Hypnotised: A Whispering Farewell to a Glam Rock Icon
It’s a curious thing, isn’t it, how certain songs find their way into the corners of our hearts, not with a bang, but with a gentle, persistent hum? For those of us who came of age amidst the glitter and stomp of 1970s glam rock, the name Brian Connolly immediately conjures images of flamboyant stage presence and undeniably catchy anthems. Yet, when we speak of “Hypnotised,” a different, more poignant note enters the melody. Released in 1980 as a single, this track didn’t exactly set the charts ablaze, struggling to make a significant impact after his departure from the hugely successful Sweet. While exact chart positions are notoriously difficult to pin down for every single release, “Hypnotised” certainly didn’t replicate the top-tier success of Sweet‘s earlier hits like “Block Buster!” or “Ballroom Blitz.” It was a quiet arrival, a whisper rather than a shout, yet it carried an undeniable weight, a reflection of Connolly‘s journey and perhaps, a foreshadowing of the quieter path his life would ultimately take.
The story behind “Hypnotised” is inextricably linked to Brian Connolly‘s post-Sweet career, a period marked by both hope and hardship. After leaving the band in 1979 due to personal differences and health issues exacerbated by his struggles with alcohol, Connolly embarked on a solo career with a mixture of ambition and trepidation. He signed with Polydor Records, and “Hypnotised” emerged as one of his early solo efforts, a track intended to re-establish his presence in the music world. It wasn’t a raucous glam rock stomper, nor was it a power ballad. Instead, it possessed a more introspective, almost ethereal quality, a subtle shift from the sonic landscape he had helped to define. This song, with its dreamy synths and Connolly‘s distinct, if slightly more subdued, vocals, offered a glimpse into a different facet of the artist. It spoke of a longing, a sense of being captivated or entranced, perhaps by a person, a memory, or even the elusive dream of past glory.
For those of us who had danced to the infectious energy of Sweet, “Hypnotised” felt like a mature evolution, a mellowed reflection of the charismatic frontman we knew. It carried a bittersweet resonance, a subtle nod to the inevitable passage of time and the changes it brings. The lyrics, while open to interpretation, evoke a feeling of being under a spell, unable to break free from a powerful influence. Was it a muse? A love lost? Or perhaps, was it the lingering grip of fame and the music industry itself, a world that had both elevated and challenged him? The song’s gentle unfolding, the way the melody subtly weaves its way into your consciousness, certainly lives up to its title. It’s the kind of track that encourages contemplation, a quiet moment to drift back to a time when music felt like a vital, shared experience.
Listening to “Hypnotised” now, decades removed from its initial release, there’s an added layer of poignancy. Knowing the struggles Brian Connolly faced in his later years, his battles with his health and the fading spotlight, the song takes on a more profound meaning. It becomes a testament to his enduring artistry, even when the grand stages and screaming crowds were no longer his daily reality. It’s a reminder that even the brightest stars can sometimes dim, but the light they cast, the melodies they create, can continue to resonate, long after the final curtain falls. For us, the older generation, this song isn’t just a track; it’s a nostalgic whisper from a bygone era, a gentle hand guiding us back to the days of platform boots and glitter, reminding us of the raw talent and magnetic charm of Brian Connolly, a true icon of glam rock whose quieter moments, like “Hypnotised,” deserve to be remembered and cherished.