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.
Questions
Sweet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What will you say tomorrow
How many times you've changed your mind
When will you feel my sorrow
When will you feel my sorrow
Open your hands and close your eyes
Listen I'm breathing faster
When shall I have my answer
When shall I have my answer
Darkness (this night)
Ooh, leave me (forever)
This day (our love)
Will keep me (together)
Underneath my tree
Songs of love and me
How many times I sing my song
How can I wait forever
When will she say she loves me, too
When shall we be together
When shall we be together
These are the questions I have asked
(How could you ask the first ones last)
Now I shall ask another
(What will she say I wonder)
Please can you tell me what's your name
(So pleased to meet you let me dream)
Now I can start all over
(Now I can start all over)
Now I can start all over
The song Questions by Sweet appears to be a love ballad where the singer is asking their lover various questions about their feelings and their future together. The lyrics indicate that the singer is hoping to receive answers to their questions as they express their feelings of love and sorrow. The opening lines of the song ask what the person was thinking yesterday and what they will say tomorrow, suggesting a desire for clarity and consistency in their relationship. The singer also expresses impatience and uncertainty, wanting to know when their partner will feel their sorrow and when they will receive an answer to their proposal of marriage.
The chorus of the song suggests a desire for escape from the darkness and the hope that their love will keep them together. The line "underneath my tree, songs of love and me" possibly refers to a specific place where the couple shared moments together or something symbolic of their relationship. The following verses continue with more questions about their relationship, indicating the singer's strong desire for clarity and commitment from their partner. The song ends with the singer introducing themselves and expressing a willingness to start over.
Overall, Questions by Sweet is a heartfelt plea for clarity and commitment in a romantic relationship. The lyrics express the singer's deep emotions and their desire for their relationship to move forward.
Line by Line Meaning
What were you thinking yesterday
I am curious about your past thoughts and actions, and I want to understand you better.
What will you say tomorrow
I am interested in your future plans and intentions, and I hope that we can still be together.
How many times you've changed your mind
I am aware that you may have had doubts or reservations about our relationship, and I want to know how many times you have reconsidered being with me.
When will you feel my sorrow
I am feeling sad and I want you to empathize with me and understand my emotions.
Open your hands and close your eyes
I am asking you to trust me and be vulnerable with me, as I have something important to show you.
Listen I'm breathing faster
I am excited and anxious about this moment, and I want you to be aware of my physical response.
Here is the ring I bought for you
I want to express my love and commitment to you by giving you this symbol of our relationship.
When shall I have my answer
I am eager to hear your response to my proposal, and I hope that you will say yes.
Darkness (this night)
I am experiencing a moment of sadness or loneliness, possibly because of our relationship.
Ooh, leave me (forever)
I am feeling overwhelmed and hopeless, and I am imagining a worst-case scenario where you abandon me for good.
This day (our love)
I am trying to focus on the positive aspects of our relationship and the love we share, despite my current emotions.
Will keep me (together)
I am hopeful that our love can overcome any challenges or obstacles that we may face in the future.
Underneath my tree
I am describing a personal space or sanctuary where I feel safe or comforted, possibly a literal or metaphorical tree.
Songs of love and me
I associate this space with love and intimacy, and I feel that my songs or expressions of love are a part of it.
How many times I sing my song
I am constantly expressing my love for you through my music or art, and I hope that you appreciate it.
How can I wait forever
I am impatient and anxious about the future of our relationship, and I want to know where we stand.
When will she say she loves me, too
I am in love with you, and I hope that you feel the same way and will tell me so.
When shall we be together
I am eager to be in a committed, loving relationship with you, and I hope that we can make it happen soon.
These are the questions I have asked
I have been open and honest about my feelings and concerns regarding our relationship.
(How could you ask the first ones last)
I am frustrated that some of my most pressing questions have not been addressed or answered yet.
Now I shall ask another
I have more questions and concerns that I want to bring up and discuss with you.
(What will she say I wonder)
I am anticipating your response to my questions, and I am curious about what you will say and how you will feel.
Please can you tell me what's your name
I am interested in getting to know you better and learning more about your background and identity.
(So pleased to meet you let me dream)
I am excited about the possibilities of our relationship, and I am already imagining a future together.
Now I can start all over
I am hopeful that we can move forward in our relationship with a better understanding of each other and our feelings.
(Now I can start all over)
I am emphasizing my enthusiasm and determination to make things work between us.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: IAN GILLAN, ROGER DAVID
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Martina Wagner
Ich entdecke immer wieder neue Songs meiner Helden. Brian's wundervolle glockenhelle Stimme fasziniert mich immer wieder😍😍😍 Könnte ihm stundenlang zuhören, egal ob Gesang oder Sprache. Unser süßen Jungs waren die Besten und die Größten. Schade, dass wir Euch 3 Engel im Himmel nicht wieder zum Leben erwecken können💓💓💓💓💓💓💓
Uta Goldmann
Ja, da war Brian noch sehr jung mit einer fantastischen Stimme
56dinosaur
"Questions" isn't by "Sweet", though the lead vocal is by Brian Connolly. It is included in compilations of Sweet recordings owned by Robert Mellin Music. This includes very early Sweet recordings by Sweet featuring guitarist Frank Torpey, plus recordings that Connolly made as a session vocalist for Robert Mellin Music. Connolly would sing on recordings of songs owned by Mellin, and if somebody wanted to record their own version, they would re-use the backing track that Connolly had sung over. In fact, "Slow Motion"(the very first Sweet a-side) was from Connolly's work as a session singer. Only the B-side("It's Lonely Out There") was by Sweet. "Questions" (Written by Episode Six members Ian Gillan & Roger Glover, with Glover using his early psuedonym "Roger David") was the one and only recording by "Wainwright's Gentlemen", recorded at Jackson's Studio in Rickmansworth in 1967. "Wainwright's Gentleman" had no original songs, so it made sense that they would ask former member Ian Gillan to supply a song.
Debbie Scott
Excellent information. Thanks. 👍
Georgina Guajardo
Muy interesante !
mick Warnie
But you can clearly hear steve priests voice in the harmonies in questions.
Gaby Siegmund
Brian's Voice 😍
...It's truly magical...
...Like an Angel 💗
... so so beautiful ! 💞🕊️🌸
Ute Gorosics
Brians voice is so wonderful!!!! I love Sweet forever!!!!!🎸🎶🎵🎤
Chenchi Gonzalez
Que voz tan maravillosa tenía Brian. Y los coros de sus compañeros son preciosos. Seguro que alguien se sintió muy amenazado con esta maravillosa banda, por eso le rompieron la garganta a Brian. Me pregunto si él llegó a saber quien fue. Hoy 5 de Octubre, mando mis felicitaciones al cielo. Espero que allí donde estés seas completamente feliz.
SCHNUFFI 17
Die sanfte Stimme von Brian 💝 ist so schön 💝😘😘😘