“Wig‑Wam Bam,” released 1 September 1972 by British glam-rock band The Sweet, marked a turning point. Penned by hitmakers Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman and produced by Phil Wainman, this single introduced a tougher edge to the band’s bubblegum-pop sound. Notably, it was the first Sweet single where the band members themselves played the instruments instead of relying on session musicians, signaling a shift toward artistic independence . A vivid blend of tribal drumbeats, catchy guitar riffs, and sing-along refrains, “Wig‑Wam Bam” became a glam-rock anthem—propelled to No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart and earning hits across Europe
Sweet – Wig Wam Bam
🎤 Band members played instruments: First Sweet single featuring only the band playing—no sessions
🎬 Glam debut on TV: Dressed in extravagant Native American themed costume on Top of the Pops—a bold visual statement
📚 Literary and musical nods: Lyrics reference Longfellow’s Hiawatha and the old pop hit “Running Bear,” blending myth and nostalgia
📈 Kickstarted their glam run: Helped set the stage for the band’s string of glam-rock No. 1s, like “Block Buster!”
🌍 European summer anthem: Soared to top 10 positions across Europe, capturing the era’s youthful revelry
