Sweets for My Sweet

"Sweets for My Sweet" is a song written by the songwriting team of Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman,[1] originally recorded by The Drifters.

"Sweets for My Sweet"
Single by The Drifters
from the album Save the Last Dance for Me
B-side"Loneliness or Happiness"
ReleasedJuly 2, 1961
LabelAtlantic
Songwriter(s)Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman
The Drifters singles chronology
"Please Stay"
(1961)		 "Sweets for My Sweet"
(1961)		 "Room Full of Tears"
(1961)

The Drifters version

The group's first single featuring Charlie Thomas on lead vocal, "Sweets for My Sweet" reached No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 10 on the R&B chart, in October 1961.[2] This was one of the few post-1958 Drifters singles that did not feature a string section. The song has a strong piano and bongo- led Cuban-style cha-cha rhythm. It also featured Jimmy Radcliffe and four female backup vocalists, all of whom would later have hit records, Cissy Houston, Doris Troy, Dionne Warwick, and Dee Dee Warwick. The recording also features an up in front piano provided by co-writer, Mort Shuman. Other musicians on the recording included George Barnes and Allan Hanlon on guitar, Abie Baker on bass, Ed Shaughnessy and Gary Chester on drums and Bobby Rosengarden and Ray Kessler on percussion.[3]

The Searchers version
"Sweets for My Sweet"
Single by The Searchers
from the album Meet The Searchers
B-side"It's All Been a Dream"
ReleasedJune 1963
October 1987 (re-release)
GenreMerseybeat
Length2:31
LabelPye 7N15533[4]
Songwriter(s)Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman[4]
Producer(s)Tony Hatch[4]
The Searchers singles chronology
"Sweets for My Sweet"
(1963)		 "Sugar and Spice"
(1963)

In 1963, "Sweets for My Sweet" was released by Merseybeat band the Searchers as their debut single, reaching No. 1 on the UK Single Chart for two weeks that August.[4][5] The Searchers' version was also issued in the US in the spring of 1964, but failed to chart.

C.J. Lewis version
"Sweets for My Sweet"
Single by C.J. Lewis
from the album Dollars
Released1994
GenreReggae fusion
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
C.J. Lewis singles chronology
"Sweets for My Sweet"
(1994)		 "Uptight (Everything's Alright)"
(1994)
Music video
"Sweets for My Sweet" on YouTube

British reggae singer C. J. Lewis released his version as his debut single in 1994. It reached No. 3 in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and New Zealand. The song was produced by Phillip Leo, who also produced Lewis' debut album, Dollars. The female vocals are performed by singer Samantha Depasois.

Critical reception

Music & Media wrote about the song: "The Searchers 1963 classic is completely reworked in a dead trendy ragga version, which is so cheerful that you can't believe storms and depression ever existed. Nobody will be surpised that it's heavily played on Bay Radio/St. Julian's on holiday island Malta."[6]

Chart performance

In addition to reaching No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart, "Sweets for My Sweet" also had big success in New Zealand, peaking for two weeks at No. 3. After debuting at No. 6, it then spent a further 10 consecutive weeks inside the top 10. After dropping to No.11 the following week, it returned to No. 6. Six weeks later after fluctuating around the top 40, it returned for one final week in the top 10, at No. 10. At the end of 1994, the song was ranked No. 6 on New Zealand's year-end chart. "Sweets for My Sweet" was also a top-ten hit in Austria, Belgium, Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands and Switzerland. The track also charted in Australia and Germany.

Music video

The music video for "Sweets for My Sweet" was directed by Jerome Redfarne.[7]

Track listing
CD single, Europe (1994)
No.TitleLength
1."Sweets for My Sweet" (Original 7")3:24
2."Sweets for My Sweet" (Ska 7")3:47
3."Sweets for My Sweet" (Original 12")4:33
CD single, UK (1994)
No.TitleLength
1."Sweets for My Sweet" (Original 7")3:24
2."Sweets for My Sweet" (Ska 7")3:47
3."Sweets for My Sweet" (Original 12")4:33
4."Sweets for My Sweet" (Ska Straight Mix)4:01
5."Sweets for My Sweet" (Dub Mix 1)4:01
6."Sweets for My Sweet" (Original Dub)3:23
CD maxi, Germany (1994)
No.TitleLength
1."Sweets for My Sweet" (Original 7")3:24
2."Sweets for My Sweet" (Ska 7")3:47
3."Sweets for My Sweet" (Original 12")4:33

Charts and certifications

Other cover versions

References
  1. "Doc Pomus - Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2007-06-27.
  2. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 173.
  3. "IN THE CAN : FEBRUARY 1961". Members.home.nl. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
  4. Rice, Jo (1982). The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits (1st ed.). Enfield, Middlesex: Guinness Superlatives Ltd. pp. 72–3. ISBN 0-85112-250-7.
  5. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 153. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  6. "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. May 28, 1994. p. 9. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  7. "c.j. lewis - sweets for my sweet". YouTube. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
  8. "Australian-charts.com – CJ Lewis – Sweets for My Sweet". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  9. "Austriancharts.at – CJ Lewis – Sweets for My Sweet" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  10. "Ultratop.be – CJ Lewis – Sweets for My Sweet" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  11. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11 no. 21. May 21, 1994. p. 22. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  12. "Offiziellecharts.de – CJ Lewis – Sweets for My Sweet". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  13. "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (02.6.–08.6. '94)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). June 2, 1994. p. 20. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  14. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Sweets for My Sweet". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  15. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 26, 1994" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  16. "Dutchcharts.nl – CJ Lewis – Sweets for My Sweet" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  17. "Charts.nz – CJ Lewis – Sweets for My Sweet". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  18. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  19. "Swedishcharts.com – CJ Lewis – Sweets for My Sweet". Singles Top 100. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  20. "Swisscharts.com – CJ Lewis – Sweets for My Sweet". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  21. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  22. "Jaaroverzichten 1994" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  23. "1994 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11 no. 52. December 24, 1994. p. 12. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  24. "Árslistinn 1994". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). January 2, 1995. p. 25. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  25. "Jaarlijsten 1994" (in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
  26. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1994" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  27. "End of Year Charts 1994". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  28. "Årslista Singlar, 1994" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  29. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1994" (in German). Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  30. "Top 100 Singles 1994". Music Week. January 14, 1995. p. 9.
  31. "New Zealand single certifications – C.J. Lewis – Sweets for My Sweet". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  32. "The McCoys - You Make Me Feel So Good (Vinyl, LP, Album)". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
  33. Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001. Record Research. p. 186.
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