Action

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning "Action" by The Sweet from their 1975 album Strung Up, and the Zoo Freaks are loving it! This track is a glam rock anthem packed with attitude, and it’s got some wild trivia behind it. The song’s lyrics were a rebellious jab at the music industry and the press, who often dismissed The Sweet as mere pop stars. According to Wikipedia, the band slipped in a cheeky masked backwards vocal that says, "You kiss my arse," as a sly middle finger to their critics. Lead singer Brian Connolly once called the song’s first verse a "blatant rip-off" of the hard rock section in Queen’s "Bohemian Rhapsody," which came out just four months later, sparking some playful rivalry chatter. The track was a hit, climbing to No. 15 in the UK and cracking the Top 40 in the US, and it’s been covered by bands like Def Leppard, whose 1993 version earned high praise from Sweet’s guitarist Andy Scott, with Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott quoting Scott saying it was “the best cover of a Sweet song he’d ever heard.”

Another cool tidbit comes from the song’s recording process. "Action" was laid down at Ian Gillan’s Kingsway Studios in London, and the band cut multiple versions, with slight tweaks appearing on both Strung Up and Give Us a Wink. The song also got a nod in pop culture when it was featured in Formula One’s video for the 2009 Monaco Grand Prix, giving it a modern spin for racing fans. Fans on The Sweet’s official Facebook often share stories of how "Action" was their gateway to the band’s heavier sound, moving beyond their bubblegum pop roots. The track’s raw energy and defiant vibe make it a staple for Zoo Freaks who crave that classic glam rock swagger.

The Sweet started in the late 1960s in London as Sweetshop, a band formed by vocalist Brian Connolly and drummer Mick Tucker. According to their bio on The Ultimate Sweet Fan Site, they were gigging around local pubs, blending pop and rock with a knack for catchy hooks. Bassist Steve Priest and guitarist Frank Torpey rounded out the early lineup, though Torpey was soon replaced by Mick Stewart and later Andy Scott, who became a key songwriter. By 1971, they shortened their name to The Sweet and signed with RCA Records, kicking off their rise with the hit "Funny Funny." Their early sound, crafted by songwriters Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, leaned bubblegum pop, but the band’s B-sides, like “Done Me Wrong Alright,” hinted at a harder edge inspired by Deep Purple and Hendrix. This duality—glam visuals with gritty rock—set them apart, and by the mid-’70s, they were writing their own hits like "Action" and "Fox on the Run," cementing their global fame.

The band’s journey wasn’t all glitter and glory. They faced constant battles with the press, who pigeonholed them as teenybopper idols, which fueled the rebellious spirit in songs like "Action." Despite lineup changes and Connolly’s departure in 1979, The Sweet kept rocking, with Andy Scott leading the charge. Today, they still perform, delivering high-energy shows that honor their legacy. You can catch up with them on their official website, follow their updates on Facebook, check out their visuals on Instagram, and join the conversation on X. Fans also gather at The Ultimate Sweet Fan Site for deep dives into the band’s history, and the Sweet – Glam Rock Legends (Official Fan Group) on Facebook is a lively spot for Zoo Freaks to swap stories and celebrate the band’s enduring spark.