Michael Sweet discussed how his songwriting process has changed over the decades in a recent interview with The Front Row Report With Reggie Edwards. He also reflected on his role in Stryper and addressed rumors about his leadership style within the band.
The singer explained that he writes all the songs to be recorded in just a few weeks before the group heads into the studio. He said this has been the process since Stryper started.
“But I love writing,” his words continued. “Everyone has this perception that we’ve always written songs as a band. That’s just not true. It’s never been that way. I’ve always been open and honest about that. And sometimes people think I’m a dictator and I hold a gun to the guys’ heads and I don’t let ’em write and whatnot, and it’s just not true.”
The vocalist explained why he often takes on the bulk of the songwriting duties, saying, “I give music to my brother all the time and say, ‘Hey, why don’t you write the lyrics?’ Because Robert’s [Sweet] a good lyricist. I say, ‘Why don’t you write the lyrics for the song?’ And three months later, when it’s time for me to sing the song, the lyrics aren’t done. So, I wind up doing it myself.”
“And it’s perceived often as I don’t let the guys do anything, and it couldn’t be further from the truth. And I’m letting you know that, I’m going off on that a bit of tangent, because I see this online every day. I just saw something at breakfast an hour ago, someone saying that very same thing.”
Stryper released their latest album, ‘When We Were Kings,’ in September 2024. Sweet not only wrote and performed on the album but also produced it.
The band recently wrapped up a 40th-anniversary tour, highlighting both their classic hits and newer songs. They’re now set to headline the Rock Imperium Festival and Rock Fest in Spain next June.
