Sultans of Swing

Dire Straits

(Português)

"Sultans of Swing" foi o primeiro single da banda inglesa Dire Straits, lançado em 1978, e é considerado por muitos como a canção de maior sucesso da banda. O solo de guitarra criado e executado pelo vocalista e guitarrista Mark Knopfler é frequentemente lembrado como um dos melhores solos de guitarra da História do Rock. Mark supreendeu o mundo ao apresentar seu estilo totalmente inédito e original de solar, sem o uso de palhetas, porém, com uma velocidade fora do comum, o que o levou a ser considerado um dos maiores Gênios da guitarra de todos os tempos.

A letra foi composta por Mark Knopfler, e a canção ocupou a faixa 6 do álbum de estréia da banda. O primeiro Demo foi produzido pela Pathway Studios, e depois gravado pelaWarner Bros Records.

(English)

"Sultans of Swing" was the first single release of the British rock band Dire Straits. Although it was first released in 1978, it was its 1979 re-release that caused it to become a hit in both the UK and USA.

The song was first recorded as a demo at Pathway Studios, North London, in July 1977, 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 early 1978 at Basing Street Studios for the band's debut album Dire Straits. The record company wanted a less-polished rock sound for the radio, so an alternative version was recorded at Pathway Studios in April 1978 and released as the single in some countries including the United Kingdom and Germany.

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 the corner of a practically deserted pub. At the end of their performance, the lead singer came up to the microphone and announced that they were the "Sultans of Swing".