The Sweet: "Slow Motion" Single (1968)

The Sweet’s "Slow Motion", backed with "It’s Lonely Out There", was released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK by Fontana Records (catalog number TF 951) on July 19, 1968, marking the debut single of the band, originally formed as The Sweetshop in London in 1968.

Background and Formation

Band Formation: The Sweet was formed by vocalist Brian Connolly and drummer Mick Tucker, who had previously played together in Wainwright's Gentlemen. They recruited bassist/vocalist Steve Priest from a local band called The Army and guitarist Frank Torpey. The band initially called themselves The Sweetshop but shortened their name to The Sweet after another band released a single under the same name, creating potential confusion.

Management and Production: The band was managed by Paul Nicholas, who later starred in the musical Hair. Nicholas connected them with producer Phil Wainman at Mellin Music Publishing, leading to a contract with Fontana Records. Wainman produced the debut single, which was recorded at Jackson's Studios in Rickmansworth and featured pianist Alan Benson.

The Single: "Slow Motion" / "It's Lonely Out There"

Release Details:

Label: Fontana Records (UK, catalog number TF 958)

Release Date: July 19, 1968

Format: 7" vinyl, 45 RPM

Tracks:

A-side: "Slow Motion" (3:07)

B-side: "It's Lonely Out There" (2:32)

Producer: Robert Mellin (credited on some releases), with Phil Wainman overseeing production

Musical Style and Content:

"Slow Motion": Described as a "poppige" (poppy) and "saubere Produktion" (clean production), the song is a light, melodic pop track that reflects the band’s early bubblegum pop influences, far from the glam rock and hard rock sound they later embraced. The lyrics, available on Genius, convey a theme of slowing down to appreciate life’s pleasures, with lines like "Slow down, you're chasing my life away / No time in life for tastin' / The sweet perfections of life with you." The song is noted for its accessibility but lacks the energy of The Sweet’s later hits like "Ballroom Blitz" or "Fox on the Run."

"It's Lonely Out There": The B-side was written by the band, a common practice for their B-sides, which allowed them to earn royalties comparable to the A-side.

The single was a stylistic departure from the band’s later glam rock and hard rock sound, aligning more with the 1960s pop influences of bands like The Monkees or The Archies.

Chart Performance:

"Slow Motion" failed to chart in the UK or elsewhere, marking a commercial disappointment. This lack of success led to the termination of The Sweet’s contract with Fontana Records.

Rarity and Collectibility

Market Value:

The original 1968 Fontana pressing is considered extremely rare, with only 417 known copies. Its scarcity has driven significant collector interest:

Original Pressing (1968): Prices for the original vinyl range from approximately $385.54 to $1,195.65, with a median value around $525-$595, based on Discogs sales data up to September 2024.

Reissue (1991):

A limited-edition reissue by Repertoire Records (Germany, REP 6005-SP, 500 numbered copies) is also collectible, valued between $51.01 and $128.87 as of April 2024.

A rare U.S. pressing on 20th Century Records (tc-2033) with "It's Lonely Out There" as the A-side and "I'm On My Way" as the B-side is noted as unlisted on Discogs, adding to its obscurity and value.

Collector Comments:

On Discogs, users describe the single as "MEGA RARE," with one noting a copy sold for £280 about 30 years ago, indicating its long-standing value among collectors. Another user reported finding a copy with the tri-center intact in VG+ condition, planning to sell it.

Cover art for The Sweet's limited edition release "Slow Motion" and "It's Lonely Out There," from Repertoire Records, edition number 225 out of 500.

Critical Reception

Contemporary Views:

The single was not well-received commercially, described as “verstaubt” (dusty) and “misslungene Pop-Single” (failed pop single) by some modern reviewers on hitparade.ch, suggesting it didn’t capture the energy or innovation of The Sweet’s later work. However, others called it an “akzeptabler Erstling” (acceptable debut) and “durchaus hörbar” (quite listenable), appreciating its clean production and pop charm for a debut effort.

Historical Context:

The single’s failure is attributed to its timing and style, as it predated the band’s collaboration with songwriters Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, who helped craft their first hit, "Funny, Funny" in 1971. The Sweet’s early sound was still developing, and "Slow Motion" did not hint at their later glam rock success.

Legacy and Subsequent Releases

Band Evolution:

After "Slow Motion" flopped, The Sweet parted ways with Fontana and signed with Parlophone, releasing three more unsuccessful singles before Andy Scott joined as guitarist in 1970. Their breakthrough came with "Funny, Funny" in 1971, marking a shift to a bubblegum pop sound that later evolved into glam rock and hard rock.

Reissues and Compilations:

The single was reissued in 1991 by Repertoire Records in Germany as a limited-edition, numbered 7" vinyl.

A 1998 CD release of "Slow Motion" is also noted on Discogs, though details are sparse.

The tracks appeared on early compilations like Gimme Dat Ding (1970), a split album with The Pipkins, though Andy Scott appeared on the cover despite not playing on the recordings.

Streaming Availability: "Slow Motion" is available on Spotify, reflecting its continued accessibility despite its initial commercial failure.

Additional Notes

Lineup for the Single:

The recording featured Brian Connolly (vocals), Steve Priest (bass/vocals), Mick Tucker (drums), and Frank Torpey (guitar). Andy Scott, who became a key member, did not join until 1970.

Cultural Impact: While "Slow Motion" itself had little impact, it represents The Sweet’s formative years before they became glam rock pioneers with hits like "Block Buster!" (1973) and "Ballroom Blitz" (1973). The single’s rarity has made it a cult item among collectors, and its pop sound offers a glimpse into the band’s early experimentation.