The Sweet (September 5, 1969) – "The Lollipop Man" b/w "Time" Single: United Kingdom
By early 1969, The Sweet had evolved from their original Sweetshop incarnation into a band searching for a new foothold in the UK pop market.
After their initial Fontana single failed to chart and guitarist Frank Torpey departed, the group brought in Mick Stewart, a player with prior rock experience in several mid‑1960s bands.
With this refreshed line‑up, The Sweet signed a new deal with EMI’s Parlophone label and moved into a bubblegum‑pop direction.
The first result of this new phase was The Lollipop Man, released in September 1969, marking the beginning of a short run of Parlophone singles that attempted to blend catchy pop hooks with the band’s emerging heavier influences.
RECORDING
The single was produced by John Burgess and Roger Easterby, reflecting Parlophone’s attempt to position The Sweet within the late‑1960s bubblegum‑pop scene.
The band’s performances on both sides capture their transitional sound, still rooted in pop but hinting at the harder edge they would later develop.
STYLE & THEMES
The Lollipop Man leans into bubblegum‑pop stylings, with a playful tone and accessible melody typical of late‑1960s UK pop singles. Time presents a more band‑authored perspective, written by The Sweet themselves, and offers a glimpse of the group’s developing musical identity beyond pure bubblegum.
TRACK‑BY‑TRACK NOTES
• The Lollipop Man — A bubblegum‑pop A‑side written by Hammond and Hazlewood, produced by John Burgess and Roger Easterby, showcasing The Sweet’s early Parlophone sound.
• Time — A band‑written B‑side credited to The Sweet, also produced by Burgess and Easterby, hinting at the heavier, more distinctive style they would later pursue.
RELEASE HISTORY
Released September 5, 1969 in the UK as a 7" vinyl single on Parlophone. Catalogue number R 5803. Issued during the band’s bubblegum‑pop phase under EMI’s Parlophone label.
PRODUCTION
Produced by John Burgess, Roger Easterby
Label: Parlophone
Catalogue numbers: • R 5803
Artist: The Sweet
Title: The Lollipop Man Label: Parlophone
Country: United Kingdom
Catalogue: R 5803
Date: September 5, 1969
Format: 7" Single
Tracklist (7"):
A — The Lollipop Man (version)
B — Time (version)
Notes: Linked Releases:
• 7" single, the sweet lollipop man
1969 2, Germany — Germany – Cornet International – 1969
• 7" single, the sweet lollipop man
in a spin, UK — UK – In A Spin – 2025
SOURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia. BBC Official Charts Prince Vault, Sleeveographia2
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