Released: 1978 From the album: Dire Straits Mark Knopfler - Vocals, Lead Guitar David Knopfler - Rhythm Guitar John Illsley - Bass Guitar Pick Withers - Drums Lyrics You get a shiver in the dark, It's a raining in the park but meantime- South of the river you stop and you hold everything A band is blowing Dixie, double four time You feel alright when you hear the music ring Well now you step inside but you don't see too many faces Coming in out of the rain they hear the jazz go down Competition in other places Uh but the horns they blowin' that sound Way on downsouth Way on downsouth London town Check out guitar george, he knows-all the chords Mind he's strictly rhythm he doesn't want to make them cry or sing They said an old guitar is all, he can afford When he gets up under the lights to play his thing And Harry doesn't mind, if he doesn't, make the scene He's got a daytime job, he's doing alright He can play the honky tonk like anything Savin' it up, for Friday night With the Sultans We're the Sultans of Swing Then a crowd a young boys they're a foolin' around in the corner Drunk and dressed in their best brown baggies and their platform soles They don't give a damn about any trumpet playin' band It ain't what they call rock and roll Then the Sultans Yeah the Sultans they play creole, creole And then the man he steps right up to the microphone And says at last just as the time bell rings Goodnight, now it's time to go home And he makes it fast with one more thing We are the Sultans We are the Sultans of Swing Written by: Mark Knopfler