Sweet: "The Ballroom Blitz" Single (1973)

Sweet
Sep 13, 1973
6 min read

Updated: Sep 23

The Sweet’s "The Ballroom Blitz" backed with "Rock & Roll Disgrace", was released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK by RCA Victor (catalog number RCA 2403) on September 14, 1973.

Produced by Phil Wainman, this single is one of The Sweet’s most iconic releases, reaching No. 2 in the UK Singles Chart and becoming a defining anthem of the glam rock era.

RCA dropped a clanger a when pressing thousands of extra copies of Sweet's "Ballroom Blitz" to meet demand. A master was cut from tape running at the wrong speed and "Blitz" came out at over 50 rpm. Some copies were sold, and, say RCA: "if anybody is upset, they can take their record back and we'll make arrangements for it to be replaced."

Below Rare Foreign Sleeves, and Single Review New Musical Express September 15, 1973

Track Details

A-Side:

"The Ballroom Blitz" (3:59, as listed on some pressings; 4:00 on others)Origin: Written by Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman (Chinnichap), "The Ballroom Blitz" was recorded on June 11–12, 1973, at Audio International Studio, 18 Rodmarton Street, London, and produced by Phil Wainman for New Dawn Productions Ltd.

Inspired by a January 27, 1973, incident

where The Sweet were driven offstage by a bottling (audience throwing bottles) at the Grand Hall in Kilmarnock, Scotland, the song captures the chaotic energy of a live performance gone awry. It was released as a standalone single in the UK, not appearing on a UK studio album but included on the US and Canadian versions of Desolation Boulevard (1974) and later UK hits compilations.

Style:

A high-energy glam rock anthem with bubblegum pop and hard rock elements, "The Ballroom Blitz" features a stomping drum intro by Mick Tucker, a riff inspired by Bobby Comstock’s 1963 song “Let’s Stomp,” and The Sweet’s signature multi-layered, high-pitched harmonies. Brian Connolly’s lead vocals, backed by Steve Priest, Andy Scott, and Mick Tucker, deliver a theatrical narrative about a wild dancehall scene, with iconic lines like “Are you ready Steve? Uh-huh... Andy? Yeah... Mick? Okay... Alright fellas... Let's goooooo!” The track blends catchy pop hooks with a raw, frenetic edge, described as “glam punk” on Rate Your Music.

Publisher: Chinnichap/Rak Publishing Ltd.

Chart Performance:

Peaked at No. 2 in the UK (September 1973, behind Simon Park Orchestra’s “Eye Level”), No. 1 in Canada, No. 1 in Australia, No. 5 on the US Billboard Hot 100 (June 1975), and charted in multiple countries (e.g., No. 4 in the Netherlands, No. 9 in Germany). It sold over 500,000 copies in the UK, earning a Silver certification.

Cultural Impact:

A defining glam rock classic, “Ballroom Blitz” is celebrated for its infectious energy and theatricality. Its influence spans punk (covered by The Damned in 1979, with Lemmy on bass), metal, and pop, with covers by Krokus (1984), Tia Carrere in Wayne’s World (1992), and others. Its use in films (Wayne’s World, Death Proof) and its enduring radio play cement its status as an “unverwüstlicher Evergreen” (indestructible classic), per hitparade.ch reviews.

B-Side:

"Rock & Roll Disgrace" (3:50)

Origin: Written by The Sweet (Brian Connolly, Steve Priest, Andy Scott, Mick Tucker), recorded in 1973, and produced by Phil Wainman. A band-penned track, it was exclusive to the B-side and later included on some international compilations but not on UK studio albums.

Publisher: Sweet Publishing Ltd./Essex International.

Release Details

Label: RCA Victor

Catalogue Number: RCA 2403

Barcode: Not applicable (1973 release, pre-barcode era).

Release Date: September 14, 1973

Format: 7" vinyl, 45 RPM, stereo, manufactured in the UK by RCA Ltd. Some pressings have a knock-out (push-out) center.

Matrix/Runout (Per Discogs):Side A: RCA 2403 A-1 S

Side B: RCA 2403 B-1 S

Production:

Produced by Phil Wainman for New Dawn Productions Ltd. ℗ 1973 RCA Ltd.

Packaging:

Issued in a generic RCA die-cut paper sleeve in the UK, with an orange RCA label featuring the catalog number and track details.

International pressings (e.g., Germany: 74-16349, France: 41.127, Australia: 102371, Japan: SS-2333, Italy: RCA 2403) often include picture sleeves with band photos,

A rare UK mispress plays a Perry Como single on the B-side (RCA 2402 B-1 matrix), valued at £20–£50.

Related Releases:

Follows The Sweet’s 1973 singles “Block Buster!” (No. 1 UK, RCA 2295) and “Hell Raiser” (No. 2 UK, RCA 2357).

Precedes “Teenage Rampage” (No. 2 UK, January 1974, RCA 2394).

US/Canada single paired “Ballroom Blitz” with “Restless” (Capitol 4055, 1975).

Historical and Cultural Context

The Sweet in 1973:

Background: Formed in Harefield,

Greater London, in 1968, The Sweet (initially Sweetshop) comprised Brian Connolly (vocals), Steve Priest (bass, vocals), Andy Scott (guitar, vocals), and Mick Tucker (drums). Signed to RCA Victor in 1971, they were guided by songwriters Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, who crafted their early hits. Their blend of bubblegum pop and hard rock made them glam rock pioneers alongside Slade and T. Rex. By 1973, they had eight UK Top 10 singles, including “Little Willy” (No. 4, 1972) and “Block Buster!” (No. 1, 1973).

Peak Success: 1973 was a high point, with “Block Buster!” (No. 1), “Hell Raiser” (No. 2), and “The Ballroom Blitz” (No. 2) cementing their UK dominance. Their US breakthrough came later, with “Ballroom Blitz” hitting No. 5 in 1975. The band’s flamboyant image—platform boots, glitter, and androgynous style—aligned with glam rock’s theatricality, though their heavier sound presaged 1980s pop-metal.

Context of the Single: “The Ballroom Blitz” was released during The Sweet’s peak, following their shift toward harder rock on albums like Sweet Fanny Adams (1974). The Kilmarnock bottling incident inspired its chaotic narrative, and its Top of the Pops performance (with Connolly’s campy delivery and the band’s glittery outfits) fueled its popularity. The B-side, written by the band, reflects their push for creative control against Chinnichap’s formula.

The Sweet’s Broader Legacy:

Influence: The Sweet’s fusion of pop hooks and hard rock influenced punk (The Damned’s 1979 cover), metal (Def Leppard), and pop-metal (Bon Jovi). “Ballroom Blitz” is a cultural touchstone, featured in Wayne’s World (1992) and covered by artists like Krokus and Tia Carrere. Their 1978 hit “Love Is Like Oxygen” (No. 9 UK) showed their versatility.

Later Years:

The Sweet parted ways in 1978 after Connolly’s departure, with internal tensions and alcohol issues cited. Andy Scott and Steve Priest led separate versions of the band (Andy Scott’s Sweet, Steve Priest’s Sweet) into the 2000s. Connolly died in 1997, Priest in 2020, and Tucker in 2002. Scott continues performing as The Sweet.

Recognition: The Sweet are celebrated as glam rock pioneers, with “Ballroom Blitz” ranked among the era’s defining tracks by Rolling Stone and The Guardian. Their eight UK Top 10 singles and US hits underscore their transatlantic impact.

RCA Victor and Glam Rock:

RCA Victor signed The Sweet in 1971, releasing their hits through 1976. “Ballroom Blitz” reflects the label’s investment in glam rock, alongside acts like David Bowie, competing with Polydor’s Slade and T. Rex.

Comparison to Other Sweet Releases

Contemporary Singles (1973):“Block Buster!” (RCA 2295, January 1973): No. 1 UK, with a siren riff and Chinnichap’s pop flair.

“Hell Raiser” (RCA 2357, April 1973): No. 2 UK, another high-energy Chinnichap hit.

“Teenage Rampage” (RCA 2394, January 1974): No. 2 UK, continuing their glam rock streak.

Albums:

Funny How Sweet Co-Co Can Be (RCA, 1971): Their debut, with bubblegum hits like “Co-Co” (No. 2).

Sweet Fanny Adams (RCA, April 1974): Showcased band-written tracks like “Set Me Free.”

Desolation Boulevard (RCA, November 1974): Included “Ballroom Blitz” in US/Canada, with “Fox on the Run” (No. 2 UK, 1975).

Related Release: The 1975 US single “Ballroom Blitz” / “Restless” (Capitol 4055) reflects the song’s delayed US success.

Cultural Significance:

The song’s chaotic energy, theatrical intro, and glam aesthetics make it a defining track of the 1970s. Its enduring popularity in media and covers underscores its legacy as a glam rock anthem.

Sources

Discogs: The Sweet – The Ballroom Blitz / Rock & Roll Disgrace (1973, Vinyl)

45cat: The Sweet – The Ballroom Blitz / Rock & Roll Disgrace – RCA Victor – UK –

Rate Your Music: The Ballroom Blitz / Rock & Roll Disgrace

Wikipedia: The Ballroom Blitz

Hitparade.ch: The Sweet – The Ballroom Blitz

eBay UK: The Sweet – The Ballroom Blitz

PicClick: 7" SWEET THE Ballroom Blitz / Rock & Roll Disgrace Made In Italy 1973

Wax Vinyl Records: The Sweet – The Ballroom Blitz – RCA 2403

JazzRockSoul.com: Sweet

Conclusion

The Sweet’s "The Ballroom Blitz" / "Rock & Roll Disgrace" (RCA 2403, 14 Sep 1973) is a glam rock masterpiece, with its No. 2 UK and No. 5 US chart success and iconic drum intro making it a cultural touchstone. The B-side’s raw energy complements the A-side’s polished chaos, reflecting The Sweet’s dual pop-rock identity.

The single was also released in the following countries.

Angola - Plum - 1973

Australia - RCA Victor - 1973