That Driving Riff: The Anthem of a Band Fighting for Their Own Voice
A blistering hard-rock anthem of defiance against the music industry and media critics.
For those of us who came of age with a transistor radio glued to our ear, few bands evoke the sheer, unapologetic energy of the 1970s Glam Rock era quite like Sweet. They were the architects of a sound that was at once brilliantly pop-accessible and ferociously hard-rocking. Yet, beneath the glitter and the chart hits written by the famed Chinnichap songwriting duo, lay a simmering desire for creative control. That desire finally erupted in 1975 with the self-written and self-produced thunderbolt, “Action.”
The release of “Action” in July 1975 marked a definitive turning point for the band—vocalist Brian Connolly, bassist Steve Priest, drummer Mick Tucker, and guitarist Andy Scott. After years of pop-oriented hits like “Ballroom Blitz” and “Fox on the Run,” this single was the sound of Sweet breaking the chains. It was a clear declaration of their identity as a true hard rock band, a transition they had been struggling for.
Crucially, “Action” was a solid worldwide hit, proving their self-sufficiency. In their native UK, the single peaked at Number 15 on the Official Singles Chart, a respectable, if perhaps lower, position than their earlier bubblegum anthems, but it resonated deeply in other territories, hitting a fantastic Number 4 in Australia and peaking at Number 20 in the United States. This transatlantic success cemented the song’s status as a classic rock staple, far outliving its initial chart run. Though it wasn’t tied to a standard studio album upon release, it was featured prominently on their 1975 compilation album, Strung Up, and later on the 1976 hard rock album, Give Us a Wink.
The Story Behind the Riff
The core meaning of “Action” is a candid, almost vitriolic clap-back to the music press and the constant demands of the music industry machine. The members of Sweet were tired of being pigeonholed as a light, manufactured ‘teenybopper’ band, an image largely due to their early collaboration with Chinn and Chapman.
The lyrics, penned by all four original members, directly address the scrutiny and negative treatment they felt they received. Lines like “I’m looking for Action and it’s a gas / Looking for a piece of the action to kiss my arse” perfectly capture this rebellious spirit. Indeed, one of the song’s most notorious details is a masked, backwards vocal buried in the mix, rumored to be the phrase: “You kiss my arse,” a literal and cheeky insult directed at their critics. The frustration in the track is palpable—it’s the voice of an incredibly talented rock band screaming that they were more than just glitzy clothes and catchy choruses.
A Timeless Hard Rock Statement
The song itself is an undeniable masterpiece of hard rock production. It was recorded at Ian Gillan’s Kingsway Studios in London, and the band’s decision to self-produce gave them the muscular, raw sound they craved. Andy Scott’s guitar riff is iconic—tight, punchy, and instantly recognizable—while Mick Tucker’s drumming is powerful and propulsive. Brian Connolly delivers a vocal performance that is pure swagger and defiance, backed by the distinctive, layered harmonies of Priest and Scott.
“Action” is more than just a song; it’s a moment frozen in time when a band took charge of its own destiny. When we hear that driving riff and Connolly‘s cry for “Action,” it transports us back to a time of loud guitars, shimmering outfits, and the beautiful chaos of 1970s rock radio. It’s a nostalgic reminder of the raw power and ambition that lay behind the Glam Rock facade, a power that inspired future generations of hard rock and heavy metal bands, notably acknowledged by Def Leppard, who covered the song decades later. It’s the sound of Sweet finally being loud, proud, and completely themselves. A true classic.