Sweet: "Blockbuster" Single (1973)

Sweet
Jan 5, 1973
1 min read

Updated: Sep 23

The Sweet’s "Blockbuster" backed with "Need A Lot Of Lovin'", was released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK by RCA Records (catalog number RCA 2316) on January 5, 1973, entering the UK Singles Chart on January 13, 1973, peaking at number 1 for 5 weeks and charting for 15 weeks.

"Blockbuster" was the groups first number one and only number one single in the UK, and also made 1 in the Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Ireland, and 3 in Finland, Switzerland, Denmark and Norway. Outside Europe it peaked at 1 in New Zealand, 29 in Australia and at 73 on the American Billboard Hot 100.

Written by Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, and produced by Phil Wainman, its Muddy Waters-inspired blues riff is markedly similar to that featured on fellow RCA act David Bowie's "The Jean Genie", released shortly before, but all parties maintained this was a coincidence.

Some controversy arose after the band's performance of the song on the British television program Top of the Pops on 25 December 1973, for which bassist Steve Priest wore a swastika arm band.

Chart (1973) Peak Position

Australia 29

Austria 1

Belgium 2

Denmark 1

Finland 3

Germany 1

Ireland 1