Sultans of Swing was written by Mark Knopfler. It was inspired by a jazz performance that Knopfler witnessed at a pub in Deptford, London, where a band named Sultans of Swing was playing to an almost non-existent audience. The irony of the situation and the musicians dedication to keep playing despite the lack of audience inspired Knopfler to write the lyrics to the song.
Key: Dm
Introduction:
Dm
Dm
Dm/C
*
Dm
Dm
Dm
Dm
Dm/C
* x2
Dm
C
A#
A
You get a shiver in the dark, it's raining in the park but meantime
Dm
C
A#
A
South of the river you stop and you hold everything
F
C
A band is blowing Dixie double four time
A#
Dm
A#
C
You feel alright when you hear that music ring
Dm
C
A#
A
Well now, you step inside but you don't see too many faces
Dm
C
A#
A
Coming in out of the rain to hear the jazz go down
F
C
Competition in other places
A#
Dm
Uh, but the horns they blowin' that sound
A#
C
way on down south
A#
C
way on down south
Dm
London Town
Dm
C
A#
C
Dm
C
A#
C
Dm
C
A#
A
You check out Guitar George, he knows all the chords
Dm
C
A#
A
Mind he's strictly rhythm he doesn't want to make it cry or sing
F
C
They say an old guitar is all he can afford
A#
Dm
A#
C
When he gets up under the lights to play his thing
Dm
C
A#
A
And Harry doesn't mind if he doesn't make the scene
Dm
C
A#
A
He's got a daytime job, he's doin' alright
F
C
He can play the honky tonk like anything
A#
Dm
A#
C
Saving it up for Friday night
A#
C
with the Sultans
Dm
with the Sultans of Swing
Dm
C
A#
C
Dm
C
A#
C
Dm
C
A#
A
Then a crowd of young boys, they're foolin' around in the corner
Dm
C
A#
A
Drunk and dressed in their best brown baggies and their platform soles
F
C
They don't give a damn about about any trumpet playin' band
A#
Dm
A#
C
It ain't what they call rock and roll
A#
C
and the Sultans
Dm
Yeah, the Sultans, they play Creole
Dm
C
A#
C
... Creole
Dm
C
A#
C
Dm
C
A#
A
Dm
C
A#
A
F
C
A#
Dm
A#
C
A#
C
Dm
C
A#
C
Dm
C
A#
C
Dm
C
A#
A
And then the man he steps right up to the microphone