The Sweet: Alexander Graham Bell Single (1971)

The Sweets "Alexander Graham Bell" backed with "Spotlight" was released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK by RCA Victor (catalog number  RCA 2121 ) on October 1, 1971.

The single was The Sweet's fourth release and their first for RCA after a brief stint with Parlophone. Produced by Chinn and Chapman at DJM Studios in London, it captured the band in their bubblegum phase—polished pop with a glam sheen, clocking in under three minutes per side for maximum radio punch. The sleeve featured the quartet in mod-ish attire against a stark white background, emphasizing their clean-cut image before the full glitter explosion. It peaked at No. 2 on the UK

Singles Chart (behind T. Rex's "Jeepster"), marking their first major smash and outselling their prior efforts. In the US, it flopped on Bell Records, but it boosted their European profile, with German and French editions promoting it as a "neuausnahme" (new recording). The A-side appeared on their debut album Funny How Sweet Co-Co Can Be (1971), while the B-side remained a single exclusive until compilations like The Sweet Singles Album (1972).

A-Side: "Alexander Graham Bell"

Written by Chinn and Chapman, this jaunty 2:56 rocker humorously chronicles the inventor's life through a telephone lens: "Alexander Graham Bell, he was a mighty swell / He made the telephone and he made it well / Now you can talk to your mama in New York / While you're sittin' in your little old shack in Cork." Connolly's cheeky delivery, backed by Scott's twangy guitar and Tucker's crisp snare, delivers a foot-stomping chorus that's pure ear candy—think early Bay City Rollers with a glam twist. Its novelty appeal and singalong hook propelled it to stardom, though critics later dismissed it as lightweight fluff. A rare promo video from 1971 shows the band lip-syncing on a minimalist set, now viewable on YouTube.

B-Side: "Spotlight"

Credited to the band (with publishing via Sweet Publishing Ltd.), this 2:46 mid-tempo groove (also Chinn/Chapman in disguise) shifts to romantic yearning under fame's glare: "Spotlight, shining on me / Making me see what I could be." Priest and Scott handle harmonies over a bouncy bassline and subtle organ fills, offering a more introspective vibe than the A-side's romp. It's a competent filler—catchy but unremarkable—highlighting the band's growing songwriting chops before their self-penned era. Underrated by fans, it nods to their stage persona, evoking the thrill (and pressure) of the limelight.

This single solidified The Sweet's formula: Chinnichap's hooks plus the band's charisma equaled hits. It bridged their poppy origins to glam dominance, influencing acts like Mud and Slade. For modern ears, stream it on Spotify or grab the 2019 Off the Record box set for rarities. If you're dipping into glam's golden age, this is a sparkling entry point—fun, frivolous, and forever foot-tapping.