Released in September 1973, “The Ballroom Blitz” by Sweet is one of the most iconic songs of the glam rock era. Written and produced by Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, the track captures the glitter, chaos, and infectious energy that defined early 1970s British rock.
The song opens with the legendary callout —
“Are you ready, Steve? Andy? Mick? Tony?”
— instantly pulling listeners into a whirlwind of guitar riffs, pounding drums, and soaring vocals.
Sweet – The Ballroom Blitz
Musically, “The Ballroom Blitz” is a perfect storm of hard rock guitar riffs, catchy pop hooks, and theatrical vocals that made Sweet one of the leading glam rock bands of their time.
The track’s driving rhythm and over-the-top chorus —
“And the man in the back said everyone attack,
And it turned into a ballroom blitz!” —
are impossible not to sing along to.
The song’s mix of hard rock power and pop accessibility paved the way for later acts like Queen, Kiss, and even Def Leppard.
“The Ballroom Blitz” reached #2 on the UK Singles Chart and #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US.
The song has appeared in dozens of films, including Wayne’s World (1992), Suicide Squad (2016), and Daddy Day Care (2003).
The iconic intro is now one of the most recognizable openings in rock history.
In 1979, the U.S. band The Struts and later Tia Carrere (in Wayne’s World) also recorded popular covers.
Sweet’s wild image — glam outfits, platform boots, and makeup — made them one of the defining acts of the glam rock explosion.
