Released 1975 | Language English | |
Writer(s) Composer: Richard O'Brien, Richard Hartley
Lyricist: Richard O'Brien | ||
"Sweet Transvestite" is a song from 1973 British musical stage production, The Rocky Horror Show and its 1975 film counterpart The Rocky Horror Picture Show, of which the book, music and lyrics by Richard O'Brien, and the musical arrangements by Richard Hartley. It is in the key of E major.
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In numeric order this song originally came fourth, but was switched with the following number, "Time Warp", for the latter to come before Tim Curry's entrance.
Overview
The song is performed by the character, Dr. Frank N. Furter, originated on stage and screen by actor Tim Curry, who performed in all of the original productions except Australia's. This includes the short-lived first run on Broadway.
It introduces the character of Dr. Frank N. Furter to the audience and Brad and Janet. He openly boasts where he's from, what he is, what he's been doing and why he does it. The song is one of the film and stage show's most famous and includes one of the show's most notorious lines, "I'm just a sweet transvestite from Transsexual, Transylvania".
Covers
Cover versions have been recorded by Anthony Head, Mina, Bates Motel, Ziggy Byfield, The Steve Whitney Band, and punk rock band Apocalypse Hoboken on the 2003 tribute compilation The Rocky Horror Punk Rock Show.
For the 2000 Broadway revival, it was sung by Tom Hewitt.
The song was sung by Mercedes Jones (Amber Riley) in the Season 2 episode of Glee, "The Rocky Horror Glee Show."
Tim Curry's version (the film recording) was remixed for club play in 2011 by Joel Dickinson.
In Fox's 2016 televised tribute, The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp Again the song was performed by actress Laverne Cox who played the role of Dr. Frank N. Furter.