Get ready to duck and cover, because Krokus's electrifying cover of "Ballroom Blitz" is a hard rock explosion!
The Song
"Ballroom Blitz" is a high-octane cover originally performed by the British glam rock band The Sweet in 1973. Krokus, the Swiss hard rock titans, unleashed their version in 1984 as a single from their eighth studio album, The Blitz. The original song, penned by Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, was inspired by an infamous incident in January 1973 where The Sweet was driven off stage by a barrage of bottles during a performance in Kilmarnock, Scotland. Krokus injected their signature heavy metal sound into the track, making it a staple of their 80s output.
The Artist
Krokus is a Swiss hard rock and heavy metal band formed in Solothurn in 1975. Initially starting as a progressive rock band, they evolved into a hard rock and heavy metal act, gaining significant popularity in North America during the 1980s. The band's classic lineup for much of their successful period included vocalist Marc Storace, guitarists Fernando von Arb and Mark Kohler, bassist Chris von Rohr, and drummer Freddy Steady. During the 80s, Krokus was often likened to AC/DC for their raw, blues-infused hard rock sound.
Chart Performance
While Krokus's version of "Ballroom Blitz" was a significant single from The Blitz album, the album itself achieved Gold status in the United States. From the same album, the single "Midnite Maniac" was the track that hit the Billboard Hot 100, marking Krokus as the first Swiss act to achieve this milestone. The original 1973 version by The Sweet was a global hit, reaching number one in Canada, Germany, and Australia, number two in the UK, and number five on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Cultural Impact
Krokus's cover of "Ballroom Blitz" became one of their most recognizable songs, helping to solidify their presence in the 1980s hard rock scene. It was a key track from The Blitz album, which saw the band lean into a more glam rock direction. This rendition introduced the iconic track to a new generation of metal fans and remains a fan favorite. The Krokus cover was later featured in the video game Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s in 2007.
Fun Facts
- The original "Ballroom Blitz" by The Sweet was recorded in London in June 1973 and released as a single in September of the same year.
- The song's famous intro, "Are you ready, Steve? Uh-huh. Andy? Yeah. Mick? Okay! All right, fellas, let's go!" features the band members speaking their names.
- Krokus's album The Blitz featured a song called "Boys Nite Out" which was co-written by Bryan Adams.
- Despite being a critical success, some fans and critics noted that Krokus's move towards a more glam rock sound with The Blitz was influenced by label and management pressure.