A Sweet Question

[RockyRaccoon]

So I'm not sure how many Sweet fans we have around here. But a long time ago, I bought Sweet's greatest hits.

Recently I acquired their album Desolation Boulevard and I noticed something. The version of the song "Fox On The Run" that is on the album is different from the version I came to know on their Greatest Hits album. Anyone have any idea why?

[edna]

No.

Hey, I love Sweet... I nominated "Funny, Funny"... I don't think it made the Top...

[Yellowsnow]

Here's what I found

Two versions were recorded by Sweet. The original version was produced by Mike Chapman in association with Nicky Chinn on the 1974 album Desolation Boulevard. There was also a more pop-oriented and totally re-recorded version self-produced by the band and released as a 7" single in 1975. The 1975 single version was included on the American release of Desolation Boulevard in 1975.

Complete Wiki Article

Hope that helps Rocky

[RockyRaccoon]

Ahhhh. Well now that makes sense then.

Thanks YS!

[Shawna]

odd... I have both the 45rpm of "Fox on the Run" and the album "Desolation Boulevard," and both versions are identical to my ear.

[RockyRaccoon]

The two I have aren't identical, or even close. So perhaps yours are.

The one I have on "Desolation Boulevard" almost sounded live. And the instrumentation in it was a lot cooler. More guitar and drums.

I never realized how talented Sweet really was.

[Skuff]

Well, there were 2 different versions of "Desolation Boulevard," the UK from 1974 and the US from 1975.The track listings were entirely different. This explains how in the Wikipedia quote they mentioned the album twice; the 1974 one refers to the UK LP.

[Shawna]

The track listings were entirely different.

meaning it had completely different songs on it?

Mine is in a trunk at the moment, but I recall the songs:

The 6-Teens (my favorite on the album)

Solid Gold Brass

Fox On The Run

Sweet F.A.

AC/DC

Ballroom Blitz

and others... although not in that order...

I remember listening to this album ad nauseum when I was about, well, 6-teen. Still love it.

What songs were on the UK version?

I also still have the 45rpm of "Little Willy." Love that one.

[edna]

meaning it had completely different songs on it?

It was very common in the sixties and the seventies.

The UK and US versions were different. Take The Beatles and The Rolling Stones... their first albums never had the same songs. And there was albums (compilations or B-sides) released in some countries and not anothers.

[Carl]

Edna speaks the truth.

It seems when it came to Mickie Most's artists, things could get a little tangled. This is, after all, the guy who thought "I Love Rock and Roll" was a B-side.

For an interesting look inside this machine, check out our talk with Alan Merrill

[Skuff]

meaning it had completely different songs on it?

Sorry for the late reply but here's the track list to both:

UK Version:

"The Six Teens"

"Solid Gold Brass"

"Turn It Down"

"Medussa"

"Lady Starlight"

"The Man With the Golden Arm"

"Fox on the Run"

"Breakdown"

"My Generation"

US Version:

"The Ballroom Blitz"

"The Six Teens"

"No You Don't"

"AC DC"

"I Wanna Be Committed"

"Sweet F.A."

"Fox on the Run (7" version)

"Set Me Free"

"Into the Night"

"Solid Gold Brass"

[Zabadak]

The US version of DB was a compilation of that album, some singles and the previous album, Sweet Fanny Adams.

The rock version of FOTR is from the UK release of DB. The boys didn't have a follow-up to their single, Turn It Down, as they had just split from their writing team, Nicky Chinn & Mike Chapman. They decided to go into the studio and redo FOTR as a pop single - a good choice, it made UK number 2 and became their bigget selling single ever.