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.
Blockbuster
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
Ah-ah, ah-ah
You look in his eyes, don't 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 block Buster
The cops are out, they're running about
Don't know if they'll ever be able to block Buster out
He's gotta be caught, he's gotta be taught
'Cause he is more evil than anyone here ever thought
Does anyone know the way? Did we hear someone say?
(W-w-we just haven't got a a-ho)
Does anyone know the way? There's got to be a way
To block Buster
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 block Buster
Ah-ah, ah-ah
Ah-ah, ah-ah
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 the Sweet's song Blockbuster depict a warning about a dangerous man named Buster who is known to steal women and cause chaos. The song begins with a direct warning to the listener to be aware and watch out if they have long black hair, suggesting that Buster may specifically target those with this feature. The lyrics then suggest that Buster operates in disguise, hiding his true intentions behind a facade that nobody can see through. Despite this, it is implied that Buster is a well-known figure who has caused havoc in the community, with the police unable to catch him.
The chorus then poses a question, asking if anyone knows the way to "block Buster" and put an end to his reign of terror. The phrase "blockbuster" is used repeatedly throughout the song, possibly as a double entendre to describe both Buster's actions as well as the impact the song itself had on the charts when it was released in the 1970s. The repetition of the name itself lends an almost hypnotic quality to the song, amplifying the sense of danger that Buster represents.
Overall, the lyrics to Blockbuster are a cautionary tale about the danger that lurks in dark corners and the need to be vigilant and aware in order to protect oneself and others.
Line by Line Meaning
Ah-ah, ah-ah
Opening vocalization
You better beware, you better take care
Be careful and watchful
You better watch out if you've got long black hair
If you fit a certain profile, you might be targeted
He'll come from behind, you'll go out of your mind
He'll surprise you and make you confused
You better not go, you never know what you'll find
It's best to avoid the situation altogether
You look in his eyes, don't be surprised
Don't trust his outward appearance
If you don't know what going on behind his disguise
You can't be sure of his true intentions
Nobody knows where Buster goes
His whereabouts are unknown
He'll steal your woman out from under your nose
He's a smooth talker and can easily charm someone away from you
Does anyone know the way? Did we hear someone say?
Expressing confusion and searching for direction
(We just haven't got a clue what to do)
Uncertainty and desperation
There's got to be a way
Hope and optimism that a solution can be found
To block Buster
To prevent him from causing harm
The cops are out, they're running about
Police are on the lookout
Don't know if they'll ever be able to block Buster out
Uncertainty of the effectiveness of the law enforcement's actions
He's gotta be caught, he's gotta be taught
He needs to face consequences for his actions
'Cause he is more evil than anyone here ever thought
He's worse than previously believed
Buster, Buster, blockbuster
Repetition of the titular character's name
Buster, Buster, blockbuster
Repetition of the titular character's name
Buster, Buster, blockbuster
Repetition of the titular character's name
Buster, Buster, blockbuster
Repetition of the titular character's name
Buster, Buster, blockbuster
Repetition of the titular character's name
Buster, Buster, blockbuster
Repetition of the titular character's name
Buster, Buster, blockbuster
Repetition of the titular character's name
Buster, Buster, blockbuster
Repetition of the titular character's name
Buster, Buster, blockbuster
Repetition of the titular character's name
Ah-ah, ah-ah
Closing vocalization
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.