Dire Straits — Sultans Of Swing
Album: Dire StraitsAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 5451
Length: 5:43
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You get a shiver in the dark
It's 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 that music ring
Well now you step inside but you don't see too many faces
Coming in out of the rain to hear the jazz go down
Competition in other places
Ah but the horns, they blowing that sound
Way on down south, way on down south, London town
You check out Guitar George, he knows all the chords
Mind, he's strictly rhythm, he doesn't want to make it cry or sing
Yes, and 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
Saving it up for Friday night
With the Sultans, with the Sultans of Swing
And a crowd of young boys, they're fooling 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 playing 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"
Then he makes it fast with one more thing
"We are the Sultans, we are the Sultans of Swing"
It's 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 that music ring
Well now you step inside but you don't see too many faces
Coming in out of the rain to hear the jazz go down
Competition in other places
Ah but the horns, they blowing that sound
Way on down south, way on down south, London town
You check out Guitar George, he knows all the chords
Mind, he's strictly rhythm, he doesn't want to make it cry or sing
Yes, and 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
Saving it up for Friday night
With the Sultans, with the Sultans of Swing
And a crowd of young boys, they're fooling 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 playing 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"
Then he makes it fast with one more thing
"We are the Sultans, we are the Sultans of Swing"
Comments (465)add comment
Sometimes I think that I've heard this song too much, but seconds later I realize my premise was wrong!
sonymagellan wrote:
To known the new messiah, you must listen The War on Drugs !
Dire Straits is well their godfather ^^
At the time, the consensus in my house was there was no way that Dire Straits could replicate Sultans playing live.
To known the new messiah, you must listen The War on Drugs !
Dire Straits is well their godfather ^^
pauldcvc wrote:
Yeaaa… Before Knoppfler really knew how to play.
The rating is a bit of a mystery to me, but anyway, an easy 10 for Miles Davis, followed by an easy 1 (enjoyable tune but played to death) for Dire Straits. RP is fun!
Yeaaa… Before Knoppfler really knew how to play.
My senior year in HS was so awesome for music.
surfool wrote:
we old
Yeah, you may be right - But we sure as heck had all the best bands didn't we!!!
we old
Yeah, you may be right - But we sure as heck had all the best bands didn't we!!!
The rating is a bit of a mystery to me, but anyway, an easy 10 for Miles Davis, followed by an easy 3 (enjoyable tune but played to death) for Dire Straits. RP is fun!
45 years of goosebumps
uksminas wrote:
Especially in FLAC through great equipment! Thanx RP!
Love this album.Great for testing Stereo.Especially 2 and 4 song.
Especially in FLAC through great equipment! Thanx RP!
Love this album.Great for testing Stereo.Especially 2 and 4 song.
hellsgardener wrote:
we old
This is 45 years old. How the absolute F&^k is this 45 years old?
we old
This is 45 years old. How the absolute F&^k is this 45 years old?
jshannon1015 wrote:
queen should be in there somwhere
A LOT of bands belong there. It is a big list. It is difficult to pick any one band.
queen should be in there somwhere
A LOT of bands belong there. It is a big list. It is difficult to pick any one band.
sonymagellan wrote:
To known the new messiah, you must listen The War on Drugs !
Dire Straits is well their godfather ^^
queen should be in there somwhere
To known the new messiah, you must listen The War on Drugs !
Dire Straits is well their godfather ^^
queen should be in there somwhere
Sultans of Swing was the most played song during my radio shows in 1978 on my own station Radio Hurricane, Italy.
fredriley wrote:
Sadly very true
This is both a song and a historical document, back to the days when every other pub had live music of highly varying quality. Now pubs are overrun with TV showing football and live music is a sad rarity:(
Sadly very true
This is both a song and a historical document, back to the days when every other pub had live music of highly varying quality. Now pubs are overrun with TV showing football and live music is a sad rarity:(
Possibly one of the greatest studio guitar solos of all time to my ears!!!
Thanks for playing.
Thanks for playing.
Long time no hear. Still tasty.
lizardking wrote:
Immediate volume turn-up, rating +0 (cuz it's already at a 10) - Long Live RP and RIP to my dad who LOVED this song and created fond memories of this while he lived in CDA ID.
PURE GENIUS--even after 40+years! Never get tired of hearing this song!
This song never fails to make me get up and/or make some dancing movements. ^^
nelsonha wrote:
Yes! And the live version from "Alchemy" is even better!
This song may have gotten a lot of radio play, but it's still a great song from a great band led by the magnificent Mark Knopfler.
Yes! And the live version from "Alchemy" is even better!
This song may have gotten a lot of radio play, but it's still a great song from a great band led by the magnificent Mark Knopfler.
A 10. Always.
One of the songs that launched MTV, Brilliant
Severely overplayed on the radio when it came out!!! But now, listening in FLAC w/ great phones, amp & DAC, I love it!!!
As a young teen when this song was released, I hated it. Hated that it was on my Top 40 pop station. Hated the music. Hated the singing. Enough that I would turn the radio off in my mother's car when it would come on. And I never turned that thing off...
Anyways...years later, the anger has subsided....it's still there mind you, but far less mindless...still, best I can manage is a 7...but don't bug me about it....
Anyways...years later, the anger has subsided....it's still there mind you, but far less mindless...still, best I can manage is a 7...but don't bug me about it....
nmb wrote:
https://radioparadise.com/musi...
Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Jiminy Hendrix, Beethoven all have 9+ songs here.
*Edit as of 5/1/22*
There are 11 tunes on RP now with an average rating greater than 9.0:
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here - 9.2 *
Pink Floyd - Shine On You Crazy Diamond - 9.2 **
Jimi Hendrix - All Along The Watchtower - 9.1
Pink Floyd - Time - 9.1 ***
Beethoven - Moonlight Sonata - 9.1
The Beatles - A Day In The Life - 9.1
Pink Floyd - Us and Them ⇒ Eclipse - 9.1 ****
Jimi Hendrix - Little Wing - 9.1
Vivaldi - The 4 Seasons: Summer - 9.1
Bach - Toccata in D minor - 9.1
Beethoven - Symphony No.5 - Allegro Con Brio - 9.1
* my #2 all-time favorite song
**this is the first track of the album (parts I-V) coming in at 13:38; the final track of the album is parts VI-IX, and comes in at 12:28. which is not listed on the song title; final track of the album is parts VI-IX
*** my #1 all-time favorite song
**** all of side B after "Money" (Us and Them, Any Colour You Like, Brain Damage, Eclipse) and brilliant of BillG to combine these 4 "songs" into one (FCC be damned!)
Long Live RP and all the music played here, highly rated or otherwise!!
funny..the highest ranking with 8.7 as far as I have seen. Anything higher?
Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Jiminy Hendrix, Beethoven all have 9+ songs here.
*Edit as of 5/1/22*
There are 11 tunes on RP now with an average rating greater than 9.0:
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here - 9.2 *
Pink Floyd - Shine On You Crazy Diamond - 9.2 **
Jimi Hendrix - All Along The Watchtower - 9.1
Pink Floyd - Time - 9.1 ***
Beethoven - Moonlight Sonata - 9.1
The Beatles - A Day In The Life - 9.1
Pink Floyd - Us and Them ⇒ Eclipse - 9.1 ****
Jimi Hendrix - Little Wing - 9.1
Vivaldi - The 4 Seasons: Summer - 9.1
Bach - Toccata in D minor - 9.1
Beethoven - Symphony No.5 - Allegro Con Brio - 9.1
* my #2 all-time favorite song
**this is the first track of the album (parts I-V) coming in at 13:38; the final track of the album is parts VI-IX, and comes in at 12:28. which is not listed on the song title; final track of the album is parts VI-IX
*** my #1 all-time favorite song
**** all of side B after "Money" (Us and Them, Any Colour You Like, Brain Damage, Eclipse) and brilliant of BillG to combine these 4 "songs" into one (FCC be damned!)
Long Live RP and all the music played here, highly rated or otherwise!!
funny..the highest ranking with 8.7 as far as I have seen. Anything higher?
Epitome of cool!
Blew my mind when I first heard this. Still love it.
franccc wrote:
A tune that more cover bands would have played...but they couldn't. Knopfler is amazing
Dire Straits were the right band at the right time and Sultans of Swing is such a perfect example. So good to hear them again.
A tune that more cover bands would have played...but they couldn't. Knopfler is amazing
malotv78 wrote:
It's good to love your wife's enjoyment.
My wife dances on it ... but for once, I enjoy the music she is liking, even as a metal fan !
It's good to love your wife's enjoyment.
I remember this being played in Advanced Art class in high school when it cam out. Awesome!
I'm just happy to be from X generation ....swiming in the best musical creation
Perhaps Mark's best work. Never gets old.
jp33442 wrote:
It is almost impossible to overplay this song. Kind of like Gimme Shelter and You Can Call Me Al.
Another song that got way overplayed in the 80s
It is almost impossible to overplay this song. Kind of like Gimme Shelter and You Can Call Me Al.
Dire Straits were the right band at the right time and Sultans of Swing is such a perfect example. So good to hear them again.
Not a lot of haters on this song.
Another song that got way overplayed in the 80s
never get tired of this tune.
Still blows me away. So fresh
Overplayed in my brain by the NYC FM radio stations. Still a great song.
When I was a kid I hated this song on the radio, think they over played it to death. Now when I hear it all I can hear is the talent delivering a smooth cool tune >8<
One of the life changing events in my life was the first time I heard this song.!!!! If I could give it an 11 I would
My wife dances on it ... but for once, I enjoy the music she is liking, even as a metal fan !
Big fan of The War on Drugs and your post makes the connection I had in the back of my mind.
sonymagellan wrote:
To known the new messiah, you must listen The War on Drugs !
Dire Straits is well their godfather ^^
sonymagellan wrote:
To known the new messiah, you must listen The War on Drugs !
Dire Straits is well their godfather ^^
fredriley wrote:
Pub Rock for the WIN!!
A great paean to a sadly disappearing art form, the British pub band.
Pub Rock for the WIN!!
A great paean to a sadly disappearing art form, the British pub band.
Everybody in the park in Hua Hin loves jumping to the Sultans. 
The first time I heard this song it blew my mind. I still think it's one of the most inventive tunes I've ever heard. I am q/a ing some really boring code so thanks for the energy.
Great tune, but it would be nice to hear some other lesser known AC/DC songs seeing that this is considered an "eclectic" site that values itself on being anti-commercial radio.
Immediate volume turn-up, rating +0 (cuz it's already at a 10) - Long Live RP and RIP to my dad who LOVED this song and created fond memories of this while he lived in CDA ID.
BrightonGuy wrote:
To known the new messiah, you must listen The War on Drugs !
Dire Straits is well their godfather ^^
I'm not rating the song on how I feel about it now, but how I felt about it THEN. For me this song was a complete revelation, and opened my mind to new musical possibilities, the way that Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, David Bowie/Roxy Music, Prince, and Radiohead have all, in their turn, done. Just waiting for the new messiah.....
To known the new messiah, you must listen The War on Drugs !
Dire Straits is well their godfather ^^
This song has always been a favorite of mine.
I sing in what might best be labeled a "Dad Band" even though we rarely play out, and the lineup is in constant flux. More of a bunch of middle-aged men who enjoy playing music together. One of the guitar players has this song dialed in. So, in addition to being a great song and fun to listen to, it is even more fun to perform!
I sing in what might best be labeled a "Dad Band" even though we rarely play out, and the lineup is in constant flux. More of a bunch of middle-aged men who enjoy playing music together. One of the guitar players has this song dialed in. So, in addition to being a great song and fun to listen to, it is even more fun to perform!
MoZZ wrote:
More French please, although I don't understand a word.
Je ne peux m'en lasser
More French please, although I don't understand a word.
Je ne peux m'en lasser
"You feel alright when you hear the music play"—could be RP's motto.
blkstd wrote:
I've heard this a million times and it still does it for me. Very few songs meet that standard.
dear god how i love this song
I've heard this a million times and it still does it for me. Very few songs meet that standard.
...drunk and dressed in their best brown baggies and their platform souls...
Now that the time bell has rung I've bumped it from a 9 to an 11. Oops, well a 10 will just have to do.
London hasn't been a town in a thousand years.
Still superb.
Still superb.
timeless.
Always such a pleasure to hear this song!
Hello Guitar George !
blkstd wrote:
Me too:-).
dear god how i love this song
Me too:-).
Damn, I've already rated this a 10.
This was, and is, such a great hymn to the hard-working journeymen and women of pub rock, who turn out to play in pubs night in, night out, for little or no reward. Most are of iffy quality, right enough, but you can't fault them for enthusiasm, and some are absolute gems.
On_The_Beach wrote:
bump
Great tune but I've just heard it way too many times.
Howzabout "Six Blade Knife" for a change?
Howzabout "Six Blade Knife" for a change?
bump
I'm not rating the song on how I feel about it now, but how I felt about it THEN. For me this song was a complete revelation, and opened my mind to new musical possibilities, the way that Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, David Bowie/Roxy Music, Prince, and Radiohead have all, in their turn, done. Just waiting for the new messiah.....
loved the 70's and these guys were the soundtrack!
thanks RP!
thanks RP!
blkstd wrote:
me too..!
dear god how i love this song
me too..!
dear god how i love this song
hencini wrote:
This is by far my favorite DS song. Got me hooked on the band way back in junior high, then Telegraph Road really opened my mind to the power of story telling through music.
Not my favorite DS track by a long shot yet it still merits a 9. : )
Edit: I always enjoy looking at the ratings distribution. For this particular track, I get a kick out of the folks that disrupt the curve in the 3 range. It's like there's just enough people that think it's sufficiently "Ho Hum" to cause a ratings blip for a track that almost everyone else agrees is "Most Excellent" or better.
Edit: I always enjoy looking at the ratings distribution. For this particular track, I get a kick out of the folks that disrupt the curve in the 3 range. It's like there's just enough people that think it's sufficiently "Ho Hum" to cause a ratings blip for a track that almost everyone else agrees is "Most Excellent" or better.
This is by far my favorite DS song. Got me hooked on the band way back in junior high, then Telegraph Road really opened my mind to the power of story telling through music.
Great tune but I've just heard it way too many times.
Howzabout "Six Blade Knife" for a change?
Howzabout "Six Blade Knife" for a change?
An classic at the first note
EarthMama wrote:
Convoy...however did I miss that? O misspent youth!
But yes, there were a lot of great movies and albums from that year and the ones just around it.
The Deer Hunter, Midnight Express, Coming Home.......and then, how can I NOT mention Grease, Superman, Animal House, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Up in Smoke, and for chrissakes, CONVOY....they may not be great to you, but Grease and Animal House are a part of my youth (and that's just films from '78...my goodness, the music from that year was fantastic, whether you hated disco or not, I have fond memories of '78.) Nuff said.
Convoy...however did I miss that? O misspent youth!
But yes, there were a lot of great movies and albums from that year and the ones just around it.
hencini wrote:
I suspect that some of the low ratings for such 'classics' is because people hear it too much on RP.
Not my favorite DS track by a long shot yet it still merits a 9. : )
Edit: I always enjoy looking at the ratings distribution. For this particular track, I get a kick out of the folks that disrupt the curve in the 3 range. It's like there's just enough people that think it's sufficiently "Ho Hum" to cause a ratings blip for a track that almost everyone else agrees is "Most Excellent" or better.
Edit: I always enjoy looking at the ratings distribution. For this particular track, I get a kick out of the folks that disrupt the curve in the 3 range. It's like there's just enough people that think it's sufficiently "Ho Hum" to cause a ratings blip for a track that almost everyone else agrees is "Most Excellent" or better.
I suspect that some of the low ratings for such 'classics' is because people hear it too much on RP.
hencini wrote:
With the possible exception of Telegraph Road, this is my favorite DS song. Both songs paint such a vivid picture in my mind, but of completely different situations.
Not my favorite DS track by a long shot yet it still merits a 9. : )
Edit: I always enjoy looking at the ratings distribution. For this particular track, I get a kick out of the folks that disrupt the curve in the 3 range. It's like there's just enough people that think it's sufficiently "Ho Hum" to cause a ratings blip for a track that almost everyone else agrees is "Most Excellent" or better.
Edit: I always enjoy looking at the ratings distribution. For this particular track, I get a kick out of the folks that disrupt the curve in the 3 range. It's like there's just enough people that think it's sufficiently "Ho Hum" to cause a ratings blip for a track that almost everyone else agrees is "Most Excellent" or better.
With the possible exception of Telegraph Road, this is my favorite DS song. Both songs paint such a vivid picture in my mind, but of completely different situations.
Not my favorite DS track by a long shot yet it still merits a 9. : )
Edit: I always enjoy looking at the ratings distribution. For this particular track, I get a kick out of the folks that disrupt the curve in the 3 range. It's like there's just enough people that think it's sufficiently "Ho Hum" to cause a ratings blip for a track that almost everyone else agrees is "Most Excellent" or better.
Edit: I always enjoy looking at the ratings distribution. For this particular track, I get a kick out of the folks that disrupt the curve in the 3 range. It's like there's just enough people that think it's sufficiently "Ho Hum" to cause a ratings blip for a track that almost everyone else agrees is "Most Excellent" or better.
Friday and Sultans Of Swing in the early morning:-). What would one want more?!
Stingray wrote:
What films are you thinking about?
What films are you thinking about?
The Deer Hunter, Midnight Express, Coming Home.......and then, how can I NOT mention Grease, Superman, Animal House, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Up in Smoke, and for chrissakes, CONVOY....they may not be great to you, but Grease and Animal House are a part of my youth (and that's just films from '78...my goodness, the music from that year was fantastic, whether you hated disco or not, I have fond memories of '78.) Nuff said.
Genial!! Uno no se cansa nunca de escucharla...
Stingray wrote:
10 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
10+++
10 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
EarthMama wrote:
What films are you thinking about?
'78 was an amazing year for music and movies....
What films are you thinking about?
10+++
keymaster wrote:
I once was at a concert of a band that did good old school rock'n'roll with brass instruments. Sax and trumpet and everything. And then the played this song. I'll always remember the way they sung this specific line.
Heh, I like the transition..."They don't give a damn about any trumpet playing band / It ain't what they call rock and roll" leads to a song by Duke Ellington that is full of trumpets. You're not going to get neat touches like that without someone like Bill in the loop.
I once was at a concert of a band that did good old school rock'n'roll with brass instruments. Sax and trumpet and everything. And then the played this song. I'll always remember the way they sung this specific line.
molson wrote:
I would put Love Over Gold and Making Movies up there as well
This album and Communique were pure genius!!!!
I would put Love Over Gold and Making Movies up there as well
ShamanManu wrote:
Definitely in my top 5, maybe top 3.
possibly my favorite song
Definitely in my top 5, maybe top 3.
This album and Communique were pure genius!!!!
10+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++possibly my favorite song
10+++
meoD8 wrote:
keymaster wrote:
Which Duke Ellington song is that?
How High the Moon. But then that was Big Band not electric guitar band
keymaster wrote:
Heh, I like the transition..."They don't give a damn about any trumpet playing band / It ain't what they call rock and roll" leads to a song by Duke Ellington that is full of trumpets. You're not going to get neat touches like that without someone like Bill in the loop.
Which Duke Ellington song is that?
How High the Moon. But then that was Big Band not electric guitar band
'78 was an amazing year for music and movies....
i just love this, for some reason.
a friend calls all artists who speak—even in key—rappers.
it's kind of hard to argue against but that definition pulls in a lot of folks.
a friend calls all artists who speak—even in key—rappers.
it's kind of hard to argue against but that definition pulls in a lot of folks.
One of my favorite songs ever. When I heard Mr Knopfler playing this one on live in a concert 2 years ago I was close to heaven!
Imkirok wrote:
My favorite guitarist, by far.
+1
I think this stands up much better than "Money for Nothin' " video era.
My favorite guitarist, by far.
+1
I think this stands up much better than "Money for Nothin' " video era.
Been played to death over the years, sounds dated, way too much biddly biddly guitar work ... but hell, good memories of the times. Big hair, sweat bands and all manner of other fashion crimes.
BillG wrote:
There isn't a longer version. Not sure why so many people seem to think there is.
I'd happily be proved wrong on that. This one is 5:36.
5m 49s on my old vinyl album (bought in Australia) with just a few more bars than the version played today.
5m 48s on Wiki. It still ends during the final solo.
There isn't a longer version. Not sure why so many people seem to think there is.
I'd happily be proved wrong on that. This one is 5:36.
5m 49s on my old vinyl album (bought in Australia) with just a few more bars than the version played today.
5m 48s on Wiki. It still ends during the final solo.Not my favorite DS song but I really like just about everything else of theirs .
Lazarus wrote:
Everybody in my church loves this song...
Everybody in my grade 9 class loved this song....
Everybody in my church loves this song...
Everybody in my grade 9 class loved this song....
richlister wrote:
My favorite guitarist, by far.
God damn, If I could play 1/100th as good as Knopfler, I could die happy.
My favorite guitarist, by far.
toomanyollys wrote:
There isn't a longer version. Not sure why so many people seem to think there is.
I'd happily be proved wrong on that. This one is 5:36.
What's with fading out the guitar solo before the end?! For a minute I thought I was listening to a commercial FM station!
There isn't a longer version. Not sure why so many people seem to think there is.
I'd happily be proved wrong on that. This one is 5:36.
Everybody in my church loves this song...
God damn, If I could play 1/100th as good as Knopfler, I could die happy.
What's with fading out the guitar solo before the end?! For a minute I thought I was listening to a commercial FM station!
Sideorder wrote:
I agree, 100%!
One of the only classic rock radio staples to never get old.
I agree, 100%!
keymaster wrote:
Heh, I like the transition..."They don't give a damn about any trumpet playing band / It ain't what they call rock and roll" leads to a song by Duke Ellington that is full of trumpets. You're not going to get neat touches like that without someone like Bill in the loop.
Which Duke Ellington song is that?
Heh, I like the transition..."They don't give a damn about any trumpet playing band / It ain't what they call rock and roll" leads to a song by Duke Ellington that is full of trumpets. You're not going to get neat touches like that without someone like Bill in the loop.
m_logie wrote:
I agree!
You cut out the awesome guitar solo at the end again!
I agree!
I like their stuff. Anything they play is great! Those were the days...
lerxst wrote:
Please proceed to the gate. You're UFO is about to depart.
Great song, but I'm very tired of it. I come to RP to hear stuff I don't hear every frickin day on the radio. RP is usually good about playing the more obscure stuff, but not this time.
Please proceed to the gate. You're UFO is about to depart.
One of the only classic rock radio staples to never get old.
helgigermany wrote:
It does when you hear it this many times...please RP, no more! Classic rock radio has already killed it, it doesn't need any more. Gotta be some deeper Dire Straits cuts you can pull out.
One of the best songs in rock buisness never gets old.
It does when you hear it this many times...please RP, no more! Classic rock radio has already killed it, it doesn't need any more. Gotta be some deeper Dire Straits cuts you can pull out.
m_logie wrote:
This is the longest version there is (5:36)
You cut out the awesome guitar solo at the end again!
This is the longest version there is (5:36)
One of the best songs in rock buisness never gets old.
we old
Me old and still rockin'!