Sparks are probably the greatest American New Wave band ever!
Their core always revolved around the Mael brothers, Ron and Rusell.
Unloved to begin with by their home country they fled to Britain where they were accepted with open arms, origianlly becoming teen pin ups in the '70's.
Then like all bands that stand the test of time they re-invented themselves with the help of Giorgio Moroder as an electronic pop outfit and paved the way for the '80's singer/synth player duos.
They are still writing and releasing glorious records and never resting on their laurels.
So what was their best '80's single release (this is UK data, had to prune it to 11), i've had to throw in the '79 releases because they had created the '80's a year earlier.

I did not see my favourite Sparks tune I Predict on the list, so I went with 2nd best

"Cool cool cool cool places!" :thumb:

It's a shame The Sparks were not more popular in North America. They had alot of minor hits here in Canada, but "I Predict" was their only top 40 hit

Sparks are probably the greatest American New Wave band ever!
Their core always revolved around the Mael brothers, Ron and Rusell.
Unloved to begin with by their home country they fled to Britain where they were accepted with open arms, origianlly becoming teen pin ups in the '70's.
Then like all bands that stand the test of time they re-invented themselves with the help of Giorgio Moroder as an electronic pop outfit and paved the way for the '80's singer/synth player duos.
They are still writing and releasing glorious records and never resting on their laurels.
So what was their best '80's single release (this is UK data, had to prune it to 11), i've had to throw in the '79 releases because had created the '80's a year earlier.

which album(s) would you recommend? i've always been intrigued by Sparks, and now realize why i "knew of" them, but never heard their music. i can remember seeing videos by them before MTV, in the late 70's.

Yaaaaaaaaaay you gotta love Sparks, I went for 'The number one song in Heaven'
They also worked with 'Les Rita Mitsouko' in the 80's as well adding keyboards and vocals to a couple of tracks on the album 'Marc & Robert'

All time favourite is still 'This town ain't big enough for the both of us' Quality quality quality. :bouncy:

which album(s) would you recommend? i've always been intrigued by Sparks, and now realize why i "knew of" them, but never heard their music. i can remember seeing videos by them before MTV, in the late 70's.
To be honest they've done so many GREAT songs from early '70's to now, i'd go for a greatest hits package that starts at 'This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us', but because they've being signed to so many labels through their history it's impossible to find one.
The one below is a decent try featuring early to mid '80's stuff compilation, but nothing after that which is a shame.
http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00006JKSR.02._OU02_PIuk-r-fp-699,BottomRight,10,10_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg
1. This Town Ain't Big Enough for the Both of Us
2. Amateur Hour
3. Number One Song in Heaven
4. Get in the Swing
5. Looks Looks Looks
6. Something for the Girl With Everything
7. Beat the Clock
8. Young Girls
9. Cool Places
10. Dolce Vita
11. Fun Bunch of Guys from Outer Space
12. Dance Godammit
13. Tryouts for the Human Race
14. Never Turn Your Back on Mother Earth

Try it, if you like it look for other stuff!
Here's the Official Sparks site if you want to explore further!
It has Videos to songs includuing 'This Town......'.
http://www.allsparks.com/

If, like me, you're finding it hard to choose check out the Sparks Medley mix of 'Tryouts / Beat The Clock'. Two classics rolled into one tune! :thumb:

Music that you can dance to is the only song I know.

From this selection Beat The Clock :thumb:

'Beat The Clock' is my choice