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.
Wild In The Streets
Sweet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ain't no bone ain't no meat
Til we get up and take what's coming
With a shakedown in the street
CHORUS:
We gonna shake til the levee done break
We gonna shake til the levee done break
Shakedown in the street
Shining bullets in their smiles
Looking to the shields and running back for miles
Keep on running, we're gonna get what's coming
With a shakedown in the street
Your telephone don't stop no lead
Lookin to the devil turnin your eyes straight red
They gonna get what's coming to em Lord
With a shakedown in the street
The lyrics to Sweet's song "Wild In The Streets" capture a sense of unrest and discontent in society, suggesting that there is no peace or satisfaction to be found. The line "Ain't no peace in the valley" implies that there is a lack of harmony and tranquility in the world. This could be seen as a reflection of the challenges and conflicts people face in their daily lives.
The phrase "Ain't no bone ain't no meat" is metaphorical, suggesting that there is a scarcity or absence of substance or fulfillment. It could be interpreted as a commentary on the empty and unfulfilling nature of material possessions and superficial desires. This line may imply that there is a need to take action and seize opportunities to achieve a sense of satisfaction in life.
The chorus emphasizes the idea of shaking things up and causing disruption until change is achieved. By repeating the line "We gonna shake 'til the levee done break," the song suggests a determination to push the boundaries and challenge the limits of existing structures. The levee symbolizes the societal barriers that need to be broken down in order to bring about the desired change.
The following verse speaks of shining bullets in their smiles, which could imply that even those who appear friendly or trustworthy may have hidden intentions, perhaps referring to the corrupt or oppressive elements within society. The mention of running back for miles suggests a constant cycle of avoidance and escape from these negative forces. The repeated line "We're gonna get what's coming" conveys a sense of justice and retribution, indicating that those responsible for creating unrest and inequality will eventually face the consequences.
The final lines allude to the influence of negative external forces, symbolized by a telephone that does not stop ringing. These influences may lead individuals to turn evil or corrupt, as indicated by the line "Lookin to the devil, turnin your eyes straight red." Despite this, the lyrics express confidence that the wrongdoers will eventually face the consequences of their actions, with the repeated mention of "They gonna get what's coming to 'em, Lord." This reinforces the idea that there will be a reckoning or judgment for those who have contributed to the turmoil and injustice, further emphasizing the desire for change and justice in society.
Line by Line Meaning
Ain't no peace in the valley
There is no tranquility or harmony in this world
Ain't no bone ain't no meat
There is nothing substantial or satisfying, no substance or nourishment
Til we get up and take what's coming
Until we rise and face the consequences or challenges
With a shakedown in the street
Through an intense and disruptive event or action happening in public
We gonna shake til the levee done break
We will relentlessly persevere until the breaking point is reached
Shining bullets in their smiles
Displaying false happiness or contentment, hiding their true intentions
Looking to the shields and running back for miles
Seeking protection from authorities and retreating long distances
Keep on running, we're gonna get what's coming
Continuing to flee, but eventually facing the consequences or retribution
Your telephone don't stop no lead
Communicating with others won't prevent impending danger or harm
Lookin to the devil turnin your eyes straight red
Seeking guidance from evil or corrupt forces, becoming consumed by wickedness
They gonna get what's coming to em Lord
Those individuals will face the consequences or retribution, as determined by a higher power
With a shakedown in the street
Through an intense and disruptive event or action happening in public
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Edward Hogan (ASCAP) Oser
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MarilinaJovi
TEMAZOOOOOOOO!!!!
🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷
35 Años y sigue sonando.
🔺We were wild in the streets
wild in the streets
Wild in the streets
Wild in the streets
Wild in the streets
We were wild, wild in the streets
Wild in the streets
Wild in the streets Wild!!!!🎶🎶🎶🎶
@classic.rockmusic
It's 2023 and am still watching it. Legendary tracks don't ever die
@whatupquake6790
Forever legendary!!!
@guyblack
Sister track to run riot def leppard. Awsome and underrated
@taveiraadriano
Legendary
@tonirodriguez7220
Felices 35 años de Slippery when wet. Con este álbum conocí a mi Banda y desde entonces, día a día, año a año, álbum a álbum, canción a canción, hemos crecido juntos y seguimos creciendo juntos, ayer, hoy y siempre. BON JOVI FOREVER.
@Friedmankara9134
Love that album too 😊
@marlenesiqueira1271
🎶💫🎵💫🎶👍👍👍💕💕🎼
@jonbonjovi7359
Hey 🌹 all love and how are you doing today
@user-wx6bi8po8k
PIĘKNA PIOSENKA, SUPER ZESPÓŁ Z CUDOWNYM GŁOSEM WOKALISTY. DZIĘKUJĘ. POZDRAWIAM. ❤
@joaoaugustoalmeida3679
Melhor álbum de todos os tempos