Sugar Me
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Sugar Me
| cover =
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Lynsey de Paul
| album =
| B-side = Storm in a Teacup
| released = 1972
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue = Studio One
AIR Studios, Oxford Circus, London
| genre = Pop
| length =
| label = MAM Records
| writer = Lynsey de Paul and Barry Green
| producer =
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title =
| next_year =
| misc = {{External music video|header=Official audio|{{YouTube|4wgN1dzfQlU|"Sugar Me"}}}}
}}
"Sugar Me" is a song written by Lynsey de Paul and Barry Green.{{cite web|url=http://repertoire.bmi.com/title.asp?blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&keyID=1425963&ShowNbr=0&ShowSeqNbr=0&querytype=WorkID |title=Sugar Me |website=Repertoire.bmi.com |access-date=2016-10-31}} The first version of this song to be released was recorded by de Paul as her first single on MAM Records in 1972. It was produced by Gordon Mills and the B-side was de Paul's version of "Storm in a Teacup", a song she had co-written and had been a hit for the Fortunes earlier that year.{{cite web|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/mam81 |title=Lynsey De Paul - Sugar Me / Storm In A Teacup - MAM - UK - MAM 81 |website=45cat.com |date= |access-date=2016-10-18}}
Background and reception
The single was a hit in many countries, notably reaching the top of the singles chart in the Netherlands (where it stayed for five weeks),{{cite web|url=http://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Lynsey+De+Paul&titel=Sugar+Me&cat=s|title=LYNSEY DE PAUL - SUGAR ME|website=Dutchcharts.nl|access-date=19 October 2017}} Belgium, Sweden and Spain. It reached the top 20 in the UK (peaking at number 5), Australia, Germany, Austria, Denmark and Japan. The song also reached the no. 1 position on the Bangkok HSA chart in October 1972, and was play listed on some (WERS-FM, KCRW, KFAI, WPKN etc) US radio stations.Billboard, October 7, 1972 It also received favourable reviews in the United States,Cashbox, 30 September 1972{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/cashbox34unse_13/cashbox34unse_13_djvu.txt |title=Full text of "Cash Box" |website=Archive.org |date= 30 September 1972|publisher=Cash Box Pub. Co. |access-date=2017-07-22}} and was listed as being among the best 5 singles of 1972 by Cashbox.Cashbox, 30 December 1972, p. 32{{cite web|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Cash-Box/70s/1972/Cash-Box-1972-12-30.pdf|title=Cash Box Magazine|date=December 30, 1972|website=Americanradiohistory.com|access-date=13 September 2018}} It also reached number 10 in India, as reported by the Junior Statesman magazine otherwise known as the JS.JS, 6 October, 1973
"Sugar Me" was ranked the 14th best selling single of 1972 in the Netherlands,{{cite web|author= |url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1972 |title=Bijzondere lijst: Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1972 |website=Top40.nl |date= |access-date=2016-12-08}} the 40th best seller the same year in Australia,{{Cite web|url=http://hitsofalldecades.com/chart_hits/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=989&Itemid=49|title=Barry's Hits of All Decades Pop rock n roll Music Chart Hits|website=Hitsofalldecades.com|access-date=30 May 2022}} the 80th best selling single of 1972 in the UK,{{cite web|url=http://www.uk-charts.top-source.info/top-100-1972.shtml|title=Top 100 1972 - UK Music Charts|website=Uk-charts.top-source.info|access-date=10 July 2018}} and the 89th best selling single on the 1973 German chart.{{Cite web|url=https://slmm.de/de-jahrescharts-1973/|title=DE Jahrescharts 1973|website=Slmm.de|date=7 November 2020|access-date=8 November 2020}} Two of the Cashbox editorial staff (Robert Adels and Mark Pines) listed the song as one of their favourite singles of 1972.Cashbox, 30 December 1972. p. 33{{cite web|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1972/Cash-Box-1972-12-30.pdf|format=PDF|title=Cash Box|date=30 December 1972|website=Worldradiohistory.com|access-date=9 February 2025}} "Sugar Me" entered the Netherlands Digital Top 100 on the 5 October 2014, just after De Paul died. The version on de Paul's debut album, Surprise, was a re-recorded and slightly extended version that featured a longer solo by violinist Johnny Van Derek and was produced by de Paul.{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Lynsey-De-Paul-Surprise/release/778041|title=Lynsey De Paul - Surprise|website=Discogs.com|date=10 March 1973 |access-date=11 November 2017}} "Sugar Me" was re-released as a single in 1977 backed with "Won't Somebody Dance With Me" on the MAM label to tie in with the release of her Eurovision Song contest entry "Rock Bottom".{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Lynsey-De-Paul-Sugar-Me/master/820744|title=Lynsey De Paul - Sugar Me|website=Discogs.com|year=1977 |access-date=12 November 2018}}
De Paul re-recorded the song in an updated style including a club mix version and both versions appeared on her 1994 album, Just a Little Time.{{Cite web|url=http://www.45worlds.com/cdalbum/cd/mscd9|title=CD Album: Lynsey De Paul - Just A Little Time (1994)|access-date=30 May 2022|website=45worlds.com}} The club mix was also included on the 2001 compilation album, Dance Sensation (The Ultimate Urban Dance Remix Collection){{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/8386517-Various-Dance-Sensation-The-Ultimate-Urban-Dance-Remix-Collection|title=Various - Dance Sensation (The Ultimate Urban Dance Remix Collection)|access-date=30 May 2022|website=Discogs.com}} and on ''Oldie Club Classics" released in 2002.https://www.discogs.com/release/33227277-Various-Oldie-Club-Classics
Chart performance
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Chart (1972/73)
! Peak |
|---|
| Belgium
| style="text-align:center;"|1 |
| Netherlands
| style="text-align:center;"|1 |
| Spain
| style="text-align:center;"|1 |
| Sweden
| style="text-align:center;"|1 |
| Austria
| style="text-align:center;"|2 |
| Australia
| style="text-align:center;"|4 |
| UK
| style="text-align:center;"|5 |
| Turkey
| style="text-align:center;"|9 |
| Germany
| style="text-align:center;"|16 |
Other versions
The song has been recorded by many other artists, notably Nancy Sinatra, as a non-LP single,{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Nancy-Sinatra-Sugar-Me/release/6483586 |title=Nancy Sinatra - Sugar Me (Vinyl) |website=Discogs.com |year=1973 |access-date=2016-10-18}} and received positive reviews.Cashbox, 28 July 1973 This version appeared as the lead track on her 1999 album How Does It Feel and on her 2023 album Keep Walkin': Singles, Demos & Rarities 1965-1978.{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/28431241-Nancy-Sinatra-Keep-Walkin-Singles-Demos-Rarities-1965-1978|title=Nancy Sinatra - Keep Walkin': Singles, Demos & Rarities 1965-1978|date=29 September 2023|access-date=9 October 2023|website=Discogs.com}} Claudine Longet also recorded her version of the song on her 1993 album Sugar Me.{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Claudine-Longet-Sugar-Me/release/2080099 |title=Claudine Longet - Sugar Me (Vinyl, LP, Album) |website=Discogs.com |date= August 2009|access-date=2016-10-18}} The song was also covered by actress Abigail on her 1973 self-titled album.{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Abigail-Abigail/release/6434616|title=Abigail (13) - Abigail|website=Discogs.com|year=1974 }} Later it was covered by Dutch group Gigantjes,{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Gigantjes-Sugar-Me/release/5166799 |title=Gigantjes - Sugar Me (Vinyl) |website=Discogs.com |year=1989 |access-date=2016-10-18}} Belgian female trio "Candy",{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Candy-Sugar-Me/release/2043842 |title=Candy (11) - Sugar Me (CD) |website=Discogs.com |year=1997 |access-date=2016-10-18}} Nydia Caro (both as a single and also as a track on her 1978 album),{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Nydia-Caro-Sugar-Me/release/2174318 |title=Nydia Caro - Sugar Me (Vinyl) |website=Discogs.com |year=1978 |access-date=2016-10-18}}Cashbox, February 18, 1978 Esmaye on her album Elements in Me,{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Esmaye-Elements-In-Me/release/945706 |title=Esmaye - Elements In Me (CD, Album) |website=Discogs.com |date=2007-12-13 |access-date=2016-10-18}} plus singer-songwriter Nasia Christie who released her version of "Sugar Me" as her first single produced by Brian Canham from Pseudo Echo in 2007.{{cite web|url=https://www.reverbnation.com/nasiachristie |title=Nasia Christie |website=ReverbNation.com |date=2015-06-08 |access-date=2016-10-18}} There has also been a rock version of the song performed by the German group Gwen Stacey, on their 1989 EP "Sugar Me".{{cite web|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/ngm100001|title=Gwen Stacey - Sugar Me|website=45cat.com|access-date=2 December 2018}} More recently, it has been recorded by Papernut Cambridge,{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Papernut-Cambridge-Nutlets-1967-80/release/7743264 |title=Papernut Cambridge - Nutlets 1967-80 (Vinyl, LP) |website=Discogs.com |date=2015-06-29 |access-date=2016-10-18}} Italian artist, LIM,{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/LIM-Comet/release/8403045 |title=LIM (13) - Comet (Vinyl) |website=Discogs.com |date=2016-04-08 |access-date=2016-10-18}}{{cite web|url=https://www.rockol.it/news-670251/m-cover-sugar-me-red-bull-nex-sounds|title=√ L I M, la cover di "Sugar me" per Red Bull Next Sounds - video|website=Rockol.it|access-date=12 May 2019}} Karl Jonas on his 2016 album, In a Gilbert Play,{{cite web|url=http://www.shinybeast.nl/item/440364/karl_jonas_in_a_gilbert_play.html |title=Karl Jonas - In A Gilbert Play (Lp) | Shiny Beast Music Mailorder |website=Shinybeast.nl |date= |access-date=2016-12-08}} and most recently by "The Lickerish Quartet" as a track on their 2022 album "Fables From Fearless Heights".{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/25828372-The-Lickerish-Quartet-Fables-From-Fearless-Heights|title=The Lickerish Quartet - Fables From Fearless Heights|date=14 January 2022|access-date=14 January 2025|website=Discogs.com}}
In 1973, Klaus Wunderlich performed an instrumental version of "Sugar Me" as a medley with "Standing in the Road",{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Klaus-Wunderlich-Hits-Again-3/release/4291381|title=Klaus Wunderlich - Hits Again 3|website=Discogs.com|year=1973 |access-date=11 November 2019}} originally by Blackfoot Sue. This version was sampled for the song "Certified" by Guru on his 2000 album Guru's Jazzmatazz, featuring Bilal on vocals and de Paul received co-writing credits.{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Guru-Gurus-Jazzmatazz-Streetsoul/release/1605547|title=Guru - Guru's Jazzmatazz Streetsoul|website=Discogs.com|access-date=11 November 2019}} The track was also released as a single with various remixes.{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Gurus-Jazzmatazz-Featuring-Bilal-Certified/release/1354318|title=Guru's Jazzmatazz* Featuring Bilal - Certified|website=Discogs.com|access-date=11 November 2019}} This version of the song also appeared on the album Rap History 2000{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Dejoe-Rap-History-2000/release/3784823|title=Dejoe - Rap History 2000|website=Discogs.com|date=13 August 2009 |access-date=11 November 2019}} and also on the 2007 CD Sound Maeuvers by DJ Mitsu The Beats, DJ Mu-R, where it is entitled "Certified/Sugar Me",{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/DJ-Mitsu-The-Beats-DJ-Mu-R-Sound-Maneuvers/release/10903824|title=DJ Mitsu The Beats, DJ Mu-R - Sound Maneuvers|website=Discogs.com|access-date=11 November 2019}} and the 2010 CD Wolt Beats – My Brain Dilla's Anthology,{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/17958199-Wolt-Beats-My-Brain-Dillas-Anthology|title=Wolt Beats - My Brain Dilla's Anthology|access-date=24 February 2022|website=Discogs.com}} as well as on the 2016 CD Mr.Beats a.k.a. DJ Celory J Dilla Mix Pt. 2.{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/MrBeats-aka-DJ-Celory-J-Dilla-Mix-Pt-2/release/8762588|title=Mr.Beats a.k.a. DJ Celory - J Dilla Mix Pt. 2|website=Discogs.com|date=19 May 2016 |access-date=11 November 2019}}
Film and TV soundtrack use
The de Paul album version of "Sugar Me" is featured as the first song in the movie Cut Snake,{{cite web|url=http://www.afr.com/lifestyle/arts-and-entertainment/film-and-tv/movie-review-cut-snake-2014-20150922-gjs4yn|title=A jail duo reunite with ugly consequences|date=23 September 2015|website=Afr.com|access-date=11 November 2017}} and it is performed by Austrian actress Sophie Rois in the German comedy film La série" aka "Fräulein Phyllis.{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0439579/|title=Fräulein Phyllis|date=17 December 2004|access-date=11 November 2017|website=IMDb.com}} It was also featured in the 1980 Russian movie Тростинка на ветру (Reed in the Wind).{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0232855/|title=Trostinka na vetru|access-date=15 November 2020|website=IMDb.com}} It was also featured in episode 1 of the 2021 TV series Physical.{{Cite web|url=https://www.what-song.com/Tvshow/100723/Physical/e/120535|title=S1E1 - Physical (Let's Do This Thing) List of Songs | WhatSong|access-date=22 June 2021|website=What-song.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://popkultur.de/physical-staffel-1-soundtrack/|title=Physical Staffel 1 Soundtrack: Alle Songs mit Szenen-Beschreibungen | Popkultur.de|website=Popkultur.de|date=18 June 2021|access-date=22 June 2021}} The version by Claudine Longet appears on the sound track to the 2019 German film, Club der einsamen Herzen (Lonely Hearts Club).{{Cite web|url=http://www.tittelbach.tv/programm/fernsehfilm/artikel-5281.html|title=Club der einsamen Herzen – Kritik zum Film bei Tittelbach.tv|website=Tittelbach.tv|access-date=14 November 2021}} The original version of "Sugar Me" is used as the opening music for the Canadian film "Dad" directed by Vladimir Bilenjki and released in 2019 and the character Deborah (played by Masa Lizdek) sings the song in the movie.https://www.filmfriend.at/en/movies/dad