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SPARKS

- BASIC DISCOGRAPHY 1971-1980 -

Oct 1971 US LP HALFNELSON: HALFNELSON

  1. Wonder Girl 2.15
  2. Fa La Fa Lee 2.54
  3. Roger 2.30
  4. High C 3.03
  5. Fletcher Honorama 4.01
  6. Simple Ballet 3.50

  7. Slowboat 3.50
  8. Biology 2 (3.00)
  9. Saccharin and the War 3.57
  10. Big Bands 4.15
  11. (No More) Mr. Nice Guys 5.45 (US LP: Bearsville BV 2048)
Feb 1972 US reissue LP SPARKS: SPARKS
  1. Wonder Girl 2.15
  2. Fa La Fa Lee 2.54
  3. Roger 2.30
  4. High C 3.03
  5. Fletcher Honorama 4.01
  6. Simple Ballet 3.50

  7. Slowboat 3.50
  8. Biology 2 (3.00)
  9. Saccharin and the War 3.57
  10. Big Bands 4.15
  11. (No More) Mr. Nice Guys 5.45 (US LP: Bearsville BV 2048)
Recorded at ID Studios, Los Angeles, USA. Produced by Todd Rundgren.

1972 US 7" Wonder Girl

    Wonder Girl 2.15 / (No More) Mr. Nice Guys [edit] 3.33 (US 7": Bearsville BSV 0006)

Feb 1972 US/UK/European LP A WOOFER IN TWEETER'S CLOTHING

  1. Girl from Germany 3.29
  2. Beaver O'Lindy 3.45
  3. Nothing Is Sacred 5.34
  4. Here Comes Bob 2.12
  5. Moon over Kentucky 4.11

  6. Do-Re-Mi 3.40
  7. Angus Desire 3.21
  8. Underground 2.55
  9. The Louvre 4.53
  10. Batteries Not Included 0.45
  11. Whippings and Apologies 4.42 (US LP Oct 1972 or Jan 1973: Bearsville BR 2110; UK LP April 1973: Bearsville K 45510; US CD 2009: Wounded Bird Records WOU 110)
Recorded at ID Sound, Los Angeles, USA. Produced by James Lowe.

1973 UK/German 7" Girl from Germany

    Girl from Germany 3.26 / Beaver O'Lindy 3.44 (UK 7": Bearsville K 15516; German 7" 1974: Bearsville BEA 15 516)
1973 unreleased 7" I Like Girls

    May 1974 international LP (+ CD) KIMONO MY HOUSE

    1. This Town Ain't Big Enough for the Both of Us 3.00
    2. Amateur Hour 3.24
    3. Falling in Love with Myself Again 2.59
    4. Here in Heaven 2.40
    5. Thank God It's Not Christmas 5.00

    6. Hasta Maņana, Monsieur 3.33
    7. Talent Is an Asset 3.14
    8. Complaints 2.45
    9. In My Family 3.11
    10. Equator 4.38 (UK LP: Island Records ILPS 9272)

      2006 CD extra tracks:

    11. Barbecutie 3.08 [B-side 'This Town Ain't Big Enough for the Both of Us']
    12. Lost and Found 3.19 [B-side 'Amateur Hour']
    13. Amateur Hour (Live at Fairfield Halls 09/11/75) 4.45 [previously unreleased] (CD 2006: Island Records 984 341-7)
    Recorded nov 1973 to spring 1974 in London. Produced by Muff Winwood.

    May 1974 European 7" This Town Ain't Big Enough for the Both of Us

      This Town Ain't Big Enough for the Both of Us 3.00 / Barbecutie 3.08 (UK 7": Island Records WIP 6193)
    July 1974 European 7" Amateur Hour
      Amateur Hour 3.24 / Lost and Found 3.19 (UK 7": Island Records WIP 6203)

    Oct 1974 UK/European 7" Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth

      Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth 2.24 / Alabamy Right 2.11 (UK 7": Island Records 13 634 AT)
    Nov 1974 international LP (+ CD) PROPAGANDA
    1. Propaganda 0.20
    2. At Home, At Work, At Play 3.07
    3. Reinforcements 3.57
    4. B.C. 2.10
    5. Thanks But No Thanks 4.11
    6. Don't Leave Me Alone with Her 3.00

    7. Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth 2.24
    8. Something for the Girl with Everything 2.11
    9. Achoo 3.32
    10. Who Don't Like Kids 3.34
    11. Bon Voyage 4.50 (UK LP: Island Records ILPS 9312)

      2006 CD extra tracks:

    12. Alabamy Right 2.11 [B-side 'Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth']
    13. Marry Me 2.55 [B-side 'Something for the Girl with Everything']
    14. Interview (Saturday Scene 8 Nov 1974) 7.16 [previously unreleased] (CD 2006: Island Records 984 341-0)
    Produced by Muff Winwood.

    Jan 1975 UK/European 7" Something for the Girl with Everything

      Something for the Girl with Everything 2.11 / Marry Me 2.55 (UK 7": Island Records WIP.6221)

    July 1975 UK/European 7" Get in the Swing

      Get in the Swing 4.30 [full length version] / Profile 3.27 (UK 7": Island Records WIP 6236)
    Oct 1975 UK/European/US 7" Looks, Looks, Looks
      Looks, Looks, Looks 2.32 / Pineapple 2.42 (UK 7": Island Records WIP 6249)

      Looks, Looks, Looks 2.32 / The Wedding of Jacqueline Kennedy to Russell Mael 1.36 (UK 7": Island Records WIP 6249)

      Looks, Looks, Looks 2.32 / The Wedding of Jacqueline Kennedy to Russell Mael 1.36 (US 7": Island IS 043)

    "From the forthcoming album Indiscreet".

    Oct/Nov 1975 international LP (+ CD) INDISCREET

    1. Hospitality On Parade 3.58
    2. Happy Hunting Ground 3.44
    3. Without Using Hands 3.19
    4. Get in the Swing 4.00 [fade-out version]
    5. Under the Table with Her 2.19
    6. How Are You Getting Home? 2.56

    7. Pineapple 2.42
    8. Tits 4.56
    9. It Ain't 1918 (2.05)
    10. The Lady Is Lingering 3.40
    11. In the Future 2.13
    12. Looks, Looks, Looks 2.32
    13. Miss the Start, Miss the End 2.42 (UK LP: Island Records ILPS 9345)

      Produced by Tony Visconti.

      2006 CD extra tracks:

    14. Profile 3.27 [B-side 'Get in the Swing']
    15. The Wedding of Jacqueline Kennedy to Russell Mael 1.36 [B-side 'Looks, Looks, Looks']
    16. Looks, Looks, Looks (Live 9 Nov 1975 at Fairfield Halls) 4.02 [previously unreleased] (CD 2006: Island Records 984 341-1)

    (Sep 1979) coll-LP THE BEST OF SPARKS [1974-1975]

    1. This Town Ain't Big Enough for the Both of Us 3.00 [from KIMONO MY HOUSE, 1974]
    2. Hasta Maņana, Monsieur 3.33 [from KIMONO MY HOUSE, 1974]
    3. Tearing the Place Apart 3.38 [previously unreleased; recorded 1975 for INDISCREET]
    4. At Home, At Work, At Play 3.07 [from PROPAGANDA, 1974]
    5. Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth 2.24 [from PROPAGANDA, 1974]
    6. Get in the Swing [full length 4.30 version?] [FROM INDISCREET, 1975]
    1. Amateur Hour 3.24 [from KIMONO MY HOUSE, 1974]
    2. Looks, Looks, Looks 2.32 [FROM INDISCREET, 1975]
    3. Thanks But No Thanks 4.11 [from PROPAGANDA, 1974]
    4. Gone with the Wind 3.07 [previously unreleased; recorded 1975 for INDISCREET]
    5. Something for the Girl with Everything 2.11 [from PROPAGANDA, 1974]
    6. Thank God It's Not Christmas 5.00 [from KIMONO MY HOUSE, 1974] (UK LP: Island Records ILPS 9493)

    March 1976 UK/French/Japanese non-LP 7" I Want To Hold Your Hand

      I Want To Hold Your Hand 2.54 / England 3.16 (UK 7": Island Records, WIP 6282)
    Side A produced by Jeffrey Lesser & Rupert Holmes, side B produced by Earle Mankey/Ron Mael/Russell Mael.

    Oct 1976 international LP (+ CD) BIG BEAT

    1. Big Boy 3.28
    2. I Want To Be Like Everybody Else 2.54
    3. Nothing To Do 3.06
    4. I Bought the Mississippi River 2.26
    5. Fill 'er Up 2.18
    6. Everybody's Stupid 3.38

    7. Throw Her Away (And Get a New One) 3.10
    8. Confusion 3.23
    9. Screwed Up 4.17
    10. White Women 3.21
    11. I Like Girls 2.55 (UK LP: Island Records ILPS 9445)

      2006 CD extra tracks:

    12. I Want To Hold Your Hand 2.54 [non-LP single 1976]
    13. England 3.16 [B-side 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' & 'I Like Girls']
    14. Gone with the Wind 3.07 [from LP 'The Best Of Sparks' 1977]
    15. Intrusion/Confusion 2.47 [demo; previously only released on RELATIVITY]
    16. Looks Aren't Everything 3.28 [demo; previously only released on RELATIVITY]
    17. Tearing The Place Apart 3.38 [from LP 'The Best Of Sparks' 1977] (CD 2006: Island Records 984 341-2)
    Produced by Rupert Holmes.

    Oct 1976 UK/German 7" Big Boy

      Big Boy / Fill 'er Up 2.18 (UK 7": Island Records, WIP 6337)
    Dec 1976 UK 7" I Like Girls
      I Like Girls 2.55 / England 3.16 (Island Records, WIP 6357)

    1977? French promo 'rarities' LP RELATIVITY [1974-1976]

    1. Barbecutie 3.08 [B-side 'This Town Ain't Big Enough for the Both of Us', 1974]
    2. Lost and Found 3.19 [B-side 'Amateur Hour', 1974]
    3. Alabamy Right 2.11 [B-side 'Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth', 1974]
    4. Marry Me 2.55 [B-side 'Something for the Girl with Everything', 1975]
    5. Profile 3.27 [B-side 'Get in the Swing', 1975]
    6. Confusion (Demo) 2.47 [previously unreleased; released on CD 2006 as "Intrusion/Confusion" as a bonus track on BIG BEAT]
    7. I Like Girls (Demo) [previously unreleased; released on 2013 2-CD "Halfnelson / Sparks + A Woofer In Tweeter's Clothing"]
    1. Looks Aren't Everything (demo) 3.28 [previously unreleased; released on CD 2006 as a bonus track on BIG BEAT]
    2. Gone with the Wind 3.07 [from THE BEST OF SPARKS]
    3. Tearing The Place Apart 3.38 [from THE BEST OF SPARKS]
    4. I Want To Hold Your Hand 2.54 [non-LP single 1976]
    5. England 3.16 [B-side 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' & 'I Like Girls']
    6. The Wedding of Jacqueline Kennedy to Russell Mael 1.36 [B-side 'Looks, Looks, Looks', 1975]
    More info here: http://graphikdesigns.free.fr/sparks-mael-relativity.html

    Sep 1977 UK/Dutch 7" A Big Surprise

      A Big Surprise 3.42 / Forever Young 3.27 (UK 7": CBS 5593)
    Oct 1977 LP (+ CD) INTRODUCING SPARKS
    1. A Big Surprise 3.42
    2. Occupation 5.17
    3. Ladies 3.06
    4. I'm Not 3.26
    5. Forever Young 3.27

    6. Goofing Off 4.26
    7. Girls on the Brain 3.41
    8. Over the Summer 3.50
    9. Those Mysteries 5.03 (UK LP: CBS 82284; UK CD 2006: Lil' Beethoven Records LBRCDRON/LBRCDRUS)

      Bonus tracks Japanese CD 2009:

    10. Those Mysteries (Demo Version) 3.40
    11. Breathe 3.14 (Unreleased Demo)
    12. Fact Or Fiction 3.26 (Unreleased Demo) (Japanese CD 2009: Imperial Records TECI-26546)
    Apparently all the CD editions were transferred from vinyl.

    23 Feb 1979 7"/12" The Number One Song in Heaven

      The Number One Song in Heaven 3.48 [single edit] / The Number One Song In Heaven 6.56 (UK 7": Virgin, VS 244)

      The Number One Song in Heaven 4.02 / The Number One Song In Heaven 7.28 [full length] (UK 12": VS 24412)

    Liner notes in Sparks CD "The Heaven Collection" 1993: "The combination of Giorgio Moroder's electronics and a dance beat had been intriguing to us. Both Giorgio and ourselves were feeling our way through the recording process, as he had never worked with a band before, and we had never worked with a producer known more for his work with solo disco artists like Donna Summer. No drum machines were used on the album; none existed at the time. Just Keith Forsey (Billy Idol's current producer) and his steady right foot. Though recorded mostly in Los Angeles, once again the British and European public were the most supportive of what we were doing."

    2 March 1979 LP (+ CD) No 1 IN HEAVEN

    1. Tryouts for the Human Race 6.05 [Ron Mael/Giorgio Moroder/Russel Mael]
    2. Academy Award Performance 5.00 [Ron Mael]
    3. La Dolce Vita 5.56 [Ron Mael/Giorgio Moroder/Russel Mael]

    4. Beat the Clock 4.23 [Ron Mael/Russel Mael]
    5. My Other Voice 4.54 [Ron Mael/Giorgio Moroder/Russel Mael]
    6. The Number One Song in Heaven 7.28 [Ron Mael/Giorgio Moroder/Russel Mael]
      (UK LP: Virgin V 2115; German CD 1995: Oasis/Bud Music/Kiosk CMP 62004; CD 1999: Repertoire REP 4768-WG)
    All songs produced by Moroder. Synthesizers by Ron Mael and Moroder.

    (July 1979) 7"/12" Beat the Clock

      Beat the Clock 3.49 [single edit] / (Alternative Version) 3.32 [edit of the 12" version] (UK 7": Virgin, VS 270)

      Beat the Clock 6.38 / Beat the Clock 4.23 (UK 12": VS 270-12)

    The extended version is available on the Sparks CD 'The 12inch Mixes' (CMP 62010) and on the Italian CD 'Giorgio Moroder & Co: GREATEST HITS' but unfortunately both CDs exclude the first few seconds from the beginning of the original vinyl version. Liner notes in Sparks CD "The Heaven Collection" 1993: "[Donna Summer's] 'I Feel Love' had caused an amazing impression on us. Working with Giorgio Moroder, we wanted to see if we could combine some of the electronics and feel of that song with our lyric slant. 'Beat the Clock' was the second British hit single from the LP. We were happy to see that the meny was basically the same at the BBC-TV canteen."

    (Oct 1979) UK/US 7"/12" Tryouts for the Human Race

      Tryouts for the Human Race 3.15 [edit of US 12" version] / Tryouts for the Human Race 6.05 (UK 7"/12": Virgin, VS 289/289-12)

      Tryouts for the Human Race 7.54 (US 12" version) / Beat the Clock 6.33 (US 12": Elektra AS11412-A)

    Liner notes in Sparks CD "The Heaven Collection" 1993: "Despite the success with the public, the British press crucified us for 'going disco' with this LP. We felt we had committed some crime and Giorgio was our accomplice. Funny how ten years later, 'disco' is called 'dance music' and it's no longer a pejorative term. A video for 'Tryouts' that has never been shown in America was shot at Shepperton Film Studios in London. We were transformed into werewolves by one of Hitchcock's Shepperton based make-up artists."

    Clive Hocker: "Strangely the US 12" version does NOT appear on 'Sparks - The 12 Inch Mixes'. It omits the lengthy solo 'syn-drum' sequence in favour of a long introduction based on the existing verse/chorus and, just before the final verse and chorus, adds an almost 'I Feel Love' synthesiser 'break-down' sequence. Equally odd is the fact that it features an extra line in the final verse which is not in the album version: '...We just want to feel the sun and be your little daughter or your son. We're just words that lovers use, words that light that automatic fuse. Still we're at the mercy of the passion of the helpers of the Lord. When that love explosion comes, my, oh my, we want to be someone...' Which could suggest that the original version of this song is, in fact, the 'US extended 12" version' rather than the shorter album version!"

    May 1979 International 7"/12" Noel: Dancing Is Dangerous

      Dancing Is Dangerous (Part One) 3.42 / Dancing Is Dangerous (Part Two) 3.22 (UK 7": Virgin VS 258; Australian 7": Virgin K-7540; Portugese 7": Virgin VV 45.007 ES)

      Dancing Is Dangerous (Part One) 3.42 / The Night They Invented Love 3.45 [Single Edit] (US 7": Virgin VA 67001)

      Dancing Is Dangerous (Part One) 3.42 / I Want a Man 3.33 [Single Edit] (Canadian 7": Virgin VS 258; Japanese 7": Virgin VIP-2763/VIRG-1009)

      Dancing Is Dangerous [8.30 Edit?] / Dancing Is Dangerous (Long Version) [9.42?] (UK 12": VS 258-12)

      Dancing Is Dangerous (Vocal) 9.42 / The Night They Invented Love (Vocal) 9.04 (US 12": Virgin DK 4806)

      Dancing Is Dangerous (Edited Version) 8.30 / I Want a Man (Edited Version) 3.33 (Canadian 12": Virgin VS 25812

    Written and produced (in disco style) by Sparks, vocals by Noel.

    May 1979 German/French/Italian 7"/12" Noel: I Want a Man

      I Want a Man 3.33 [= Single Edit] / Dancing Is Dangerous 3.42 [= Part One] (German 7": Virgin 100 476; French 7": Virgin 2097 992; Italian 7": Virgin VIN 45024)

      I Want a Man 4.56 / Dancing Is Dangerous 9.43 (German 12": Virgin 600 046)

    (June ca?) 1979 International LP (+ 2-CD) NOEL: IS THERE MORE TO LIFE THAN DANCING?
    1. Dancing Is Dangerous 9.45
    2. Is There More To Life Than Dancing? 8.09

    3. The Night They Invented Love 9.16
    4. Au Revoir 3.10
    5. I Want a Man 4.56 (UK LP: Virgin, V 2126)
      CD 2 in 2024 2-CD:
    1. I Just Want to Be Seen with You 4.53 [previously unreleased]
    2. My Night 3.56 [previously unreleased]
    3. I Never Want to Be a Mother 4.39 [previously unreleased]
    4. Dancing Is Dangerous (Part 1) 3.42 [= Single Version]
    5. Dancing Is Dangerous (Part 2) 3.22 [= Single B-side Version]
    6. The Night They Invented Love (Single Version) 3.45
    7. I Want a Man (Single Version) 3.33
    8. Dancing Is Dangerous (Instrumental Version) 3.49 [actually not instrumental!] [previously unreleased]
    9. I Just Want to Be Seen with You (Russell Mael Guide Vocal Version) 4.21 [previously unreleased]
    10. I Never Want to Be a Mother / Au Revoir (Russell Mael Guide Vocal Version) 8.07 [previously unreleased]
    11. Dancing Is Dangerous / Is There More to Life Than Dancing (Russell Mael Guide Vocal Version) 14.35 [previously unreleased]
      (2-CD 17 May 2024: Lil' Beethoven Records, LBRCD121)
    Written and produced (in disco style) by Sparks, vocals by Noel. Recorded in March 1979 at Larabee Sound Studios, Los Angeles.

    summer ca 1979 UK/German 7" Noel: The Night They Invented Love

      The Night They Invented Love 3.45 [Single Version] / Au Revoir 3.02 (UK 7": Virgin VS 286; German 7": Virgin 100 919)
    June ca 1979 UK 7"/12" Adrian Munsey: C'est Sheep
      C'est Sheep (Part I) 3.15 / C'est Sheep (Part II) 5.40 (7": Virgin VS 266; 12": VS 266-12)
    Written by A. Munsey/D. Fraser. Produced (in disco style) by Sparks.

    Feb 1980 7"/12" When I'm with You

      When I'm with You 3.52 / When I'm with You (instrumental) 3.45
    Liner notes in Sparks CD "The Heaven Collection" 1993: "Ron had played Giorgio scores of songs before recording 'Terminal Jive' and all had been rejected with the exception of 'When I'm with You' which Giorgio still felt needed a new middle section. In commercial terms, this was the biggest single Sparks has had to date, and it was never even released in America. The majority of the sales came from France where we stayed for nine months as a result of the large number of TV shows we appeared on. A video of Ron as a ventriloquist and me as his dummy (no comments please) was shown to death in France. As a result, we could walk into virtually any couscous restaurant in Paris and get the best table in the house."

    Feb 1980 LP (+ CD) TERMINAL JIVE

    1. When I'm with You 5.45 [Ron Mael/Russel Mael]
    2. Just Because You Love Me 4.36 [Ron Mael/Russel Mael]
    3. Rock'n'Roll People in a Disco World 4.47 [Ron Mael/Russel Mael]
    4. When I'm with You (instrumental) 3.45 [Ron Mael/Russel Mael]

    5. Young Girls 4.49 [Ron Mael/Russel Mael]
    6. Noisy Boys 3.55 [Harold Faltermeyer/Keith Forsey/Ron Mael/Russel Mael]
    7. Stereo 4.01 [Giorgio Moroder/Ron Mael/Russel Mael]
    8. The Greatest Show on Earth 4.17 [G. Moroder/H. Faltermeyer/Ron Mael/Russel Mael]
      (UK LP: Virgin V2137; German CD 1995: Oasis/Bud Music/Kiosk CMP 62005; German CD 1999: US CD 1998: Oglio Records OGL 81600-2; Repertoire Records REP 4769-WG)

      Bonus tracks Japanese CD 2009:

    9. The Farmer's Daughter 4.03 (Unreleased Demo)
    10. After Dark 3.30 (Unreleased Demo)
    11. Modesty Plays (Instrumental Version) 3.10 (Japanese CD 2009: Imperial Records TECI-26548)
    Produced by Moroder/Faltermeyer.

    April 1980 7"/12" Sparks: Young Girls

      Young Girls [single edit] 3.52 / Just Because You Love Me 4.36 (UK & German 7")

      Young Girls 3.52 / Rock'n'Roll People in a Disco World 4.47 (French 7") Young Girls (Disco version) 6.13 // Young Girls 4.49 / Just Because You Love Me 4.36 (UK 12")

    Liner notes in Sparks CD "The Heaven Collection" 1993: "Yes, Your Honor, it is a song about being a dirty old man."

    Copyright (c) 2012-05-11 Jonas Wårstad.

    Last update 2024-05-17.

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