Peak
73
Weeks
7
Score
313
Chart Year
1973
In December 1973, David Bowie's "The Jean Genie" peaked at #2 in the UK charts. The following month, this song went one better going all the way to #1. Both songs used the same Yardbirds riff from Bo Diddley's "I'm A Man." Guitarist Andy Scott recalled to Uncut the band's panicked reaction after an A&R man played them "Jean Genie." "We sat there with horrified looks on our faces. The guy asked what was wrong, and we said 'That's the same f---ing guitar riff as Blockbuster" He said, 'Well, it's quite similar isn't it?' 'It's the f---ing same!' I got on the blower to Nicky Chinn and said, 'We can't release this.' He said, 'Don't worry, they're completely different kinds of records and I predict this will be a number one.' I thought, 'Good luck with that.' But he was proved right. A few weeks later, we were at number one and Bowie was at number two." This proved to be The Sweet's only British #1, and it stayed at the top for five weeks. Their next three releases stalled at #2: "Hell Raiser," "Ballroom Blitz" and "Teenage Rampage." This song featured an air-raid siren over a decade before one was used on Frankie Goes To Hollywood's "Two Tribes." This was used in the 2000 film Gangster #1. The team of Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn wrote this song. Chinn said in 1000 UK #1 Hits by Jon Kutner and Spencer Leigh, "Every part of a song is important and how you get into it is especially important. You have to catch the public's attention the second that the record comes on. Look at Blockbuster with its siren. You catch the attention immediately."
Ah-ah, ah-ah You better beware, you better take care You better watch out if you've got long black hair He'll come from behind, you'll go out of your mind You better not go, you never know what you'll find Ah-ah, ah-ah You look in his eyes, don't be surprised If you don't know what going on behind his disguise Nobody knows where Buster goes He'll steal your woman out from under your nose Does anyone know the way? Did we hear someone say? (We just haven't got a clue what to do) Does anyone know the way? There's got to be a way To block Buster The cops are out, they're running about Don't know if they'll ever be able to block Buster out He's gotta be caught, he's gotta be taught 'Cause he is more evil than anyone here ever thought Does anyone know the way? Did we hear someone say? (W-w-we just haven't got a a-ho) Does anyone know the way? There's got to be a way To block Buster Does anyone know the way? Did we hear someone say? (We just haven't got a clue what to do) Does anyone know the way? There's got to be a way To block Buster Ah-ah, ah-ah Ah-ah, ah-ah Buster, Buster, blockbuster Buster, Buster, blockbuster Buster, Buster, blockbuster Buster, Buster, blockbuster Buster, Buster, blockbuster Buster, Buster, blockbuster Buster, Buster, blockbuster Buster, Buster, blockbuster Buster, Buster, blockbuster
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jun 16, 1973 | 97 | 29 |
| 2 | Jun 23, 1973 | 95 | 31 |
| 3 | Jun 30, 1973 | 87 | 39 |
| 4 | Jul 7, 1973 | 85 | 41 |
| 5 | Jul 14, 1973 | 81 | 45 |
| 6 | Jul 21, 1973 | 79 | 47 |
| 7 | Jul 28, 1973 | 73 | 53 |