Sweets from a Stranger

Sweets from a Stranger is the fifth studio album by the British new wave group Squeeze, released in September 1982 through A&M. The album peaked at number 20 in the UK Albums Chart.[1] The band split up soon after a world tour for the record, and the two main songwriters went on to record 1984's Difford & Tilbrook. Squeeze reunited and released Cosi Fan Tutti Frutti in 1985. As with all Squeeze albums, Chris Difford wrote the words first and Glenn Tilbrook would write the music afterwards often editing Difford's material to create a streamlined narrative. Tilbrook would record a demo afterwards and play it for Difford.[2]

For the Italian film, see Sweets from a Stranger (film).

Sweets from a Stranger
Studio album by
Squeeze
ReleasedSeptember 1982 (1982-09)
Recorded1981–1982
StudioRamport, London
GenreNew wave, power pop, post-punk
Length46:24
LabelA&M
Producer
Squeeze chronology
East Side Story
(1981)		 Sweets from a Stranger
(1982)		 Singles – 45's and Under
(1982)
Singles from Sweets from a Stranger
  1. "Black Coffee in Bed"
    Released: 9 April 1982
  2. "When the Hangover Strikes"
    Released: July 1982
  3. "I've Returned"
    Released: 1982 (Netherlands only)

Background and recording

Sweets from a Stranger was recorded during a period of tumult for the band, with tensions exacerbated by the band's continued touring and the pressures on the Difford–Tilbrook songwriting team from being compared to Lennon–McCartney. Tilbrook explained, "The band was not in a happy place on the year from East Side Story to Sweets from a Stranger. There were some great songs on Sweets from a Stranger, but the band itself did not feel great; there was dark cloud above us. It was just hard work being on the road then, and it was an odd time. Really, when you're having that sort of success, no manager is going to say, 'You need to stop for a while.' And no one did, so we had to."[3]

Paul Carrack had left the band to work on his solo career and work as a studio musician. He was replaced by Don Snow. Snow would later appear with Procol Harum and Tina Turner on their respective albums and tours. Snow would later change his name to Jonn Savannah.

Within a year after the release of this album, Squeeze broke up. Difford and Tilbrook carried on releasing an album under both of their names before reforming Squeeze with the band's original drummer Gilson Lavis and keyboardist Jools Holland. Keith Wilkinson who had toured with Difford and Tilbrook replaced John Bentley for the reunion album Cosi Fan Tutti Frutti.

In 1997, the CD was released in the UK with two bonus tracks, as part of the Six of One... box set. The set included the band's first six studio albums, each digitally remastered. These CDs were made available for individual purchase in 1998.

A 2008 reissue included the two 1997 bonus tracks, and added a further seven tracks.

Music

Detailing the stylistic direction of Sweets from a Stranger,[4] Stephen Thomas Erlewine opined that Squeeze "wound up largely ditching the pop classicism of East Side Story for a gangly new wave experimentalism".[4] "I've Returned" has been likened to Bruce Springsteen in sound,[5] while Erlewine detailed "Onto the Dance Floor" to be "wannabe Bowie".[4]

Reception

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[4]
Robert ChristgauB+[6]
Rolling Stone[7]

Trouser Press wrote that "I've Returned" "soars on the strength of ringing guitars and an exuberant Tilbrook vocal."[8]

AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine gave a mixed and predominantly critical summary of Sweets from a Stranger.[4] Despite noting "connections" to the band's acclaimed East Side Story and speaking positively of songs including "I've Returned" and the "sublime" peak "Black Coffee in Bed",[4] Erlewine wrote-off much of the effort as "new wave clatter".[4]

Artist's reflection

In retrospect both composers were critical of the album stating feeling that the songwriting and the production weren't up to par compared to what they did before.[9] The American edition of the album featured praise for Difford and Tilbrook songs which both felt created additional pressure to create a classic with every single song. Difford commented "You just write to please yourself first of all...if other people like it, that's a bonus."[2]

Track listing

All songs written by Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook.

  1. "Out of Touch" – 3:50
  2. "I Can't Hold On" – 3:34
  3. "Points of View" – 4:12
  4. "Stranger Than the Stranger on the Shore" – 3:19
  5. "Onto the Dance Floor" – 3:37
  6. "When the Hangover Strikes" – 4:29
  7. "Black Coffee in Bed" – 6:12
  8. "I've Returned" – 2:34
  9. "Tongue Like a Knife" – 4:10
  10. "His House Her Home" – 3:23
  11. "The Very First Dance" – 3:17
  12. "The Elephant Ride" – 3:22

Bonus tracks (1997 & 2008 reissues)
  1. "I Can't Get Up Anymore" – 3:55
  2. "When Love Goes to Sleep" – 3:44

Bonus tracks (2008 reissue only)
  1. "Annie Get Your Gun" – 3:25
  2. "I'm At Home Tonight" – 3:23
  3. "Elephant Girl" – 3:38
  4. "Spanish Guitar" – 2:46
  5. "Tomorrow's World (His House Her Home)" (Glenn Tilbrook Demo) – 3:09
  6. "Whenever We Meet" (Demo Version) – 2:58
  7. "Last Call For Love" – 3:28

Personnel

Squeeze

Additional personnel

Production

  • Squeeze – producers, cover design
  • Phil McDonald – producer, engineer
  • Butch Yates – assistant engineer
  • Frank DeLuna – mastering at A&M Mastering Studios (Hollywood, California, US)
  • Simon Ryan – cover design
  • Michael Putland – cover photography

References
  1. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. pp. 522–23. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  2. David Bailey, CD notes for expanded edition of "Sweets For A Stranger" 2008
  3. "Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook on 50 years of Squeeze and why being compared to Lennon and McCartney was 'unfortunately not great'". Yahoo Entertainment. 10 October 2023. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  4. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Sweets from a Stranger - Squeeze - Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  5. Tillbrook, Glenn; Difford, Chris; Drury, Jim. Squeeze: Song by Song. Sanctuary.
  6. "Squeeze". Robert Christgau. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  7. Tucker, Ken. "Squeeze Sweets from a Stranger". Rolling Stone. No. 371. Archived from the original on 21 August 2008.
  8. "Squeeze". Trouser Press. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  9. David Bailey, CD Notes "Sweets For A Stranger", 2008
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