Released in , its rerelease made it a hit in the United Kingdom and United States. The demo of the song was recorded at Pathway Studios , North London, in July and quickly acquired a following after it was put on rotation at Radio London. Its popularity soon reached record executives, and Dire Straits were offered a contract with Phonogram Records. The song was then re-recorded in February at Basing Street Studios for the band's debut album. The record company wanted a less-polished rock sound for the radio, so an alternative version was recorded at Pathway Studios in April and released as the single in some countries including the United Kingdom and Germany. He thought the song was "dull" until he bought his first Stratocaster in "It just came alive as soon as I played it on that '61 Strat The lyrics were inspired by a performance of a jazz band playing in the corner of an almost empty pub in Deptford , South London. At the end of their performance, the lead singer announced their name, the Sultans of Swing; Knopfler found the contrast between the group's dowdy appearance and surroundings and their grandiose name amusing.
Sultans Of Swing by Dire Straits: video
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Updated: Feb 9. This catchy blues styled song with its iconic guitar riffs is one of our favorite Dire Straits songs. This is a staple for cocktail hour and a great track for sound checks as it was well recorded and has terrific dynamics. It was released in May , and then re-released in January of and hit number 4 on the Billboard Hot Mark Knopfler stopped by a pub in the south of London in the mid 70s. When he walked in, he saw it was mostly empty and a mediocre band playing in the corner. This was Dire Straits first single and demo tapes were sent to multiple local radio stations in London to start a bidding between different record labels. The plan worked. Alan Freed played trombone in his band named Sultans of Swing.
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In their slot between U2 and Queen , they started with Money For Nothing joined by Sting , and then came an epic version of the song that made them superstars: Sultans Of Swing. We are the Sultans Of Swing. Knopfler at least left the pub with the seed of an idea. Even Knopfler thought it lacked spark. But the song took on a smouldering blues groove after he scrabbled enough money together to buy a Stratocaster. And all good songs have a story. And thankfully they did. In those days one person at a radio station could really make a difference.
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