"Sultans of Swing" is a song by the British rock band Dire Straits from their self-titled debut album, for which band frontman Mark Knopfler wrote and composed it. Although it was first released in 1978, it was its 1979 re-release that caused it to become a hit in both the UK and USA. The song was first recorded as a demo at Pathway Studios, North London, in July 1977, and quickly acquired a following after it was put on rotation at Radio London. Its popularity soon reached record executives and Dire Straits were offered a contract with Phonogram Records. The song was then re-recorded in early 1978 at Basing Street Studios for the band's debut album Dire Straits. The record company wanted a less-polished rock sound for the radio, so an alternative version was recorded at Pathway Studios in April 1978 and released as the single in some countries including the United Kingdom and Germany.