"Sweets for My Sweet" is a song written by the songwriting team of Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, originally recorded by The Drifters.
The Drifters version
The group's first single featuring Charlie Thomas on lead vocal, "Sweets for My Sweet" reached No. 16 on the BillboardHot 100 and No. 10 on the R&B chart, in October 1961. 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 the song's 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.
The Searchers version
In 1963, "Sweets for My Sweet" was released by Merseybeat band the Searchers as their debut single, reaching number one on the UK Single Chart for two weeks that August. The Searchers' version was also issued in the US in the spring of 1964, but failed to chart.
C.J. Lewis version
British reggae singer C. J. Lewis released his version as his debut single in 1994. It reached number three 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."
Chart performance
In addition to reaching number three on the UK Singles Chart, "Sweets for My Sweet" also had big success in New Zealand, peaking at number three for two weeks. After debuting at number six, it then spent a further 10 consecutive weeks inside the top 10. After dropping to number 11 the following week, it returned to number six. Six weeks later after fluctuating around the top 40, it returned for one final week in the top 10, at number 10. At the end of 1994, the song was ranked number six 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.
In the UK, Tina Charles remade "Sweets for My Sweet" in 1977 in tandem with "Love Bug". The track was included on her album Rendezvous and issued as a single reaching #26; however the single edit only featured one chorus from "Sweets for My Sweet" at its close.
In 1975, the British band Magnum released it as their first single.
Frank Alamo helped popularise the yé-yé style of music in France. His hit records included "Biche ô ma Biche"
The only US remake of "Sweets for My Sweet" to reach the Hot 100 or any Billboard chart to date is that by Tony Orlando which reached #54 and #20 on the Hot Adult Contemporary chart in 1979.
In 1988, Super Cat released his album "Sweets for my Sweet", including his remake of the song.
