Pub Rock
Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits was inspired to write the song after watching a small and mediocre band perform on a rainy night in a bar in Ipswich. The audience were only a few drunks, oblivious to the music. As the band left stage, they proudly and grandly said, “Goodnight and thank you. We are the sultans of swing.” found the contrast between the reality and rhetoric amusing. In the lyrics, “Guitar George” and “Harry” refer to George Young and Harry Vander, who were guitarists for the Australian band The Easybeats.
The song was on a demo tape for Dire Straits, and once they had a recording contract, it was re-recorded. They released “Sultans of Swing” on their debut album (1978) titled Dire Straits. The song was also released as a single in May 1978, backed with “Eastbound Train” in the U.K. and “Southbound Again” in the U.S. It did not chart and was re-issued in January 1979. It became an international success, rising to #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and in Canada, #3 in South Africa, #8 in the U.K., #6 in Ireland, #11 in The Netherlands, and #12 in Italy and New Zealand. It certified Silver in the U.K., Gold in Canada, and Platinum in Italy.
Dire Straits formed in Deptford, London, in 1977. They were Mark Knopfler (lead vocals, lead guitar), David (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), John Illsely (bass, backing vocals, and Pick Withers (drums, percussion). They disbanded in 1996. Mark Knopfler went on to a solo career.