Sultan Of Swing Guitar Tab

“Sultans of Swing” is a song by the British rock band Dire Straits, released on their self-titled debut album in 1978. The song was written by the band’s lead singer and guitarist, Mark Knopfler, and became a hit, reaching the top 10 in several countries. It is one of the band’s most well-known and popular songs and has been covered by many artists.

The song features a bluesy, swing-influenced guitar riff and lyrics that describe a jazz band playing in a small club. The song’s title, “Sultans of Swing,” refers to the band’s mastery of the swing style of jazz.

Check Latest Tabs: Money For Nothing Guitar Tab |

Sultan Of Swing Tabs

[Intro]
   Dm
e|-------------------------------------5-8-5----------------|
B|-------3--3-3------------------6----6-----6-5h6p5---------|
G|---2-2-2--2-2--5-5-5-7-----7----7--7-------------7--5-7---|
D|-0-0-0-0--0-0--5-5-5-7--5h7---7------------------------7--|
A|-0--------------x-5---------------------------------------|
E|----------------------------------------------------------|
 
[Verse 1]
         Dm                    C              Bb           A          A7
You get a shiver in the dark, It's raining in the park, but meantime
e|--------------------------|
B|--------------------------|
G|---4b6--r4b6r4------------|
D|--------------------------|
A|--------------------------|
E|--------------------------|
 
Dm                            C          Bb        A
South of the river you stop and you hold everything
e|----------------------5-|
B|-----10---10-11-10----6-|
G|-------------------9--5-|
D|-2/11--11-11----------7-|
A|------------------------|
E|------------------------|
 
F                               C
A band is blowing Dixie double four time
e|------------------------|
B|--5---5-6-5-6-5--3------|
G|--5---5-5-5-5-5--3------|
D|---x-x--7--------3------|
A|------------------------|
E|------------------------|
 
Bb                                          Dm            Bb  C
You feel all right when you hear that music ring
e|-----------------------------------|
B|-------6-----x-3-6--x-3/5----------|
G|----7---7\2--x-3-3--x-3/5--------5-|
D|-5h7-7-------x-3----x-3/5-----5h7--|
A|---------------------------5s7-----|
E|-----------------------------------|
 
[Verse 2]
              Dm                  C         Bb           A
Well now you step inside but you don't see too many faces
e|-----------------------------------|
B|-10--10---10-11-10-10-8--8--6------|
G|-----------------------------------|
D|---11--11-11-11-11-------9--7------|
A|-----------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
 
Dm                      C                Bb        A
Coming in out of the rain to hear the jazz go down
e|-10p9------------------------------|
B|-----10----------------------------|
G|-------9p7p6-----------------------|
D|------------7-5--------------------|
A|---------------7-------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
 
F                           C
Competition in other places
e|-----------------------------------|
B|-5-5--6-6-5-3----------------------|
G|-5-5--5-5-5-3----------------------|
D|-5-5--7-7-5-3----------------------|
A|-----------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
 
Bb                                  Dm            Bb  C
But the horns, they're blowing that sound
e|----10-8---------------------------|
B|----10---10-x--3-6-x-x--3/5-5-5----|
G|----10-9-10-x--3-3-x-x--3/5-5-5----|
D|-x-x-----------3-3-x-x--3/5-5-5----|
A|-----------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
 
                Bb   C
Way on down south
e|-----------------------------------|
B|----x-3-6--3/5---------------------|
G|--5-x-3-3--3/5---------------------|
D|-5--x-3----3/5---------------------|
A|-----------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
 
                  Dm         C  Bb
way on down south London town
 
            C                    Dm    C Bb    C
e|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|---6-5-3---6--6p5-x-5-------10-8-8-8--6-5-3--6--6p5-x-5------------|
G|---5-5-3---5-5----x-5--5/10-10-----9--5-5-3--5-5----x-5----------5-|
D|---7-5-3---7--7p5-x-5-----------------7-5-3--7--7p5-x-5-------5h7--|
A|---------------------------------------------------------x-5/7-----|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
[Verse 3]
              Dm           C   Bb      A             A7
You check out Guitar George,  he knows all the chords
e|------9-8-9------10-10-------------|
B|------8-7-8------10-10-------------|
G|------9-8-9--10--10-10-------------|
D|-1/7-------------------------------|
A|-1/7-------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
 
Dm                        C                    Bb      A
Mind he's strictly rhythm he doesn't want to make it cry or sing
e|-----5------9---------9-7-----------------8-------------|
B|----5-5-8b10--pbr8(10)-----8b10r8b10r8b10--pbr8(10)p6---|
G|-7b9----------------------0-----------------------------|
D|--------------------------------------------------------|
A|--------------------------------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------------------------------|
 
F                          C                   Bb
Yes, and an old guitar is all he can afford
e|-----------------------------------|
B|----8-8\6-6-6-6--------------------|
G|-7/9--9\7-7-7-7--------------------|
D|-----------------------------------|
A|-----------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
 
                                             Dm         Bb C
When he gets under the lights to play his thing
e|-----10-8---------------------------------------|
B|----------10-10-x-3-x-6--3-3/5-5----------------|
G|-9/10---9-10-10-x-3-x-3--3-3/5-5-------5-5-5/7--|
D|------------------3-x----3-3/5-5----5h7-7-7-----|
A|---------------------------------5/7------------|
E|------------------------------------------------|
 
[Verse 4]
Dm            C       Bb           A              A7
And Harry doesn't mind if he doesn't make the scene
e|-----------------------------------|
B|---8-----------8-------------------|
G|-7b9r7b9r7b9r7b9-------------------|
D|-----------------------------------|
A|-----------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
 
Dm                C      Bb         A       A7
He's got a daytime job he's doing alright
e|------9---------------5---8--------|
B|-12b14--10--------------0-8b10-----|
G|----------9h10p9--7-6-4-0----------|
D|---------------------7-------------|
A|-----------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
 
F                                  C
  He can play the honky tonk like anything
e|-----------------------------------|
B|--5--5-x-6-6-5-x-3-----------------|
G|--5--5-x-5-5-5-x-3-----------------|
D|--5--5-x-7-7-5-x-3-----------------|
A|-----------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
 
Bb                               Dm        Bb
   Saving it up for Friday night
e|-----------------------------------|
B|------6-5p4---3-6-3-3/5-5----------|
G|----7------7--3-3-3-3/5-5----------|
D|-5/7-7--------3-3-3-3/5-5----------|
A|-----------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
 
C                  Bb      C
  With the Sultans,
e|-----------------------------------|
B|--x-3-6--3-3/5-5-------------------|
G|--x-3-3--3-3/5-5-------------------|
D|--x-3----3-3/5-5-------------------|
A|-----------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
 
                         Dm
with the Sultans of Swing
 
    Dm C Bb    C                    Dm    C Bb    C
e|------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|---6-5-3---6--6p5-x-5-------10-8--8--6-5-3--6--6p5-x-5------------|
G|---5-5-3---5-5----x-5--5/10-10--0-9--5-5-3--5-5----x-5----------5-|
D|---7-5-3---7--7p5-x-5----------------7-5-3--7--7p5-x-5-------5h7--|
A|--------------------------------------------------------x-5/7-----|
E|------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
[Verse 5]
       Dm                         C            Bb         A     A7
And a crowd of young boys they're fooling around in the corner
e|-------12-------------------13------|
B|-12b14----pbr12(14)p10--------------|
G|----------------------12/14-14------|
D|------------------------------------|
A|------------------------------------|
E|------------------------------------|
 
Dm                            C            Bb               A         A7
Drunk and dressed in their best brown baggies, and their platform soles
e|-12p9---------5---------------------|
B|-----10-----------------------------|
G|-------9--7-6-0-x---pbr12(14)-12b14-|
D|----------------x-------------------|
A|--------------------------15-----15-|
E|------------------------------------|
 
F                                  C
  They don't give a damn about any trumpet playing band
e|------------------------------------|
B|----8-8\6-6-6-6---------------------|
G|-7/9--9\7-7-7-7---------------------|
D|------------------------------------|
A|------------------------------------|
E|------------------------------------|
 
Bb                                    Dm        Bb
   It ain't what they call rock and roll
e|-----------------------------------|
B|-------------3-6-x-3s5-------------|
G|-----7-10-7------3-3-x-3s5---------|
D|x-5/7-7--7---3---x-3s5-------------|
A|-----------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
 
C                  Bb
And the Sultans,
e|------------------------------------|
B|--3-6-3--3/5-5----------------------|
G|--3-3-3--3/5-5----------------------|
D|--3-3-3--3/5-5----------------------|
A|------------------------------------|
E|------------------------------------|
 
C                                    Dm
yeah the Sultans, they played Creole.  Creole.
 
    Dm C Bb    C        Creole      Dm    C Bb    C              ah ah
e|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|---6-5-3---6--6p5-x-5-------10-8-8-8--6-5-3--6--6p5-x-5------------|
G|---5-5-3---5-5----x-5--5/10-10-----9--5-5-3--5-5----x-5----------5-|
D|---7-5-3---7--7p5-x-5-----------------7-5-3--7--7p5-x-5-------5h7--|
A|---------------------------------------------------------x-5/7-----|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
[Instrumental]
e|------------------------------------------------------------|
B|--8b10--8b9/10-8b9/10--pbr8(10)--6h8p6--5h6p5---------------|
G|------------------------------------------------------------|
D|----------------------------------------------------11------|
A|---------------------------------------------------x--------|
E|--------------------------------------------------x---------|
 
e|------9-12b13b14r12--10-----------------------------------------|
B|---10------------------10-------10-13-11h13p11--9-10---11-x-x---|
G|--9-----------------------10--------------------------x---------|
D|----------------------------12----------------------------------|
A|----------------------------------------------------------------|
E|----------------------------------------------------------------|
 
e|------------------------------13----------------12h13-12-------------|
B|-9-10-10--10----------13--------13----------------------13-----------|
G|----0--0---0-----12b14--12bh14----(14)r12-10-10-----------12-14p12---|
D|------------x-x------------------------------------------------------|
A|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
e|---------------------------------------13p10--10------------------|
B|-13-13--13b15-(15)r13--13b15-13b15r13--10---10---13b15-10---------|
G|---------------------15----------------------------------12-10\3--|
D|------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
e|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|---3-6-3---5-6s8-6-5h6s8s3---3-6-3-3s5-------------8---------------|
G|--3-------5-----------------3------3s5--5--7-5-7bh9-(9)r7-5-7-7\2--|
D|-3-------5-----------------3-------3s5-5---------------------------|
A|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
e|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|---6-5-3---6--6p5-x-5-------10-8-8-8--6-5-3--6--6p5-x-5------------|
G|---5-5-3---5-5----x-5--5/10-10-----9--5-5-3--5-5----x-5----------5-|
D|---7-5-3---7--7p5-x-5-----------------7-5-3--7--7p5-x-5-------5h7--|
A|---------------------------------------------------------x-5/7-----|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
[Verse 6]
Dm                        C        Bb            A
And then the man he steps right up to the microphone
e|----------------------------------------|
B|-------10----12/14-14---14/17--15---15--|
G|----------------------------------------|
D|--5/11-11-11-12/14----14--/17----15-15--|
A|----------------------------------------|
E|----------------------------------------|
 
Dm              C                Bb     A
And says at last just as the time bell rings
e|----9--9---------------------------|
B|----8--8---------------------------|
G|----9--9---------------------------|
D|-----------------------------------|
A|-----------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
 
F                     C
goodnight now it's time to go home'
e|-----------------------------------|
B|-----8--8-8-----11-----------------|
G|--7/9-9-9----10-10-----------------|
D|-----------------------------------|
A|-----------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
 
Bb                                          Dm
Then he makes it fast with one more thing
e|-----------------------------------|
B|------6-6--------3-6-x--3/5-5------|
G|----7--7-7--7-x--3-3-x--3/5-5------|
D|-5/7-7-----7--x--3---x--3/5-5------|
A|-----------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
 
C                    Bb
'We are the Sultans,
e|-----------------------------------|
B|--3-6-x--3/5-5---------------------|
G|--3-3-x--3/5-5---------------------|
D|--3---x--3/5-5---------------------|
A|-----------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
 
C                         Dm
we are the sultans of Swing
 
            C                    Dm    C Bb    C
e|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|---6-5-3---6--6p5-x-5-------10-8-8-8--6-5-3--6--6p5-x-5------------|
G|---5-5-3---5-5----x-5--5/10-10-----9--5-5-3--5-5----x-5----------5-|
D|---7-5-3---7--7p5-x-5-----------------7-5-3--7--7p5-x-5-------5h7--|
A|---------------------------------------------------------x-5/7-----|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
[Solo]
e|----------------------------------------------------------|
B|-8b10--8-6-8-6---pbr8(10)-8-5h8p5-3h5p3-------------------|
G|--------------7------------------------5h7p5-5---5--------|
D|---------------------------------------------5h7p5--------|
A|---------------------------------------------------5h7p5--|
E|----------------------------------------------------------|
 
e|-------------------------------8-------8-------8-------8---------|
B|--x-10p8--8------------8h10p8--8h10p8--8h10p8--8h10p8--8h10p8----|
G|-x------10-10-7--7--7h9------9-------9-------9-------9-------9---|
D|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
A|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
 
e|--8--------------------10-------------------------------------------|
B|--8h10-8-------------10--13p10--10---------------10-------10-----11-|
G|---------x-x-x--12b14---------12--12p10--------10--12----x----0-x---|
D|-------0-x-x-x-------------------------12-10h12---------x------x----|
A|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
e|-----------12-------10-x-x--13p10--10-13p10--10-13p10--10-13p10--10-|
B|-x-x-11bh13--(13)r11-------------10--------10--------10--------10---|
G|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
e|-13p10--10-13p10--10-13p10--10-13--x--15p12--12-15p12--12-15p12--12-|
B|------11--------11--------11------x--------13--------13--------13---|
G|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
e|-15p12---15p12--12-15p12--12-15p12--12-15---10-13p10--10-13p10--10--|
B|------13------13--------13--------13------10--------10--------10----|
G|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
e|-13p10--10-13p10--10-13p10--10-13p10--10-13p10--10-13--x-15p12--12--|
B|------10--------10--------11--------11--------11------x-------13----|
G|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
e|-15p12--12-15p12--12-15p12--12-15p12--12-15p12--12-15p12--12-15p12---15b17-|
B|------13--------13--------13--------13--------13--------13--------12-------|
G|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
e|--15b17r15-13---13--15bh17r15b17r15-12h15p12----------------------------|
B|-------------15---13------------------------13h15p13-10h13p10-----------|
G|-------------------------------------------------------------9h12p9-----|
D|-------------------------------------------------------------------15\7-|
A|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
e|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|---6-5-3---6--6p5-x-5-------10-8-8-8--6-5-3--6--6p5-x-5------------|
G|---5-5-3---5-5----x-5--5/10-10-----9--5-5-3--5-5----x-5----------5-|
D|---7-5-3---7--7p5-x-5-----------------7-5-3--7--7p5-x-5-------5h7--|
A|---------------------------------------------------------x-5/7-----|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
***********************************
 
| /   Slide up
| \   Slide down
| h   Hammer-on
| p   Pull-off
| x   Dead note
| b   Bend
| r   Release
| br  Bend release
| pbr Pre-bend release
| brb Bend release bend
 
***********************************

The song was inspired by a real jazz band that Knopfler saw performing at a club in Deptford, London. The band, called the Sultans of Swing, was made up of musicians who played traditional jazz music on the streets and in small clubs. Knopfler was impressed by the band’s skill and energy and decided to write a song about them.

Sultan Of Swing Guitar Tab

“Sultans of Swing” is a song by the British rock band Dire Straits, released on their self-titled debut album in 1978. The song was written by the band’s lead singer and guitarist, Mark Knopfler, and became a hit, reaching the top 10 in several countries. It is one of the band’s most well-known and popular songs and has been covered by many artists.

The song features a bluesy, swing-influenced guitar riff and lyrics that describe a jazz band playing in a small club. The song’s title, “Sultans of Swing,” refers to the band’s mastery of the swing style of jazz.

Check Latest Tabs: Money For Nothing Guitar Tab |

Sultan Of Swing Tabs

[Intro]
   Dm
e|-------------------------------------5-8-5----------------|
B|-------3--3-3------------------6----6-----6-5h6p5---------|
G|---2-2-2--2-2--5-5-5-7-----7----7--7-------------7--5-7---|
D|-0-0-0-0--0-0--5-5-5-7--5h7---7------------------------7--|
A|-0--------------x-5---------------------------------------|
E|----------------------------------------------------------|
 
[Verse 1]
         Dm                    C              Bb           A          A7
You get a shiver in the dark, It's raining in the park, but meantime
e|--------------------------|
B|--------------------------|
G|---4b6--r4b6r4------------|
D|--------------------------|
A|--------------------------|
E|--------------------------|
 
Dm                            C          Bb        A
South of the river you stop and you hold everything
e|----------------------5-|
B|-----10---10-11-10----6-|
G|-------------------9--5-|
D|-2/11--11-11----------7-|
A|------------------------|
E|------------------------|
 
F                               C
A band is blowing Dixie double four time
e|------------------------|
B|--5---5-6-5-6-5--3------|
G|--5---5-5-5-5-5--3------|
D|---x-x--7--------3------|
A|------------------------|
E|------------------------|
 
Bb                                          Dm            Bb  C
You feel all right when you hear that music ring
e|-----------------------------------|
B|-------6-----x-3-6--x-3/5----------|
G|----7---7\2--x-3-3--x-3/5--------5-|
D|-5h7-7-------x-3----x-3/5-----5h7--|
A|---------------------------5s7-----|
E|-----------------------------------|
 
[Verse 2]
              Dm                  C         Bb           A
Well now you step inside but you don't see too many faces
e|-----------------------------------|
B|-10--10---10-11-10-10-8--8--6------|
G|-----------------------------------|
D|---11--11-11-11-11-------9--7------|
A|-----------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
 
Dm                      C                Bb        A
Coming in out of the rain to hear the jazz go down
e|-10p9------------------------------|
B|-----10----------------------------|
G|-------9p7p6-----------------------|
D|------------7-5--------------------|
A|---------------7-------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
 
F                           C
Competition in other places
e|-----------------------------------|
B|-5-5--6-6-5-3----------------------|
G|-5-5--5-5-5-3----------------------|
D|-5-5--7-7-5-3----------------------|
A|-----------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
 
Bb                                  Dm            Bb  C
But the horns, they're blowing that sound
e|----10-8---------------------------|
B|----10---10-x--3-6-x-x--3/5-5-5----|
G|----10-9-10-x--3-3-x-x--3/5-5-5----|
D|-x-x-----------3-3-x-x--3/5-5-5----|
A|-----------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
 
                Bb   C
Way on down south
e|-----------------------------------|
B|----x-3-6--3/5---------------------|
G|--5-x-3-3--3/5---------------------|
D|-5--x-3----3/5---------------------|
A|-----------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
 
                  Dm         C  Bb
way on down south London town
 
            C                    Dm    C Bb    C
e|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|---6-5-3---6--6p5-x-5-------10-8-8-8--6-5-3--6--6p5-x-5------------|
G|---5-5-3---5-5----x-5--5/10-10-----9--5-5-3--5-5----x-5----------5-|
D|---7-5-3---7--7p5-x-5-----------------7-5-3--7--7p5-x-5-------5h7--|
A|---------------------------------------------------------x-5/7-----|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
[Verse 3]
              Dm           C   Bb      A             A7
You check out Guitar George,  he knows all the chords
e|------9-8-9------10-10-------------|
B|------8-7-8------10-10-------------|
G|------9-8-9--10--10-10-------------|
D|-1/7-------------------------------|
A|-1/7-------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
 
Dm                        C                    Bb      A
Mind he's strictly rhythm he doesn't want to make it cry or sing
e|-----5------9---------9-7-----------------8-------------|
B|----5-5-8b10--pbr8(10)-----8b10r8b10r8b10--pbr8(10)p6---|
G|-7b9----------------------0-----------------------------|
D|--------------------------------------------------------|
A|--------------------------------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------------------------------|
 
F                          C                   Bb
Yes, and an old guitar is all he can afford
e|-----------------------------------|
B|----8-8\6-6-6-6--------------------|
G|-7/9--9\7-7-7-7--------------------|
D|-----------------------------------|
A|-----------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
 
                                             Dm         Bb C
When he gets under the lights to play his thing
e|-----10-8---------------------------------------|
B|----------10-10-x-3-x-6--3-3/5-5----------------|
G|-9/10---9-10-10-x-3-x-3--3-3/5-5-------5-5-5/7--|
D|------------------3-x----3-3/5-5----5h7-7-7-----|
A|---------------------------------5/7------------|
E|------------------------------------------------|
 
[Verse 4]
Dm            C       Bb           A              A7
And Harry doesn't mind if he doesn't make the scene
e|-----------------------------------|
B|---8-----------8-------------------|
G|-7b9r7b9r7b9r7b9-------------------|
D|-----------------------------------|
A|-----------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
 
Dm                C      Bb         A       A7
He's got a daytime job he's doing alright
e|------9---------------5---8--------|
B|-12b14--10--------------0-8b10-----|
G|----------9h10p9--7-6-4-0----------|
D|---------------------7-------------|
A|-----------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
 
F                                  C
  He can play the honky tonk like anything
e|-----------------------------------|
B|--5--5-x-6-6-5-x-3-----------------|
G|--5--5-x-5-5-5-x-3-----------------|
D|--5--5-x-7-7-5-x-3-----------------|
A|-----------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
 
Bb                               Dm        Bb
   Saving it up for Friday night
e|-----------------------------------|
B|------6-5p4---3-6-3-3/5-5----------|
G|----7------7--3-3-3-3/5-5----------|
D|-5/7-7--------3-3-3-3/5-5----------|
A|-----------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
 
C                  Bb      C
  With the Sultans,
e|-----------------------------------|
B|--x-3-6--3-3/5-5-------------------|
G|--x-3-3--3-3/5-5-------------------|
D|--x-3----3-3/5-5-------------------|
A|-----------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
 
                         Dm
with the Sultans of Swing
 
    Dm C Bb    C                    Dm    C Bb    C
e|------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|---6-5-3---6--6p5-x-5-------10-8--8--6-5-3--6--6p5-x-5------------|
G|---5-5-3---5-5----x-5--5/10-10--0-9--5-5-3--5-5----x-5----------5-|
D|---7-5-3---7--7p5-x-5----------------7-5-3--7--7p5-x-5-------5h7--|
A|--------------------------------------------------------x-5/7-----|
E|------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
[Verse 5]
       Dm                         C            Bb         A     A7
And a crowd of young boys they're fooling around in the corner
e|-------12-------------------13------|
B|-12b14----pbr12(14)p10--------------|
G|----------------------12/14-14------|
D|------------------------------------|
A|------------------------------------|
E|------------------------------------|
 
Dm                            C            Bb               A         A7
Drunk and dressed in their best brown baggies, and their platform soles
e|-12p9---------5---------------------|
B|-----10-----------------------------|
G|-------9--7-6-0-x---pbr12(14)-12b14-|
D|----------------x-------------------|
A|--------------------------15-----15-|
E|------------------------------------|
 
F                                  C
  They don't give a damn about any trumpet playing band
e|------------------------------------|
B|----8-8\6-6-6-6---------------------|
G|-7/9--9\7-7-7-7---------------------|
D|------------------------------------|
A|------------------------------------|
E|------------------------------------|
 
Bb                                    Dm        Bb
   It ain't what they call rock and roll
e|-----------------------------------|
B|-------------3-6-x-3s5-------------|
G|-----7-10-7------3-3-x-3s5---------|
D|x-5/7-7--7---3---x-3s5-------------|
A|-----------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
 
C                  Bb
And the Sultans,
e|------------------------------------|
B|--3-6-3--3/5-5----------------------|
G|--3-3-3--3/5-5----------------------|
D|--3-3-3--3/5-5----------------------|
A|------------------------------------|
E|------------------------------------|
 
C                                    Dm
yeah the Sultans, they played Creole.  Creole.
 
    Dm C Bb    C        Creole      Dm    C Bb    C              ah ah
e|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|---6-5-3---6--6p5-x-5-------10-8-8-8--6-5-3--6--6p5-x-5------------|
G|---5-5-3---5-5----x-5--5/10-10-----9--5-5-3--5-5----x-5----------5-|
D|---7-5-3---7--7p5-x-5-----------------7-5-3--7--7p5-x-5-------5h7--|
A|---------------------------------------------------------x-5/7-----|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
[Instrumental]
e|------------------------------------------------------------|
B|--8b10--8b9/10-8b9/10--pbr8(10)--6h8p6--5h6p5---------------|
G|------------------------------------------------------------|
D|----------------------------------------------------11------|
A|---------------------------------------------------x--------|
E|--------------------------------------------------x---------|
 
e|------9-12b13b14r12--10-----------------------------------------|
B|---10------------------10-------10-13-11h13p11--9-10---11-x-x---|
G|--9-----------------------10--------------------------x---------|
D|----------------------------12----------------------------------|
A|----------------------------------------------------------------|
E|----------------------------------------------------------------|
 
e|------------------------------13----------------12h13-12-------------|
B|-9-10-10--10----------13--------13----------------------13-----------|
G|----0--0---0-----12b14--12bh14----(14)r12-10-10-----------12-14p12---|
D|------------x-x------------------------------------------------------|
A|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
e|---------------------------------------13p10--10------------------|
B|-13-13--13b15-(15)r13--13b15-13b15r13--10---10---13b15-10---------|
G|---------------------15----------------------------------12-10\3--|
D|------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
e|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|---3-6-3---5-6s8-6-5h6s8s3---3-6-3-3s5-------------8---------------|
G|--3-------5-----------------3------3s5--5--7-5-7bh9-(9)r7-5-7-7\2--|
D|-3-------5-----------------3-------3s5-5---------------------------|
A|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
e|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|---6-5-3---6--6p5-x-5-------10-8-8-8--6-5-3--6--6p5-x-5------------|
G|---5-5-3---5-5----x-5--5/10-10-----9--5-5-3--5-5----x-5----------5-|
D|---7-5-3---7--7p5-x-5-----------------7-5-3--7--7p5-x-5-------5h7--|
A|---------------------------------------------------------x-5/7-----|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
[Verse 6]
Dm                        C        Bb            A
And then the man he steps right up to the microphone
e|----------------------------------------|
B|-------10----12/14-14---14/17--15---15--|
G|----------------------------------------|
D|--5/11-11-11-12/14----14--/17----15-15--|
A|----------------------------------------|
E|----------------------------------------|
 
Dm              C                Bb     A
And says at last just as the time bell rings
e|----9--9---------------------------|
B|----8--8---------------------------|
G|----9--9---------------------------|
D|-----------------------------------|
A|-----------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
 
F                     C
goodnight now it's time to go home'
e|-----------------------------------|
B|-----8--8-8-----11-----------------|
G|--7/9-9-9----10-10-----------------|
D|-----------------------------------|
A|-----------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
 
Bb                                          Dm
Then he makes it fast with one more thing
e|-----------------------------------|
B|------6-6--------3-6-x--3/5-5------|
G|----7--7-7--7-x--3-3-x--3/5-5------|
D|-5/7-7-----7--x--3---x--3/5-5------|
A|-----------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
 
C                    Bb
'We are the Sultans,
e|-----------------------------------|
B|--3-6-x--3/5-5---------------------|
G|--3-3-x--3/5-5---------------------|
D|--3---x--3/5-5---------------------|
A|-----------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
 
C                         Dm
we are the sultans of Swing
 
            C                    Dm    C Bb    C
e|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|---6-5-3---6--6p5-x-5-------10-8-8-8--6-5-3--6--6p5-x-5------------|
G|---5-5-3---5-5----x-5--5/10-10-----9--5-5-3--5-5----x-5----------5-|
D|---7-5-3---7--7p5-x-5-----------------7-5-3--7--7p5-x-5-------5h7--|
A|---------------------------------------------------------x-5/7-----|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
[Solo]
e|----------------------------------------------------------|
B|-8b10--8-6-8-6---pbr8(10)-8-5h8p5-3h5p3-------------------|
G|--------------7------------------------5h7p5-5---5--------|
D|---------------------------------------------5h7p5--------|
A|---------------------------------------------------5h7p5--|
E|----------------------------------------------------------|
 
e|-------------------------------8-------8-------8-------8---------|
B|--x-10p8--8------------8h10p8--8h10p8--8h10p8--8h10p8--8h10p8----|
G|-x------10-10-7--7--7h9------9-------9-------9-------9-------9---|
D|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
A|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
 
e|--8--------------------10-------------------------------------------|
B|--8h10-8-------------10--13p10--10---------------10-------10-----11-|
G|---------x-x-x--12b14---------12--12p10--------10--12----x----0-x---|
D|-------0-x-x-x-------------------------12-10h12---------x------x----|
A|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
e|-----------12-------10-x-x--13p10--10-13p10--10-13p10--10-13p10--10-|
B|-x-x-11bh13--(13)r11-------------10--------10--------10--------10---|
G|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
e|-13p10--10-13p10--10-13p10--10-13--x--15p12--12-15p12--12-15p12--12-|
B|------11--------11--------11------x--------13--------13--------13---|
G|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
e|-15p12---15p12--12-15p12--12-15p12--12-15---10-13p10--10-13p10--10--|
B|------13------13--------13--------13------10--------10--------10----|
G|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
e|-13p10--10-13p10--10-13p10--10-13p10--10-13p10--10-13--x-15p12--12--|
B|------10--------10--------11--------11--------11------x-------13----|
G|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
e|-15p12--12-15p12--12-15p12--12-15p12--12-15p12--12-15p12--12-15p12---15b17-|
B|------13--------13--------13--------13--------13--------13--------12-------|
G|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
e|--15b17r15-13---13--15bh17r15b17r15-12h15p12----------------------------|
B|-------------15---13------------------------13h15p13-10h13p10-----------|
G|-------------------------------------------------------------9h12p9-----|
D|-------------------------------------------------------------------15\7-|
A|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
e|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|---6-5-3---6--6p5-x-5-------10-8-8-8--6-5-3--6--6p5-x-5------------|
G|---5-5-3---5-5----x-5--5/10-10-----9--5-5-3--5-5----x-5----------5-|
D|---7-5-3---7--7p5-x-5-----------------7-5-3--7--7p5-x-5-------5h7--|
A|---------------------------------------------------------x-5/7-----|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
***********************************
 
| /   Slide up
| \   Slide down
| h   Hammer-on
| p   Pull-off
| x   Dead note
| b   Bend
| r   Release
| br  Bend release
| pbr Pre-bend release
| brb Bend release bend
 
***********************************

The song was inspired by a real jazz band that Knopfler saw performing at a club in Deptford, London. The band, called the Sultans of Swing, was made up of musicians who played traditional jazz music on the streets and in small clubs. Knopfler was impressed by the band’s skill and energy and decided to write a song about them.