfler stopped by a small British pub for a pint or two. The place was virtually deserted, but there was a band playing jazz (quite poorly) in the corner. At the end of the set, the lead singer said, "Good night and thank you. We are the Sultans of Swing."

Two things immediately came to Mark's mind: They weren't nearly good enough to be the Sultans of anything, and "Sultans of Swing" sounded like a "Great Song" title.

Mark went home to the flat he shared with his brother Dave and bassist John Illsley, and started writing the song for their newly-formed group, Dire Straits (named for the financial situation they were in).

When he was finished, no one--including Mark--thought much of it. A few days later, however, he bought a new Stratocaster guitar, and started tinkering with the song.

In addition to making a number of chord changes...he incorporated lyrics that told the story of his night at the pub.

After recording it--and a few other songs--they started a quest to get a record contract. They took their demo to DJ Charlie Gillett at the BBC, who instantly fell in love with "Sultans of Swing" and started playing it in heavy rotation. Two months later, Phonogram Records signed the group... and they were on their way.

But first, they had to re-record the song because the demo's quality wasn't quite good enough. Strangely, it took them several tries to make the song sound the same, but the extra work was worth it.

But not right away. When it was first released in 1978, it was met with almost unanimous praise by music critics, but went absolutely nowhere on the charts.

Not to be deterred, Phonogram re-released it in 1979...and that's when the magic happened! It reached the Top 10 in 6 countries, including the UK (#8). Ireland and Australia (#6), and South Africa (#3). In Canada and the US, it peaked at #4.

Since 1979, "Sultans of Swing" has earned numerous kudos: Mojo Magazine put it on their list of the "50 Best British Songs," Mark's guitar solo has been ranked as the 22nd best by Guitar World and 32nd best by Rolling Stone. Best of all: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame added it to their list of the "500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll!"

To me, that certainly reads like the resume for a "Great Song of the '70s!" (I hope Mark tracked down those "Sultans" and thanked them for the inspiration!)

"Sultans of Swing" by Dire Straits (1979):