“Scroll down to the end of the article to listen to music.”
Introduction
Ever stumbled across a song that feels like it’s telling a story between the lines? That’s exactly what The Sweet delivered with “Midnight to Daylight,” a hidden gem tucked away on their 1977 album “Off the Record.” This track captures a fascinating moment in the band’s evolution, when they were pushing beyond their glam rock image into more complex musical territory.
What makes “Midnight to Daylight” so captivating is its mysterious narrative wrapped in a deceptively straightforward rock arrangement. The song tells a story of secrecy and forbidden activities—things done at midnight that can’t be spoken about in daylight. There’s an undercurrent of taboo throughout, with lyrics hinting at questionable age differences and clandestine encounters.
Musically, it sits at a perfect crossroads in The Sweet’s development. While maintaining their signature melodic sensibilities, the track showcases a harder edge that was becoming more prominent in their sound. Andy Scott’s guitar work shines particularly bright here, complemented by Mick Tucker’s precise drumming and Steve Priest’s driving bass lines. Brian Connolly’s vocals convey both swagger and vulnerability, perfectly capturing the song’s morally ambiguous themes.
“Off the Record” as an album represented a critical moment for The Sweet—they were moving away from their bubblegum pop origins toward establishing themselves as serious rock musicians. Though the album didn’t achieve the commercial success it deserved in the UK, tracks like “Midnight to Daylight” demonstrate why the band maintained a devoted following, especially in Europe.
For anyone exploring The Sweet beyond their hit singles, this track offers a glimpse into their deeper artistic ambitions and showcases why they deserve recognition as more than just glam rock icons.
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Lyrics
Her face was turnin’ red
‘Cause everybody’s talkin’ bout
The thoughts inside her head
Was it six or seventeen
And old enough to know about
The things that should have been
You know just what I mean
The things that I do at midnight
You ain’t gonna say at daylight
Daylight
I knew she couldn’t see
She said she’d never played a star
But played it just for me
My head was in a state
‘Cause every time she came with me
She said that she was late
I should have had her mate
The things that I do at midnight
You ain’t gonna say at daylight
Daylight
The things that I do at midnight
You ain’t gonna say at daylight
Daylight
Daylight