Sweet like Chocolate

Last updated

"Sweet like Chocolate"
Shanksbigfoot sweetlikechocolate.jpg
Single by Shanks & Bigfoot
from the album Swings and Roundabouts
Released17 May 1999 (1999-05-17) [1]
Studio Soul II Soul (London, England)
Genre UK garage
Length3:37
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Danny Langsman
  • Steven Meade
Producer(s) Shanks & Bigfoot
Shanks & Bigfoot singles chronology
"Straight from the Heart"
(1998)
"Sweet like Chocolate"
(1999)
"Straight from the Heart"
(1999)

"Sweet like Chocolate" is a song by British garage music duo Shanks & Bigfoot with vocalist Sharon Woolf. It was released as a single on 17 May 1999 and was included on the duo's debut album, Swings and Roundabouts , the following year. Vocals on the track are sung by Sharon Woolf, who had also sung on their track "Straight from the Heart", which was released under their previous band name, 'Doolally'.

Contents

"Sweet like Chocolate" was originally released on vinyl in 1998 as a promotional single, which had a short-run pressing of 1,000 copies. When released as an official single in 1999, it topped the UK Singles Chart for two weeks and reached the top 10 in Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand. The song was the first UK garage track to hit number one on the UK Singles Chart. In 2019, The Guardian listed the song at number 20 in their list of "The Best UK Garage Tracks". [2]

Music video

A music video, which is animated, was produced for the song by graphic designers "Visualisation Services". [3]
It is set in a surreal world where every object, except for the protagonist, is constructed out of chocolate.

Chart performance

"Sweet like Chocolate" topped the UK Singles Chart for two weeks in May 1999, selling 251,000 copies during its first week and 142,000 copies during its second week. [4] It achieved platinum status in the UK and was the country's eighth biggest-selling single of 1999. [5] [6] It was the first song to top the UK Singles, Dance, R&B, and Indie charts, though not simultaneously. [4] Internationally, the song was a top-10 hit in Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand; in the latter two countries, the song was certified platinum and gold, respectively. [7] [8] It also charted in Flanders, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland. In Canada, the song peaked at number 14 on the RPM Dance 30 chart in September 1999. [9]

Track listings

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from the UK CD single liner notes. [10]

Studios

Personnel

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [7] Platinum70,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ) [8] Gold5,000*
United Kingdom (BPI) [5] Platinum707,000 [34]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Other cover versions

Tulisa released the cover of the song in 2016 with British Hip-hop artist Akelle

Related Research Articles

Shanks & Bigfoot were a British duo of UK garage producers Steven Meade and Danny Langsman, known principally for their single "Sweet like Chocolate", which topped the UK Singles Chart in 1999. They were originally known as Doolally, recording the pirate anthem "Straight from the Heart" under this name in 1998. Upon its first release, "Straight from the Heart" peaked at number twenty on the UK chart. It was subsequently re-released in 1999 on the back of their chart success with "Sweet Like Chocolate", and reached number nine on the chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tragedy (Bee Gees song)</span> 1979 song by the Bee Gees

"Tragedy" is a song released by the Bee Gees, written by Barry, Robin & Maurice Gibb, included on their 1979 album Spirits Having Flown. The single reached number one in the UK in February 1979 and repeated the feat the following month on the US Billboard Hot 100. In 1998, it was covered by British pop group Steps, whose version also reached number one in the UK. In 2024, it was used in the trailer for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One for Sorrow (song)</span> 1998 single by Steps

"One for Sorrow" is a song by British pop-dance group Steps, released as the third single from their debut album, Step One (1998). It also became the quintet's first single to reach the top five on the UK Singles Chart. Debuting at number two and spending 11 weeks on the UK chart, the song established Steps's intention to revive the ABBA sound, striking a considerable resemblance to their 1980 hit "The Winner Takes It All". A remixed version became their debut US single in 1999 and was featured on the Drive Me Crazy film soundtrack. It peaked at number 38 on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart in October 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Better Best Forgotten</span> 1999 single by Steps

"Better Best Forgotten" is a song by British pop group Steps, released on 8 March 1999. It was the final single to be taken from their debut album, Step One. The song became the group's fourth top-10 hit in the UK, peaking at number two on the UK Singles Chart, and it also reached the top 20 in Ireland and the Flanders region of Belgium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love's Got a Hold on My Heart</span> 1999 single by Steps

"Love's Got a Hold on My Heart" is a song by British pop music group Steps. It was released as the lead single from the band's second album, Steptacular (1999). The song features Faye Tozer and Claire Richards on lead vocals. The single peaked at number two in the United Kingdom and became a top-20 hit in Finland, Flanders, Ireland, and New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Say You'll Be Mine (Steps song)</span> 1999 single by Steps

"Say You'll Be Mine" is a song by British dance-pop group Steps, released as a double A-side with a cover version of Kylie Minogue's "Better the Devil You Know". Steps' cover of "Better the Devil You Know" was later included as the opening track on their third studio album, Buzz (2000), but did not serve as a lead single. A limited-edition single was released as a digipack that was included with a doubled-sided poster in the sleeve. The song is the first to feature all five members on lead vocals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Killin' Time (Tina Cousins song)</span> 1997 single by Tina Cousins

"Killin' Time" is the debut single by British singer, songwriter and former model Tina Cousins, released on 9 June 1997 from her debut album, Killing Time (1999). The song was written by Mark Topham and Karl Twigg, and initially charted at number 80 on the UK Singles Chart. In 1999, German DJ Sash!, who had collaborated with Cousins on "Mysterious Times", remixed "Killin' Time" for its re-release on 15 March 1999. "Killin' Time '99" peaked at number 15 in the United Kingdom, number 16 in Finland, and number 17 in Spain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When I Said Goodbye / Summer of Love</span> 2000 single by Steps

"When I Said Goodbye" and "Summer of Love" are two songs by British pop music group Steps, released as a double A-side single. "When I Said Goodbye" is taken from their second studio album, Steptacular (1999), while "Summer of Love" was a previously unavailable track, later included on their third album, Buzz (2000). Following its release on 3 July 2000, the single peaked at number five in the United Kingdom and number 18 in Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heartbeat (Steps song)</span> 1998 single by Steps

"Heartbeat" is a song by British pop group Steps, from their debut studio album Step One (1998). Issued as a double A-side with their cover of the 1979 Bee Gees single "Tragedy", it was released on 9 November 1998 as the fourth single off the album. "Heartbeat" was solely written by Jackie James, and it was the first ballad released as a single by the group. While promoting the 2012 Hit Factory Live event, Pete Waterman revealed that the song had sat in a drawer for years before he gave it to the band to record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">We've Got It Goin' On</span> 1995 single by Backstreet Boys

"We've Got It Goin' On" is the debut single of American boy band Backstreet Boys. It was released on September 11, 1995, as the lead single from their self-titled debut album (1996). The song was recorded at Cheiron Studios in Sweden during a week in June 1995. It was written and produced by Max Martin and his then-mentor Denniz Pop, with extra writing from Herbert Crichlow and was later included in the US album and achieved success worldwide. The single peaked at number 69 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent 20 weeks on the chart. It was released across Europe, where it reached the top five in several countries, including Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. On the Eurochart Hot 100, the song reached number five.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Mess with My Man (Nivea song)</span> 2002 single by Nivea

"Don't Mess with My Man" is a song by American R&B singer Nivea featuring Brian and Brandon Casey from R&B group Jagged Edge. It was released in on June 3, 2002, as the third single from her self-titled debut album (2001). The song peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and was an international hit as well, reaching the top 10 in France and New Zealand and receiving a gold certification in the former country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">After the Love Has Gone (Steps song)</span> 1999 single by Steps

"After the Love Has Gone" is a song by Steps, released as their seventh single, and the third from their second album Steptacular. The track continues the group's pop sound but has clear Asian musical influences. Claire Richards provides lead vocals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The World's Greatest</span> 2001 single by R. Kelly

"The World's Greatest" is a song written and performed by American R&B singer R. Kelly. The song was originally featured on the soundtrack to the film Ali, and also appeared on bootleg copies of Kelly's unreleased album, Loveland, which later became a bonus disc to Chocolate Factory. Released as a single in November 2001, "The World's Greatest" became a hit in Europe, reaching number two in the Netherlands, number four in the United Kingdom, and the top 20 in nine other European countries. In the United States, it peaked at number 34 on the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Superstylin'</span> 2001 single by Groove Armada

"Superstylin'" is a song by English electronic duo Groove Armada, released as the band's first single on 13 August 2001, from the album Goodbye Country . Vocals were performed by Groove Armada's long-time vocalist MC M.A.D.. Groove Armada credited Daniels for the cross-genre sound of the track, saying it was house music with influences of dancehall, reggae, and dub, with a speed garage bassline.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">If You Buy This Record (Your Life Will Be Better)</span> 1998 single by the Tamperer featuring Maya

"If You Buy This Record (Your Life Will Be Better)" (also titled without the parentheses) is a song by Italian music group the Tamperer featuring Maya. The song samples American singer Madonna's 1985 hit "Material Girl", which was the first time she allowed another artist to sample her music. It was released in Europe on 2 November 1998 and reached number three on the UK Singles Chart six days later. It also peaked within the top 10 in Denmark, Finland, Ireland and Italy. In the United States and Canada, the single was issued in 1999, becoming a dance hit in both countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Will You Wait for Me?</span> 1999 single by Kavana

"Will You Wait for Me?" is a song by British singer-songwriter Kavana. The ballad was released on 8 March 1999 as the third single from his second album, Instinct (1998). The song peaked at number 29 on the UK Singles Chart and at number 22 on the New Zealand Singles Chart. The track is one of Kavana's personal favourites in his repertoire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flowers (Sweet Female Attitude song)</span> 2000 single by Sweet Female Attitude

"Flowers" is the debut single by UK garage duo Sweet Female Attitude, released on 3 April 2000. The song uses the same chord sequence as Erik Satie's Trois Gymnopédies, and the actual piece can be heard in the version by The House & Garage Orchestra, from the 2018 album Garage Classics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sing-A-Long</span> 2000 single by Shanks & Bigfoot

"Sing-A-Long" is a song by UK garage duo Shanks & Bigfoot, released on 17 July 2000. The song did not match the success of their previous UK number-one hit, "Sweet like Chocolate", but was still a hit single, peaking at number 12 on the UK Singles Chart and number one on both the UK Dance and Independent charts. Terri Walker provides vocals on the song.

"Straight from the Heart" is the debut single of UK garage duo Doolally, later known as Shanks & Bigfoot, with vocals provided by Sharon Woolf. The song was first released in 1998, and reached the top 20 in the United Kingdom, peaking at No. 20. After the success of their UK number-one single "Sweet Like Chocolate" the following year, "Straight from the Heart" was re-released and peaked at No. 9 on the UK Singles Chart. The song also reached No. 1 on the UK Dance Singles Chart in both 1998 and 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Love (Kele Le Roc song)</span> 1999 single by Kele Le Roc

"My Love" is a song by British singer Kele Le Roc. It was released on 15 March 1999 as the second single from her debut album, Everybody's Somebody. Like her previous single "Little Bit of Lovin'", the song peaked at No. 8 on the UK Singles Chart, and it also peaked at No. 48 in New Zealand in January 2001. In 1999, the song won a MOBO Award for Best Single. Several remixes of the song became underground hits in the UK.

References

  1. "New Releases – For Week Starting 17 May, 1999: Singles" (PDF). Music Week . 15 May 1999. p. 23. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  2. Petridis, Alexis (16 May 2019). "The best UK garage tracks". The Guardian . Retrieved 15 September 2019.
  3. "Visualisation Services Limited". Archived from the original on 10 November 2018. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  4. 1 2 Jones, Alan (5 June 1999). "Chart Commentary". Music Week. p. 15.
  5. 1 2 "British single certifications – Shanks & Bigfoot – Sweet Like Chocolate". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  6. 1 2 "Best Sellers of 1999: Singles Top 100". Music Week. London, England. 22 January 2000. p. 27.
  7. 1 2 "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1999 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  8. 1 2 "New Zealand single certifications – Shanks & Bigfoot – Sweet Like Chocolate". Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  9. 1 2 "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 8461." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  10. 1 2 Sweet like Chocolate (UK CD single liner notes). Shanks & Bigfoot. Jive Records, Pepper Records, Chocolate Boy Recordings. 1999. 0530352.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. Sweet like Chocolate (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Shanks & Bigfoot. Jive Records, Pepper Records, Chocolate Boy Recordings. 1999. 0530350.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. Sweet like Chocolate (UK cassette single sleeve). Shanks & Bigfoot. Jive Records, Pepper Records, Chocolate Boy Recordings. 1999. 0530354.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. Sweet like Chocolate (European CD single sleeve). Shanks & Bigfoot. Jive Records, Chocolate Boy Recordings. 1999. 0583752.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. Sweet like Chocolate (Australasian CD single sleeve). Shanks & Bigfoot. Jive Records, Chocolate Boy Recordings. 1999. 052375 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. "Shanks & Bigfoot – Sweet Like Chocolate". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  16. "Shanks & Bigfoot – Sweet Like Chocolate" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  17. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 16, no. 23. 5 June 1999. p. 8. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  18. "Shanks & Bigfoot – Sweet Like Chocolate" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  19. "Íslenski Listinn (8.7–15.7. 1999)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 9 July 1999. p. 10. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
  20. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Sweet like Chocolate". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  21. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 28, 1999" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  22. "Shanks & Bigfoot – Sweet Like Chocolate" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  23. "Shanks & Bigfoot – Sweet Like Chocolate". Top 40 Singles.
  24. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  25. "Shanks & Bigfoot – Sweet Like Chocolate". Singles Top 100.
  26. "Shanks & Bigfoot – Sweet Like Chocolate". Swiss Singles Chart.
  27. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  28. "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  29. "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  30. "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  31. "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 1999". ARIA . Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  32. "Jaarlijsten 1999" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 . Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  33. "End of Year Charts 1999". Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  34. Myers, Justin (27 May 2019). "The highest charting UK garage tunes". Official Charts Company.