SLUTANS OF SWING
This is an epic guitar study. It may seem difficult initially, but once you grasp what Knopfler is doing, it's not so bad. Listen to many versions on the Net and notice no version is the same. And remember, you can learn the song, but you may fid it very difficult to learn Knopfler.
I think this is a great example to watch. It is quite raw, with no guitar effects. This is his 4-piece band. He picks up keys later. 1974, with his original Fiesta Red Strat. I believe he is using a heavier guage og string...perhapd 11s or 12s. Fun to speculate.
1974.
This is an epic guitar study. It may seem difficult initially, but once you grasp what Knopfler is doing, it's not so bad. Listen to many versions on the Net and notice no version is the same. And remember, you can learn the song, but you may fid it very difficult to learn Knopfler.
I think this is a great example to watch. It is quite raw, with no guitar effects. This is his 4-piece band. He picks up keys later. 1974, with his original Fiesta Red Strat. I believe he is using a heavier guage og string...perhapd 11s or 12s. Fun to speculate.
1974.
Believe it or not, this starts with the Am - G - F - E7 progression, but in another key: Dm - C - Bb - A7
Sultans of Swing (Dire Straits) key: Dm Eighth-note rock Latin strum
Intro lead in Dm
Dm
you get a shiver in the dark
C Bb A
it's raining in the park but meantime
Dm C Bb A
south of the river you stop and you hold everything
F C
a band is blowing Dixie double four time
Bb Dm
you feel alright when you hear that music ring
(mini bridge)
Bb - C
Dm C Bb A
you step inside but you don't see too many faces
Dm C Bb A
coming in out of the rain you hear the jazz go down
F C
too much competition too many other places
Bb Dm
but not too many horns can make that sound
B - C
way on downsouth
B – C *
way on downsouth London town
(*bridge)
Dm C-Bb C
Dm C-Bb C
Dm C Bb A
you check out Guitar George he knows all the chords
Dm C Bb A
he's strictly rhythm he doesn't want to make it cry or sing
F C
and an old guitar is all he can afford
Bb A
when he gets up under the lights to play his thing
(mini bridge)
Bb – C
Dm C Bb A
harry doesn't mind if he doesn't make the scene
Dm C Bb A
he's got a daytime job he's doing alright
F C
he can play honkytonk just like anything
Bb Dm
saving it up for Friday night
Bb C
with the sultans
Bb C *
with the sultans of swing
(*bridge)
Dm C-Bb C
Dm C-Bb C
Dm C Bb A
and a crowd of young boys they're fooling around in the corner
Dm C Bb A
drunk and dressed in their best brown baggies and their platform soles
F C
they don't give a damn about ('bout) any trumpet playing band
Bb Dm
it ain't what they call rock and roll
Bb-C
and the sultans
Bb-C *
and the sultans played creole
(*bridge)
Dm C-Bb C
Dm C-Bb C
Lead 1: verse + bridge
Dm C Bb A
and then the man he steps right up to the microphone
Dm C Bb A
and says at last just as the time bell rings
F C
thank you goodnight now it's time to go home
Bb Dm
and he makes it fast with one more thing
Bb C
we are the sultans
Bb C *
we are the sultans of swing
(bridge)
Dm C-Bb C
Dm C-Bb C
Lead 2: DM Bb C (repeated) (ending)
Dm C Bb
Dm C Bb
Dm C Bb// C// D major (hold)
Sultans of Swing (Dire Straits) key: Dm Eighth-note rock Latin strum
Intro lead in Dm
Dm
you get a shiver in the dark
C Bb A
it's raining in the park but meantime
Dm C Bb A
south of the river you stop and you hold everything
F C
a band is blowing Dixie double four time
Bb Dm
you feel alright when you hear that music ring
(mini bridge)
Bb - C
Dm C Bb A
you step inside but you don't see too many faces
Dm C Bb A
coming in out of the rain you hear the jazz go down
F C
too much competition too many other places
Bb Dm
but not too many horns can make that sound
B - C
way on downsouth
B – C *
way on downsouth London town
(*bridge)
Dm C-Bb C
Dm C-Bb C
Dm C Bb A
you check out Guitar George he knows all the chords
Dm C Bb A
he's strictly rhythm he doesn't want to make it cry or sing
F C
and an old guitar is all he can afford
Bb A
when he gets up under the lights to play his thing
(mini bridge)
Bb – C
Dm C Bb A
harry doesn't mind if he doesn't make the scene
Dm C Bb A
he's got a daytime job he's doing alright
F C
he can play honkytonk just like anything
Bb Dm
saving it up for Friday night
Bb C
with the sultans
Bb C *
with the sultans of swing
(*bridge)
Dm C-Bb C
Dm C-Bb C
Dm C Bb A
and a crowd of young boys they're fooling around in the corner
Dm C Bb A
drunk and dressed in their best brown baggies and their platform soles
F C
they don't give a damn about ('bout) any trumpet playing band
Bb Dm
it ain't what they call rock and roll
Bb-C
and the sultans
Bb-C *
and the sultans played creole
(*bridge)
Dm C-Bb C
Dm C-Bb C
Lead 1: verse + bridge
Dm C Bb A
and then the man he steps right up to the microphone
Dm C Bb A
and says at last just as the time bell rings
F C
thank you goodnight now it's time to go home
Bb Dm
and he makes it fast with one more thing
Bb C
we are the sultans
Bb C *
we are the sultans of swing
(bridge)
Dm C-Bb C
Dm C-Bb C
Lead 2: DM Bb C (repeated) (ending)
Dm C Bb
Dm C Bb
Dm C Bb// C// D major (hold)