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.
Solid Gold Brass
Sweet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But she's a child
Something inside that's gonna drive you wild
You, you go take a walk
I don't need that kind of talk
'Cause I'm a man not a mother
Solid gold brass got a mean streak
Solid gold brass gotta green streak
And it's going to my brain
But she helps me hang on in there
Solid gold brass
Stars in her eyes
She'd playin' her game
Smooth words and T birds
Her only claim to fame
Hey, just watch what you say
Don't talk about her that way
You know I said I'm a man not a mother
Solid gold brass got a mean streak
And it's running through my veins
Solid gold brass gotta green streak
And it's going to my brain
And she helps me hang on in there
Solid gold brass got a mean streak
And it's running through my veins
Solid gold brass gotta green streak
And it's going to my brain
And she helps me hang on in there
Solid gold brass
Heart of a woman
But she's a child
Something inside that's gonna drive you wild
Solid gold brass got a mean streak
And it's running through my veins
Solid gold brass gotta green streak
And it's going to my brain
Solid gold brass got a mean streak
The lyrics to Sweet's "Solid Gold Brass" discuss the idea of how a woman can have a childlike and innocent exterior but a passionate and seductive interior, driving men wild. The singer defends this woman, saying that he is a man, not a mother, and therefore is not responsible for her actions. The chorus discusses the physical and emotional effects of the woman, comparing them to the qualities of solid gold brass. The singer claims that while the woman may have a mean and green streak, she also helps him hang on and stay strong, like solid gold brass.
The first verse depicts the woman as having the heart of a woman but the actions of a child, implying a playful and carefree attitude. However, the second verse describes her as having a calculated game, using seductive words and cars to gain attention and fame. Despite this, the singer warns others not to criticize her and defends her seductive behavior, almost coming across as protective over her. Throughout the song, the singer seems to be wrestling with the idea of the woman's dual nature, acknowledging that she can be both alluring and dangerous.
Overall, the song seems to be a cautionary tale to men about the danger of being caught up in a woman's seductive charms. The singer recognizes the potential harm of getting involved with her but can't resist her allure, likening her to solid gold brass that both harms and helps him endure.
Line by Line Meaning
Heart of a woman
She has a gentle and nurturing disposition, like most women do.
But she's a child
Despite her womanly disposition, she's still young and inexperienced.
Something inside that's gonna drive you wild
There's an untamed energy within her that could be exciting and enticing.
You, you go take a walk
I don't have time for your drama right now, so please leave.
I don't need that kind of talk
Your words are not helpful, so keep them to yourself.
'Cause I'm a man not a mother
I don't want to deal with petty problems, because I'm a grown man.
Solid gold brass got a mean streak
I have a stubborn and competitive nature within me.
And it's running through my veins
This fierce drive is a part of me and cannot be easily dismissed.
Solid gold brass gotta green streak
I have an envious side that can be destructive.
And it's going to my brain
This envy is a growing problem that could lead to bad decisions.
But she helps me hang on in there
Despite my flaws, she supports me and keeps me going.
Stars in her eyes
She has big dreams and high hopes for her future.
She'd playin' her game
She's focused on achieving her goals and isn't easily distracted.
Smooth words and T birds
She's slick with her words and loves fast cars.
Her only claim to fame
Her skills with words and cars are the only things that make her noteworthy.
Hey, just watch what you say
Be careful with your words, as they could be harmful.
Don't talk about her that way
She deserves respect and shouldn't be spoken about negatively.
You know I said I'm a man not a mother
I expect you to be responsible for your own actions and not create unnecessary drama.
Solid gold brass got a mean streak
My stubbornness and competitiveness are still present.
And she helps me hang on in there
Despite the challenges, she supports me and helps me continue on.
Solid gold brass got a mean streak
My fierce drive is still a part of me.
And it's running through my veins
This competitive spirit is ingrained in me.
Solid gold brass gotta green streak
I'm still prone to envy.
And it's going to my brain
My envy may lead me to make bad decisions.
Solid gold brass got a mean streak
My competitive nature is still with me, even when things get tough.
And it's running through my veins
This drive gives me the energy to push through difficult situations.
And she helps me hang on in there
She continues to support me and keeps me going, even when I struggle.
Solid gold brass
I may be stubborn and envious, but I'm still a valuable and unique individual.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANDREW SCOTT, BRIAN CONNOLLY, MICHAEL TUCKER, STEPHEN PRIEST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@matthewchild
Unbelievable! One of the most original songs (so different from anything else they did) and one of the most talented bands in history, in my opinion. Gonna watch it again. Completely awesome!
@isabelpark7650
That was the beauty of this band
They were so versatile and never got the credit they deserved
@ZbigniewJurczyk
3:54 3:54 3:54 😊
@ZbigniewJurczyk
4:53 😊 .
@timothyparsons8327
I love to see reactions from young people of today…thes mega band should feature highly on their lists!,
@sirchromiumdowns2015
Mick giving Andy an ovation for the guitar solo at the very end is a great moment.
@neilwales7543
One of the best drummers ever and is so Underrated as is the band Sweet
@boeliewinter7492
Mick Tucker made me drummin'!
@1irishanml
Mick definitely one of the greats. Just incredible.
@gypsyrain369
YES ! i MISS THEM !