WCSX Classic Cuts : Ballroom Blitz

WCSX Classic Cuts

Sweet: "Ballroom Blitz"

The Hook: Their former producer saved the song.

Album: Desolation Boulevard

Year: Released as a British single in 1973, in the U.S. in 1975

Writers: Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman

Stats: Peaked at number-five on the Billboard Hot 100.

Background: Sweet bassist and co-founder Steve Priest recalls "Ballroom Blitz" as a very flawed song when their managers asked them to record it. Fortunately, producer Phil Wainman made some important changes to it.

Sweet bassist and co-founder Steve Priest on "Ballroom Blitz" being a very flawed song until producer Phil Wainman made some important changes. OC: ...Ta-da! Thank you. :27

"'Ballroom Blitz' sounded like a watered down [sings melody], that's what it was. It was... no! And luckily, Phil Wainman, after we'd be sitting in the rehearsal room for about two hours, going, 'Should we go down to the pub?' Trying to sort this one out, Wainman came in, and he went, 'I've got an idea.' And he started going [sings melody]. Sandy Nelson, 'See You in My Drums.' And we went, 'Ta-da!' Thank you!"