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Sultans Of Swing

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Dire Straits - Sultans Of Swing
* = C in bass, can be omitted
[Intro]
|      Dm|   Dm  Dm/C*|
|      Dm|        Dm|
|      Dm|   Dm  Dm/C*| x2
[Verse 1]
You get a Dmshiver in the dark, it's Craining in the Bbpark but Ameantime
  DmSouth of the river you sCtop and you hBbold everythAing
  FA band is blowing Dixie double fCour time
                                            Bb      Dm   Bb- C  
   You feel alright when you hear that music ring
[Verse 2]
Well now, you Dmstep inside but you Cdon't see Bbtoo many fAaces
   DmComing in out of the Crain to hear the Bbjazz go Adown
  FCompetition in other pClaces
   BbUh, but the horns they blowin' that Dmsound
 Bb- C  
        way on down south
 Bb- C  
        way on down south
DmLondon Town
[Instrumental]
 Dm-  C-  Bb- C  
 Dm-  C-  Bb- C  
[Verse 3]
You check out DmGuitar George,   C    Bbhe knows Aall the chords
  DmMind he's strictly rhythm he Cdoesn't want to Bbmake it cry Aor sing
  FThey say an old guitar is Call he can afford
                                                 Bb      Dm   Bb- C  
   When he gets up under the lights to play his thing
[Verse 4]
   DmAnd Harry doesn't Cmind Bbif he doesn't Amake the scene
  DmHe's got a daytime Cjob, he's Bbdoin' alAright
  FHe can play the honky tonk like aCnything
                               Bb      Dm   Bb- C  
   Saving it up for Friday night
                   Bb- C  
with the Sultans
with the Sultans of DmSwing
[Instrumental]
 Dm-  C-  Bb- C  
 Dm-  C-  Bb- C  
[Verse 5]
Then a Dmcrowd of young boys, they're Cfoolin' aBbround in the Acorner
   DmDrunk and dressed in their best Cbrown baggies Bband their platAform soles
  FThey don't give a damn about about any Ctrumpet playin' band
                                   Bb       Dm   Bb- C  
   It ain't what they call rock and roll
                 Bb- C  
and the Sultans
Yeah, the Sultans, they play DmCreole
[Instrumental]
 Dm-  C-  Bb- C  
...             Creole
 Dm-  C-  Bb- C  
[Lead]
|      Dm|   C    Bb|       A|        A|
|      Dm|   C    Bb|       A|        A|
|       F|       F|       C|        C|
|      Bb|      Bb|      Dm|   Dm    Bb|
|       C|   C    Bb|       C|        C|
[Instrumental]
 Dm-  C-  Bb- C  
 Dm-  C-  Bb- C  
[Verse 6]
   DmAnd then the man he stCeps right Bbup to the mAicrophone
              Dm                 C          Bb      A(A7)
   And says at last just as the time bell ring
  FGoodnight, now it's tCime to go home
                                       Bb       Dm   Bb- C  
   Then he makes it fast with one more thing
                    Bb- C  
We are the Sultans
We are the Sultans of DmSwing
[Instrumental]
 Dm-  C-  Bb- C  
 Dm-  C-  Bb- C  
[Outro Solo]
 Dm-  C-  Bb- C  
(repeat and fade, approx x7)

All chords in this song (7)

The story behind the song

"Sultans of Swing" was inspired by a Dixieland jazz band playing in a nearly empty pub in South London. The band's grand name, "Sultans of Swing," struck the songwriter as amusing, especially in contrast to their humble performance and surroundings. This observation sparked the lyrics, capturing the spirit of musicians playing for the love of it, regardless of the crowd. The song truly came alive when played on a Fender Stratocaster, with new chord changes falling into place. It plays like a tribute to the passion of unsung artists.

AI-written from these sources:Sultans of Swing — Wikipedia ↗Dire Straits — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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Sultans Of Swing

by Dire Straits

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Dm/C

Dire Straits - Sultans Of Swing

* = C in bass, can be omitted

[Intro]

Dm Dm Dm/C

| | *|

Dm Dm

| | |

Dm Dm Dm/C

| | *| x2

[Verse 1]

Dm C Bb A

You get a shiver in the dark, 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 Bb C

You feel alright when you hear that music ring

[Verse 2]

Dm C Bb A

Well now, you step inside but you don't see too many faces

Dm C Bb A

Coming in out of the rain to hear the jazz go down

F C

Competition in other places

Bb Dm

Uh, but the horns they blowin' that sound

Bb C

way on down south

Bb C

way on down south

London Town

[Instrumental]

Dm C Bb C

- - -

Dm C Bb C

- - -

[Verse 3]

Dm C Bb A

You check out Guitar George, he knows all the chords

Dm C Bb 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

Bb Dm Bb C

When he gets up under the lights to play his thing

[Verse 4]

Dm C Bb A

And Harry doesn't mind if he doesn't make the scene

Dm C Bb A

He's got a daytime job, he's doin' alright

F C

He can play the honky tonk like anything

Bb Dm Bb C

Saving it up for Friday night

Bb C

with the Sultans

with the Sultans of Swing

[Instrumental]

Dm C Bb C

- - -

Dm C Bb C

- - -

[Verse 5]

Dm C Bb A

Then a crowd of young boys, they're foolin' 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 about any trumpet playin' band

Bb Dm Bb C

It ain't what they call rock and roll

Bb C

and the Sultans

Yeah, the Sultans, they play Creole

[Instrumental]

Dm C Bb C

- - -

... Creole

Dm C Bb C

- - -

[Lead]

Dm C Bb A A

| | | | |

Dm C Bb A A

| | | | |

F F C C

| | | | |

Bb Bb Dm Dm Bb

| | | | |

C C Bb C C

| | | | |

[Instrumental]

Dm C Bb C

- - -

Dm C Bb C

- - -

[Verse 6]

Dm C Bb A

And then the man he steps right up to the microphone

Dm C Bb A A7

()

And says at last just as the time bell ring

F C

Goodnight, now it's time to go home

Bb Dm Bb C

Then he makes it fast with one more thing

Bb C

We are the Sultans

We are the Sultans of Swing

[Instrumental]

Dm C Bb C

- - -

Dm C Bb C

- - -

[Outro Solo]

Dm C Bb C

- - -

(repeat and fade, approx x7)

About Sultans Of Swing Chords by Dire Straits

Learn how to play Sultans Of Swing by Dire Straits with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Sultans Of Swing chords”, “Sultans Of Swing guitar chords”, or “Dire Straits Sultans Of Swing chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Sultans Of Swing chords and for experienced players who want accurate Sultans Of Swing lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, Dm, Dm/C, Bb, A, F.

FAQ — Sultans Of Swing by Dire Straits

How do I play "Sultans Of Swing" by Dire Straits on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Sultans Of Swing" by Dire Straits on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

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Can I transpose "Sultans Of Swing" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Sultans Of Swing" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Sultans Of Swing"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Sultans Of Swing" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Sultans Of Swing" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Sultans Of Swing" by Dire Straits with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Dire Straits below.

What key is "Sultans Of Swing" in?

The chords for "Sultans Of Swing" show the original chord names (including C, Dm, Dm/C, Bb, A, F). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.