The 80's Sparks tunes are incredible. "Eaten By the Monster of Love" and "Angst In My Pants" are wicked songs from the movie "Valley Girl". The classic Skip bicycle scene to "Eaten" was perfectly placed.
But Sparks is so much more than "Valley Girl". Many fans will point out the teaming with Jane Wiedlin of The Go-Gos on the song "Cool Places" as a major mainstream breakthrough for the band.
Any fans?
[ 02. December 2010, 18:32: Message edited by: Valley ]
Posted by Veronica Sawyer (Member # 2221) on :
I've only heard the songs on the VG soundtrack and "Cool Places" but I love all of those songs. Just listened to "Music You Can Dance To" and liked it a lot - reminded me of New Order.
I heard a story once that the Go-Go's song "Our Lips Are Sealed" was written about Jane and the lead singer from Sparks.
Posted by Secret Admirer (Member # 3574) on :
Oh man! That dance scene from RAD, when they are getting down to Music That You can Dance To, soooo awwwwesome!
I like the songs Popularity and The Number One Song In Heaven quite a bit as well. Sparks are quality.
Posted by Valley (Member # 1322) on :
Secret Admirer .. I'm so with you on RAD!! The dance scene is so wacky that it just makes you smile and want to join in.
And then they follow it up with bike stunts that are incredibly choreographed to Real Life's "Send Me An Angel".
If you just listened to the "Music You Can Dance To" and said .. it's just ok.. please go watch RAD and get back to us.
Posted by Secret Admirer (Member # 3574) on :
Yes, watch the clip of RAD on youtube ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfltRJxLeIE ) and get back to us, like Valley says!
Posted by CrashesParties n TheValley (Member # 2903) on :
have to admitt hav'nt heard of them untill i watched VALLEY GIRL. But i am a fan of there "zany antics" music "You can be smart as hell know how to add"
Posted by Riptide (Member # 457) on :
They are an amazing band, they were doing stuff in the 70's before it's time. I like a lot of the 70's and 80's songs, stuff like Eaten, ALl you ever think about is sex, etc.
Posted by Valley (Member # 1322) on :
Riptide.. the backstory on Sparks is incredible. They have touched so many decades with their music. I can't believe they never truly became a mainstream group.
And they recently did a string of concerts where they played each if their albums throughout the years in order. One album at each concert date. Uniquely cool!
Posted by Muffy Tepperman (Member # 1551) on :
Heard "I Wish I looked a Little Better" tonight ...............um awesome! I heart the Sparks!
and this couldn't be a better performance of it ladies dancing in leotards! haha
[ 03. December 2010, 19:14: Message edited by: Valley ]
Posted by Valley (Member # 1322) on :
Muffy .. that video with the Solid Gold Dancers is a blast!
Posted by Secret Admirer (Member # 3574) on :
Yes, that video was extremely entertaining.
Posted by logan5 (Member # 1467) on :
Sparks were latecomers to the early 70's UK glam rock scene and scored big hits with classics like 'This Town Ain't Big Enough for the Both of Us' and 'Amateur Hour'. They then started to fade as the scene changed, but they retained enough cred and skill to have something of a career revival during New Wave with hits like 'Beat the Clock' and 'Number One Song in Heaven'.
Worth noting; they appeared in the 70's disaster movie 'Rollercoaster' (which is actually pretty good).
All of the above predates their movement into the 80's US indie scene via things like Valley Girl.
Personally, I like some of what they did, but I find they're one of those acts I respect more than I like... if you know what I mean.
Posted by Bamersy (Member # 8808) on :
Have a couple of their LP's-I want to say there's a song with Suzi Quatro contributing-but I can't find any references so I may be hallucinating again May dig around later....
Pamela Des Barres wrote about them in her 1st bio-but not for that reason-her young son was a big fan of theirs.
The songs from Valley Girl are some of the best. At the time, I hadn't heard anything like that before.
It's hard to fight it off much more I hear it drooling by the door Eaten by the monster of love
Posted by cindymancini (Member # 679) on :
quote:Originally posted by Veronica Sawyer: I've only heard the songs on the VG soundtrack and "Cool Places" but I love all of those songs. Just listened to "Music You Can Dance To" and liked it a lot - reminded me of New Order.
I heard a story once that the Go-Go's song "Our Lips Are Sealed" was written about Jane and the lead singer from Sparks.
Veronica, the song "Our Lips Are Sealed" was actually about Jane's relationship with the lead singer of The Specials, Terry Hall. The two of them started a little thing on tour when the GoGo's were in the UK but he had a girlfriend at the time...apparently, he wrote Jane a letter afterward that included some lyrics. Jane finished it and turned it into a song that inevitably became a huge hit! At least she came away with that from the entire ordeal!
Posted by Valley (Member # 1322) on :
Bamersy.. I'm in agreement that "Eaten By the Monster of Love" in Valley Girl is the ultimate Sparks tune and scene in a movie..
but obviously you have yet to join the "RAD" Racing Team .. so here is a little teaser of lost 80's fashion (which I know you love) and a dance scene that rivals The African Anteater Ritual according to Cindy Mancini (okay, she didn't say that, but she admits to enjoying RAD):
Oh but back to the subject at hand...I love Sparks and I attribute much of my affinity to Devo's influence!! Thanks dude !!
Valley, I agree with you. The scene in Valley Girl with "Eaten By The Monster of Love" is HOT! I can't listen to that song and not think of Susie & Skip gettin' it on!! Haha!! "Cool Places" is a unique little gem!! Love it!!
Posted by Lovers with Cassie (Member # 7794) on :
Concerning Valley's post, what about Sparks "Breaking Out Of Prison" in Heavenly Bodies?
You know that nothing beats Sparks. NOTHING. It I just downloaded "Music that you can dance to" on Itunes to get a better version of it. You know it!
We are DEVO
Posted by Ronnie (Member # 465) on :
this is what i love about the rewind. there's no one i know in person that would even know who the sparks are. i have 2 of their cds, and their music is actually great, but eaten by the monster of love is the ultimate sparks song.
gotta love the DON'T LET IT GET ME repeating throughout the song. Posted by Valley (Member # 1322) on :
Ronnie.. we not only know Sparks.. we are envisioning Skip doing a circle on his ten speed bike while the tune is playing. Of course, it sounds like Cindy Mancini is envisioning other things with Skip!
Posted by logan5 (Member # 1467) on :
quote:At least she came away with that from the entire ordeal!
Was it an ordeal? Is that official (like in a biography or something - just asking)?
In the UK 'The Funboy Three' (Terry Hall's band after 'The Specials' broke up) recorded a version of Hall / Wiedlin's 'Our Lips Are Sealed' and took it into the top ten:
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
"You can be smart as hell know how to add"
Sparks - Breaking Out of Prison![[Smile]](smile.gif)
May dig around later....
RAD movie scene with Sparks - Music That You Can Dance To