"Sweet Inspiration" is a song by the American soul group Johnny Johnson and the Bandwagon, the first single from their second album Soul Survivor, released in May 1970. It peaked at number 10 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming their second top-ten hit there.[1]
| "Sweet Inspiration" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Johnny Johnson and the Bandwagon | ||||
| from the album Soul Survivor | ||||
| B-side | "Pride Comes Before a Fall" | |||
| Released | 29 May 1970 | |||
| Genre | Soul | |||
| Length | 3:05 | |||
| Label | Bell | |||
| Songwriter(s) | John Cameron | |||
| Producer(s) | Tony Macaulay | |||
| Johnny Johnson and the Bandwagon singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Release edit
Due to the group's lack of success in the US compared to the UK (where "Breakin' Down the Walls of Heartache" was a top 5 hit), the group had moved to the UK, and "Sweet Inspiration" was released there first before its release in the US in July. The B-side, "Pride Comes Before a Fall", was written by Jacky Arthur and Mel Kent.[2]
Track listing edit
7"
- "Sweet Inspiration" – 3:05
- "Pride Comes Before a Fool" – 2:40
Charts edit
| Chart (1970) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Ireland (IRMA)[3] | 19 |
| Singapore (Rediffusion)[4] | 2 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[1] | 10 |
Cover versions edit
- In July 1970, Cilla Black released a version of the song on her album Sweet Inspiration.[5]
- A version by Dusty Springfield was recorded in June 1970 but was not released at the time.[6] It has since been released on various compilation albums.[citation needed]
References edit
- ^ a b "Bandwagon: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "Johnny Johnson And The Bandwagon - Sweet Inspiration". 45cat. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Sweet Inspiration". Irish Singles Chart.
- ^ "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard. 14 November 1970. p. 53. Retrieved 24 February 2022 – via World Radio History.
- ^ "Cilla Black - Sweet Inspiration". Discogs. July 1970. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
- ^ Come for a Dream: The UK Sessions 1970–1971 (booklet). Real Gone Music. 2015. RGM-0383.