“Take Away the Music” by Brian Connolly — A Solo Venture That Showed His Heart and Voice
When Brian Connolly stepped out on his own after leaving The Sweet, fans were eager to see where his voice and songwriting would go. “Take Away the Music” — his first solo single under Polydor, released in 1980 — is one of those early attempts. It didn’t become a big hit, but it reveals a lot about Connolly’s ambitions, vulnerabilities, and artistry in the post‑Sweet period. Discogs+4LiquiSearch+4Discogs+4
Background & Release
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After departing from the glam rock juggernaut The Sweet in 1979, Connolly decided to pursue a solo career. Take Away the Music was among the first fruits of that new direction. LiquiSearch+2Wikipedia+2
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The song was co‑written with Mick Angus. Discogs+1
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It was produced by Pip Williams and released by Polydor. Discogs+2LiquiSearch+2
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The single’s B side was “Alabama Man”. Discogs+1
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Duration is about 3:47 (A‑side). hitparade.ch+1
Style, Themes & Sound
Although Take Away the Music doesn’t enjoy widespread fame, its style and themes are illuminating when considering Connolly’s transition:
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Vocal Performance: As expected, Brian Connolly brings in his powerful, emotive voice. After years fronting The Sweet, his voice had both the polish and the wear of experience. There’s a bittersweet edge to it, suggesting a singer aware of both past glory and uncertain future.
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Musical Production: The production is more restrained than many Sweet hits — less glam‑flash, more straight pop/rock leaning. There’s a melodic core, backing instrumentation that supports the voice rather than overwhelming it. It feels like Connolly trying to re‑establish his identity outside of the glam rock spectacle.
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Lyrics & Theme: The title “Take Away the Music” suggests themes of loss, identity, and perhaps what remains when the outward show is removed. It seems to echo what Connolly was living: stepping away from a band known for shows, costumes, and big production, and trying to find what remains when you strip away that exterior.
Why It Didn’t Make Big Chart Impact
There are several reasons this song remained relatively obscure:
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Changing music trends: By 1980, musical tastes in the UK and Europe were shifting. Glam rock was less dominant; punk, new wave, disco, and other emerging styles were influencing what radio DJs and publishers promoted. Connolly’s style, tied to earlier glam/pop roots, may have seemed a bit out of step with rapidly changing trends.
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Promotion & Label might: While Polydor was a major label, solo artists breaking away from famous groups often need extra push – tours, media appearances, etc. Connolly was relatively new in the solo spotlight, and perhaps didn’t get the same promotional resources or attention that more contemporary solo acts got.
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Personal & Health Issues: At around that time, Connolly was already dealing with health and personal struggles. These could have limited his ability to tour heavily, promote the single, or sustain momentum. LiquiSearch+1
Legacy & What Makes It Worth Listening
Even though Take Away the Music didn’t chart highly or become a classic hit, it remains significant for several reasons:
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It’s a missing link in Connolly’s story — It helps paint the picture of what he was grappling with, artistically and personally, after leaving The Sweet.
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Shows maturity — The song isn’t just trying to replicate old Sweet‑style glitz; it’s more introspective, more focused. That can offer listeners a different side of Connolly.
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Collector’s interest — For fans of Connolly, glam rock, or rock history in general, songs like this are treasures. They show what the artist might have become if circumstances had been different.
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Comparative listening — Listening to Take Away the Music alongside his Sweet songs, and then comparing with later solo work (like Hypnotized) gives insight into his evolution: what he kept, what he let go, and what new things he tried.
Final Thoughts
Take Away the Music feels like both a farewell and a promise. A farewell to the security, the spectacle, the identity of being frontman of a hugely successful glam band. And a promise: that Brian Connolly, even without all that external scaffolding, still had something to say, still had a voice that could carry both nostalgia and hope.
It might not be a big hit in rock’s vast catalogue, but it’s deeply human. And for anyone who loves the stories behind music — the transitions, the risk, the reinvention — it’s well worth a listen.
