Sultans of Swing by Dire Straits

Key: F · 99 BPM · 4/4

Sultans of Swing by Dire Straits is written in F major. Rather than one of the handful of progressions that show up again and again across pop and rock, it settles into its own 2-chord loop — C-Bb — repeating with its own internal logic instead of borrowing a familiar shape. At 99 BPM, it moves at a relaxed, mid-tempo pace.

The progression

This song cycles a 2-chord progression in F major: C-Bb. Chords are automatically detected — if something looks off, let us know.

Play it in other keys

CapoShape keyChords to play
Capo 1EB-A
Capo 3DA-G
Capo 5CG-F

Chord chart

  • 0:00 Dm
  • 0:15 C
  • 0:15 Bb
  • 0:16 A
  • 0:19 Dm
  • 0:21 C
  • 0:22 Bb
  • 0:23 A
  • 0:26 F
  • 0:29 C
  • 0:32 Bb
  • 0:35 Dm
  • 0:38 Bb
  • 0:39 C
  • 0:42 Dm
  • 0:44 C
  • 0:44 Bb
  • 0:45 A
  • 0:48 Dm
  • 0:50 C
  • 0:51 Bb
  • 0:52 A
  • 0:55 F
  • 0:58 C
  • 1:01 Bb
  • 1:04 Dm
  • 1:07 Bb
  • 1:08 C
  • 1:10 Bb
  • 1:11 C
  • 1:14 Dm
  • 1:15 Bb
  • 1:17 C
  • 1:21 Dm
  • 1:22 Bb
  • 1:24 C
  • 1:27 Dm
  • 1:29 C
  • 1:29 Bb
  • 1:30 A
  • 1:33 Dm
  • 1:35 C
  • 1:36 Bb
  • 1:37 Am
  • 1:38 A
  • 1:40 F
  • 1:43 C
  • 1:46 Bb
  • 1:50 Dm
  • 1:52 Bb
  • 1:53 C
  • 1:56 Dm
  • 1:58 C
  • 1:59 Bb
  • 2:00 A
  • 2:02 Dm
  • 2:04 C
  • 2:05 Bb
  • 2:06 A
  • 2:09 F
  • 2:13 C
  • 2:16 Bb
  • 2:19 Dm
  • 2:21 Bb
  • 2:22 C
  • 2:24 Bb
  • 2:26 C
  • 2:29 Dm
  • 2:30 Bb
  • 2:32 C
  • 2:35 Dm
  • 2:37 Bb
  • 2:38 C
  • 2:42 Dm
  • 2:43 C
  • 2:44 Bb
  • 2:45 Am
  • 2:46 A7
  • 2:48 Dm
  • 2:50 C
  • 2:51 Bb
  • 2:52 Am
  • 2:55 F
  • 2:58 C
  • 3:01 Bb
  • 3:04 Dm
  • 3:07 Bb
  • 3:08 C
  • 3:10 Bb
  • 3:11 C
  • 3:14 Dm
  • 3:16 Bb
  • 3:17 C
  • 3:21 Dm
  • 3:22 Bb
  • 3:24 C
  • 3:27 Dm
  • 3:29 C
  • 3:30 Bb
  • 3:30 A
  • 3:33 Dm
  • 3:36 Bb
  • 3:37 A
  • 3:40 F
  • 3:43 C
  • 3:47 Bb
  • 3:50 Dm
  • 3:52 Bb
  • 3:53 C
  • 3:55 Bb
  • 3:56 C
  • 4:00 Dm
  • 4:01 Bb
  • 4:03 C
  • 4:06 Dm
  • 4:07 Bb
  • 4:09 C
  • 4:13 Dm
  • 4:14 C
  • 4:15 Bb
  • 4:16 A
  • 4:19 Dm
  • 4:21 C
  • 4:21 Bb
  • 4:22 Am
  • 4:23 A7
  • 4:25 F
  • 4:29 C
  • 4:32 Bb
  • 4:35 Dm
  • 4:37 Bb
  • 4:39 C
  • 4:41 Bb
  • 4:42 C
  • 4:45 Dm
  • 4:46 Bb
  • 4:48 C
  • 4:51 Dm
  • 4:53 Bb
  • 4:55 C
  • 4:58 Dm
  • 4:59 Bb
  • 5:01 C
  • 5:04 Dm
  • 5:06 Bb
  • 5:08 C
  • 5:11 Dm
  • 5:12 Bb
  • 5:14 C
  • 5:17 Dm
  • 5:19 Bb
  • 5:20 C
  • 5:24 Dm
  • 5:25 Bb
  • 5:27 C
  • 5:30 Dm
  • 5:32 Bb
  • 5:33 C
  • 5:37 Dm
  • 5:38 Bb
  • 5:40 C
  • 5:43 Dm
  • 5:44 Bb

Frequently asked questions

What key is Sultans of Swing in?

Sultans of Swing is in F major.

What chords does Sultans of Swing use?

The core of Sultans of Swing cycles through C, Bb (2 chords).

What is the tempo of Sultans of Swing?

Sultans of Swing runs at 99 BPM in 4/4 time.

What chord progression does Sultans of Swing use?

Sultans of Swing doesn't follow one of the common named progressions — it cycles its own 2-chord loop: C-Bb.

What capo should I use for Sultans of Swing?

Capo 1 and play E major shapes — that gets you open chords instead of barring in F major.

Related songs

Other songs in F major