Sweet – “Alexander Graham Bell”: A Psychedelic Pop Nugget Wrapped in Baroque Whimsy
Before Sweet became the high-energy, hard-rocking glam icons of the 1970s, they dabbled in the lush, playful world of late ’60s bubblegum pop, and “Alexander Graham Bell” (1969) is a prime example of this early, whimsical charm. Written by hitmakers Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, the song isn’t just a tribute to the inventor of the telephone—it’s a vibrant, slightly surreal explosion of psychedelic pop that blends ornate baroque elements with singalong melodies and theatrical flair.
From the harpsichord-like intro to the swirling orchestration, the track is drenched in Victorian-era fantasy, almost feeling like a playful time-traveling daydream. The harmonized vocals soar with an almost childlike sense of wonder, a stark contrast to the gritty rock edge that Sweet would later embrace. Yet, even in its innocent, almost storybook-like storytelling, there’s an unmistakable energy bubbling underneath—a hint of the unstoppable force Sweet would become in just a few short years.
Though “Alexander Graham Bell” wasn’t a massive chart success, it serves as a fascinating snapshot of Sweet’s evolution, capturing them in a transitional phase between ‘60s pop innocence and the swaggering glam rock dominance that would soon make them legends. It’s a curious, eccentric gem—a moment of pure pop escapism before the glitter and the power chords took over.