🔘 The Ballroom Blitz – Single: Sep. 1973

A high‑voltage glam‑rock classic, “The Ballroom Blitz” captured The Sweet at their most explosive — a thunderous fusion of power‑pop hooks, razor‑sharp riffs, and theatrical swagger that became one of the defining anthems of the glam era.

Released on September 14, 1973, the single arrived as the band’s next major Chinnichap‑penned hit following “Hell Raiser.” Issued by RCA Victor under catalogue number RCA 2403, the track delivered a ferocious, adrenaline‑charged performance inspired by a real‑life stage attack on the band in 1973. Backed with “Rock & Roll Disgrace,” the release showcased both the polished Chinnichap sound and the band’s own harder‑edged writing. Entering the UK Singles Chart in mid‑September, it surged to No. 2 and became one of Sweet’s most iconic hits.

Label: RCA Victor

Catalogue Number: RCA 2403

Format: 7" Vinyl Single (Push‑Out Centre)

Released: September 14, 1973 (UK)

🔘 Track List

UK 7" Single — RCA Victor – RCA 2403 — 1973

A. The Ballroom Blitz

B. Rock & Roll Disgrace

Written by: Nicky Chinn, Mike Chapman (A‑side)

Written by: Scott, Connolly, Tucker, Priest (B‑side)

Produced by: Phil Wainman

Recorded: 1973

🔘 Key Highlights

• Released September 14, 1973

• One of Sweet’s most explosive glam‑rock singles

• B-side: Self‑written rocker “Rock & Roll Disgrace”

• Chart debut: Mid‑September 1973

• Peaked at No. 2 in the UK

• Recorded at: 1973 RCA sessions

🔘 The Story

By late 1973, The Sweet were at the peak of their glam‑rock powers. “The Ballroom Blitz” distilled everything that made them electrifying: pounding drums, stacked harmonies, and a riff that detonated like a glam‑rock firecracker.

Inspired by a violent incident at a Scottish gig earlier that year, the song’s chaotic energy and theatrical flair resonated instantly with fans. Phil Wainman’s production sharpened the Chinnichap formula to its most explosive point, while the band’s performance pushed it into overdrive.

The B‑side, “Rock & Roll Disgrace,” offered a grittier, self‑penned counterpoint, showcasing the band’s growing confidence as writers beyond the Chinnichap machine.

Commercially, the single was a smash. Entering the UK charts in mid‑September, it held strong at No. 2 for three consecutive weeks and remained in the Top 40 for nine weeks.

🔘 Variants (UK)

• 7", 45 RPM, Push‑Out Centre — RCA – RCA 2403 — UK — 1973

• 7", 45 RPM, Solid Centre — RCA – RCA 2403 — UK — 1973

• 7", 45 RPM, Demo — RCA – RCA 2403 — UK — 1973

• Issued in standard RCA company sleeve

🔘 Chart Performance

UK — Official Singles Chart

2 — September 22, 1973

2 — September 29, 1973

2 — October 6, 1973

3 — October 13, 1973

7 — October 20, 1973

12 — October 27, 1973

25 — November 3, 1973

32 — November 10, 1973

47 — November 17, 1973

Total Weeks: 9

🔘 Context & Notes

• A-side: One of Sweet’s most iconic glam‑rock anthems

• B-side: Self‑written track showcasing the band’s harder edge

• Production: Phil Wainman

• Sleeve notes: Standard RCA company sleeve

• Historical placement: A defining glam‑rock single of 1973

• Reissues / compilation appearances: Featured on numerous Sweet anthologies

🔘 Related Material

• “Block Buster!” (1973)

• “Hell Raiser” (1973)

• “Teenage Rampage” (1974)

• *Sweet Fanny Adams* (1974)

🔘 Discography

Block Buster! — 1973

Hell Raiser — 1973

The Ballroom Blitz — 1973

Teenage Rampage — 1974

🔘 Mini‑Timeline

✦ 1973 — Recorded during RCA sessions

✦ Sep 14, 1973 — UK single released

✦ Sep 22, 1973 — Enters UK Singles Chart

✦ Sep 22–Oct 6, 1973 — Peaks at No. 2 (three weeks)

✦ Nov 17, 1973 — Completes 9‑week chart run

🔘 Glam Flashback

A glam‑rock detonation — fierce, theatrical, and one of Sweet’s most enduring anthems.

#ReleaseChronicle #TheSweet #BallroomBlitz #1973 #RCA #GlamRock

🔘 Sources

Primary reference sources: Official Charts Company, The Chart Time Machine, Discogs.

The single was also released in the following countries.

Angola - Plum - 1973

Australia - RCA Victor - 1973

France - RCA Victor - 1973

Germany - RCA Victor - 1973

Ireland - RCA Victor - 1973

Israel - RCA Victor - 1973

Italy - RCA Victor - 1973

Japan - RCA - 1973

Mexico - RCA Victor - 1973

Netherlands - RCA Victor - 1973

New Zealand - RCA Victor - 1973

Peru - RCA Victor - 1973

Rhodesia - RCA Victor - 1973

South Africa - RCA Victor - 1973

Spain - RCA Victor - 1973

Turkey - RCA Victor - 1973

Yugoslavia - RCA Victor - 1973