Ron scared me shitless when I was a lad..but you just couldnt stop watching him, like he had you hypnotised. Forgotten how good this song was and how talented these guys are.thanks!
This Guy's not right??? Ron Mael is responsible for every note and every lyric of a music career that spans over 20 albums. A group that evolved through a rapidly changing music industry and always stayed relevant. Even now in his 60s he's got his finger on the pulse and that's something Steve Wright has never had. . . maybe up his own arse..
Well... Russell has a couple; 'Pineapple' , 'Roger', 'Saccharin and the war' and 'Gone with the wind' with only his name. Among the earlier albums there are a number of songs with both Ron's and Russell's names on. (Later they have both names on every song.) Even though Russell said, in a pretty humorous way, that it works "Ron writes song and shows me, and I go "Yeah, that's great" " I don't think that's the whole truth. If everything worked that way Ron would have written absolutely everything else, including 'The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman' and the movie 'Annette', which is filmed now (October 2019). At the same time as they BOTH talk about "We wrote", "When we write" etc. No, Russell is obviously more involved than the mixerboard and mic.
The moustache guy is so original. Has anyone ever been like that in pop? No way. If you see the video there's more of him - you can't keep your eye off him! I saw them at a festival 5 years ago: he's lightened up a bit! This is their best no.
This is an absolute classic, great sound and the visual input by the main dancing around countered by the almost motion-less guy makes for a very visual piece. The latter is an Art-piece himself! Timeless!
August 2019; 24 albums, according to themselves on their website another one under birth process so to speak. Had great success with 'Hippopotamus' 2017, toured about a year with that. They have been around as 'Sparks' since 1971, but started as 'Halfnelson' before that. I think that's some sort of acheivement, don't you? But they SHOULD have much more recognition, that's for sure!!
Probably true...they might have gone the way of their Arista demos...but they became part of something revolutionary instead. They agreed to be the personality to front Moroder's musical vision. They had reached a bit of an impasse, and took a brave leap. It worked. This single was a seismic event, stylistically one of the most important records of the late 70s.
Very much. 25th album will appear soon. In November now 2019, they will release 1. A "best of" ; 'Past Tense' 2. An anniversary issue of 'Gratuitous Sax and Senseless Violins' 3. Their musical movie (Ron and Russell have written everything, songs, music, dialogue, story) is filmed now Yeas, still going... 😉 More than most people in their age.
I'm looking at the comments and I absolutely don't remember these guys. I'm 40 so maybe I'm too young but I listen to a lot of music from the 70s. So weird. I thought they were just made up for the movie. So weird. This is how Mandela effects are started, things just get by people and then they think it never existed. Weird.
You need to check the documentary "the Sparks Brothers" released this year (czcams.com/video/EOUsIYESOpM/video.html). And also Sparks has their own YT channel.
No, LEGENDS! Still going strong! Counting August 2d 2019, they are in the process of their 25th album. Ron will have his 74th birthday the 12th (born 1945!!), Russell his 71st in October 5th (born 1948!!).
Steve Wright was the king of irony and wit, this was not a criticism, you have to take his comments with a large pinch of salt. He is just making a funny comment, try to take it in that light.
BUT yet recorded 1978. Not released until March 2d 1979, the sound wasn't heard of before so no-one new what to categorize this. Can you believe that? They didn't know what to make of it🤣
did i seriously fucking hear that at the start of the video?? Are they seriously ripping on the style of one of the most avant garde bands ever?? That's TV for ya...
YOU'RE not right, Steve! Ron is perfect.
Ron scared me shitless when I was a lad..but you just couldnt stop watching him, like he had you hypnotised.
Forgotten how good this song was and how talented these guys are.thanks!
the sparks invented the 80's before they existed
rons face is classic
This Guy's not right??? Ron Mael is responsible for every note and every lyric of a music career that spans over 20 albums. A group that evolved through a rapidly changing music industry and always stayed relevant. Even now in his 60s he's got his finger on the pulse and that's something Steve Wright has never had. . . maybe up his own arse..
Well... Russell has a couple;
'Pineapple' , 'Roger', 'Saccharin and the war' and 'Gone with the wind' with only his name.
Among the earlier albums there are a number of songs with both Ron's and Russell's names on. (Later they have both names on every song.)
Even though Russell said, in a pretty humorous way, that it works "Ron writes song and shows me, and I go "Yeah, that's great" " I don't think that's the whole truth.
If everything worked that way Ron would have written absolutely everything else, including 'The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman' and the movie 'Annette', which is filmed now (October 2019). At the same time as they BOTH talk about "We wrote", "When we write" etc.
No, Russell is obviously more involved than the mixerboard and mic.
Ron mael music genious
i love the way ron's trying to mime giorgios sequences, i used to love seeing him so stoic on TOTP amongst all the teeny boppers
The moustache guy is so original. Has anyone ever been like that in pop? No way. If you see the video there's more of him - you can't keep your eye off him! I saw them at a festival 5 years ago: he's lightened up a bit! This is their best no.
steve wright did say in 1995 that sparks was the best concert he had ever been too the gratuiouse sax and senceless violins tour.
The Pet Shop Boys stole their whole act....
love this song reminds me of my brother in law ... god rest his soul...
brilliant stuff. Sparks were awesome. Great sounding track even to this day!
ARE. Sparks are... Still alive, very active. And marvelous.
This is an absolute classic, great sound and the visual input by the main dancing around countered by the almost motion-less guy makes for a very visual piece. The latter is an Art-piece himself! Timeless!
Brill great song
What a goddamned GREAT album!
Too right now there's another musical genius if I ever saw one.
@mobyboy Very true, they were always at the forefront. If you notice, Ron also predated a very popular 90's hairstyle, 11 years earlier.
ARGHH brings bak my youth love it
God how he plays it
Gabriel plays it, let's hear him play it!
such a beautiful song. why werent they successful?????
August 2019; 24 albums, according to themselves on their website another one under birth process so to speak. Had great success with 'Hippopotamus' 2017, toured about a year with that.
They have been around as 'Sparks' since 1971, but started as 'Halfnelson' before that.
I think that's some sort of acheivement, don't you?
But they SHOULD have much more recognition, that's for sure!!
Dynamic close-up at 1:33. What a great song!
sooo gooood
good song
Probably true...they might have gone the way of their Arista demos...but they became part of something revolutionary instead. They agreed to be the personality to front Moroder's musical vision. They had reached a bit of an impasse, and took a brave leap. It worked. This single was a seismic event, stylistically one of the most important records of the late 70s.
Ron is a superstar.....and you're correct...Steve is more wrong than he is wright.Are the Sparks still going?..they had some cracking songs.
Very much. 25th album will appear soon. In November now 2019, they will release
1. A "best of" ; 'Past Tense'
2. An anniversary issue of 'Gratuitous Sax and Senseless Violins'
3. Their musical movie (Ron and Russell have written everything, songs, music, dialogue, story) is filmed now
Yeas, still going... 😉
More than most people in their age.
I'm looking at the comments and I absolutely don't remember these guys. I'm 40 so maybe I'm too young but I listen to a lot of music from the 70s. So weird. I thought they were just made up for the movie. So weird. This is how Mandela effects are started, things just get by people and then they think it never existed. Weird.
You need to check the documentary "the Sparks Brothers" released this year (czcams.com/video/EOUsIYESOpM/video.html). And also Sparks has their own YT channel.
Oh man, the sequence at 1:34 zooming into Ron's face is awesome! Shame about all the distracting graphics.
well said
Lol Steve Wright's intro 'this guys not right'
@erictheviking871 Couldn't agree more.
@erictheviking871 couldnt agree more !
Don't forget Giorgio Moroder, the producer of the Sparks album :)
Without Giorgio Moroder Sparks would have never made electro music like this.
Which they were very aware of, and badly wished to work with him. Big mouths and lucky circumstances made it possible.
elektro legends
No, LEGENDS! Still going strong! Counting August 2d 2019, they are in the process of their 25th album. Ron will have his 74th birthday the 12th (born 1945!!), Russell his 71st in October 5th (born 1948!!).
LA LA LA LAAAA LA LAAAAA
@erictheviking871 so true
Steve Wright was the king of irony and wit, this was not a criticism, you have to take his comments with a large pinch of salt. He is just making a funny comment, try to take it in that light.
Can you explain to me who Steve Wright is?
A UK radio dj.
THis was the end of the 70ies !Electronic music ! Nothing to do with the REAL 70ies sound !This music belong more to the 8Oies !
BUT yet recorded 1978. Not released until March 2d 1979, the sound wasn't heard of before so no-one new what to categorize this. Can you believe that? They didn't know what to make of it🤣
@Sabatinitennis
Like everyone on TOTPs
@erictheviking871 agreed
Actually Giorgio Moroder produced the song.
Actually the song's epicness was done by Giorgio Moroder, the producer :)
funny song :D
Clearly miming!
“This guys not right” -Jimmy Saville
his hair doesnt spoil
the song yet....
did i seriously fucking hear that at the start of the video?? Are they seriously ripping on the style of one of the most avant garde bands ever??
That's TV for ya...
hideyo noguchi
1:34-1:45... I gotta admit, I was getting a little scared.
devo of their day
@mobyboy
Steve Wright thinks that his 'asides' are funny....Somebody tell him, please.