Blockbuster by Sweet

Album: Greatest Hits (1973)

Charted: 1 73

License This Song

lyrics

Songfacts®:

In December 1973, David Bowie's "The Jean Genie" peaked at #2 in the UK charts. The following month, this song went one better going all the way to #1. Both songs used the same Yardbirds riff from Bo Diddley's "I'm A Man."

Guitarist Andy Scott recalled to Uncut the band's panicked reaction after an A&R man played them "Jean Genie." "We sat there with horrified looks on our faces. The guy asked what was wrong, and we said 'That's the same f---ing guitar riff as Blockbuster" He said, 'Well, it's quite similar isn't it?' 'It's the f---ing same!'

I got on the blower to Nicky Chinn and said, 'We can't release this.' He said, 'Don't worry, they're completely different kinds of records and I predict this will be a number one.' I thought, 'Good luck with that.' But he was proved right. A few weeks later, we were at number one and Bowie was at number two."
This proved to be The Sweet's only British #1, and it stayed at the top for five weeks. Their next three releases stalled at #2: "Hell Raiser," "Ballroom Blitz" and "Teenage Rampage."
This song featured an air-raid siren over a decade before one was used on Frankie Goes To Hollywood's "Two Tribes."
This was used in the 2000 film Gangster #1.
The team of Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn wrote this song. Chinn said in 1000 UK #1 Hits by Jon Kutner and Spencer Leigh, "Every part of a song is important and how you get into it is especially important. You have to catch the public's attention the second that the record comes on. Look at Blockbuster with its siren. You catch the attention immediately."

Comments: 10

Erwin Rommel from SheffieldIt isn't an Air Raid siren on the record, but a motor driven siren as used to be used on US emergency vehicles including police cars (& still is on some US fire trucks) as well as a small number of UK fire engines and ambulances prior to standardisation on the two tone air horn. A similar fire engine motor driven siren is also used on the start of The Move's song Fire Brigade alongside a traditional bell (Inspired no doubt by the Move being from Birmingham, who at the time still had bells and motor driven sirens on their fire engines, so the sound effect would be local to them)
Susan Christina Armit from Livingston ScotlandI've read it was a bout a sex pest. but it can't be about Ted Bundy as some keep saying, Bundy didn't become infamous here and America until 1978, he never really became known all over hear until after his execution in 1989, BlockBuster was released in 1973.
Johnny B from DurhamBlockbuster did reach number one in the UK and was top from the last week in January 1973 until the end of February - 5 weeks Guinness book of hot singles
Grimtraveller {lower Case 'g' !} from North West LondonDavid from England said:
"The lyrics to Blockbuster are about the mass-murderer, Ted Bundy - "You'd better watch out if you've got long black hair" Making light of such dark subject matter is so typical of the 1970s, and I wonder just how many parents would've bought this song for their children, having known what the lyrics actually referred to"

It's not about Ted Bundy. It came out at the start of 1973 and Bundy didn't begin his spree until 1974.
It was the first single I ever owned ! I was 9.
Jer from BcTed Bundy wasn't arrested until 1975 and this tune came out in 73', David.
J from Altanta'Thought this a cautionary observation of jealousy in the band leading to assault on Brian Connolly. A roadie admitted knowing who did it though wouldn't tell.
Colin Brown from Sutton Surrey Ballroom blitz was their best one and I was upset when despite entering at number two it failed to make number one.
David from EnglandThe lyrics to Blockbuster are about the mass-murderer, Ted Bundy - "You'd better watch out if you've got long black hair" Making light of such dark subject matter is so typical of the 1970s, and I wonder just how many parents woyld've bought this song for their children, having known what the lyrics actually referred to.
Zabadak from London, EnglandThere is a mistake in 1000 UK #1 Hits by Jon Kutner and Spencer Leigh where they say the producer of this song is Phil Wainwright, as opposed to Wainman! Oops!
Mark from London, England"Ballroom Blitz" entered the chart at #2 yet still failed to reach #1. This was only the second UK chart hit to do this, after The Beatles' "Let It Be".

see more comments

More Songfacts:

Slow HandThe Pointer Sisters

"Slow Hand" was a #1 Country hit for Conway Twitty in 1982, a year after The Pointer Sisters recorded it.

The OneMemphis Bleek

Rapper Memphis Bleek's 2005 album track "The One" is notable for featuring a then-unknown Rihanna on the hook. It was the Barbadian singer's first-ever major-label appearance.

Here Comes Your ManPixies

"Here Comes Your Man" is the closest the Pixies came to a hit in America. It was rumored to be about a drug dealer, but Black Francis says it's just a story about some hobos who travel by train and die in an earthquake.

VoodooGodsmack

The line, "I feel the snakebite enter my veins," led many to believe the Godsmack song "Voodoo" is about drugs, but it's really about Wiccan ritual, inspired in part by the Wes Craven movie The Serpent and the Rainbow.

Strawberry Letter 23The Brothers Johnson

"Strawberry Letter 23" by The Brothers Johnson was written by Shuggie Otis, whose girlfriend would send him letters written on strawberry-scented paper.

VogueMadonna

Every film star mentioned in Madonna's "Vogue" has since died. The last was Lauren Bacall, who passed away in 2014.