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.
Medussa
Sweet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On Athene's claims of fake
I am looking down
Turn my golden hair to snakes
Yes, are you coming to see me
Can you see me now
Yes, are you coming to see me
Oh, let my myth surround the twilight zone
Those who gaze upon me turn to stone
Turn away before YOU turn to stone
Medusa, Medusa
Shining like a star
Through Minerva's mirrored shield
Flashing like a star
Saw the sword my fate was sealed
Yes, are you coming to see me
Can you see me now
Yes, are you coming to see me
Look at me now
Oh, take my head the horror's just begun
Snakes alive my gaze will make you stone
Turn away before YOU turn to stone
Medusa, Medusa
Yes - yes, are you coming to see me
Can you see me now
Yes, are you coming to see me
Look at me now
Oh, take my head the horror's just begun
Snakes alive my gaze will make you stone
Turn away before YOU turn to stone
Medusa
The song “Medusa” by the glam rock band Sweet tells the story of Medusa, one of the most famous and terrifying creatures of Greek mythology. In the first verse, Medusa speaks about her disdain for Athene, the goddess of wisdom, who she regards as fake. She then reveals her ability to turn her beautiful, golden hair into snakes. In the chorus, Medusa warns the listener about the dangers of gazing upon her, as they will turn to stone. She beckons the listener to come and see her, perhaps to demonstrate her power.
In the second verse, Medusa is described as shining like a star through Minerva's mirrored shield, a reference to the Roman goddess of wisdom. She is seen flashing like a star, perhaps indicating her beauty before her curse. The verse ends with Medusa again asking the listener to come see her. In the final chorus, Medusa reiterates her warning, declaring that her gaze will make the listener turn to stone, and urges them to turn away.
Overall, the song conveys the terror and power of the mythological creature, while also portraying her as a tragic figure, cursed by the gods and forced to live a life of isolation and fear.
Line by Line Meaning
I am looking down
I am in a position of power, able to look down on others
On Athene's claims of fake
I reject the beliefs of Athene (Roman goddess of wisdom) as false
Turn my golden hair to snakes
I am transforming into the monstrous form of Medusa
Yes, are you coming to see me
I am taunting others to come witness my power and transformation
Can you see me now
I am asking if my transformation is visible to others
Oh, let my myth surround the twilight zone
I want my legendary status to be shrouded in mystery and ambiguity
Those who gaze upon me turn to stone
My monstrous gaze has the power to petrify anyone who looks at me
Turn away before YOU turn to stone
I warn others to avoid looking at me or risk being turned to stone
Medusa, Medusa
I am referring to myself in the third person as the legendary monster Medusa
Shining like a star
My monstrous form is both terrifying and captivating
Through Minerva's mirrored shield
My reflection in Minerva's (Roman goddess equivalent to Athene) shield reveals my monstrous form
Flashing like a star
My monstrous form is still awe-inspiring, even when revealed
Saw the sword my fate was sealed
I saw my own demise through the reflection in Minerva's shield
Oh, take my head the horror's just begun
My death will not end the horror and fear associated with me
Snakes alive my gaze will make you stone
Even after my death, my monstrous gaze will continue to petrify anyone who looks at my severed head
Turn away before YOU turn to stone
I reiterate my warning to others to avoid looking at me or risk being turned to stone
Medusa
I again refer to myself in the third person as Medusa, the legendary monster
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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LYRICS:
I am looking down
On Athena's claims of fake.
I am looking down,
Turn my golden hair to snakes.
Yes, are you coming to see me?
Can you see me now?
Yes, are you coming to see me?
Look at me now.
Oh, let my myth surround the twilight zone.
Those who gaze upon me turn to stone.
Turn away before you turn to stone.
Medusa, medusa.
Shining like a star
Through Minerva's mirrored shield.
Flashing like a star,
Saw the sword my fate was sealed.
Yes, are you coming to see me?
Can you see me now?
Yes, are you coming to see me?
Look at me now.
Oh, take my head, the horror's just begun,
Snakes alive my gaze will make you stone.
Turn away before you turn to stone.
Medusa, medusa.
Ahhh.
(SOLO)
Yes- yes, are you coming to see me?
Can you see me know?
Yes,are you coming to see me?
Look at me now?
Oh, take my head, the horror' just begun,
Snakes alive my gaze will make you stone.
Turn away before you turn to stone.
Medusa.
Låtskrivare: Andy Scott.
FROM THE ALBUM DESOLATION BOULEVARD.
Released: November the 1st 1974.
Timothy Jay
Sweet was so far ahead of their time. They paved the way for so many that came behind. Wish they could have kept it together. Rest in peace Brian, Mick and Steve.
Олег Горбунов
What a great band!
Debora Scott
I love Sweet but was never really crazy about Andy's influence. Some of his songs are ok but some are too heavy metal for my taste and that's ok because it shows their range was great and they sounded so good no matter what type of music they played. Sweet was one of the best diversified bands ever back then and even up to today's standards they could outplay any band. Should have been recognized musically years ago.
Debra McInnes
one positive about Covid - I have really gotten back into this wonderful band. Love this song.
Станислав Цыганков
Классно.Сложная композиция.Поначалу особого впечатления не произвела,но потом очень даже зашло.Группа Sweet-супер.
Nejat Akay
This band turned me into rock music and guitar playing circa 1976.
Andrew Wasson
Same here. Still playing.
Jan Jiroušek
One of their best!!!!!!!!!!! Sweet forever!!!!! ♥
Chiromanic
2:42 Such incredible vocal power!
Charles Spencer
I absolutely love this band!