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.
My Little Girl From Kentucky
Sweet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Walking back mile a lonely mile to see my girl
From Kentucky
Down the road something on my mind
I gotta get to my Marie
I've been away so long
Spend my years in the US Penn
But I'm goin' straight again
I wrote her everyday
I begged her to reply
But she has left me now
I guess I'll die, die, die
Running back with lovin' in my heart
To get my girl from Kentucky
Hobotrain keep on down the track
'Till I reach my destiny
The world is larger now
I've been free from my six by four
I'm gonna buy me a whole new life
When I walk through her door
I only hope and pray
That she'll be waiting by
If she's no longer there
I think I'll die, die, die
The song "My Little Girl From Kentucky" by Sweet tells the story of a man who is on a journey to be reunited with his girl from Kentucky, named Marie. The song starts with him walking mile after mile to get to Marie, and it is made clear that he has spent some time in prison, where he was a "bad, bad boy" but is determined to go straight. He writes her letters while in prison, hoping that she will reply, but she has left him. Despite this, he still has love in his heart for her and the hope that she will be waiting for him when he arrives.
The lyrics paint a picture of a man who has made mistakes in his life but is trying to make things right by reconnecting with his past love. The lyrics are emotive and descriptive, giving the listener a clear picture of the man's determination and passion for his girl. The song is sung with a sense of urgency, as the man runs to get to his girl, hoping that she hasn't already moved on.
In conclusion, "My Little Girl From Kentucky" is a touching love story about a man who has made mistakes but wants nothing more than to make things right with the woman he loves. It's a song about determination, hope, and the power of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Walking back mile a lonely mile to see my girl
From Kentucky
I am walking a long distance alone to reach Kentucky, where my girlfriend is.
Down the road something on my mind
I gotta get to my Marie
I am worried about my trip, but I am determined to reach my girlfriend Marie.
I've been away so long
Spend my years in the US Penn
I was a bad, bad boy
But I'm goin' straight again
I've been in prison for many years and did some bad things, but I am trying to be a better person now that I am out.
I wrote her everyday
I begged her to reply
But she has left me now
I guess I'll die, die, die
I sent her many letters, but I have not received any reply from her. I fear that she has left me, which makes me feel like I am going to die.
Running back with lovin' in my heart
To get my girl from Kentucky
Hobotrain keep on down the track
'Till I reach my destiny
I am running back to Kentucky with a lot of love and hope to get my girl. I am on a train, and I will not stop until I reach my destination.
The world is larger now
I've been free from my six by four
I'm gonna buy me a whole new life
When I walk through her door
I feel like the world is bigger now that I'm out of prison. I feel free and optimistic about a fresh start when I see her again.
I only hope and pray
That she'll be waiting by
If she's no longer there
I think I'll die, die, die
I am hopeful and praying that she will be waiting for me when I arrive, but if she's not there, I will be devastated.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@pleun315
Amazing song !
@user-je2sb6ep2q
What is the beautiful voice!
@thebloodbaby
RIP BRIAN CONNOLLY ♥
@belgianbeatarchive
In fact it is The Closed with Sweet singer on vocals. Brian was doing some studiowork when The Closed was there at the same time. They asked to put his vocals on their track without meanings to release it. Dirk Ungawa's story is correct Btw: The Sweet was never on CBS so you have to know this wasn't a real Sweet track
@georgesabry9225
Juste
@OlaCarbona
Is that why it was said in those days that the Sweet didn't play - just sang - on their own records? Btw, I found this single on a fleemarket in Liege (and paid no more than 10 francs!) some 15 years ago. The label mentions 'CBS 1969' and '(p) 1973'. The songs are credited to people with names that sound neither English nor Belgian: S. Sala, G. Gabry, Ph Vaughn, A. Trvajoli, R. Mellin. The men on the pic on the sleeve are without doubt the Sweet, dressed like upperclass students in the late sixties. I believe anything anybody says about this record, and I love it!
@dirkungawa
This is NOT The Sweet, but The Closed, a Belgian band, who released this song on Hebra in 1969. Their manager reissued the 45 in 1973 as by The Sweet (and was sent to jail afterwards).
@sveinsigurdgismarvik4445
What?!?
@caelwyn
With all due respect to your comment It certainly sounds so much like Brian Connolly, I cant see it can be anyone else 8-)
@maryscrimgeour5313
Nor me definitely Brian singing