⭐ Funny Funny – Single: Jan. 1971
- Sweet
- Jan 29, 1971
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 13
b/w You’re Not Wrong
7" Single — RCA Victor, RCA 2045
Released: January 29, 1971 (UK)
The Sweet’s first true breakthrough — bubblegum pop before the glam explosion.
🔘 Overview
Released on January 29, 1971, “Funny Funny” marked the beginning of The Sweet’s ascent into the UK pop mainstream. Issued as the lead single from their debut album Funny How Sweet Co‑Co Can Be, the track introduced the polished Chinn‑Chapman songwriting formula that would soon define the band’s early ’70s output. Produced by Phil Wainman, the single blended bright harmonies, handclaps, and bubblegum‑pop sheen — a stark contrast to the heavier glam‑rock identity the band would adopt just a year later.
The single entered the UK charts on March 13, 1971, and remained for 14 weeks, peaking at No. 13 — The Sweet’s first significant chart success. Its momentum helped establish the group as a rising force in British pop, paving the way for their glam‑era dominance with hits like “Block Buster!”, “Wig‑Wam Bam,” and “Ballroom Blitz.”
🔘 Track List
A‑side:
• Funny Funny
Composed by: Nicky Chinn, Mike Chapman
Produced by: Phil Wainman
B‑side:
• You’re Not Wrong
Composed by: The Sweet
Produced by: Phil Wainman
🔘 Variants
UK Variants (RCA Victor RCA 2051 — 1971)
• 7", 45 RPM, Single — Standard issue
• 7", 45 RPM, Promo — White label
• 7", 45 RPM, Knock‑Out Centre
• 7", 45 RPM, Solid Centre
Worldwide Variants (Alphabetical)
• Angola — 1971 — RCA 20.030
• Argentina — 1971 — RCA Victor 31A‑1857
• Australia — 1971 — RCA‑2051
• Chile — 1971 — RCA Victor 31A‑1857
• France — 1971 — RCA Victor 49.743 (Mono)
• Germany — 1971 — RCA Victor 47‑15 198 (Single)
• Germany — 1971 — RCA Victor 47‑15 198 (Promo)
• Germany — 1972 — RCA Victor 47‑15 198
• Germany — 1975 — RCA Victor 74‑16 136 (Repress)
• Germany — 1977 — RCA 26.11008 (Reissue)
• Greece — 1972 — RCA Victor LC‑16277
• India — 1971 — RCA Victor IRCA.2051
• Israel — 1972 — RCA Victor 2164
• Italy — 1972 — RCA Victor RCA 2051 (Stereo)
• Japan — 1971 — RCA SS‑2096 M (Single)
• Japan — 1971 — RCA SS‑2096 M (Promo)
• Kenya — 1971 — RCA Victor RKA 40566
• Madagascar — 1971 — RCA Victor 42.236
• Mexico — 1972 — RCA 76‑3566 (Promo, White Label)
• Netherlands — 1972 — RCA Victor 74‑16136 (Stereo)
• New Zealand — 1971 — RCA Victor 60539 (Mono)
• Peru — 1972 — RCA Victor 85‑1364
• Portugal — 1971 — RCA Victor 20 030 (Mono)
• Spain — 1971 — RCA Victor 3‑10588 (Single)
• Spain — 1971 — RCA Victor 3‑10588 (Promo)
• Turkey — 1971 — RCA Victor 71929
• Venezuela — 1972 — RCA Victor 45‑313
• Yugoslavia — 1972 — Jugoton SRCA‑88537 / RCA Victor SRCA‑88537
🔘 Chart Performance
UK — Official Singles Chart
• Peak: No. 13
• Weeks on chart: 14
• Chart run:
38 → 33 → 30 → 28 → 20 → 15 → 14 → 14 → 13 → 13 → 21 → 37 → 43 → 48
• Charted: March 13 – June 12, 1971
🔘 Context & Notes
• Written by Chinn & Chapman, the songwriting duo who would define Sweet’s early sound.
• Produced by Phil Wainman, whose polished pop production shaped the band’s pre‑glam era.
• Recorded during the transitional period before Sweet adopted their heavier glam‑rock identity.
• “Funny Funny” was the band’s first major UK hit, establishing their commercial viability.
• The B‑side, “You’re Not Wrong,” is one of the earliest examples of Sweet’s self‑penned material.
• The single’s success helped secure the band’s momentum leading into their glam breakthrough in 1972.
🔘 Visual Archive
A 1971 UK RCA Victor orange label 7" single featuring “Funny Funny” by The Sweet. The label includes the RCA 2051 catalogue number, production credits for Phil Wainman, and the Chinn‑Chapman songwriting credit. The design uses RCA’s signature orange colour with white and black text.
The Sweet — “Funny Funny” (1971), UK RCA Victor 2051.
🔘 Related Material
• Co‑Co (1971)
• Funny How Sweet Co‑Co Can Be (1971)
• Chinn‑Chapman Singles Series (1971–1974)
• Early Glam‑Era Singles (1972–1973)
🔘 Discography
• Funny Funny (Single, 1971)
• You’re Not Wrong (B‑side, 1971)
• Funny How Sweet Co‑Co Can Be (Album, 1971)
🔘 Mini‑Timeline
• January 1971 — Recording & production
• January 29, 1971 — UK release
• March 13, 1971 — Enters UK charts
• May 1971 — Peaks at No. 13
• June 12, 1971 — Ends 14‑week chart run
• 1971–1972 — International releases issued
🔘 Glam Flashback
Before the glitter, before the stacked heels, before the thunderous riffs — Sweet’s first spark came wrapped in bubblegum perfection. “Funny Funny” is the sound of a band on the brink of transformation.
🔘 Closing Notes
“Funny Funny” stands as the first major milestone in Sweet’s chart history, capturing the moment their ascent truly began. It remains a cornerstone of their early catalogue and a key chapter in the evolution of British glam‑pop.
🔘 Sources & Copyright
Information drawn from personal research and supplemented by Discogs, 45cat, AllMusic, Rate Your Music, Wikipedia, and the Official Charts Company.
All label images and artwork remain the property of their respective copyright holders.
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