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.
You're Not Wrong For Loving Me
Sweet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
you're like the sunshine in the sky
You are fine to have around
It's plain to see, I'm satisfied
People say, you're not good to me
you're not wrong for loving me
Don't lay me down
Kind of things that in my life
my goal in life's to meet the rainbow
Seems like things are never there
People say, you're not good to me
you're not wrong for loving me
Don't lay me down
Doo di doo doo di doo ...
Take me up when I fell down
you're like the sunshine in the sky
You are fine to have around
It's plain to see, I'm satisfied
The lyrics of "You're Not Wrong for Loving Me" by Sweet is a song about a woman who is often judged by society because of the person she chose to love. Amidst all the criticisms she receives, the man encourages her by saying that she's not wrong for loving him. He even acknowledges that some people say he is no good for her, but despite that, he's grateful that she chose to be with him. He admires her for being there for him like sunshine in the sky and for always picking him up when he falls down. The lyrics may also suggest that the man has gone through some rough times, and he recognizes that nobody knows him better than the woman he loves.
The man's goal in life is to meet the rainbow, suggesting that he wants to find the beauty in life amid setbacks and challenges. The song may also describe the man's determination to overcome obstacles and not let the negativity of others bring him down. The woman in the song offers him a sense of satisfaction, and he appreciates her presence in his life, and even if some may say that she deserves better, he insists that she's not wrong for loving him.
Overall, the song radiates a positive message about self-worth, acceptance, and unconditional love. Despite the world's disapproval, the man and woman in the song continue to love each other, and their love brings happiness and contentment to their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Take me up when I fell down
You were there for me during tough times and helped me recover
you're like the sunshine in the sky
You bring brightness and joy to my life
You are fine to have around
Your presence makes me happy and content
It's plain to see, I'm satisfied
I'm happy with what we have and don't need anything more
People say, you're not good to me
Others may criticize our relationship, but they are wrong
you're not wrong for loving me
It's acceptable and right for you to care about me
Don't lay me down
Please don't hurt or abandon me emotionally
Kind of things that in my life
Aspects of my existence
no one knows but you can guess
You are the only one who truly understands and can speculate
my goal in life's to meet the rainbow
I aspire to achieve a wonderful, unattainable dream
Seems like things are never there
It appears that opportunities or happiness are hard to come by
Doo di doo doo di doo ...
Lighthearted interlude
Take me up when I fell down
You're my support system in difficult moments
you're like the sunshine in the sky
You bring brightness and warmth to my life
You are fine to have around
I enjoy having you in my life
It's plain to see, I'm satisfied
I'm content with our relationship
Lyrics © MUSIC & MEDIA INT'L, INC., BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CONNOLLY, PRIEST, SCOTT, TUCKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ana Valder
Brian is one of the best voices in the history of Rock and should be recognized more often. Sweet were perfect because all of them had a special talent.
Mike Tzai
@Daniel Rampazzo sorry i not think andys voice was so good.
Nina Tugaga
The Sweet one of the great 🎶🎵 band's in Rock. They were very talented 🎶 ahead of their time. Still listen to their music May 2022
Daniel Rampazzo
I'd have to agree. Sweet were overlooked with regards to the quality of musicians they were because of the glam thing. I think people saw the glam connections and missed out how good the were as musicians. There's no doubt from a rock musicians point of view that each individual was of high standard calibre. When I listen to Andy Scott, I hear a lot of Blackmore and just as good as. Mick Tucker's drumming was solid and technically proficient and there's also an Ian Paice quality there. Undoubtedly, vocally the band had the harmonies down and each could hold his own vocally. No doubt Brian has always been under-rated but I never knew Andy Scott was this good. Loved this band then and I still listen to them (March of 2022).
Disco Biker Barefoot Acrylics
Andy was the showcase. His voice was/is so versatile.
Heike Bohne
Indeed indeed.🇩🇪
Atlas King
Awesome performance. Andy was an EXCELLENT singer! How many non-lead singers can step up and go from an effortless falsetto to rock and roll grit like that? Amazing talent in The Sweet.
HKitty V
A band with 4 lead singers...damn!!! Of course Brian was perfection!!
Doug Nichols
Pure vocal mastery.
paul witveendaal
talented band