Vinyl Community - The Sweet albums ranked

Here I rank the 9 studio albums by the glamtastic Sweet!

[@Mr.Green627]

Sweet had it all but when Brian was kicked out from the band it was never the same. The X-factor in the band was Brian, no doubt!

[@CookieMusic43]

I tend to agree, not only did he have the voice, he had the look!

[@farrellvanessa]

@@CookieMusic43 And the charisma.

[@phillarsson8253]

It's just a matter of personal taste, i guess, Richard, but I personally don't think 'the man with the golden arm' is a waste of time on 'Desolation Boulevard', i think it shows what skills Mick Tucker had as a drummer and to watch him perform that one live is stunning from start till the end. You didn't mention 'Keep it in' from Give us a wink, which also is one of the Sweet's songs where Mick's absolute craftmanship stands out. Love the review you did though. Thanks for honouring Sweet!

[@CookieMusic43]

I agree that Mick Tucker was an excellent drummer but for me, those big long drum solos are best served in a live setting. I'd love to have seen fantastic B sides like Burn On The Flame and Miss Demeanour featured as part of the studio album.

[@Pinerocks]

One of my favourite bands, love their heavy stuff!! 👍🏼

[@davebrzeski]

Thanks for this. Some useful information there. I remember way back in 1973 a school friend was lending me some singles. Among them was 'Hell Raiser' by the Sweet. They'd already managed a couple of less embarrassing hits than usual with 'Ballroom Blitz' & 'Blockbuster', so I didn't question his taste, but he told me the B-side, 'Burning' was the one I should listen to. It was excellent and led me to make an effort to check out other Sweet B-sides. He also loaned a pre Chinn/Chapman 7" single from 1969, 'All You'll Ever Get From Me' with 'The Juicer' on the B-side. 'The Juicer' in particular got me really frustrated that they didn't record an album back then. Oddly, both tracks are included on a 1974 split LP, 'The Sweet & The Pipkins'. I will look out for a copy of 'Level Headed'.

[@CookieMusic43]

Hi Dave, thanks for commenting. The song Burning is excellent even though it is a blatant steal from Led Zeppelin's The Immigrant Song.

[@Mariazellerbahn]

@@CookieMusic43 "Burning" was later re-worked into "Someone Else Will" but the unmolested "Burning" is still the better track of the two. Some albums have a medley of the two. There must be other twist about tracks by other groups but the only other I can recall offhand is "Happy Hawaii" and "Why Did It Have To Be Me?" by ABBA.

[@andyvinyl]

Hello Richard. Thank you for this nice video. Sweet is one of my favorite bands too. And 'Level Headed' my favorite album. I have all the studio albums on vinyl and CD. And the 45's and more. I subbed your channel. Cheers ✌

[@CookieMusic43]

Many thanks Andy, glad you enjoyed it! I subbed you back.

[@JCStorm76]

Great to see you ranking these British Rock bands, haven’t seen any one else do it. Doesn’t matter if we don’t completely agree, it’s just personal opinions. Here’s my ranking of Sweet, such an underrated band. 1. Off The Record 2. Sweet Fanny Adams 3. Give Us A Wink 4. Identity Crisis 5. Desolation Boulevard 6. Waters Edge 7. Funny How Sweet 8. Level Headed 9. Cut Above The Rest

[@thomasgood3472]

My ranking would be different though.

[@JCStorm76]

@@thomasgood3472 That’s ok we all hear things differently

[@helloweenfanmark7811]

Thank you so much for this, loved it. Agreed, Level Headed is my favorite Sweet release as well.

[@CookieMusic43]

Thanks Mark!

[@RandallWeaver]

Thanks for all that great information and the ranking Richard. A band I'm not too familiar with - they had more hits than I thought. Enjoyed it! ~ Randy

[@CookieMusic43]

Thanks Randy, I'm sure you know the big US hits; Little Willy, The Ballroom Blitz, Fox On The Run and Love Is Like Oxygen.

[@Heepster69]

Very informative, great video. Thanks.

[@offthebeatentracks4515]

Great video. I'm a big fan of the band.

[@CookieMusic43]

Thanks!

[@Crumpet_Central_]

Giving Identity Crisis some love! Great ranking!

[@CookieMusic43]

Cheers, a very underrated and underexposed album in their catalogue

[@robwalkerletthemusicplay]

Hi Richard . I’m always amazed how many almost complete collections you have . I remember sweet well blockbuster especially. At discos they’d always play wig wham bam and everyone would do that dance ! I bought love is like oxygen when it came out though then they disappeared off my radar when punk started . Thanks for sharing another great video 👍

[@CookieMusic43]

Hi Rob, I tend to be more stuck in a time warp and it's hard to get out of. There is one new release I'm really looking forward to, the new album from Haim. Their single Summer Girl (download, gah!) was released a couple of days ago and is amazing!

[@robwalkerletthemusicplay]

I’ve picked up quite a few new albums recently I’m sure you’d like a few of them . What do you think of the vampire weekend album ?. I’ve been streaming but don’t have it yet . Haim are hot .. oops can I say that 🙃🤔

[@robwalkerletthemusicplay]

I’m meeting up with Callum again on Thursday and Ross Goodall should be good fun .

[@CookieMusic43]

Have a good 'un Rob and say hello from me! :-)

[@robwalkerletthemusicplay]

Will do Richard we’re going to a record shop I’ve never been to called real around the fountain

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Great video Richard. I know very little about Sweet. Never owned anything by them on either LP on 45, partly because I just never see their records about the place, which is maybe surprising given how popular they were. Now I come to think of it I've never seen any records by Mud in charity shops either - maybe those bubble-gum type 'low-brow' glam records are actually quite collectable now? I remember seeing a truly horrific and shocking documentary about Brian Connolly's alcoholic downfall back in the 90's and that has really stayed with me. Might look for a CD best-of or maybe one of those collected album Cd box thingies. Cheers, James

[@CookieMusic43]

Hi James, I saw that interview in the 90's with Brian Connelly. I think he was playing Butlins or some holiday camp. It really was heartbreaking to see what alcohol did to him.

[@davidheafield1436]

Richard McCook ... I went to one of those 70’s Butlins revival weekenders with about 18 other couples from our village , and it was a blast , Showaddywaddy , BCR , and loads more of a similar ilk. Brian Connelly’s Sweet were one of the bands playing and it was truly heartbreaking when he made his way to the mike from beyond the stage curtain for the first number , he needed to be aided in walking to the microphone stand. Once at the mike-stand he was fine and kept a firm hold of the stand all through the gig. His voice still held up surprisingly well when compared to the rest you were witnessing and his band played fantastic I’m pretty sure this was pre-internet (for me anyway) so information on his deteriorating health was very scant so that made it doubly shocking that I had no idea of the scale of his ill-health and there is was right in front of my eyes

[@davidheafield1436]

I really enjoyed this feature on Sweet Richard , cracking job , The Sweet were my first “favourite” band growing up unfortunately I stopped buying them around 1977-78 as punk reared it’s ugly head and gave me another direction to spend my money on. I remember thinking negatively about them when I saw they had put the semi-smeared “Queen are a bunch of Winkers” graffiti on the Give us a Wink album , but it was a great album. I’ve recently been relistening to all my original Sweet albums again which prompted me to buy the remastered “off the record” CD , which I was pleasantly surprised with , so with your recommendations on your top picks I think I’ll be spending more money in picking them up to give a listen to. Thanks again for the great overview of a great band

[@CookieMusic43]

Thanks Dai, you can get the last four Polydor CD albums in one of those cheapy box sets. Great value for £££

[@alibobsmarland9572]

The first single I ever bought was Blockbuster back in 1973. The B sides were brilliant and Sweet FA is a great album.

[@CookieMusic43]

The B sides were great. I have done two other Sweet videos, the first ranking their singles and the second listing my 20 favourite LP tracks and B sides, if you are interested. Thanks for the comment.

[@alibobsmarland9572]

@@CookieMusic43 Cheers. I'll check them out as I bought all the Sweet singles when they came out.

[@richardwolski5899]

Great band.way ahead of there time ..

[@sudabeh545]

Give us a wink is my Nr 1

[@daytonnielsen2555]

Good job Richard!

[@CookieMusic43]

Thanks Dayton

[@MsKalachakra]

After watching this I ordered 4 Sweet albums on vinyl from discogs. For some reason Fanny Adams is impossible to get, maybe due to poor sells or had poor distribution. Part of the history of the band I guess. So its the only album I wouldn't be able to enjoy. Glad I found all the others for cheap.

[@CookieMusic43]

Enjoy your albums Alejandro!

[@haj1909]

Absolutely agree with you on no.9 and no.1 and Identity Crisis is a seriously underrated album. And Disco-phony gotta be one their silliest and surely worst songs ever!

[@CookieMusic43]

Disco-phony is dreadful

[@CREANER]

The only Sweet records I ever bought were ‘Of the Record’ and ‘Level Headed’ and they were from a library sale. I honestly can’t remember too much about them but loved Love is Like Oxygen. I remember that because it was a single. Sadly they have gone missing over the years. All I have is a great double cd - all the CC hits but sone of the bands own material. I think that might be all I need. Coincidentally, I was in HMV today and came upon some of their represses. I have to confess being surprised at there being any kind of demand for them. Steve Priest still tours, I believe.

[@CookieMusic43]

Hi Paul, yea Steve Priest tours the states with his version of the band while Andy Scott tours Europe with his. A band well worth investigating. Thank you so much for the singles, Paul. I couldn't believe it when Johnny handed them over today. I hope you don't mind but I'll be including them in my next Inbox! I hope you are enjoying your Bowie purchases. Although very expensive, the Mercury years album is absolutely brilliant. I have only ever heard it on dodgy mp3s

[@CREANER]

Enjoy the singles and yes use them in your inbox video. The mercury demos are beautiful. I had heard them. Just prior to official release the bootleggers got their hands on the master tapes and rush released a boot. I snagged one - I had a boot of these for years but it was an old boot recorded off and old ‘ Stretched’ reel to reel. It was thrilling to hear them properly. Did you buy the MWSTW mercury cover? I love that cover.

[@CookieMusic43]

The US cartoon cover? Yes, I bought it, even though it is a counterfeit, as I have never owned one before. I've hmm'd and haa'd over getting the Just A Gigolo soundtrack but my head keeps telling me that I'm wasting money as I have the single.

[@redblade8160]

Richard McCook You didn’t mention the double album, "Strung Up" by the Sweet?

[@CookieMusic43]

Yea, I know. I decided not to as it is part live / part compilation.

[@mickwarnie8707]

Good album reviews mate but i would like to point out it was someone from rca that suggested to the band they re-record fox on the run and release it as a single not mike chapman, infact chinn and chapman new nothing about it and were pissed off which was part of the reason for the parting of ways.

[@CookieMusic43]

Thanks for the ingo Mick, I wasn't sure who suggested they re-record it

[@mickwarnie8707]

@@CookieMusic43 👍

[@digmacdiggydoo]

Off The Record is my favorite.

[@ramonwjido7128]

Mi álbum favorito de the sweet es Give us a wink todos sus álbumes son grandiosos tengo 8 discos de vinil el sonido aquí en estos discos es diferente a los CD,s que,bien que tengas toda la colección completa

[@befreiedeinengeist7715]

❣👍

[@CookieMusic43]

Thanks

[@davoshaunessy3428]

WINK WINK SAY NO MORE SAY NO MORE and almost all their other stuff is F.I.N.E. AS WELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!

[@johnobrien8910]

loved all sweets albums. not so mutch sweet fanny adams a rushed album for me 3 tracks let it down but you have to fill an album up with something .had they played charlton rock.in 1974 with the who there rock carreer would have took of world wide sadly never happend .and they never never captiolised on it big mistake .fantastic band should have.been an arena band sadly wasnt to be.

[@CookieMusic43]

They definitely deserved more success than they got, especially with their albums

[@daytonnielsen2555]

Level headed ...that's a fuckin plot twist

[@debbielee4343]

Sweet was Equal to TREX slade was no way better than Sweet

[@CookieMusic43]

Many would agree with you Debbie!

[@Mariazellerbahn]

7:28 Jeannie was actually co-written by Ian Gillan and Brian Connolly. 7:31 Spotlight was a re-worked song from pre-Wainwright Gentlemen days.

[@CookieMusic43]

Thanks for the info. I appreciate it.

[@Mariazellerbahn]

@@CookieMusic43 Here's an early take of Spotlight (the song was heavied up for the later Sweet release) ... kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZbKoXZ7ncx2q5Y

[@CookieMusic43]

@@Mariazellerbahn Wow, what a find. Great stuff. Ptiy the whole song wasn't available.

[@shanemckenna9416]

I Don’t rank the Sweet albums. To me they are a singles band. Buy a compilation and leave it at that.

[@Mariazellerbahn]

I have to agree that "Chop Chop" is an absolutely dire song yet crops up on many of their compilations. I've never really ranked the Sweet albums apart from Sweet Fanny Adams being my favourite and the rest all being second best. The first LP that I ever bought was "Sweet's Biggest Hits" after I got into The Sweet on the back of their "Hellraiser" single. I also bought "Gimme Dat Ding" which was a compilation of their three Parlophone singles and B-sides but not the earlier Fontana single .... the album was shared with the novelty group, The Pipkins. Anyway, here goes .... 1) Sweet Fanny Adams (UK release). 2) Give Us A Wink. 3) Level Headed. 4) Off The Record. 5) Desolation Boulevard (UK release). 6) Identity Crisis. 7) Cut Above The Rest. 8) Water's Edge. 9) Funny How Sweet (original release ... however, the later release with EIGHT bonus tracks, I would slot higher up ... the bonus tracks being the four pre-RCA singles with their B-sides).

[@CookieMusic43]

Nice ranking Al, I agree the bonus tracks on the Funny CD really do enhance the album. Same with Sweet Fanny Adams

[@Mariazellerbahn]

One rare track worth a listen is "Galaxy" that was written for the TV pop show of the same name. However, although Sweet appeared on the first episode with "Sixties Man", the show was never aired and only two episodes were recorded. The track (Galaxy) appears on the compilation album "Platinum Rare" (an album not listed on Wiki ... I'll have to add it).

[@CookieMusic43]

Unfortunately Galazy doesn't appear on the two RSD Platinum Rares so I must check out the original CD which I think had a grey cover similar in style to Level Headed?

[@Mariazellerbahn]

@@CookieMusic43 I didn't get the albums you refer to (I didn't realise they were different). My CD (with two versions of Galaxy) is on the Repertoire Records label (REP 4487-WP) dated 1995.

[@Mariazellerbahn]

Does anyone have any news of Volume 2 of the Sweet's box set? The final 3 studio albums plus the duplicated "Level Headed" is a poor substitute.

[@CookieMusic43]

I'm not aware of it

[@JCStorm76]

Came out a while ago. It’s called the polydor albums