The group's initial years were characterized by bubblegum songs that they were only allowed to sing on, with heavier self-penned rock songs as the b-sides. They achieved their first hit in 1970 with the release of Funny Funny. In the following months, Sweet released "Co-Co" and Poppa Joe, both achieving huge success in the charts. In 1971 they released the album "Funny How Sweet Co-Co Can Be", which consisted mostly of songs written by Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman.
Sweet's success continued with more glam rock and power pop oriented tunes, such as "Little Willy", "Wig Wam Bam", Hellraiser and Ballroom Blitz. By this time Sweet had a world-wide following, clocking up no less than 18 top 20 hit singles, and the guys were most notably popular in Germany and the U.K.
The group's members are perhaps best remembered for their very 'glam' outfits, featuring a lot of glitter, platform boots, chain mail shirts, and plenty of makeup. The group practically defining the camp extreme of the glam rock look, Steve Priest would later say it was very short-lived and only happened by accident, as some sort of ongoing rivalry between them and artists such as David Bowie and T. Rex. Everyone tried to outdo each other’s ridiculousness on Top Of The Pops. Sweet’s glam rock era lasted from 1972 to 1973.
In 1974, Sweet released Teenage Rampage, The Six Teens and Turn It Down, showing their desire to take a more hard rock direction. By this time tensions between the band and the songwriters and producer started to grow. The guys also pushed for more songwriting control, which increased tensions between them, the songwriters and producer.
In 1975, Sweet wrote, recorded and produced the smash hit Fox on the Run on their own, essentially severing ties with Chinn and Chapman. Following the song’s success, they released the acclaimed track Action. Their momentum went on, the band embarking their first U.S. tour.
After their recent success, Sweet released the “Give Us A Wink” album in 1976, which was notably heavy. It contained the single The Lies In Your Eyes, which achieved moderate success. A year later, in 1977, they released the album “Off The Record”, but singles such as Fever Of Love and Lost Angels failed to gain traction, partly due to bad marketing from their label. Despite this, the band continued to distance themselves from their earlier commercial ventures.
Sweet’s career was revitalized with the release of Love Is Like Oxygen in 1978. By this time Connolly had developed a drinking problem and started to be increasingly unreliable during recording sessions. Following a disastrous U.S. tour, he left the band officially in early 1979. The band continued on as a three piece band for three more years, releasing “Cut Above The Rest”, “Waters Edge”, and “Identity Crisis”. Priest took over most of the lead vocals until Sweet’s disbandment in 1981.
In 1985, Andy Scott and Mick Tucker re-formed Sweet with various new vocalists and bass players, the most notable being a 1986 reunion featuring Paul Mario Day (the first singer of Iron Maiden), keyboardist Phil Lanzon, and bass player Malcolm McNulty (who is now lead singer for fellow glam rock band Slade). Steve Priest was asked to join Tucker and Scott for the 1985 Australian tour, but declined at the last moment. Vocalist and bass player Jeff Brown joined in 1988. In 1991, Mick Tucker departed due to ill health, leaving Andy Scott as the only original member. He was replaced by German Bodo Schopf, and subsequently, Bruce Bisland. After Tucker's departure, Andy Scott changed the band's name to 'Andy Scott's Sweet'.
During this time, Brian Connolly, now in bad health, also performed with his version of Sweet. In 1981, he suffered multiple cardiac arrests, which permanently affected his health. He died on 9 February 1997, aged 51. He was cremated after a ceremony at Most Holy Name Roman Catholic Church at Old Mill Lane, Denham, Buckinghamshire and his ashes were scattered over the water by his adult daughters Nicola and Michelle. He also left an ex-wife, Marilyn, and a two-year-old son called Brian Junior (BJ) by his girlfriend Jean.
Michael Thomas (Mick) Tucker died 14 February 2002 in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire from leukemia, aged 54; his funeral took place 25 February 2002. He is buried in an unnamed grave in Chorleywood House cemetery. It is marked by a sleeping angel. A wooden bench with a brass plaque funded by fans as a dedication to Mick is also positioned in the grave's vicinity.[2] He left behind a widow, Jan, and a daughter Ayston from his first marriage to Pauline (†1979). According to Steve Priest: "He was the most underrated drummer that ever came out of England. He was the powerhouse of the band. He was technically marvellous. His timing was impeccable, but he had a lot of soul as well and he really felt what he was playing."
In 1994, Steve Priest published his autobiography “Are You Ready Steve?”, which was a raw expose of his time with Sweet and pre-Sweet. In 2006 he released Priest's Precious Poems, a CD of tracks largely consisting of his more recent material. In 2008, he came out of retirement to form his own version of Sweet, based in the US. A year later this band released a live CD called Live In America. In March 2020, he was admitted to a hospital in L.A. After battling pneumonia for a few months, he died on June 4th 2020 at the age of 72.
Andy Scott currently continues to tour with Sweet. In 2002, Sweet released a new album called Sweetlife. February 2006 saw the release of a new Suzi Quatro album, Back To The Drive, which was produced by Scott. In March 2012, Scott released a covers album called New York Connection. Scott teamed up with Suzi Quatro and Don Powell to release a CD called Quatro, Scott and Powell in 2017. Scott has continued to produce for bands throughout the years, currently being the producer for Novatines.
In recent years, Sweet's popularity has surged again. The song Ballroom Blitz was featured in 2016's Suicide Squad, while Fox on the Run was featured in the trailer for 2017's Guardians of the Galaxy 2.
Block Buster!
Sweet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You better beware, you better take care
You better watch out if you've got long black hair
He'll come from behind, you'll go out of your mind
You better not go, you never know what you'll find
Ahh Ahh, Ahh Ahhh
Don't look into his eyes, you'll be surprised
Nobody knows where Buster goes
He'll steal your woman out from under your nose
Does anyone know the way, did we hear someone say
(We just haven't got a clue what to do)
Does anyone know the way, there's got to be a way
To Blockbuster
The cops are out, they're running about
Don't know if they'll ever be able to blockbuster out
He's gotta be caught, he's gotta be taught
'Cause he is more evil then anyone here ever thought
Does anybody know the way, did we hear someone say
(We just haven't got a aho)
Does anybody know the way, there's got to be a way
To Blockbuster
Does anybody know the way, did we hear someone say
(We just haven't got a clue what to do)
Does anybody know the way, there's got to be a way
To Blockbuster
Ahh Ahh, Ahh Ahh
Ahh Ahh, Ahh Ahh
Buster buster blockbuster
Buster buster blockbuster
Buster buster blockbuster
Buster buster blockbuster
Buster buster blockbuster
Buster buster blockbuster
Buster buster blockbuster
Buster buster blockbuster
Buster buster blockbuster
Buster buster blockbuster
The lyrics to Sweet's "Blockbuster!" tell the warning tale of a mysterious and dangerous man named Buster who lurks in the shadows, ready to strike. The song starts off with the ominous warning to beware and take care, especially if one has long black hair, as Buster will come from behind and make one lose their mind. The lyrics urge the listener not to get involved, as they never know what they'll find. The chorus repeats the phrase "Blockbuster," which seems to be some sort of call to action or plea for help.
The second verse of the song warns not to look into Buster's eyes, as one will be surprised by what they find behind his disguise. Buster is portrayed as a master thief who can steal one's woman right out from under their nose. The lyrics question whether anyone knows the way to handle this menace, as the police are running about, trying to catch him. Finally, the song ends with a series of chants of "Buster buster blockbuster," which brings the ominous tale to a close.
Overall, the lyrics to "Blockbuster!" are a warning to be cautious of the unknown dangers that lurk in the shadows. They paint a picture of a dangerous and mysterious figure who should be approached with caution.
Line by Line Meaning
You better beware, you better take care
Be cautious and vigilant
You better watch out if you've got long black hair
Be careful if you have a desirable appearance
He'll come from behind, you'll go out of your mind
He will catch you unawares and disorient you
You better not go, you never know what you'll find
Don't take unnecessary risks, the outcome is unpredictable
Don't look into his eyes, you'll be surprised
Avoid eye contact, it will shock you
If don't know what going on behind his disguse
You can't see through his disguise and understand his motives
Nobody knows where Buster goes
No one knows his whereabouts
He'll steal your woman out from under your nose
He will seduce and take away your lover
The cops are out, they're running about
The police are searching for Buster
Don't know if they'll ever be able to blockbuster out
It's uncertain if they can capture and bring him to justice
He's gotta be caught, he's gotta be taught
He needs to be captured and punished
Does anybody know the way, there's got to be a way
Is there a solution to catch Buster?
Buster buster blockbuster
Repeated chants to unify against Buster
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MICHAEL DONALD CHAPMAN, NICHOLAS BARRY CHINN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jackspry9736
RIP the three members of The Sweet
Brian Connolly (October 5, 1945 – February 9, 1997), aged 51
Mick Tucker (July 17, 1947 – February 14, 2002), aged 54
Steve Priest (February 23, 1948 – June 4, 2020), aged 72
You will be remembered as legends.
@Lionboy2930
Nice one...
@KittyGrizGriz
Thank you!!! ♥️♥️♥️
@BeatleJohn813
Nice one 👍
@rainerunsinn370
Hab Brian 1993 oder '94 in Dessau live erleben dürfen. Schon schwer angeschlagen, aber immer noch genial!!! Werde mich immer 😊daran erinnern, dem Idol meiner frühen Jugend auf wenige Meter nahe gekommen zu sein. R.I.P. BRIAN!
@elettranorton7270
Their music makes me feel good
@DeidreL9
Why is every second comment obsessing about their sexuality? FFS they are PERFORMERS on stage, wearing makeup and, gee, COSTUMES. Having FUN, in a time before everyone went insane about everything. God no wonder so many of us want to go back!
@henrypatrickbarker7862
Zep was mythology
Queen was in white tassle and white leather, Sabbath was in black leather ... These guys out sold them for 2 yrs straight and dressed glam ... To my knowledge all were straight.... But who gives a shit.... Extremely underated band , all could sing amazing and also were all talented musicians. How they aren't recognized more , hall of Fame , Ill never know.
@mimfi
I think they look fabulous! Glam rock at it's best 😍😍😍
@philipdefibaugh5683
To be honest Women preferred the Glammed up look way better the generic granola look of jeans and t-shirt! Glam rock ruled the 70's and 80's. Glam rockers like Poison got more groupies than Mike and the Mechanics.