“Do It Again” is a powerful anthem about regret and the yearning for a second chance.
In the annals of rock history, few voices burn as brightly and as tragically as that of Brian Connolly. Best known as the electrifying frontman of the legendary glam rock band Sweet, Connolly’s journey was a symphony of soaring highs and devastating lows. After parting ways with Sweet in 1979, he embarked on a solo career, a venture that, while not reaching the stratospheric heights of his previous band, produced some profoundly personal and poignant music. One such song, a true hidden gem for many, is the 1980 single, “Do It Again.”
This track, released on Polydor Records, was a melancholic yet powerful reflection of a man grappling with the choices of his past. Unlike the glitter-drenched, high-energy anthems that defined Sweet’s glory days, “Do It Again” offered a different kind of intensity—a raw, emotional honesty that cut straight to the core. The song failed to make a significant impact on the charts, a fact that is both a testament to the fickle nature of the music industry and a true shame. In an era dominated by new wave and synth-pop, Connolly’s heartfelt rock ballad, while out of step with the times, was a genuine piece of art. It’s a song that speaks to the heart of anyone who has ever looked back on a relationship, a career path, or a missed opportunity and wished for a rewind button.
The story behind “Do It Again” is deeply intertwined with Connolly’s own life. At the time of its release, he was not only navigating a new solo career but also battling personal demons, including a long-standing struggle with alcohol dependency. The lyrics, penned by Roger Greenaway and Geoff Stephens, must have resonated with him on a deeply personal level. The song is a poignant plea for a second chance, a desperate cry to undo mistakes and relive moments that were perhaps taken for granted. For those who followed Connolly’s tumultuous journey, the song wasn’t just a piece of music; it was a window into his soul, a glimpse of the man behind the persona, grappling with the consequences of fame and fortune. His delivery is heartbreakingly sincere, his voice, though showing the signs of his struggles, imbued with a fragile vulnerability that makes every word feel earned.
Listening to “Do It Again” today is an experience filled with a profound sense of nostalgia and melancholy. It’s a moment frozen in time, capturing the essence of an artist at a crossroads. For those of us who grew up with the anthems of Sweet like “Ballroom Blitz” and “Fox on the Run,” this song offers a different kind of resonance. It’s the sound of a man who gave us so much, now giving us a piece of himself. It serves as a reminder that behind every hit song and flamboyant stage persona, there is a human being with their own stories of triumph and sorrow. It’s a song that asks us to reflect, to remember, and to appreciate the complexities of a life lived in the spotlight. In a way, it’s the song that embodies the quiet, reflective side of the rock ‘n’ roll life, a side rarely seen by the public. “Do It Again” is not just a song; it’s a testament to the human spirit’s enduring hope, a whisper of a wish that maybe, just maybe, we can all get a second chance.