Love Is Like Oxygen marked a dramatic evolution in Sweet’s sound. Known throughout the early 1970s for their hard-hitting glam rock hits like Ballroom Blitz and Fox on the Run, Sweet stepped into progressive rock territory with this polished, expansive track from their album Level Headed.
Written by Andy Scott and Trevor Griffin, the song combines lush harmonies, synth layers, and orchestral textures with the emotional intensity of a rock ballad. It’s a reflection on the highs and lows of love—how it’s as vital and dangerous as the air we breathe. With its slow-building intro, soaring chorus, and instrumental breakdown, the song became a bold statement of maturity from a band ready to transcend glam rock clichés.
Sweet – Love Is Like Oxygen
Chart Performance: The song was a top 10 hit in the UK and the US, reaching #8 on the Billboard Hot 100—one of Sweet’s biggest international successes.
Album Shift: Level Headed was Sweet’s first album after lead singer Brian Connolly’s departure, and Love Is Like Oxygen helped prove the band could still deliver compelling music as a trio.
Prog Rock Vibe: The extended album version of the track is over 6 minutes long, featuring instrumental interludes that nod to the era’s progressive rock influences.
Classic Rock Staple: Over the years, Love Is Like Oxygen has become a classic rock radio favorite, representing the more sophisticated side of 70s glam.
Song Meaning: The lyrics convey love’s intoxicating nature—how it sustains you one moment and suffocates you the next. “Too much can make you die” remains one of the song’s most iconic and haunting lines.
