Sultans of Swing

“Sultans of Swing” was the first single release of the British rock band Dire Straits. The song was first recorded in London as a demo in July 1977. After receiving a recording contract with Phonogram Records the song was re-recorded in 1978 for the band’s first album called ‘Dire Straits’.

The song was written by Mark Knopfler on a rainy day in a bar in Ipswich. The Inspiration came from a mediocre jazz band playing in a deserted pub. At the end of their performance, the singer came to the microphone and announced that they were the “Sultans of Swing”. The song reached the top ten in both the UK and the USA .The album version of the song featured an extended guitar solo, reaching number 22 on Guitar World’s list of the greatest guitar solos and number 32 on Rolling Stone Magazine’s list of greatest guitar songs.