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.
Discophony
Sweet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who likes to dance
But there's only one way
To get inside her trance
That's if I dance
I stand the best of chance
Some is brainwashed by the rhythm
In prison I don't want to be there
No I don't want to be there
Can't stand that disco music
Pain in my head
Can't stand that disco music
Pain in my head
Everyone said
Disco is dead
With it's blue, light
Give me a drink
While you're rollerskating
I'll be there if you're waiting
To be fed
If you're fed
I ain't gonna dance
Disco ain't worth your masturbating
Rock and roll will still keep accelerating
I'll always be there
Yeah I'll always be there
Can't stand that disco music
Pain in my head
Can't stand that disco music
Pain in my head
Everyone said
Disco is dead
With it's blue light
The song Discophony by Sweet is a commentary on the disco era that took over the music scene in the late 1970s. The singer of the song meets a girl who loves to dance, but in order for him to keep up with her and enter her trance, he must also dance. The song speaks about how some people get brainwashed by the rhythm of the disco music and lose themselves in their own escapism. The singer doesn't want to be trapped in this prison and refuses to dance even if it means losing the girl.
The song also takes a dig at the disco music itself, with lines like "Can't stand that disco music, pain in my head," and "Everyone said disco is dead." The song suggests that disco music is not worth the hype and that rock and roll will continue to thrive and accelerate.
In a way, the song is a rebellion against the disco culture that was taking over the music scene and becoming a dominant force in popular culture. The song urges people not to blindly follow a trend and to stay true to their own tastes.
Line by Line Meaning
I met a girl
Sweet introduces a girl he met.
Who likes to dance
This girl is fond of dancing.
But there's only one way
Sweet suggests that dancing is the only way to get the girl's attention.
To get inside her trance
By dancing, Sweet believes he can influence the girl's fascination with music and dancing.
That's if I dance
Sweet concludes that he should dance to win the girl over.
I stand the best of chance
Sweet believes that dancing is the way he can increase his chances of winning the girl's affection.
Some is brainwashed by the rhythm
Sweet believes that some people are hypnotized by the rhythm of the music.
Trapped inside their own escapism
Some people are unable to escape from the cycle of their own thoughts and distractions when listening to music.
In prison I don't want to be there
Sweet disapproves of being controlled by the rhythm of the music.
No I don't want to be there
Sweet emphasizes that he does not want to be locked in his thoughts and consciousness by the rhythm of the music.
Can't stand that disco music
Sweet expresses his dislike for disco music.
Pain in my head
Sweet associates disco music with a headache.
Everyone said
Sweet notes that there is a general agreement that disco music is dead.
Disco is dead
This line emphasizes the idea that disco music is outdated and no longer relevant.
With it's blue, light
Sweet mentions the disco ball's blue lighting, typically seen in disco clubs.
Give me a drink
Sweet requests a drink.
While you're rollerskating
Sweet paints the picture of someone roller-skating, an activity common in disco clubs.
I'll be there if you're waiting
Sweet says that he will be with the girl if she is waiting for him.
To be fed
This line may imply that Sweet is seeking physical intimacy.
If you're fed
Sweet indicates that he will only be present if he receives what he is looking for.
I ain't gonna dance
Sweet concludes that he is not going to dance even though the girl likes dancing.
Disco ain't worth your masturbating
Sweet compares disco music to masturbation, meaning that it is not fulfilling.
Rock and roll will still keep accelerating
Sweet suggests that rock and roll music is still progressing and exciting.
I'll always be there
Sweet promises to always be present, possibly in reference to rock and roll music.
Yeah I'll always be there
Sweet reiterates that he will always be there in reference to rock and roll music.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANDREW SCOTT, GARY MARK MOBERLEY, MICHAEL TUCKER, STEPHEN PRIEST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mick Nordström
This is actually one of their best albums. To bad Brian is not on it! It is so sad that they did not included Brians vocals that he did on some songs on this... those versions are better than what ended up on the album!
ted kay_music
I think Andy,Steve and Mick did a great job on that Album!
Gordomusic1
A killer track off a brilliant album. They hated disco as much as I did back then.
Gordomusic1
Yes, good point BigSCTVfan. I don't think Sweet ever worried to much about principles when money was involved. Interestingly, lots of people hate Funk It Up, and Strong Love is not the most popular Sweet song either. I myself rate both of them last on their respective albums
Mick Nordström
Excellent!
Dyynamo
Yes. He did most of the lead vocals after Brian left.
Very Legal & Very Cool
This aged so poorly, but it's very catchy.
BigSCTVfan
Maybe, but they obviously didn't hate it enough to not record "Strong Love" or a disco mix of "Funk It Up", but whatever.
John O'Brien
great album like level headed sweet go prog vocaly and musicaly they were great they should have replaced brian it worked for fleetwood mac. ac.dc deep purple to name 3 saw brian 2 times after he left sweet .his voice sadly wasnt great.and he collapsed on stage the next time like before his voice wasnt great.and his backing like before was a poor imitation of andy steve and mick.had the record company backed them they might have done it.sadly wasnt to be.
Mick Nordström
Andy's ego was to big back then!