Honest Reaction | Dire Straits - Sultans Of Swing

[@davexenos9196]

He is singing in a foreign language, it`s called English.

[@arnodobler1096]

I understand it, and I am German! 😂

[@davidgroat3625]

@@davexenos9196 😂

[@PetrNielsn]

He is from the UK, so he is singing in English.

[@jonathanmahoney1672]

Top tip - you can Google the lyrics of pretty much every song 👍

[@Paul-tp9vf]

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 down south Way on down south London town You check out guitar George, he knows-all the chords Mind, it's strictly rhythm he doesn't want to make it 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 And 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" Then he makes it fast with one more thing "We are the Sultans We are the Sultans of Swing"

[@rosamariamartosbotella5490]

❤

[@retalittlegeorge3067]

When music was music!! Congratulations for listening.

[@Gabrielnobre]

The dud complained so much abouth the lyrics and still didn't give a dawn for this comment.

[@Paul-tp9vf]

@@Gabrielnobre Good of you to notice.

[@Isleofskye]

One of the greatest LIVE performances ever and you give it 4/10 ???? That is like me giving Muhamad Ali a 4/10 as a Boxer....

[@donnast.joseph5158]

This guy just doesn't feel it - doesn't get it at all. Sad, actually. 🤔

[@Isleofskye]

@@donnast.joseph5158 It, actually,is...

[@menty6633]

Mark is one of the top 10 guitar players on the planet. Simple as that. his finger picking is insane (he doesn't use a pick)

[@jennywren7822]

The headband wrote the words, music, arranged it, sang and played his guitar as only he can, the headband is Mark Knopfler, a genius, everything you've witnessed here is from him. This is l983 in London England, yes Dire Straits are British. You aint heard nothing yet. TELEGRAPH ROAD ALCHEMY LIVE this same concert is another masterpiece. He has written etc everything in his life, hes now 74 and living in England, and still writing etc. You've got a lot of happiness coming and wonder ❤

[@mojobag01]

Telegraph Road is a certified masterpiece.

[@mik9124]

Best Drummer I've ever was listen to , all together ... are one in this Concert . What a Masterpiece of handmade Music - Art for enjoy Live

[@davidgroat3625]

Now you know how some of us in the uk feel when you speak with your accent and slang.😂

[@jorgeantonioruizvargas7573]

Para mi fue una presentación épica la de éste grupo británico. Mi comentario sincero desde Cúcuta en la frontera colombo venezolana 🇨🇴🇻🇪 Sur América

[@TheSealords]

It was Inspired by watching a hopeless jazz combo play in a deserted pub. They were called The Sultans Of Swing. If you listen to the lyrics again now, they'll make all the sense in the world.

[@BertSmithLondon]

I was going to watch this, but I was reading through the comments and I knew my head would explode if I did. Someone says you gave this 4 out of 10? and you didn't understand the language? I watched an 8 year old react to this, and she certainly appreciated just what she was watching, that's here on You Tube somewhere.

[@arcticfox3928]

Talk about killing the vibe....wow.😒

[@donnast.joseph5158]

He may be a nice guy but he is out of his league and lacks the chops to do this reacting business. 👍

[@annaranger152]

Mark went to a bar in London on a wet rainy day to see this band called the Sultans of Swing. The song is the story of that.

[@Robertroadtrip]

Wow man. That's like conversation. He's singing about a band he saw in a bar one night and he's singing about the life being in a band that's just gigging to have fun

[@deanfackrell488]

If you only rated it 4 out of 10. You don’t appreciate good music when you hear it. Stick to rap you probably understand that, as plain English is obviously beyond you.

[@BusstterNutt]

They were singing in English, but using colloquialisms and analogies.

[@bartholland4224]

Just gotta drop in, I understood that you were having a challenge understanding the lyrics after your 1st comment about it but, by the time you said it for the 3rd, 4th ,5th & 6th time I was over your reaction. This is an absolute classic & most people loved Dire Straits because of Mark's unique voice & unworldly guitar abilities but everyones viewpoint isn't always going to be the same, that's why we enjoy reactions videos. Marks singing isn't your cuppa tea, awesome take but don't beat your viewership over the with it! Remember, one of your viewers recommended you take a listen to one of their favorite songs & was looking forward to hearing your reaction!

[@danmick73]

This is a great performance (and if I remember right, this is the show where the drummer's father was in the audience that night, and it was the first time he had ever seen his son perform, so they went all out). Knopfler can be a bit mumbly sometimes, but that's part of his style, and he's still one of my favourite musicians. The studio version makes it easier to understand the vocals, but the gist of it is that the song is about a small band that plays bars and clubs, etc.

[@paulhoogenboom5361]

Please. No Pink Floyd. You are not ready.

[@SusanDion-ii5pc]

Mark knopfler is a god

[@Imdevantewarner]

Ima have to dive deeper

[@davidw7]

One of the BEST LIVE PERFORMANCES of the Rock Era....Sadly, a 4 out of 10 is not what it is seen us today. Music is about musicianship and for some.... the word have a heavier meaning vs other songs that the beat, tempo and melody along with the talent make it a top tier song of their era. Add a LIVE performance that is FLAWLESS and it becomes ICONIC. Of course, not all see it in the same light. Just I think most of us were surprised at a very low-score considering how revered it is in Rock History to this day. So the reason I could not hit the LIKE.... is claiming it rates merely a 4 out of 10.... sorrry.

[@christelcool]

Fact ☑️

[@daphnethurlow5388]

He is

[@legalizitt]

A lot of rock is about the lyrics. A lot of rock is about the music. Some rock is about both.

[@ChitwoodMitwood]

When you don't understand the smart thing to do is to educate yourself.

[@NancyStonebridge]

Are u kidding me 4 out of 10 just the music alone is 11

[@conniebrady9853]

Yea, his reaction is about a 4 out of ten, but the video is above the rating scale!!

[@GavinMaGrath]

2nd reaction I've seen from someone who has no clue and I've seen 50 plus reations of this. Arguably the greatest live performance ever

[@jsamuelsen]

Its not so much about the lyrics. It's great if you can figure out what they're saying but it's much more about the music. If you vibe to the music, you'll eventually learn the lyrics.

[@Isleofskye]

I have already subscribed and enjoyed your honest reaction and, equally, from South East London, England, my comments are, also, honest do Did You Have A Train To Catch LOL We were building up to the Grand Finale and you saw his outstretched hands about to jump in the air with the Band finishing on a crescendo and smoke was about to shoot from the Stage and you cut it off right at that moment, inexplicably? I have, rarely, seen that in my 17 years on KZbin and I am in my 8th decade, my friend. PLEASE, let it, naturally, finish to complete their wonderful performance. Good Luck..

[@richardmodglin3900]

Never cut a live ending short...you missed it by about 1 or two seconds max. It matters. Nice reaction!

[@AnthonyKellett]

If the lyrics are so important to you, read them. Why go and listen to a studio version and guess yet again. Also, to grasp the meaning of more intellectual songs, one needs to dwell on individual lines, and think about them. You can't do that on the fly.

[@Sonotfrench]

The reason you don’t understand what he’s saying is probably because (I’m assuming) you only ever listen to people with American accents. To get better at understanding different accents you just need to listen to more people speaking English that aren’t from the USA ✌️ Mark Knopfler is from England, I don’t know if you’ve heard of it, but it’s the birthplace of the English language 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 so with all due respect, as an American, you’re the one with the accent, not him 😉 And re the lyrics, why do you NEED to know the lyrics? You listen to too much rap, where it’s only about the lyrics (pretty awful ones usually too). There ARE other elements to music lol. Proper music i mean. God forbid you ever listen to classical music😂There’s tons of songs I love but don’t know the lyrics too. Wow. You just really showed in this one video how small your world is.

[@SergioGarcia-oh3pq]

How would he react to Opera!!!!!

[@deegomez2089]

It's about musicians...you're welcome 🎶🎵

[@stevesnow315]

It's raining and cold in the park at night so he steps into litter pub where a not so good band is playing to not very many people. He describes the band members (guitar george and another player Harry who doesn't care much about the music he's playing because he works during the day and doesn't necessarily need the money.) The lyrics explain his real experience and the reason he's there. Hope that helps you get the idea.😊🤟

[@SusanDion-ii5pc]

Mark is left handed and taught himself to play right handed, he also does not use a pic

[@daphnethurlow5388]

And is known as one of the greatest guitarits in the world...even now. His music will live forever

[@henryb160]

He uses a pic when he thinks it's needed.

[@williamjones6031]

The studio version of this is one of the best songs for cruising. Including road tripping. It's nice that you enjoyed it so much. What I love about this clip is how much fun they're having. Making a living like that wouldn't suck.🤑🤑🤑🤑 Shout out to the production crew. The filmography of this LIVE concert is incredible.🤩

[@toby9999]

Great song, great music. The reaction was not so great. I sense he was pining for some rap.

[@LBinsocal]

thank god you saved yourself by saying the music is great, sad your generation gets so caught up in over analyzing everything , that you can’t enjoy what is one of the top live rock performances of all time…..🤦‍♂️

[@alpenhuhn1]

A 4 out of 10 for one of the greatest guitar solos ever! Crazy!

[@LBinsocal]

@@alpenhuhn1 I couldn’t even finish watching.. fortunately there are more of his generation (doing the reactions) that appreciate good music, than not.

[@gavinore1507]

Trust me most of us appreciate the music of your time!

[@LBinsocal]

@@paultaylor9498 Not asking you to, that was my opinion

[@francescakaime3597]

A disappointing reaction . I give you 1 out of 5 for music appreciation!

[@gailpitts4311]

You should do something different. You are not good at this.

[@Pokafalva]

4 out of 10! WHAT??? You're off your trolley!!!

[@jimmybondy9450]

This ain't rap.

[@ColinChristie1]

This review, keeping it honest, is 4 out of 10 😂. Dire Straits is an 11. ❤

[@Pokafalva]

4 out of 10 for the review is generous...

[@Isleofskye]

@@Pokafalva Especially as he cut off the finale in its prime:)

[@markbruhn3943]

Your about 6 numbers off

[@mikeedwards8990]

Thanks for being honest but if you're a lyrical guy, you should have had the lyrics pulled up to begin with.

[@jimmybondy9450]

My thoughts.

[@mikevandenboom5958]

Really Dire Straights is 2 plain English words. Why would you not get it right?

[@gdj6298]

Well, YOU didn't !

[@mikevandenboom5958]

@@gdj6298Touche, I noticed as soon as I sent it . I sit humbled before you 😔

[@gdj6298]

@@mikevandenboom5958 Just blame autocorrektt 😁

[@Nitramrec]

You stopped before the last chord! Why you are so impatient? You should learn to listen - and talk afterwards! You really earned your thumb down!

[@Imdevantewarner]

I appreciate that I’ll give you a thumbs up 👍

[@Mr2012Ultra]

One of the best live concert performances ever recorded. IMHO

[@gretchenboyd7186]

I really appreciate your honesty. Having grown up on this music, I am familiar with the lyrics and the story behind them. But again, love your honesty.

[@jeremykothe2847]

The only lyric you need for this: "We are the sultans... of swing".

[@-PixieGiggles]

Firstly… love your channel. Secondly…remember this is from the original MTV generation. We were focused on the music, the vibe, the story in the video. Sometimes that story lined up with the lyrics, sometimes not. A lot of rock is focused on the solos and the bands. ❤

[@TenCapQuesada]

Wouldn't like to see your reaction to Dire Straits' "Brothers In Arms" then.

[@micheleevans4960]

I’ve noticed how focused some reactors are to making literal sense and noticing every word sung. Lyrics are just simply him walking into a bar and singing about the group he saw there. Back in the day, we didn’t have lyrics, we just rocked out and enjoyed the moment. If you caught half the words, great. Different generations, different importance I guess. We lived through this and “get” it.

[@maruka1716]

Mark Knopfler (in red) is a poet as well as a phenomenal guitarist, but he does mumble sometimes in live performance. This was his first hit, originally recorded in 1978 and shown here in a live performance in 1983. He's still working, by the way. He's 74 years old, and his latest album came out in April 2024. It reached #3 on the British album charts, right behind Beyonce. The thing about Mark is that he did become one of the biggest British rock stars of the 1980s, but he didn't really start making money at it until he was almost 30 years old. Before that he played in a lot of different bands doing a lot of different musical genres, often in pubs and other small venues, until he finally got the band Dire Straits together and started recording his original songs. So he's got a real sympathy for people at the bottom of the entertainment business, trying to scratch out a living from a combination of their music and their day jobs. This song is about a band he heard one rainy night in south London, playing Louisiana blues and not getting much audience reaction. He's got another very famous song about a street musician. You can hear it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZWchZ99eb96oas

[@samuellord8576]

So what went wrong? You didn’t come prepared: ALWAYS have the lyrics before you begin your reaction. I don’t mean read them ahead of time, though sometimes it is best. Just have them in front of you in case you can’t hear or understand them. It’s NOT your fault! And NO, the studio versions AREN’T always better! For example, THIS Alchemy Live version is the very best recording of this song. Friend, MOST people can’t understand all the lyrics to most songs. Even if they catch every word, the meaning can be much harder. And ASK whoever recommends, or filters songs for you, whether you should read the lyrics first. I can tell you that you -should- read and even study the lyrics of every Grateful Dead song before you react to it. But you should almost never pre-read the lyrics of the Beatles. This is a practice you’ll need in order to make strong reactions to music. Okay, keep going friend, you’re doing great!

[@gregleblanc9357]

The vocals are better and clearer in the official video but this one is ALL about the talent of the band. They are amazing

[@Steve-hq4fm]

A sultan is a king, swing is a type of music, so sultans of swing are kings of swing! What's the disconnect here? Most people would rate this a 9 or 10!! And I'm not talking about reactors!!

[@rigs6874]

❤❤love❤❤talent of 70s 80s♥️❤closing of the bar song, last call, would play on jukebox for years😂

[@davidholwell2060]

🎉🎉🎉. Superb. Thanks.

[@ericewayned66dugger44]

Mark Knopfler is an amazing guitarist. You should look up Mark Knopfler, Chet Atkins - Poor Boy or Walk of Life. Many guitarists were influenced by Chet Atkins.

[@CuzKatieSaysSo]

If you ever do Telegraph Road, read the lyrics first so you'll know what they're singing about. Gorgeous Gorgeous song, I know you'll get many requests. It was written whilst driving through and around Detroit. A Detroit from loooong ago...

[@christinehoughton8591]

Oh my God 4 out of ten, I’m going to be honest with you go and take the time to go and look up the lyrics mate.Hes telling true story as he often does like Telegraph Road, Tunnel of Love, Romeo and Juliet.

[@alfredcromwell4703]

OMG this guy does not know music omg.....

[@Isleofskye]

He does not respect or FEEL it. How could you cut off the end so coldly?

[@tohagil57]

You should check out the lyrics and then watch the live version again. It’s a 10 out of 10 song when you know what the song is about.

[@viviennerose6858]

Mark Knopfler was/is big time friend of Bob Dylan, and i think his singing style is influenced by him. I genuinely can't believe you find him difficult to understand - he's singing in English 😊. I would say though that the accent is based on American. Back in the day (50's) when pop took off in the UK, bands used to use what was then called 'a Mid-atlantic accent'. I hope you've since googled the lyrics, and that the musicianship didn’t stop any of your enjoyment of this. This was based on a true experience of Mark's, in a South London pub. The band weren't very good apparently, and Mark has since commented on the name by saying the band weren't very good, and definitely not Sultans of anything 😂😂😂

[@आवारा-ज8ण]

Look up the lyrics then 😂

[@aaronherbison7316]

You said the band name correctly apart from leaving the 's' off the end.... Its Straits

[@amrak5028]

You should always choose an Official Studio version, when doing a first time to a band. You would have like this...

[@sailinbob11]

Now ya know how I feel when I have to pull out an urban dictionary. Look up the lyrics. Doesn't have to be CC. I've screwed up lyrics for years. He's, if I'm not mistaken, singing about a band playing to an empty bar at the end of a set.

[@bella-xp7qd]

Another reactor that doesn't play to the end.

[@SeanDoyleRescuesAnimals]

He is from the north east of england called Newcastle its a boss regional accent and a brilliant place to visit.

[@SergioGarcia-oh3pq]

Have you ever heard of Subtitles? try them sometimes!!

[@SashanMusArt]

Sorry but IMO this was a really boring & disinterested reaction to say the least, and you not only cut off the ending but then had the cheek to dish out a 4/10 rating for this Alchemy Live performance of a song that is part of the fabric of Rock history. Dire Straits (who are in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame) were a British band of incredible musicians, lead by legendary genius Mark Knopfler, singer, magical guitarist, lyricist/songwriter, record producer, soundtrack composer of 9 movies, and a musical career that’s not over yet. Diss them at your peril young man, DS & MK, like many other 70’s, 80’s, 90’s bands and musicians, still have a massive international following of music lovers who are not in the least impressed with the current, sadly overdubbed, autotuned, AI state of today’s ‘music industry’. I❤MK

[@rodb9275]

4 out of 10? I could tell you were concentrating on the words. I personally think this is one where you need to pay attention to the amazing music MORE. But I guess we all have different priorities.. Guitar. Keyboards, and for ME, especially the drums. I did hear you say that you liked the music. This Live performance is the best. If you had done he studio on THIS one, I wouldn't have watched. I watch reaction vids EVERY night, and I follow so many reactors, so I don't have time to watch ones that I know, up front, will disappoint me. I do MOSTLY prefer reactors do the official studio or official music video.(I like a reactor's first time with a song to be how the artist truly wanted it to sound) But there are a few songs where LIVE is best. And this is one (And certain artists where you should ALWAYS do them LIVE, like Queen) Another great reaction from you, though. I am close to subscribing. Have you done any "REN"? if so, I will DEFINITELY be subscribing. (IF you HAVEN'T done any Ren, "Hi Ren" is the BEST one to start with)

[@toby9999]

Brains stewed by rap crap is my guess.

[@yakovnevsky7897]

I like you honesty and I say this as a 20+ years of being an avid fan of Mark Knopfler and his music. He has a nice voice but apparently he cannot sing much so he speaks but he's kinda like Bob Dylan in a sense that he doesn't care if he mumbles and without knowing the lyrics the audience probably couldn't distinguish what he's saying.

[@DreamJeanne1111]

You didn't let the guitarist finish the song! He raised his arms up and was going to pull his elbows down to finish and you didn't let him finish! You have to let the finale finish dude!

[@gregusmc2868]

I was at this concert as a 19 year old and they’re Brits. The lyrics are not that important. How many drum machines, auto tune, pitch corrections would you need to “like” this song? It was called TALENT. Mark Knopfler was a master FINGER-picker. It’s an “old guy thing.” You wouldn’t understand.

[@JaneAustensWorld]

Just listen to the story. If you don't get it, then well.

[@leahmollytheblindcatnordee3586]

I heard this song when it first came out. But our US ears are not always able to understand the words, because we aren't familiar with the accent or the story. And as I looked through the comments, I saw that someone has put the lyrics out for you. He's telling a story about a time he heard a band on a wet night in London a long time ago. It is a look back in time. I hope you were able to give more thought to this. Personally, I love it. But everyone has a different take on things. But, I would think just the way the band was so tight, how the music (not words) was used like a hook that would draw you in, let you go partially and then pull you right back in, you would now have another opinion. I am impressed with the way Mark Knopfler pulls the sounds out of his guitar, the impressive drummer, both of the other guitars and the seamless insertion of the keyboards all come together to give an experience. I would suggest that if you now understand the words, that you could get people of your back, by rating it where it should be and that is a 10+. Take Care.

[@timmasters7526]

Don't listen to the studio version. Just look up the lyrics on the net. This is sung with the North East English accent. We, this side of the pond, often have difficulty understanding understanding various US voices.

[@metaluna72]

On the drums, Animal from the muppets..

[@ndivi499]

A 4? come on dude! A 4?

[@mattmorganRnR]

What headphones do you have? I’m needing a new set. Thanks

[@jeffpowers7517]

You cut off the ending!

[@conniebrady9853]

Some of these guys are just so impatient - they can't wait to give their 'expert' opinion!

[@R777-RLM]

With Rock, it's best to read along with the lyrics the first time, because a full band can make it hard for anyone to hear the vocals clearly at first, especially live. You're honesty is very appreciated, though. Thanks for your reaction.

[@lynnbird5753]

If you are a lyricist study, you need to go back to the classroom and re-learn. The lyrics are so brilliant because we have all seen and experienced watching a band in a bar. and watching each individual player. Look up what a Sultan is... Look up what type of music "Swing" is. For me I immediately knew and undertood that term the first time I heard it, even though it is metaphorical.

[@cheryld1710]

Knopfler considered one of best guitarist.

[@roland20002000]

OK to start you need to know what the Sultans are. It's a sad state of affairs that people don't know who the Sultans were. The Sultans were the Kings in the Ottoman empire, so they are the kings of swing. The inspiration for the tune came when the lead Singer was sitting in a near empty pub in south London with a ban playing to a small crowd that were just in the pub to play pool, that had no interest in the band. The band was called The Sultans of Swing.

[@edwindekoning8294]

too bad you didnt search for the lyrics during your recording..it is an apparently true story of him going on a rainy evening into a pub where a not so good band was playing..he describes the players...and he found it funny that a band that was not really good was using the name " sultans of swing" he then wrote this song describing the evening and the band... only the music would be more than a 10 already ..how they perform this live version is the best ever... hope you now understand what the song is about!

[@starman2337]

The lyrics aren't that important, but you're right. The studio version lyrics are better, but this version is better overall.

[@marcieharreld286]

Go find the lyrics version and then you'll get it!!😊😊🎶🎼🎵

[@paulashanks3129]

❤🎉

[@kellieweyrauch4033]

I really hope you React to Rush soon, they are an Awesome 3 man Band ❤❤

[@jaymes7521]

it is an awesome tune.

[@MrGettysburg44]

If you want lyrics listen to Jackson Browne.....greatest musician/poet ever.....you will not be disappointed!

[@FredericRatel]

if you like lyrics and this sort of musicianship, I can only recommend Telegraph road (studio version) by Dire Straits - the masterpiece from Mr Knopfler

[@CuzKatieSaysSo]

Ahhhhhhhhh!!! You stopped again before the final note! You have to get out of that habit - just because KZbin puts up their next videos before the band is done is no reason to stop - just yet... Studio version may not help you much - Mark Knopfler ( British to boot, for us Americans) doesn't enunciate that well. If you ever watch this again, please pay close attention to the drummer. His father was in the crowd for the first time, and his timing was a little faster than the studio version. But the rest of the band had to pick up the pace and the rest was musical history.

[@mollybeegood6342]

yes, i did not understand the lyrics when it came out.. i knew most of the lines but did not understand the story.. the wall of sound [ high energy] that mark produces would distract me from the story line.. it was and is one of my all time favourites..

[@आवारा-ज8ण]

You wouldn't get the lyrics if you looked at it my friend 😊

[@bobabier5394]

3:05 and thats the problem. you dont hear it any more. we are goung down south.

[@cpoled66p8]

That's closed caption(CC) is for.

[@landonboyd3001]

Im pretty sure Mark is high as shit during this performance. You can understand the lyrics much more easily in the studio recording.

[@ChuckRose]

Oh man! You have GOT to get the lyrics and learn the story!

[@gregleblanc9357]

WOW! You cut it off?????

[@Silvermachine7]

Please let them run to the end. You cut it a few seconds short, it's all part of the experience!

[@xeotic1991]

My first out of hundreds Sultans of swing reactions, I just skipped cuz of comments

[@matthewrizzo9111]

4/10 for arguably one of the best live performances in history??