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.
Never Say Forever
Sweet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Another soul ascends as another child is born
Our fate is written in the stars
(Ever and evermore)
We're ruled by Jupiter, Venus and Mars
I wanna live forever
I heard you say
But never say forever
'Cause I don't wanna live life by design
So never say forever
It's such a long, long time.
Perpetual emotion. take me for your slave
I'm under your command from the cradle to the grave
Into the future with eyes closed
(Ever and evermore)
The road to nowhere where nobody goes
I wanna live forever
I heard you say
But never say forever
That ain't the way
'Cause I don't wanna live life by design
So never say forever
It's such a long, long time.
Sweet's song Never Say Forever speaks about life's cyclical nature, where one phase ends, and another begins. It starts with a metaphorical rollercoaster ride that implies the highs and lows of life that one must go through. As a soul ascends, a child is born, suggesting that life never stops and our fate is predetermined from the moment we are born. The lyrics connect the concept of astrology to our lives as we are ruled by the planets, Jupiter, Venus, and Mars, according to the song.
The chorus expresses the desire of living forever, but the singer advises never to say forever because life is unpredictable, and we cannot plan everything according to our design. Living life under someone's command can make one feel like a perpetual emotion or a slave, but with eyes closed, we cannot predict the future. The 'road to nowhere' reflects the uncertain path and lost hope when things do not go as planned.
The meaning behind Sweet's Never Say Forever is profound, highlighting life's unpredictable journey and the importance of living in the present moment rather than worrying about the future. The song encourages us to embrace change as it is inevitable in life and to make the most of what we have.
Line by Line Meaning
Another rollercoaster ride from dusk 'til dawn
Life is an up and down journey, filled with highs and lows.
Another soul ascends as another child is born
Life is a continuous cycle of birth and death, with one life ending as another begins.
Our fate is written in the stars (Ever and evermore) We're ruled by Jupiter, Venus and Mars
Our destiny is predetermined by the alignment of the planets and stars, which influence our lives and actions.
I wanna live forever I heard you say But never say forever That ain't the way 'Cause I don't wanna live life by design So never say forever It's such a long, long time.
Although immortality seems desirable, life should not be lived with the expectation of forever. Living freely, without constraints, is what truly matters in life.
Perpetual emotion. take me for your slave I'm under your command from the cradle to the grave
Emotions have a never-ending hold on our lives, dictating our every move from birth to death.
Into the future with eyes closed (Ever and evermore) The road to nowhere where nobody goes
The future is unpredictable and unknown, leading down a path without direction or guidance from anyone.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JODI PHILLIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MAGA 2020
Great to see one of my all-time favorite bands still kickin' ass! Great job, guys!
Richard Taylor
This band has lived forever and still kickin backsides.
Colin Coonsis Inc.
The lead singer died at 52. Out of the 3 leading band members only 2 are alive and they hate eachother. This is a cobbled together remnant of the original band.
Cheri Crosson
Andy Scott......continued sucess........Stay healthy !!!
Karla Patterson
@Colin Coonsis Inc. It says you posted this 2 weeks ago. Where have you been? Steve Priest passed away in June of 2020. Andy Scott is the last man standing and he is doing a wonderful job of carrying on the legacy of Sweet! 🤘🎶
Jeanette Davies
The lead singer Brian died sorry but this is no longer the sweet we all love n know.
Lisabeths Williamson
@Karla Patterson stellar character to accept the love of life maturation per The Sweet ` such good friend and love , so natural . I don't have that. I wish I did . Good on THEM💎
Mad Dog
Great tune, as always. They never fail to sound contemporary, hard as f**k but always Sweet.
Juanita Topliff
Wow you guys are great. LOVE this song. Thanks.
Robert Sen
This is one of my favourites of the Sweetlife album. Awesome composition. 👏👏👏