Sparks "When Do I Get To Sing My Way"

[PoloPony]

I need to share my love for this song with other people. I am sure there are lots who love this song as much as I do. I don't remember why I bought the cd single when it came out, I think it was because it was in the Hit List UK of MTV when it charted, probably never even showed the whole video, but I got the cd, of this group I had never heard of (or after). I surprisingly played it very little. Nowadays I try to not overplay a song or cd I love because I don't want to wear it out and end up not being able to stand it anymore, but back then I would. So basically personally for me it's a lost gem.
A couple of weeks ago I had a date and was being driven back home and at some point the song comes up in his car. Totally out of the blue. I hear the fade in of the song, the voice, and I was like "wow, what is this!!! I love it! but, sounds familiar, so how can don't I instantly recognize it??" but within 10 seconds, blown away, I asked "Is this Sparks???" And the answer was yes, and wow I was floored. Aside from the emotions, the sound system in the car was really good so the song sounded absolutely fabulous. And the voices are so sublime. There isn't a single thing I don't love about this song. Well yes, the length and that there isn't an Extended Mix!
So I finally got the album now, but I'm sad to see that there isn't a song that is even close to the perfect pop song that My Way is. The melody, the still-Moroderesque synth base, the tin-tinny bit at the end.... How can such a beautiful song be the only good thing in this album? Ok I've played it only once and will play it more, but it doesn't look so good.

A couple of times since 1994 I did have a chance to listen to a couple of Sparks songs but never even close to hearing something that made me research and buy more. Then Disco Discharge came and they issued the long version of "The Number One Song In Heaven" which I fell in love with. Shortly after that came those Extended Mixes and Singles compilations from Repertoire and I really liked a lot of songs there.

On "Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins" I heard lots of sounds from PSB (especially some heard in Go West). Were they using a similar sound only i this album or later ones too?
I hope I will read more messages from people loving this song!

[transforce]

I also loved this at the time. It still sounds pretty wonderful! I think I discovered it on a 'Now' album and ignored the rest of the album. Thanks for bringing it up again so I could hear it again

[Undertaker]

Yeah this is a wonderful pop song. Never been keen on Sparks really but there were a few good tunes.

[df118junkie]

Also one of my all-time favourite tunes. There is an extended mix of sorts - the Rapino Brothers Extended Sola Mix (the best version IMHO). It was released twice. The first time it was produced/mixed by The Grid, and there is also an instrumental version of their mix on the second release, where the Rapino Bros dominate.

Sparks may never have produced a consistent album, but their history is littered with great songs.

[retrofuturist]

I love this song too - it's my favourite Sparks song. The Vince Clarke remix is very good too.

[karnsculpture]

Same here, an all-time favourite, very witty and enjoyable lyrically as well as musically. I saw the video on The Chart Show maybe and bought both CD singles the same day. Should have been a huge hit. I was aware of Sparks but only "Beat The Clock" and "This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us" - I still haven't investigated their back catalogue a lot but I respect them a lot as an act. I think my favourite album is "The No.1 Song In Heaven", from the same period Moroder was working with Donna Summer, Three Degrees and Japan - all of whom released tracks with incredible sequencers and deep analogue synth sounds which haven't dated. I hear "So Hard" every time I hear any of that material.

[tottenhammattspurs]

When I kiss you, from the same album, is pure 1994 pop too.

[retrofuturist]

Greetings,

When I kiss you, from the same album, is pure 1994 pop too.

And the Beatmasters 7" improves it further IMO.

Retro.

[DJ Fairborne]

I have both the 1994 original CD single & 2-part 1995 re-issue CD singles etc. I loved this track when it came out in '94 & a lot of my friends knew of it, as it's on "Now 29". Shame it wasn't a very big hit though, but there are some good remixes of it, plus the B-side, "National Crime Awareness Week" is quite good too!...

I'm sure at that time, around '94-'95, there were plans to do a Sparks tribute album & it was rumoured that PSB were one of the acts going to be involved, but I don't think anything came to fruition sadly.

[retrofuturist]

Greetings,

I'm sure at that time, around '94-'95, there were plans to do a Sparks tribute album & it was rumoured that PSB were one of the acts going to be involved, but I don't think anything came to fruition sadly.

That could well be what became the "Plagiarism" album, which includes collaborations with Faith No More, Erasure and one or two others that don't come to mind at the moment.

There is at least one Sparks tribute album that I'm aware of, but it's in the "fan tribute" realm, like a couple of the Pet Shop Boys tribute compilations that are knocking about.

Retro.

[Syncratic]

Also one of my all-time favourite tunes. There is an extended mix of sorts - the Rapino Brothers Extended Sola Mix (the best version IMHO). It was released twice. The first time it was produced/mixed by The Grid, and there is also an instrumental version of their mix on the second release, where the Rapino Bros dominate.

Sparks may never have produced a consistent album, but their history is littered with great songs.

Um Lil Beethoven, Hello Young Lovers, Number 1 in Heaven...

[Eldritch]

I have both the 1994 original CD single & 2-part 1995 re-issue CD singles etc. I loved this track when it came out in '94 & a lot of my friends knew of it, as it's on "Now 29". Shame it wasn't a very big hit though, but there are some good remixes of it, plus the B-side, "National Crime Awareness Week" is quite good too!...

I'm sure at that time, around '94-'95, there were plans to do a Sparks tribute album & it was rumoured that PSB were one of the acts going to be involved, but I don't think anything came to fruition sadly.

They sort of did it themselves. Erasure was involved.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plagiarism_(album)

[df118junkie]

Also one of my all-time favourite tunes. There is an extended mix of sorts - the Rapino Brothers Extended Sola Mix (the best version IMHO). It was released twice. The first time it was produced/mixed by The Grid, and there is also an instrumental version of their mix on the second release, where the Rapino Bros dominate.

Sparks may never have produced a consistent album, but their history is littered with great songs.

Um Lil Beethoven, Hello Young Lovers, Number 1 in Heaven...

None of them perfect albums

[PoloPony]

I have both the 1994 original CD single & 2-part 1995 re-issue CD singles

Which ones would these be, like on discogs for example?

Japan had an album produced by Moroder? Which one?

[rollo]

Also one of my all-time favourite tunes. There is an extended mix of sorts - the Rapino Brothers Extended Sola Mix (the best version IMHO). It was released twice. The first time it was produced/mixed by The Grid, and there is also an instrumental version of their mix on the second release, where the Rapino Bros dominate.

Sparks may never have produced a consistent album, but their history is littered with great songs.

Um Lil Beethoven, Hello Young Lovers, Number 1 in Heaven...

None of them perfect albums

It sounds as though you need to reduce your expectations a little! I'm not sure about Hello Young Lovers (I prefer Exotic Creatures of the Deep). Lil' Beethoven is extremely close (I'd say only Ugly Girls is a bit weak). And Number 1 in Heaven is exceptional.

Nothing's perfect - Behaviour has Nervously on it.