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.
Slow motion
Sweet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No time in life for tasting
The sweet perfections of life with you
Slow motion living could not be blue
A life's to good to hurry
Slow down, slow living is good for you
Don't try so hard to hit ceiling
Don't tell me, I know the feeling
(Sure will bring you down)
I'd like to be a goal getter
(Going to tell you now)
Slow motion, I can see better
(That's to see you)
Slow down, you're chasing my life away
Slow down, don't answer me "no"
I'd like to let you go
But it's sure there's favor in
Keep it slow, so I get saver in loving you
Slow down you're chasing my life away
No time in life for tasting
The sweet perfections of life with you
Don't try so hard to hit ceiling
(Going to get you down)
Don't tell me, I know the feeling
(Sure will bring you down)
I'd like to be a goal getter
(Going to tell you now)
Slow motion, I can see better
(That's to see you)
Slow down, you're chasing my life away
Slow down, you're chasing my life away
Slow down, you're chasing my life away
Don't try so hard to hit ceiling
The lyrics to Sweet's song Slow Motion are a plea for someone to slow down and enjoy life more fully. The singer is telling their partner that they are moving too fast and that they are missing out on the joys of life by not taking the time to savor them. They are encouraging them to live life in slow motion, to take things at a more manageable pace, and to appreciate the sweet things in life. The singer is also warning their partner not to burn themselves out by working too hard or trying too hard to achieve their goals. Instead, they suggest that taking things slow will enable them to see things more clearly and to appreciate life more fully.
The lyrics of Slow Motion convey a sense of frustration and concern for someone who is in danger of losing sight of what is truly important in life. They suggest that the rush to achieve success or to keep up with the pace of modern life can be detrimental to one's happiness and well-being. The song encourages people to slow down and appreciate the simple things in life, whether it be spending time with loved ones, enjoying nature, or pursuing a hobby or interest.
Overall, the song is a reminder to take things at a more relaxed pace and to not let the pressures of life get in the way of enjoying life to the fullest.
Line by Line Meaning
Slow down, you're chasing my life away
You're moving too fast and it's hurting me. Let's take our time and enjoy life together.
No time in life for tasting The sweet perfections of life with you
If we rush through life, we won't have time to savor the best moments we share together.
Slow motion living could not be blue
Taking life at a slower pace can actually make us happier and less stressed.
A life's too good to hurry
Our lives are too precious to be rushed through. We should enjoy each moment.
Don't try so hard to hit ceiling (Going to get you down)
Trying too hard to succeed can actually lead to failure and disappointment.
Don't tell me, I know the feeling (Sure will bring you down)
I understand the pressure to succeed, and it's important to remember to slow down and enjoy the journey.
I'd like to be a goal getter (Going to tell you now)
I want to achieve my goals, but not at the expense of missing out on life. Slow motion living is more fulfilling.
Slow motion, I can see better (That's to see you)
When we slow down, we can see things more clearly, and appreciate the people and moments in our lives more fully.
Slow down, don't answer me 'no'
I'm asking you to slow down and not reject my request. Let's take our time and enjoy our time together.
I'd like to let you go But it's sure there's favor in Keep it slow, so I get saver in loving you
I could let you go, but I see the value in slowing down and enjoying our relationship. Taking things slow allows us to build a stronger love.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DAVID WATKINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rosanna G.
Best voice ever 🎤🎶
Brian was a genius. He could sing any style.
R.I.P. sweet angel 😍 you are always in my heart ❤
bert maanders
@Rosanna G. You`re right about Brian`s voice,Rossana,but didt you know this SWEET version is a cover-version? Here`s the original by The Magicians:
https://youtu.be/MZfxPsDmhNI
Of course,as a die-hard SWEET fan,since the early 70s,i prefer the SWEET version...because of Brian`s voice! STAY SWEET!!
Pink Champagne
Brian could have gotten up and cackled like a chicken and sounded fantastic. It blows my mind how beautiful his voice is. This song is GREAT. THE SWEET COULD HAVE DONE ANY TYPE OF MUSIC. ALL OF THEM ARE INCREDIBLE!!!!! ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITE BANDS.
Mickey Sanker
If he had not gotten punched in the throat he may have not turned to drink
Michael Quaglia
@Mickey Sanker Yeah and maybe if he hadn't turned to drink he wouldn't have gotten punched in the throat. In either case it's sad. RIP Brian. RIP Mick.
Atlas King
Dude had one of the great rock voices, that is true. Just look at how many genres he tackled so effortlessly! From psyche to bubblegum to glam to proto-metal to art rock, Brian could do it all.
B uppy
@Michael Quaglia
The whole band had a drinking culture.
Rockula Bacchus
This song was picked up for the band from Valley Music (publishers) by producer Phil Wainman. Phil had started working for Robert Mellin Publishing where he happened to work alongside Paul Nicholas, The Sweet's (or The Sweetshop as they were known then) first manager. Paul introduced Phil to the band to see if he would be interested in producing them. Apparently Phil was quite impressed. He said they were doing a lot of Motown covers at that time and "their harmonies were terrific". This song was recorded by The Sweet in Jackman's studios in Rickmansworth, with Alan Benson on piano, and was released on Fontana in July 1968 with the more uptempo "It's Lonely Out There" on the 'B' side. The song was written by David Watkins a piano player from Wolverhampton who was playing with a band called The Magicians at the time. A version was also recorded by The Magicians and released as on 25th October on MCA on the 'B' side of their fourth single "Painting on Wood".
XoSc3neQu33Nxo
His voice is so pure and beautiful in this , definitely one of my fav sweet songs x
Michael Quaglia
Very nice song. What a wonderful voice Brian was born with. RIP Brian, Rip Mick you two will never be forgotten.