The “complete” Sweet collection really needs to be re-released, whether in CD, vinyl, iTunes, wherever. They are much more than their hits like Little Willy, Wig Wam Bam, Fox on The Run, Love Is Like Oxygen and Ballroom Blitz. Their deep cuts are solid rock gems. Even their cover versions of Paperback Writer and Peppermint Twist are killers.
I really would like to see the “Live at the BBC” sessions get officially released. They are currently only available as part of the “Sensational Sweet” box set.
I remember “The Sweet” when they used to be called “Sweetshop” and I bought their debut single called "Slow Motion" back in July 1968. In 1969 their name changed to “The Sweet”. And I also bought their next 3 follow up singles called: "Lollipop Man" (September 1969), "All You'll Ever Get from Me" (January 1970) and "Get on the Line" (June 1970)
The well know story. Allthought I bought the singles at that time, I noticed the B-sides were different. As I wrote before, the biggest surprise was the B-side offf "Co-Co". That song called "Done me wrong Allright" I played allmost to death. Even so the B-side off "Little Willy", "Man from Mecca". Then also the A-sides had more guitars. Since then Sweet was my life and still is. Can't wait to see Andy and friends live again.
"Little Willy" was one of the first 5 45's that I bought as a kid and I still love it. It isn't my favorite Sweet song, but it is still a great pop song!
Little Willy was the first song I ever heard by Sweet, all the earlier ones got no airplay in New England, or where I lived, at the time, I compared it to I Want to hold your hand, in that it was something special!, Ive been a Sweet fan ever since and have almost everything the original band ever released, and quite a lot of Andy's and Steve's Sweet
For Christmas in 72? 73? I received K-Tel's "Fantastic 22 Original Hits" and drove my parents crazy playing "Little Willie". Far and away my favourite song on that album. I love the song to this day.
My guess as to the version of "Little Willy" that Andy described being performed on TOTP was where Steve Priest was wearing the gold hot pants. I remember that it sounded it bit different--I thought I heard a bit of vibrato in Brian's voice which isn't on the released single. I've always described Sweet's music as auditory gold to my ears. It looks like this song has stood the test of time so Little Willy is never going home..besides, my Chipper(cockatiel)loves to whistle the 1st line of the chorus LOL!
It was tough to be a glam rock fan in the early 70s in America if all you had was AM radio like myself. Periodically radio would allow us to hear a song by T. Rex ("Bang A Gong") or Sweet ("Little Willy") or David Bowie ("Space Oddity") and they'd usually be successful. But then they would disappear. In Sweet's case, they had a great follow-up to "Little Willy" called "Blockbuster", but no station in my region played it. So I didn't learn of it till years later. I would have bought that single as a child had I heard it just like I bought 'Little Willy".
I agree with all you said. We only got the 4 songs here in the US, and my friends and I all loved the music. I was only like 9 when this song came out, so couldn't really buy lots of records. By the time Blitz hit the US, we were way behind the UK, Europe, etc. for knowing the stuff in between. If they had toured and promoted their stuff in the US heavier, I truly believe they would have been VERY popular here. I didn't know of anyone who disliked their stuff.
Very interesting. Thanks, Andy, for confirming that. I’ve heard rumours there was an alternate version of “Little Willy” with Sweet actually playing on it. I remember hearing “Wig Wam Bam” played on Canadian AM radio, back in 1973, but it didn’t go anywhere here, but it should have.
3:25 minutes is not enough, it’s like a tease or a preview....we’re not that dumb of a crowd, and musicians like me want to know more bout gears, sound, performance
Incredible. The duplicity of the music industry. Session musos. Sounds absurd but McGowans book weird scene in Laurel canyon illustrated how common the con was.
Little willy willy won't go home cuz you can't push Willy round Willy won't go, try telling everybody but oh no, little willy willy won't go home." I think I was 10 years old when this song came out. Loved it and I think it was one of the first 45s ever bought. Think they were about .35 cents
I was attending kindergarten in a basement classroom at St. Paul's Cathedral in Detroit in 1973 when this song was released. My teacher bought the 45 and gave it to me. 🤣
I'm listening to this interview for the 2nd time. I liked the way Andy explained both points of view coming from Phil Wainman and from Sweet; the latter of which he described the band making the point as to why they should play their instruments on "Little Willy" rather than session musicians. The song does have more of a hard rock sound which were the songs that Sweet composed and were on the B sides. In any case, one couldn't argue with the outcome--in the US, "Little Willy" hit #3 on the charts.
It's a shame they were so often pressured to lip-sync for tv performances, but it was definitely the style at the time, even the Who were not immune. With that said, the Sweet @ Musikladen in 74' is a beautifully raw, actual live performance that turned me around on my perspective of the band and their skills.
The only thing I don't understand about "Little Willy" was, what the hell was the song all about. I seem to remember Mary Whitehouse trying to get it banned.
Little Willy Willy won’t come out, so I tried shaking it in and out oh no. But it’s now way past one, and it’s feeling so tight and Willy thinks that this could last all night, stay down, stay down, stay down, down 'Cause little Willy, Willy won't come out, I tried pushing it in and out oh no, Little Willy, Willy won't, come out. Up there down here Little Willy, Willy drives her wild with his in and out style. Inside, outside Little Willy, Willy looks so silly when he tries a shimmy shuffle style and it popped out for a while. But then Mama done chase Willy down through the hall But laughed, Willy laughed as his willy got dragged through the hall and all, Hey down, stay down, stay down, down...
As an immature little 5 year old when this came out, I laughed at the title and made fun of it. Now, as an immature 55 year old, I still laugh at the title and make fun of it. haha
Andy Scott is a real good guitarist and a good singer. The SWEET all sang really good too...
Hey Andy!! 17 when this came out! 65 now!! Still listening full blast on earbuds!!! Love you Andy!!!!! Sooooooo sweet!!!
I bought the Little Willy 45 when it came out. Top 40 Gold IMO. Loved it.
These interviews with Andy Scott have been amazing. So many very cool facts about how things were done back then. Thansk for what you do.
The “complete” Sweet collection really needs to be re-released, whether in CD, vinyl, iTunes, wherever. They are much more than their hits like Little Willy, Wig Wam Bam, Fox on The Run, Love Is Like Oxygen and Ballroom Blitz. Their deep cuts are solid rock gems. Even their cover versions of Paperback Writer and Peppermint Twist are killers.
Have you heard "Set me Free" now that was pure hard rock, heavy metal,
I really would like to see the “Live at the BBC” sessions get officially released. They are currently only available as part of the “Sensational Sweet” box set.
All of their albums have been re-released on CD, some more than once. Most of them (if not all) have a whole bunch of bonus tracks as well.
@@WupWup68 Even a double CD with 20 single's A and B-sides from "Funny Funny" onwards. Released by Repertiore Records 1995
AGREE 🤘👍✌️💯♥️
I remember “The Sweet” when they used to be called “Sweetshop” and I bought their debut single called "Slow Motion" back in July 1968. In 1969 their name changed to “The Sweet”. And I also bought their next 3 follow up singles called: "Lollipop Man" (September 1969), "All You'll Ever Get from Me" (January 1970) and "Get on the Line" (June 1970)
The well know story. Allthought I bought the singles at that time, I noticed the B-sides were different. As I wrote before, the biggest surprise was the B-side offf "Co-Co". That song called "Done me wrong Allright" I played allmost to death. Even so the B-side off "Little Willy", "Man from Mecca". Then also the A-sides had more guitars. Since then Sweet was my life and still is. Can't wait to see Andy and friends live again.
"Little Willy" was one of the first 5 45's that I bought as a kid and I still love it. It isn't my favorite Sweet song, but it is still a great pop song!
Little Willy was the first song I ever heard by Sweet, all the earlier ones got no airplay in New England, or where I lived, at the time, I compared it to I Want to hold your hand, in that it was something special!, Ive been a Sweet fan ever since and have almost everything the original band ever released, and quite a lot of Andy's and Steve's Sweet
I think I was about 10 when this came out. I still love it.
love the Alexander's Bell song 🤣 the look on their faces....they look so bored 🤣 .....love little Willy 😸😻
I never heard a Sweet song that I didn’t like. I really enjoy listening to Andy! Their music is part of the soundtrack of my life.
For Christmas in 72? 73? I received K-Tel's "Fantastic 22 Original Hits" and drove my parents crazy playing "Little Willie". Far and away my favourite song on that album. I love the song to this day.
My guess as to the version of "Little Willy" that Andy described being performed on TOTP was where Steve Priest was wearing the gold hot pants. I remember that it sounded it bit different--I thought I heard a bit of vibrato in Brian's voice which isn't on the released single. I've always described Sweet's music as auditory gold to my ears. It looks like this song has stood the test of time so Little Willy is never going home..besides, my Chipper(cockatiel)loves to whistle the 1st line of the chorus LOL!
It was tough to be a glam rock fan in the early 70s in America if all you had was AM radio like myself. Periodically radio would allow us to hear a song by T. Rex ("Bang A Gong") or Sweet ("Little Willy") or David Bowie ("Space Oddity") and they'd usually be successful. But then they would disappear. In Sweet's case, they had a great follow-up to "Little Willy" called "Blockbuster", but no station in my region played it. So I didn't learn of it till years later. I would have bought that single as a child had I heard it just like I bought 'Little Willy".
I agree with all you said. We only got the 4 songs here in the US, and my friends and I all loved the music. I was only like 9 when this song came out, so couldn't really buy lots of records. By the time Blitz hit the US, we were way behind the UK, Europe, etc. for knowing the stuff in between. If they had toured and promoted their stuff in the US heavier, I truly believe they would have been VERY popular here. I didn't know of anyone who disliked their stuff.
Really enjoying "ALL" this ongoing interview with Andy Scott - Fantastic.
I bought the Little Willy 45 when it came out. Top40 Gold IMO.
Classic!
I was only 6 years old when 'Little Willy' was a hit in the UK . I loved it then and I still love the song now !
I had that single at 7 years old and played it incessantly.
Very interesting. Thanks, Andy, for confirming that. I’ve heard rumours there was an alternate version of “Little Willy” with Sweet actually playing on it. I remember hearing “Wig Wam Bam” played on Canadian AM radio, back in 1973, but it didn’t go anywhere here, but it should have.
thanks Andy and John!
Little Willy was probably the first pop song I got into!!! Loved the next few Sweet singles too.
Great band sweetim a seventies kid I grew up with the likes of sweet and queen we were the lucky ones the seventies were the bes music
Another excellent clip from the interview with Andy & John. Thank you Rock History Music
Another great interview John. I always look forward to your uploads.
3:25 minutes is not enough, it’s like a tease or a preview....we’re not that dumb of a crowd, and musicians like me want to know more bout gears, sound, performance
I am loving these interviews with Andy Scott. He is so interesting and you are asking really good questions
Incredible. The duplicity of the music industry. Session musos. Sounds absurd but McGowans book weird scene in Laurel canyon illustrated how common the con was.
Little willy willy won't go home cuz you can't push Willy round Willy won't go, try telling everybody but oh no, little willy willy won't go home." I think I was 10 years old when this song came out. Loved it and I think it was one of the first 45s ever bought. Think they were about .35 cents
the B-side "Man from Mecca" is one of the best Rock songs for me.
Me too. I love that song!
Great song! One of my favorites! It's got a great guitar groove.
I was attending kindergarten in a basement classroom at St. Paul's Cathedral in Detroit in 1973 when this song was released. My teacher bought the 45 and gave it to me. 🤣
BLOCKBUSTER!!!!
... " you'd better watch out if ya got long black hair " !
We covered it lol Good song
Thanks Andy, I learned something I didn't know. I'm very glad Sweet went on to perform better music than continue the bubblegum music. 👍
Well, even Sweet’s bubblegum era is still enjoyable today. “Funny Funny” is a fantastic tune, and the one that got them famous in Europe.
It still surprises me that radio was willing to play this record, given how suggestive it is.
Here in the US, we don't normally use "willy" for the male anatomy, so we didn't think it was suggestive (at least no one I knew did).
Number 1 in Canada!
I'm listening to this interview for the 2nd time. I liked the way Andy explained both points of view coming from Phil Wainman and from Sweet; the latter of which he described the band making the point as to why they should play their instruments on "Little Willy" rather than session musicians. The song does have more of a hard rock sound which were the songs that Sweet composed and were on the B sides. In any case, one couldn't argue with the outcome--in the US, "Little Willy" hit #3 on the charts.
So the TOTPs versions are the band after Little Willy, where's my DVD set.
It's a shame they were so often pressured to lip-sync for tv performances, but it was definitely the style at the time, even the Who were not immune.
With that said, the Sweet @ Musikladen in 74' is a beautifully raw, actual live performance that turned me around on my perspective of the band and their skills.
turn it over 'the man from Mecca' is on the b side... a much better song
The only thing I don't understand about "Little Willy" was, what the hell was the song
all about. I seem to remember Mary Whitehouse trying to get it banned.
Little Willy Willy won’t come out, so I tried shaking it in and out oh no. But it’s now way past one, and it’s feeling so tight and Willy thinks that this could last all night, stay down, stay down, stay down, down 'Cause little Willy, Willy won't come out, I tried pushing it in and out oh no, Little Willy, Willy won't, come out. Up there down here Little Willy, Willy drives her wild with his in and out style. Inside, outside Little Willy, Willy looks so silly when he tries a shimmy shuffle style and it popped out for a while. But then Mama done chase Willy down through the hall But laughed, Willy laughed as his willy got dragged through the hall and all, Hey down, stay down, stay down, down...
As an immature little 5 year old when this came out, I laughed at the title and made fun of it.
Now, as an immature 55 year old, I still laugh at the title and make fun of it. haha
Yèp!! The SWEET could play! Just flip the `Little Willy` 45 over,and `Man From Mecca` kicks ass!
ruclips.net/video/a_3vvo6Ebb4/видео.html