Sweets for My Sweet

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"Sweets for My Sweet"
Single by the Drifters
from the album Save the Last Dance for Me
B-side"Loneliness or Happiness"
Released1961 (1961)
LabelAtlantic
Songwriter(s)Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman
The Drifters singles chronology
"Please Stay"
(1961) 		"Sweets for My Sweet"
(1961) 		"Room Full of Tears"
(1961)

"Sweets for My Sweet" is a song written by the songwriting team of Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman,[1] originally recorded by the Drifters.

The Drifters version[]

The group's first single featuring Charlie Thomas on lead vocal, "Sweets for My Sweet" reached No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 10 on the R&B chart, in October 1961.[2] This was one of the few post-1958 Drifters singles that did not feature a string section. The song has a strong piano and bongo- led Cuban-style cha-cha rhythm. It also featured Jimmy Radcliffe and four female backup vocalists, all of whom would later have hit records, Cissy Houston, Doris Troy, Dionne Warwick, and Dee Dee Warwick. The recording also features an up in front piano provided by co-writer, Mort Shuman. Other musicians on the recording included George Barnes and Allan Hanlon on guitar, Abie Baker on bass, Ed Shaughnessy and Gary Chester on drums and Bobby Rosengarden and Ray Kessler on percussion.[3]

The Searchers version[]

"Sweets for My Sweet"
Single by the Searchers
from the album Meet The Searchers
B-side"It's All Been a Dream"
Released1963 (1963)
GenreMerseybeat
Length2:31
LabelPye (7N15533)[4]
Songwriter(s)Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman[4]
Producer(s)Tony Hatch[4]
The Searchers singles chronology
"Sweets for My Sweet"
(1963) 		"Sugar and Spice"
(1963)

In 1963, "Sweets for My Sweet" was released by Merseybeat band the Searchers as their debut single, reaching No. 1 on the UK Single Chart for two weeks that August.[4][5] The Searchers' version was also issued in the US in 1964 but failed to chart.

C. J. Lewis version[]

"Sweets for My Sweet"
C.J. Lewis-Sweets for My Sweet.jpg
Single by C. J. Lewis
from the album Dollars
B-side"Sweets for My Sweet" (ska 7-inch)
ReleasedApril 11, 1994 (1994-04-11)[6]
GenreReggae fusion
Length
  • 4:33 (12-inch)
  • 3:24 (7-inch)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
C. J. Lewis singles chronology
"Sweets for My Sweet"
(1994) 		"Uptight (Everything's Alright)"
(1994)
Music video
"Sweets for My Sweet" on YouTube

British reggae singer C. J. Lewis released his version of "Sweets for My Sweet" as his debut single in 1994. It reached No. 3 in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. The song was produced by Phillip Leo, who also produced Lewis' debut album, Dollars. The female vocals are performed by singer Samantha Depasois.

Critical reception[]

Pan-European magazine Music & Media wrote, "The Searchers 1963 classic is completely reworked in a dead trendy ragga version, which is so cheerful that you can't believe storms and depression ever existed. Nobody will be surpised that it's heavily played on Bay Radio/St. Julian's on holiday island Malta."[7] Alan Jones from Music Week said, "Yes, it is the old Searchers hit, and it sounds surprisingly good too considering it has been dragged uncompromisingly into the Nineties. Now an easy to swallow confection, part reggae, part jackswing, it slips down a treat."[8]

Chart performance[]

In addition to reaching No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart, "Sweets for My Sweet" also had big success in New Zealand, peaking for two weeks at No. 3. After debuting at No. 6, it then spent a further 10 consecutive weeks inside the top 10. After dropping to No.11 the following week, it returned to No. 6. Six weeks later after fluctuating around the top 40, it returned for one final week in the top 10, at No. 10. At the end of 1994, the song was ranked No. 6 on New Zealand's year-end chart. "Sweets for My Sweet" was also a top-ten hit in Austria, Belgium, Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. The track also charted in Australia and Germany.

Music video[]

The accompanying music video for "Sweets for My Sweet" was directed by Jerome Redfarne.[9]

Track listings[]

7-inch vinyl, UK (1994)[10]
No.TitleLength
1."Sweets for My Sweet" (7-inch version) 
2."Sweets for My Sweet" (ska 7-inch) 
CD single, Europe (1994)[11]
No.TitleLength
1."Sweets for My Sweet" (original 7-inch)3:24
2."Sweets for My Sweet" (ska 7-inch)3:47
3."Sweets for My Sweet" (original 12-inch)4:33
CD single, UK (1994)[12]
No.TitleLength
1."Sweets for My Sweet" (original 7-inch)3:24
2."Sweets for My Sweet" (ska 7-inch)3:47
3."Sweets for My Sweet" (original 12-inch)4:33
4."Sweets for My Sweet" (ska straight mix)4:01
5."Sweets for My Sweet" (dub mix 1)4:01
6."Sweets for My Sweet" (original dub)3:23

Charts and certifications[]

Other cover versions[]

  • In 1965, the Buckinghams released it as a single.
  • The McCoys released a version of the song on their 1966 album, You Make Me Feel So Good.[39]
  • "Sweets for My Sweet" was remade in 1966 by Don and the Goodtimes - a sunshine pop band led by Don Galucci formerly of the Kingsmen - and in 1967 by Chicago area garage band, the Riddles.
  • In 1968 Cashman Pistilli & West remade "Sweets for My Sweet" under the name Central Park West.
  • In 1968 Yugoslav rock band Džentlmeni released a Serbo-Croatian version of the song entitled "Slatko" ("Sweet").[40]
  • "Sweets for My Sweet" was a 1969 single for the Sweet Inspirations serving as the title cut for their 1969 album cut at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio with Tom Dowd producing.
  • In the UK, Tina Charles remade "Sweets for My Sweet" in 1977 in tandem with "Love Bug". The track was included on her album Rendezvous and issued as a single reaching No. 26; however the single edit only featured one chorus from "Sweets for My Sweet" at its close.
  • In 1975, the British band Magnum released it as their first single.
  • Frank Alamo helped popularise the yé-yé style of music in France. His hit records included "Biche ô ma Biche" ("Sweets for My Sweet")
  • The only US remake of "Sweets for My Sweet" to reach the Hot 100 or any Billboard chart to date is that by Tony Orlando which reached No. 54 and No. 20 on the Hot Adult Contemporary chart in 1979.[41]
  • In 1986, Europop singer Chriss recorded the song for her album "Sweets for my Sweet."
  • In 1988, Super Cat released his album "Sweets for my Sweet", including his remake of the song.
  • "Sweets for My Sweet" was also recorded by the Carnival, Italo disco singer Chriss and Manolo Muñoz (as "Dulces Para Mi Nena"), and Neil Diamond (on his 1993 "oldies" album Up on the Roof: Songs from the Brill Building.
  • In 1995, Brian Wilson recorded "Sweets for My Sweet" on 'Til The Night Has Gone - A Tribute To Doc Pomus, as part of the Andy Paley sessions.[citation needed]
  • In 2004, German pop group Preluders covered the song for their album Prelude to History.

References[]

  1. ^ "Doc Pomus - Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved June 27, 2007.
  2. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 173.
  3. ^ "IN THE CAN : FEBRUARY 1961". Members.home.nl. Retrieved September 26, 2016.
  4. ^ a b c d Rice, Jo (1982). The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits (1st ed.). Enfield, Middlesex: Guinness Superlatives Ltd. pp. 72–3. ISBN 0-85112-250-7.
  5. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 153. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  6. ^ "Single Releases" (PDF). Music Week. April 9, 1994. p. 24. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  7. ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11 no. 22. May 28, 1994. p. 9. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  8. ^ Jones, Alan (April 2, 1994). "Market Preview: Mainstream – Singles" (PDF). Music Week. p. 12. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  9. ^ "c.j. lewis - sweets for my sweet". YouTube. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
  10. ^ Sweets for My Sweet (UK 7-inch single sleeve). C. J. Lewis. Black Market International, MCA Records. 1994. BMI 017.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ^ Sweets for My Sweet (European CD single liner notes). C. J. Lewis. Black Market International, MCA Records. 1994. MCD 31588.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ^ Sweets for My Sweet (UK CD single liner notes). C. J. Lewis. Black Market International, MCA Records. 1994. BMITD 017.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. ^ "CJ Lewis – Sweets for My Sweet". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  14. ^ "CJ Lewis – Sweets for My Sweet" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  15. ^ "CJ Lewis – Sweets for My Sweet" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  16. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11 no. 21. May 21, 1994. p. 22. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  17. ^ Week 23, 1994.
  18. ^ "CJ Lewis – Sweets for My Sweet" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  19. ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (02.6.–08.6. '94)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). June 2, 1994. p. 20. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  20. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Sweets for My Sweet". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  21. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 26, 1994" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  22. ^ "CJ Lewis – Sweets for My Sweet" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  23. ^ "CJ Lewis – Sweets for My Sweet". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  24. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  25. ^ "CJ Lewis – Sweets for My Sweet". Singles Top 100. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  26. ^ "CJ Lewis – Sweets for My Sweet". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  27. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  28. ^ "Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. April 23, 1994. p. 30. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  29. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1994" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  30. ^ "1994 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11 no. 52. December 24, 1994. p. 12. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  31. ^ "Árslistinn 1994". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). January 2, 1995. p. 25. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  32. ^ "Jaarlijsten 1994" (in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
  33. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1994" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  34. ^ "End of Year Charts 1994". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  35. ^ "Årslista Singlar, 1994" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  36. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1994" (in German). Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  37. ^ "Top 100 Singles 1994". Music Week. January 14, 1995. p. 9.
  38. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – C.J. Lewis – Sweets for My Sweet". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  39. ^ "The McCoys - You Make Me Feel So Good (Vinyl, LP, Album)". Discogs.com. Retrieved September 26, 2016.
  40. ^ Janjatović, Petar (2007). EX YU ROCK enciklopedija 1960–2006. Belgrade: self-released. p. 75.
  41. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001. Record Research. p. 186.
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