Mark Knopfler Performs AMAZING 2005 “Sultans Of Swing” Set

The 2005 Sultan Of Swing

Like no time has passed at all, the true sultan of swing, Mark Knopfler performs hit “Sultans of Swing” in 2005 and absolutely crushes it. At 56 years old, neither his guitar nor vocals skills have lessened one bit as he sounds identical to every old school performance we have ever watched of this incredible song.

Interesting Fact: According to Rolling Stone magazine in their “100 Greatest Guitar Songs” issue, Mark Knopfler wrote the song on acoustic guitar, then switched to a Fender Stratocaster.

Inspired by a crappy bar band that called themselves the sultans of swing, Mark brought the title to the rest of the Dire Straits, wrote and composed the masterpiece and took it straight to #8 in the UK and #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1978 after its re-release.

Having performed a 10 minute version of this at Live Aid in ’85, it is seriously incredible to see that Mark is still doing what we love to see him do. There were rumors that he had stated he was over playing the song, considering how many times he had to perform it, but we are grateful that he chose to play it once more for us.

+ Sultans Of Swing 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