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.
Rock 'N' Roll Disgrace
Sweet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A super phallic machine
Well, who do you think you are
Well, you think you're a star
Yeah, a rock 'n' roll star, you are
Oh, you part your lips that way
Do you care what people say
Well, they think you're a star
Yeah, a rock and roll star, you are
Rock 'n' roll
You're rock 'n' roll queen
Don't you know what I mean
Oh, you know
You're a rock 'n' roll queen
A young man's dream
Given guitar's head
In a silver stream of red
Has it gone too far
Then you know you're a star
Yeah, a real superstar, you are
Rock 'n' roll
You're rock 'n' roll queen
Don't you know what I mean
Oh, you know
You're a rock'n roll queen
A young man's dream
Rock 'n' roll
You're rock 'n' roll queen
Don't you know what I mean
Oh, you know
You're a rock 'n' roll queen
A young man's dream
You're a heterosexual dream
A super phallic machine
Who do you think you are
Well, you think you're a star
Yeah, a rock 'n' roll star, you are
The lyrics to Sweet's Rock 'N' Roll Disgrace portray the character of a rock star who's confident and self-obsessed. The song opens with a sarcastic tone as the singer describes the rock star as a "super phallic machine" that is a heterosexual dream. The chorus constantly repeats the phrase "you're a rock 'n' roll queen, a young man's dream" indicating that the rock star is popular with the female audience.
The song then goes on to describe the guitar given to the rock star as a "silver stream of red". The line "Has it gone too far, then you know you're a star, yeah, a real superstar you are" could be an indication that fame has distracted the rock star from the reality of their situation.
Overall, the lyrics display a critique of the rock star lifestyle, highlighting the shallow nature of it and the potential for it to take over one's life, making it hard to distinguish between reality and fame. It suggests that the fans love the idea of the rock star more than the actual person, and the rock star becomes a character rather than a real person.
Line by Line Meaning
You're a heterosexual dream
You are someone who appeals to the sexual desires of the opposite sex.
A super phallic machine
You have a great deal of confidence in your masculinity and your ability to attract women.
Well, who do you think you are
You are acting as if you are above everyone else and believe you are entitled to success.
Well, you think you're a star
You have a very high opinion of yourself and believe that you deserve to be famous.
Yeah, a rock 'n' roll star, you are
You see yourself as the epitome of rock and roll stardom and believe you are destined for greatness.
Oh, you part your lips that way
You use your physical appearance and mannerisms to try and come across as sexy and alluring.
Do you care what people say
You are so convinced of your own greatness that you are not concerned about other people's opinions of you.
The chicks know what you are
Women see through your act and know that you are just a pretentious rock star wannabe.
Well, they think you're a star
Despite seeing through your façade, some women still feed into your ego and believe you are the real deal.
Yeah, a rock and roll star, you are
You are still clinging to the idea that you are a true rock and roll star, despite others seeing the truth.
Rock 'n' roll
The spirit of rock and roll music that you are trying to embody and live up to.
You're rock 'n' roll queen
You see yourself as a female embodiment of rock and roll glamour and excess.
Don't you know what I mean
Are you not aware of the image and identity you are portraying as a rock and roll star?
Oh, you know
You are fully aware of the image and identity you are trying to maintain.
A young man's dream
You are the embodiment of what young men aspire to be when they want to become rock stars.
Given guitar's head
The opportunity to perform and create music as a rock star has been given to you.
In a silver stream of red
Your guitar creates a silver stream of sound and music, invoking the passion and intensity of rock and roll music.
Has it gone too far
You are beginning to realize that your obsession with the image of being a rock star has taken over your life and may not be worth it in the end.
Then you know you're a star
Despite doubts, you still believe that you are a true rock star at heart.
Yeah, a real superstar, you are
Despite concerns, you still believe yourself to be a true superstar and worthy of fame and success.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANDREW SCOTT, BRIAN CONNOLLY, MICHAEL TUCKER, STEPHEN PRIEST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@unlabeld
One of the jewells that make my life sweeter RIP Brian, Mick, and Steve and long live Andy
@WillyShankspeare
I'm so glad I listened to all of Sweet Fanny Adams. What a hidden gem.
@tonywalker7602
The best B side ever written.
@kikiu2619
One of the greatest heavy rock tune!
@user-fg1fe1nh8d
Sweet
siete grandi!
@drsnuggles88
Best Sweet Song !!!! B Side of Ballroom Blitz and self written by the band
@johmoore39
Have you heard burn on the flame one of my favourite B sides along with this one
@tonywalker7602
Yes their best behind FOTR and BB.
@tonywalker7602
Steve great guitarist.
@tutts999
RIP Steve..