Ballroom Blitz
Encyclopedia
"The Ballroom Blitz" is a song
written by Nicky Chinn
and Mike Chapman and originally recorded by the English rock band Sweet
(then known as The Sweet).
The song was released as a single
in 1973, where it reached #1 in Australia
and entered at #2 in the UK singles chart
. In North America, it was a 1975 hit, reaching #1 in Canada
and #5 in the United States
, making it one of the year's biggest chart successes. "The Ballroom Blitz" appeared on the U.S./Canadian version of The Sweet's 1974 album Desolation Boulevard
.
This song was inspired by an incident in 1973 when the band was performing at the Grand Hall in Kilmarnock
, Scotland
and were driven offstage by a barrage of bottles.
and The Damned. In 1984, Swiss heavy metal band Krokus
covered the song for their album The Blitz. In 1989 the song was sampled by the Beastie Boys
for the song "Hey Ladies
" appearing on the album Paul's Boutique
. In 2000 the song was performed in conjunction with the song "Dancing Queen
" (originally by ABBA
) by the group The Black Sweden. A cover of this song is featured on the main set list for the game Rock Band
, while the Krokus cover was listed for the game Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s
. The songs "The Pit" by The Dead Milkmen and "Armageddon Days Are Here (Again)" by The The
mimic the "soundoff" introduction to the song in deadpan voices.
Other artists who have covered the song include:
in the film Wayne's World
. Carrere's cover was released on the Wayne's World soundtrack album
.
In 2010, the song was used in the Czech
film Občanský průkaz
.
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
written by Nicky Chinn
Nicky Chinn
Nicky Chinn born Nicholas Barry Chinn, 16 May 1945, London, UK) is a British songwriter and record producer. Together with Mike Chapman he had a long string of hit singles in the UK and US in the 1970s and early 1980s, including several number-one records...
and Mike Chapman and originally recorded by the English rock band Sweet
Sweet (band)
Sweet was a British rock band that rose to worldwide fame in the 1970s as one of the most prominent glam rock acts, with the classic line-up of lead vocalist Brian Connolly, bass player Steve Priest, guitarist Andy Scott, and drummer Mick Tucker.Sweet was formed in 1968 and achieved their first...
(then known as The Sweet).
The song was released as a single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
in 1973, where it reached #1 in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and entered at #2 in the UK singles chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. In North America, it was a 1975 hit, reaching #1 in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and #5 in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, making it one of the year's biggest chart successes. "The Ballroom Blitz" appeared on the U.S./Canadian version of The Sweet's 1974 album Desolation Boulevard
Desolation Boulevard
Desolation Boulevard, released in 1974, is the second album by Sweet that year. It contains an original variant of one of the band's best known songs, "Fox on the Run"....
.
This song was inspired by an incident in 1973 when the band was performing at the Grand Hall in Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock is a large burgh in East Ayrshire, Scotland, with a population of 44,734. It is the second largest town in Ayrshire. The River Irvine runs through its eastern section, and the Kilmarnock Water passes through it, giving rise to the name 'Bank Street'...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
and were driven offstage by a barrage of bottles.
Personnel
- Brian ConnollyBrian ConnollyBrian Francis Connolly was a Scottish musician, best known as the lead singer of the British rock band, Sweet.-Early life:...
– vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Steve PriestSteve PriestSteve Priest is a founding member and bass player/backing vocalist of the glam rock band Sweet.-Biography:...
– bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, vocals - Andy ScottAndy Scott (guitarist)Andy Scott is a British musician and songwriter. He is best known for being the lead guitarist and a vocalist in the band Sweet.-Early years:Scott started out playing bass guitar...
– guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, backing vocals - Mick TuckerMick TuckerMichael Thomas "Mick" Tucker was the drummer and backing vocalist of the English glam rock band, Sweet.-Bands:...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, vocals
Cover versions
This song has been covered by many bands. The first known cover of "The Ballroom Blitz" was by The Les Humphries Singers in 1975. In 1979 the song was covered by two bands, The RezillosThe Rezillos
The Rezillos are a punk/new wave band, who formed in Edinburgh in 1976 and still play gigs around the world in a re-formed line-up. Although frequently aligned with the punk movement, the Rezillos' irreverent glam rock image and affection for campy girl-group iconography, set them distinctly apart...
and The Damned. In 1984, Swiss heavy metal band Krokus
Krokus (band)
Krokus is a hard rock/heavy metal band from Switzerland. They enjoyed moderate success in North America during the 1980s.Krokus was founded in Solothurn in 1974 by bassist Chris von Rohr and guitarist Tommy Kiefer...
covered the song for their album The Blitz. In 1989 the song was sampled by the Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys are an American hip hop trio from New York City. The group consists of Mike D who plays the drums, MCA who plays the bass, and Ad-Rock who plays the guitar....
for the song "Hey Ladies
Hey Ladies
"Hey Ladies" is a song by American hip hop group the Beastie Boys, featured on their album Paul's Boutique. It was the album's only charting single, hitting #36 on the Billboard Hot 100...
" appearing on the album Paul's Boutique
Paul's Boutique
Paul's Boutique is the second studio album by American hip hop group Beastie Boys, released on July 25, 1989, on Capitol Records. Featuring production by the Dust Brothers, the recording sessions for the album took place in Matt Dike's Apartment and the Record Plant in Los Angeles from 1988 to...
. In 2000 the song was performed in conjunction with the song "Dancing Queen
Dancing Queen
"Dancing Queen" is a pop song recorded by Swedish pop group ABBA. It was released in August 1976, but was first performed two months earlier, on 18 June 1976, during a Royal Variety Show in Stockholm the evening before the Swedish royal wedding. It was the follow-up single to the hit "Fernando"...
" (originally by ABBA
ABBA
ABBA was a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1970 which consisted of Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Agnetha Fältskog...
) by the group The Black Sweden. A cover of this song is featured on the main set list for the game Rock Band
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
, while the Krokus cover was listed for the game Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s
Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s
Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s is a music video game and the third installment in the popular Guitar Hero series...
. The songs "The Pit" by The Dead Milkmen and "Armageddon Days Are Here (Again)" by The The
The The
The The are an English musical and multimedia group that have been active in various forms since 1979, with singer/songwriter Matt Johnson being the only constant band member.-Early years :...
mimic the "soundoff" introduction to the song in deadpan voices.
Other artists who have covered the song include:
- The ArkThe Ark (band)The Ark was a Swedish glam rock band formed in 1991 by Jepsson Mikael , and Lasse Ljungberg, when Ola Salo and Leari were only fourteen years old. Martin Axén officially joined the band in 1997, and Sylvester Schlegel in 1999. In late 2005, Jens Andersson joined The Ark as an official member...
(live) - Agent OrangeAgent Orange (band)Agent Orange is an American punk rock band formed in Orange County, California in 1979. The band is one of the first to mix punk rock with surf music. They first gained attention with their song "Bloodstains" which they released on their own 7" E.P. An early demo of the song was presented to...
(live) - BatmobileBatmobile (band)Batmobile is a Dutch psychobilly band from Rotterdam and Breda that had its start in 1983. They are one of the best selling acts in psychobilly and they are the only psychobilly band that is still active in their original line up.-Band members:...
(live) - BuzzcocksBuzzcocksBuzzcocks are an English punk rock band formed in Bolton in 1976, led by singer–songwriter–guitarist Pete Shelley.They are regarded as an important influence on the Manchester music scene, the independent record label movement, punk rock, power pop, pop punk and indie rock. They achieved commercial...
(live) - D.I. on Rat Music For Rat People Vol. III (1987)
- Calibretto 13Calibretto 13Calibretto 13 was an acoustic punk band from Kokomo, Indiana, United States. The acoustic punk style of the band and the peculiar vocal style of singer Joe Whiteford gives the band their signature sound. Another signature mark of the band is themes in their lyrics, which often are about B-movies...
on Enter the Danger BrigadeEnter the Danger BrigadeEnter the Danger Brigade is the debut album from Indiana Christian rock band Calibretto 13. All songs on the album were written by Calibretto 13, except for "The Ballroom Blitz" which is a cover of the song by Sweet.-Track listing:# "High 5"...
(2000) - The Damned b-side of the single "Just Can't Be Happy Today" from Machine Gun EtiquetteMachine Gun EtiquetteMachine Gun Etiquette is the third album by the British punk band The Damned, released in November 1979. The album was the group's first since reforming with Dave Vanian on vocals, Captain Sensible on lead guitar, Rat Scabies on drums and Algy Ward on bass...
(1979) (Lemmy of Motorhead on bass.) - Les WampasLes WampasLes Wampas are a French punk rock/psychobilly band, who refer more exactly to their music as "Yé-yé-punk". The band was formed in Paris in 1983.-Les Wampas vous aiment:...
(in French) on Tutti Frutti (1986) - KrokusKrokus (band)Krokus is a hard rock/heavy metal band from Switzerland. They enjoyed moderate success in North America during the 1980s.Krokus was founded in Solothurn in 1974 by bassist Chris von Rohr and guitarist Tommy Kiefer...
on The Blitz (1984) - ModerattoModerattoModeratto is a Mexican band active since the late-1990s.-Beginning:Moderatto began playing in the mid nineties in Mexico City, as a parody of the glamorous style of many 1980s bands like Poison and Mötley Crüe. Originally started as a side project for the members' original bands, they eventually...
(in Spanish as "Reventón") on Detector de Metal (2004) - Material IssueMaterial IssueMaterial Issue was a 1980-1990s power pop trio from Chicago. The band's trademark was pop songs with themes of love and heartbreak, where a number of song titles using girls' first names.-History:...
(live) - Nina HagenNina HagenNina Hagen is a German singer and actress.-Early years:Hagen was born as Catharina Hagen in the former East Berlin, East Germany, the daughter of Hans Hagen , a scriptwriter, and Eva-Maria Hagen, an actress and singer...
(live) - Nuclear AssaultNuclear AssaultNuclear Assault is an American thrash metal/crossover thrash band formed in 1984.-History:After the release of Anthrax's debut album Fistful of Metal, bass player Danny Lilker, a founding member of the group, was fired by the band...
on Out of Order (1991) - The RezillosThe RezillosThe Rezillos are a punk/new wave band, who formed in Edinburgh in 1976 and still play gigs around the world in a re-formed line-up. Although frequently aligned with the punk movement, the Rezillos' irreverent glam rock image and affection for campy girl-group iconography, set them distinctly apart...
on Mission Accomplished...But the Beat Goes On (1979) - Surf PunksSurf PunksThe Surf Punks were a pop punk band formed in 1976 by Malibu residents Dennis Dragon , and Drew Steele...
on Oh No, Not Them Again (1988) - TestifyTestify (band)German band Testify began in 1993 as an industrial metal side-project to the EBM band The Fair Sex, featuring founding members Rascal Nikov and Myk Jung. During the second half of the nineties, Testify became Myk and Rascal's main act, but it took a back seat when TFS returned in 2002. They have...
as "Ballroom Blitz 2001" - The OffspringThe OffspringThe Offspring is an American punk rock band from Huntington Beach, California, formed in 1984. Known as Manic Subsidal until 1986, the band consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Dexter Holland, lead guitarist Kevin "Noodles" Wasserman, bassist Greg K. and drummer Pete Parada...
on their 1986 demo tape, with different lyrics - Vanilla NinjaVanilla NinjaVanilla Ninja is a three-piece Estonian girl band which has enjoyed chart success in a number of countries across Europe, especially in Estonia, Germany and Austria....
on Sügishitt 2003 (Estonian Hits Album) (2003) - Tia CarrereTia CarrereTia Carrere is an American actress, model, voice artist, and singer, perhaps most widely known for her role as Cassandra Wong in the feature films Wayne's World and Wayne's World 2, Queen Tyr'ahnee in Duck Dodgers, and as Sydney Fox in the TV series Relic Hunter.-Early life:Carrere was born in...
on the soundtrack to Wayne's WorldWayne's World (soundtrack)Wayne's World is the original soundtrack album by the film of the same title. It was released on February 18, 1992.-Track listing:# "Bohemian Rhapsody" - Queen# "Hot and Bothered" - Cinderella# "Rock Candy" - BulletBoys# "Dream Weaver" - Gary Wright...
(1992) - KickStartKickStartKickStart Kids is a charity started by Chuck Norris. The Charity was formerly known as "Kick Drugs out of America".Kickstart Kids is a middle school program that keeps at risk children away from drugs and gangs by offering mentoring, positive role models, physical exercise and mental discipline...
(live) - Recycled PercussionRecycled PercussionRecycled Percussion is a Manchester, New Hampshire-based band. The group was originally formed in Goffstown, New Hampshire. Formed in 1994 in New Hampshire at their High School talent show, Recycled Percussion’s first performance gave birth to the style of music now known as JUNK ROCK...
(live on America's Got TalentAmerica's Got TalentAmerica's Got Talent is an American reality television series on the NBC television network, and part of the global British Got Talent franchise. It is a talent show that features singers, dancers, magicians, comedians, and other performers of all ages competing for the advertised top prize of...
) - The PeacocksThe Peacocks (band)The Peacocks are a Swiss psychobilly, cow punk and rock & roll band from Winterthur founded in 1990. Their signature look comprises black 1950s-style suits and pompadour hairstyles.-History:...
Punkabilly version - The ProtomenThe ProtomenThe Protomen is an American rock band best known for composing original concept albums loosely based on the popular video game series Mega Man...
(live)
Appearances
In 1992, the song was covered by Tia CarrereTia Carrere
Tia Carrere is an American actress, model, voice artist, and singer, perhaps most widely known for her role as Cassandra Wong in the feature films Wayne's World and Wayne's World 2, Queen Tyr'ahnee in Duck Dodgers, and as Sydney Fox in the TV series Relic Hunter.-Early life:Carrere was born in...
in the film Wayne's World
Wayne's World (film)
Wayne's World is a 1992 American comedy film directed by Penelope Spheeris and starring Mike Myers in his film debut as Wayne Campbell and Dana Carvey as Garth Algar, hosts of the Aurora, Illinois-based Public-access television cable TV show Wayne's World...
. Carrere's cover was released on the Wayne's World soundtrack album
Wayne's World (soundtrack)
Wayne's World is the original soundtrack album by the film of the same title. It was released on February 18, 1992.-Track listing:# "Bohemian Rhapsody" - Queen# "Hot and Bothered" - Cinderella# "Rock Candy" - BulletBoys# "Dream Weaver" - Gary Wright...
.
In 2010, the song was used in the Czech
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
film Občanský průkaz
Občanský průkaz (film)
Občanský průkaz is a 2010 Czech comedy film by Ondřej Trojan based on a story by Petr Šabach. The film premiered on 21 October 2010.The story, which takes place in Prague in the years 1973–77, tells about a group of fellow students: Peter, Cinderella, Ales and Mita...
.