Sparks discography

Updated on Dec 12, 2024

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Studio albums 22 Compilation albums 12 Music videos 24		Live albums 1 Video albums 4 Singles 49

The following is a comprehensive discography of Sparks, an American rock and pop music band formed in Los Angeles in 1970 by brothers Ron (keyboards) and Russell Mael (vocals), initially under the name Halfnelson. Best known for their quirky approach to song writing, Sparks' music is often accompanied by cutting and acerbic lyrics, and an idiosyncratic stage presence, typified in the contrast between Russell's wide-eyed hyperactive frontman antics and Ron's sedentary scowling.

Compilation albums

A Woofer in Tweeter's Clothing (1968, Self-released) (Collection of demo recordings)

2 Originals of Sparks (1975, Bearsville) - Double LP set consisting of Halfnelson and A Woofer in Tweeter's Clothing

The Best of Sparks (1979, Island Records)

The History of the Sparks (1981, Carrere)

Mael Intuition (The Best of the Sparks 1974-76) (1990, Island)

Profile: The Ultimate Sparks Collection (1991, Rhino)

The Heaven Collection (1993, Underdog/Sony France)

The Hell Collection (1993, Underdog/Sony France)

In the Swing (1993, Spectrum/Karussell)

The 12 Inch Mixes (1996, Kiosk)

12" Mixes (1999, Oglio Records)

The Best of Sparks (2000, Repertoire Records)

This Album's Big Enough… The Best of Sparks (2002, Music Club)

Shortcuts – The 7inch Mixes (1979-1984) (2012, Repertoire Records)

Extended – The 12inch Mixes (1979-1984) (2012, Repertoire Records)

Real Extended: The 12 inch Mixes (1979 - 1984)" (2012, Repertoire Records) Improved and Corrected Version of above

New Music for Amnesiacs: The Essential Collection (2013, Lil Beethoven Records)

Singles

1970s

1980s

1990s-present

Collaborations and contributions

1979 - produced and wrote an album called Is There More to Life Than Dancing? for a singer named Noël.

1979 - produced the album Pas Dormir for a French band Bijou.

1979 - produced the single "C’est Sheep" by Adrian Munsey.

1981 - wrote the lyrics for the album Sex by Telex.

1982 - worked with Lio on her album Suite Sixtine, which was a compilation of French rarities and English versions (translated by Sparks) of tracks from her first album.

1984 - wrote a song called "Yes or No" for The Go-Go's album Talk Show.

1988 - "Singing in the Shower", "Live in Las Vegas" and "Hip Kit" with Les Rita Mitsouko from Marc et Robert.

2001 - "Kimono" with Pizzicato Five from Çà et là du Japon.

2001 - "La nuit est là" and "Yo quiero màs dinero" with Grand Popo Football Club from Shampoo Victims.

2004 - "Acid Pants" with Orbital from Blue Album.

2005 - remixed Morrissey's song, "Suedehead", for the compilation Future Retro

2010 - remixed the song "Give Me Something" by Yoko Ono

2011 - remixed the song "A Happy Place" by Katie Melua as Sparks Vs Katie Melua

2012 - produced Gemma Ray's cover versions of Sparks songs "How Do I Get to Carnegie Hall" and "Eaten by the Monster of Love"

Soundtrack appearances

Rollercoaster (1977) - "Big Boy" and "Fill 'Er Up"

Valley Girl (1983) - "Angst in My Pants" and "Eaten by the Monster of Love"

Get Crazy (1983) - "Get Crazy"

Heavenly Bodies (1984) - "Breaking Out of Prison"

Growing Pains (aka Bad Manners) (1984) - "Motorcycle Midget"

Fright Night (1985) - "The Armies of the Night"

Rad (1986) - "Music That You Can Dance To"

Black Rain (1989) - "Singing in the Shower"

Unlawful Entry (1992) - "National Crime Awareness Week"

Knock Off (1998) - Original Musical Score and "It's a Knockoff"

Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever (2009) - "Eaten by the Monster of Love"

Kick Ass (2010) - "This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us"

The Overnight (2015) - "Tryouts for the Human Race"

Video

Amateur Hour (V-CD, 1995)

Live in London (2003)

Lil' Beethoven - Live In Stockholm (2004)

DEE VEE DEE - Live at the London Forum (2007)

References

Sparks discography Wikipedia

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