I am not that sure it is so incredible, they have always been ahead of their time. But you are right "Steady Steady Drip" is a dreadfully good album, not to forget that they are still very charming gentlemen in a different way, but definitively very charming musically and physically. I hope I will be able to see their concert in Paris next year as scheduled.
Ah, Sparks violated the two cardinal rules of pop music: Don't be too smart, and for God' s sake DON'T BE FUNNY!!! And the Mael brothers are just too damn smart and too damned funny to be the multibazillionaires they so deserve to be...
Played them to death in the mid/late 1970's . Then pretty much forgot about them as I went on a journey in life and music. Recently went back and played KMH all the way through again. Still brilliant. This is so great- as is most of the album.
Pathetically and consistently under rated and overlooked in their own country, they have gone through numerous incarnations; glam-rock, hard rock, disco, New Wave, now a mixture of whatever comes to their minds. Some great songs regardless of whichever idiom they choose to operate in. Very inventive and innovative. What sdovas says below still holds true 4 years later.
One of the songs that I prefer from the Sparks, not only because I recognize my Paris (the boulevards, the bistros, the Seine) ...and it was not so common for the pop bands of the time to tell the story of a man who is alone in Paris and is glad it isn't Christmas. But also because of that electric guitar solo at the start, which I think must have been learnt by many guitar-playing-learners. And of course because of Russell so bewitching with his almost feminine voice, who not only sings but also lives his songs ... Without forgetting his big brother , Ron who looks like an ordinary bank-employee and is in fact the creator, without whom most of beautiful Sparks' songs and lyrics would not exist. Thank God with the Mael brothers of the Sparks' band, musically speaking it's always been Christmas for more than fifty years now!!!!! I just love them.
Christian Huey's eloquent and insightful analysis of the song's composition and lyrics on his "All You Ever Think About Is Sparks" podcast resulted in me mentally re-categorizing this song from "very good" to "astonishing near perfect masterpiece". The series is well worth a listen if you're looking to deepen your appreciation of the band's back catalogue. Even better, just listen to the song another ten times.
I bought all their albums until I was about 16, and then went in a different musical direction, only to come firmly back to them in later years. This is in my all time top 10 songs to be played at my funeral...... whenever that may be.
Ron Mael-keyboard Russell Mael-vocal Dinky Diamond- drums Adrian Fisher-lead guitar Trevor White-guitar Ian Hampton- bass This band rocked,look for other 'live' video's for proof.
Please let's not forget Martin Gordon's amazing bass parts he wrote and performed on the LP, that's what we're hearing here. Apparently fell out with the brothers over money (surprise!) and was dismissed. Dinky Diamond was a fine drummer, I've never seen 2 guitarists with Sparks, wow!
Isn't that Martin Gordon on bass? Agree that his bass lines were an important ingredient. Was let go with no explanation very soon after KMH became a hit. Perhaps he wanted too much involvement in the writing. It was always the Maels' band. He was in Radio Stars in the post punk era.
@@NickDuvet If you watch this ua-cam.com/video/a9GvUA0ahDA/v-deo.html you'll see that it's Ian Hampton, same bass, almost same clothes. I think Martin had 'left' the band by the time the Thank God It's Not Christmas video was recorded.
Magazine (who formed in 1977) were and still are one of my favourite bands and it is only now i have discovered a track that points to (some of) their influences! I can almost imagine Howard Devoto doing a version of this classic! I heard Sparks singles when they were first a big name in '74 but only now i am listening to their LP's from that time! Superb!
I hope you have discovered the rest of their works, including the latest 'A Steady Drip Drip Drip' released in May 2020. Their 24th studio album since 1971.
I will never not be in love with all things Ron and Russell Mael. They took residence in my head as Halfnelson and never left. Also am crazy about the current band, who (IMHO) are the best Sparks Band yet.
I have been a sparks fan since 1974 first group seen live same year I would love to see their TV appearance on the old grey whistle test this would be the ultimate have seen German TV footage of do ri mi and wonder girl happy sparking new year
awww so reminds me of lonely nights with a Xmas telescope with green filter looking at the moon circa 74 75 , sparks constantly replying on the old player in the darkened bedroom. it's ok,I'm not a psychotic, but probably should be! first band I ever seen live,indescreet tour 13 year-old
... Popular days, the popular ways Are for the chosen few Not meant for me and you Obviously...We have only music "archive", for those "chosen few" Sparks has their best number, Here in Heaven without you, shame if you were one of them
Fantastic piece!Sparks are really underrated they underate themselves as well but the sound the voice Russel unique as well as the style!Not similar these early albums which I bought as a young boy to anything else intrigued me good to know they still alive and kicking and making music which I STILL buy!
Bit late, but... What do I hear, what do I hear? Chit-chat, and clinking glass Cheap talk, a lady's laugh After hour What do I see, what do I see? Some sunken hideaway Where people go to play After hour There I'll spend the night Meeting fancy thins At bistros and old haunts Trying very hard to sin Then it is day end in a way The pattern's much the same In-spots, a matinee Every day Blend with the crowd, blend with the loud Hypnotic ebb and flow Until the day goes slowly Into night See the same old crowd At bistros and old haunts 'Til the lights grow dim, The not-so-subtle hint to be gone [Chorus:] Thank God it's not Christmas When there is only you And nothing else to do Thank God it's not Christmas Where there's just you to do The rest is closed to public view Caroling kids, caroling kids A trifle premature, in tones so rich and pure and crystaline Call for the day, the popular day It's fast approaching now But will the mood allow One dissent If this were the Seine We'd be very suave But it's just the rain Washing down the boulevard [Chorus] Popular days, the popular ways Are for the chosen few Not meant for me and you Obviously Popular nights, poplar rites Great things to say and do Aren't said or done by you Obviously If this were Seine We'd be very suave But it's just the rain Washing down the boulevard...
very touching this is the real créative era of sparks the rest is so strange compare to kimono my house well i forgot propaganda also wich is fantastic -
What’s the difference between Queen and Sparks? Queen sing Thank God It’s Christmas and Sparks sing Thank God It’s Not Christmas - and that’s why Sparks are always the better band. The best track from the best album. No argument. You have to be smart to appreciate Sparks.
Adrian Fisher on the Flying V or is that Martin Gordon? I know Fisher and White were both on the roster for a very brief time simultaneously. In fact White had to re-record Fisher's guitar parts on Propaganda.
La musica degli SPARKS prende MOLTO dalle sonorità diciamo RETRÒ decadenti degli anni 20/30 mescolandole col ROCK e POP , conferendo al loro SOUND anche qualcosa di strano sperimentale a tratti!!!!!!!!!! Cantare i Loro brani, NON è semplice per NIENTE!!!!!! Provatevi a interpretare THIS TOWN IS ENOUGH.... oppure GET IN THE SWING o AMATEUR HOUR o altre ancora del LORO repertorio...... Ripeto Non sono brani facilmente interpretabili!!!!!!!!! Quindi il loro è GLAM ROCK??? Si è una sorta di ART ROCKPOP GLAM!!!!!!!! ASSAI di NICCHIA!!!!!!!!! I FRATELLI...MAEL..RON e RUSSELL si sono distinti per la LORO insolita originalità!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love the song, but the band is obviously not too happy to be lip-sync-ing once again to their own tune! Russell doesn't even try to look like he's singing into the mike, and I have seen shows where he just stopped 'singing' entirely and let the recorded singing go on without him. This must be around the same time as the Don Kirshner concert in the US tho, because Russell has the same outfit, and the band actually performs (live) this song and a few more on Kirshner! Very fine. It was more work for the studio to record a live performance, but eventually audiences did demand it.
I remember someone (possibly EMF?) being made to mime at a live show once, awards ceremony or something, and their guitarist played with boxing gloves on.
Incredible that the latest album 'Steady Steady Drip' is still as good as their first albums. Thank God for Sparks!
I am not that sure it is so incredible, they have always been ahead of their time. But you are right "Steady Steady Drip" is a dreadfully good album, not to forget that they are still very charming gentlemen in a different way, but definitively very charming musically and physically. I hope I will be able to see their concert in Paris next year as scheduled.
Agree. Sparks are brill. And I have been a fan more years than I care to remember.
Ah, Sparks violated the two cardinal rules of pop music: Don't be too smart, and for God' s sake DON'T BE FUNNY!!! And the Mael brothers are just too damn smart and too damned funny to be the multibazillionaires they so deserve to be...
Right you are my friend!
SPARKS is the best BAND in the world and they know that
You forgot one..... Don't ffs look like Hitler... :P
And also they kind of childish, like from Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.
Not appeals to yang adults.
Zero fucks given!! Doing shit their way!! Got to love them for it!
This version of Sparks-- this whole band, not just the Mael brothers -- was an amazing band.
This band was sooooooo ahead of its time, wow
Still are. Though the public are starting to catch up with them now.
I like that moment at 0:30 when Russell Mael suddenly materializes from the center of the screen.
A Christmas song that doesn't make me homicidal: Yay!
NOT Christmas!
Instead of music catching up to these guys, the music industry has been falling behind them, keep in mind they began in 1967 so let that sink in.
Played them to death in the mid/late 1970's . Then pretty much forgot about them as I went on a journey in life and music. Recently went back and played KMH all the way through again. Still brilliant. This is so great- as is most of the album.
Same. It has aged like a fine wine.
Still play them to death have done since 1974
In loving memory of Adrian and 'Dinky' what a tragic loss to the music industry.
Ya
Most overlooked band -- ever!
Pathetically and consistently under rated and overlooked in their own country, they have gone through numerous incarnations; glam-rock, hard rock, disco, New Wave, now a mixture of whatever comes to their minds. Some great songs regardless of whichever idiom they choose to operate in. Very inventive and innovative. What sdovas says below still holds true 4 years later.
Very few acts hold as strong as Russell and Ronald mael do for so long, props to them for all the magic they’ve given for these 50 years
One of the songs that I prefer from the Sparks, not only because I recognize my Paris (the boulevards, the bistros, the Seine) ...and it was not so common for the pop bands of the time to tell the story of a man who is alone in Paris and is glad it isn't Christmas. But also because of that electric guitar solo at the start, which I think must have been learnt by many guitar-playing-learners. And of course because of Russell so bewitching with his almost feminine voice, who not only sings but also lives his songs ... Without forgetting his big brother , Ron who looks like an ordinary bank-employee and is in fact the creator, without whom most of beautiful Sparks' songs and lyrics would not exist.
Thank God with the Mael brothers of the Sparks' band, musically speaking it's always been Christmas for more than fifty years now!!!!! I just love them.
Adrian...at his absolute best! still never far away from my mind.💕💕
My favourite Christmas song
Met Adrian Fisher in Thailand a couple of weeks before he died. 2001. R.I.P.
R.I.P. Dinky Diamond
This song describes my general mood the morning after Christmas Day
Christian Huey's eloquent and insightful analysis of the song's composition and lyrics on his "All You Ever Think About Is Sparks" podcast resulted in me mentally re-categorizing this song from "very good" to "astonishing near perfect masterpiece".
The series is well worth a listen if you're looking to deepen your appreciation of the band's back catalogue.
Even better, just listen to the song another ten times.
I think you mean
sparkspodcast.podbean.com/
So thank you for the link
Just recently heard this on the radio, maybe the best christmas song I've ever heard
This song makes my top 3 Sparks songs, and those of you who are fans, you know that's Saying Something. Epic Intro! Super Tight!
I concur, amazing song
I bought all their albums until I was about 16, and then went in a different musical direction, only to come firmly back to them in later years. This is in my all time top 10 songs to be played at my funeral...... whenever that may be.
Hope you're still here with us Rob! Great tastes.
amazing song!
Ron Mael-keyboard
Russell Mael-vocal
Dinky Diamond- drums
Adrian Fisher-lead guitar
Trevor White-guitar
Ian Hampton- bass
This band rocked,look for other 'live' video's for proof.
Please let's not forget Martin Gordon's amazing bass parts he wrote and performed on the LP, that's what we're hearing here. Apparently fell out with the brothers over money (surprise!) and was dismissed. Dinky Diamond was a fine drummer, I've never seen 2 guitarists with Sparks, wow!
Gringo And don't forget Martin Gordon's band Jet from 1974/75. Their only LP from 1975 is a perfect pop gem.
Isn't that Martin Gordon on bass? Agree that his bass lines were an important ingredient. Was let go with no explanation very soon after KMH became a hit. Perhaps he wanted too much involvement in the writing. It was always the Maels' band. He was in Radio Stars in the post punk era.
@@NickDuvet If you watch this ua-cam.com/video/a9GvUA0ahDA/v-deo.html you'll see that it's Ian Hampton, same bass, almost same clothes. I think Martin had 'left' the band by the time the Thank God It's Not Christmas video was recorded.
Magazine (who formed in 1977) were and still are one of my favourite bands and it is only now i have discovered a track that points to (some of) their influences! I can almost imagine Howard Devoto doing a version of this classic! I heard Sparks singles when they were first a big name in '74 but only now i am listening to their LP's from that time! Superb!
I hope you have discovered the rest of their works, including the latest 'A Steady Drip Drip Drip' released in May 2020. Their 24th studio album since 1971.
First piece of footage I have ever seen with both Adrian Fisher and Trevor White
Most unique band back then and even to this day more unique than they understood I'm sure
always loved Sparks still do
Man the part from 2:37 - 3:01 is so fucking good. I get chills from those chord changes.
December 26th. Must play this.
The late Adrian Fisher.
I will never not be in love with all things Ron and Russell Mael. They took residence in my head as Halfnelson and never left. Also am crazy about the current band, who (IMHO) are the best Sparks Band yet.
Een van de beste groepen in hun tijd (jaren70) , altijd fan van geweest en dit is toch een van hun beste hits.
loved sparks since ,74.
Me too, Kevin. Still have my Fan Club badge somewhere.
2019 anybody?
top class music from the past and the future ! thanks guys
Such a good song. That intro could easily pass for a modern band, like The Strokes, etc. Amazing!
I have been a sparks fan since 1974 first group seen live same year I would love to see their TV appearance on the old grey whistle test this would be the ultimate have seen German TV footage of do ri mi and wonder girl happy sparking new year
unfortunately OGWT footage was wiped :\
ClassicRockVideo that fuckin suckssssss.... Does anyone know what they played or when it was filmed?
@@YellowChoklit it was filmed in 1973 and they played wonder girl and no more Mr. Nice guys. Hopefully someone unearthed it for the new documentary.
@@johnwalsh128 yea thats for sure. would be incredible to see. so excited for that documentary!
awww so reminds me of lonely nights with a Xmas telescope with green filter looking at the moon circa 74 75 , sparks constantly replying on the old player in the darkened bedroom. it's ok,I'm not a psychotic, but probably should be!
first band I ever seen live,indescreet tour 13 year-old
Oh god... that chorus...
Thank God for Sparks
great music , so much of sparks one of the best
Definitely in my top 3 too.
wow- what a band!!!
Brilliant, love Sparks
That Jazz bass sounds a lot like a Rickenbacker. Amazing.
It was a Ric. The Fender was used just for the lip sync. My ric was in the garage being repaired,
Hello Ian! Many thanks for setting the record straight!
Are you actually Ian Hampton?
Yes, weird, that.
Nice memories!
... Popular days, the popular ways Are for the chosen few Not meant for me and you
Obviously...We have only music "archive", for those "chosen few" Sparks has their best number, Here in Heaven without you, shame if you were one of them
I saw them in the late 70s at Hammersmith Odeon ( Hammersmith Apollo) they were so loud, brilliant .
Russell at his doe-eyed prettiest
Always loved this song, never saw this vid, thanks for posting!
This was the video that got me back into Sparks in 2013, thanks so much for sharing!
Best SPARKS Line Up
Fantastic piece!Sparks are really underrated they underate themselves as well but the sound the voice Russel unique as well as the style!Not similar these early albums which I bought as a young boy to anything else intrigued me good to know they still alive and kicking and making music which I STILL buy!
Amazing!! :))
Look at that Flying V, man! Oh my devil!
ADRIAN!!!! So good. R.I.P. Sir.
Thank god
If i didnt know better amd someone said these guys were American I'd be amazed!
Amazing this has so few views it's really good!
It’s the only day of the year I can’t play this
Greatness.
💗💗💗💗💗💗
SPARKS in 70s were guys out of Lido VENICE in 1912 time of Tadzio Thomas Mann and Doctor Aschembsch...seen in movie DEATH IN VENICE 1971
Kimono my house brilliant album still
Thank you for info re ogwt footage no more waiting in vain now but did find live at the capitol 1976 full concert by accident yet to watch in full
The best glamrock ever!
T.Rex the original glam rock, but also love Sparks ⚡️
Does anyone have the lyrics to this, I want to sing it on Karaoke at my local church fair
!
Bit late, but...
What do I hear, what do I hear?
Chit-chat, and clinking glass
Cheap talk, a lady's laugh
After hour
What do I see, what do I see?
Some sunken hideaway
Where people go to play
After hour
There I'll spend the night
Meeting fancy thins
At bistros and old haunts
Trying very hard to sin
Then it is day end in a way
The pattern's much the same
In-spots, a matinee
Every day
Blend with the crowd, blend with the loud
Hypnotic ebb and flow
Until the day goes slowly
Into night
See the same old crowd
At bistros and old haunts
'Til the lights grow dim,
The not-so-subtle hint to be gone
[Chorus:]
Thank God it's not Christmas
When there is only you
And nothing else to do
Thank God it's not Christmas
Where there's just you to do
The rest is closed to public view
Caroling kids, caroling kids
A trifle premature, in tones so rich and pure and crystaline
Call for the day, the popular day
It's fast approaching now
But will the mood allow
One dissent
If this were the Seine
We'd be very suave
But it's just the rain
Washing down the boulevard
[Chorus]
Popular days, the popular ways
Are for the chosen few
Not meant for me and you
Obviously
Popular nights, poplar rites
Great things to say and do
Aren't said or done by you
Obviously
If this were Seine
We'd be very suave
But it's just the rain
Washing down the boulevard...
Vampire Weekend was around in 1974? Cool!
yes
Why Russell that's a lovely blouse you're wearing.
very touching this is the real créative era of sparks the rest is so strange compare to kimono my house well i forgot propaganda also wich is fantastic -
What’s the difference between Queen and Sparks? Queen sing Thank God It’s Christmas and Sparks sing Thank God It’s Not Christmas - and that’s why Sparks are always the better band.
The best track from the best album.
No argument.
You have to be smart to appreciate Sparks.
All true.
Thank God It’s Not Christmas is the better song, but Queen II is the better 1974 album. If you were as smart as you claim, you’d know that…😉
@@zachjohnson637 Excellent! Except you’re wrong.😉
Thank you for that idea. I´ll make my list of songs and this one will be there...:)
Always with the index finger! Oh, Russell!
yeah Christmas 2020 woot
That outfit though haha.
Adrian Fisher on the Flying V or is that Martin Gordon? I know Fisher and White were both on the roster for a very brief time simultaneously. In fact White had to re-record Fisher's guitar parts on Propaganda.
Pretty sure it's Adrian on the Flying V. Pretty sure the other guitarist is Trevor White.
Че за ресурс левы, есть права на размещение видео сей группы?
Is The better son of sparks !
whos the guitarist with the "V"???????????????
at 4:00 Ron's solo!
😂
😉❤😉❤😉❤😉
And I thought Roxy Music was the most out-there art rock (or whatever) in the mid-70s.
La musica degli SPARKS prende MOLTO dalle sonorità diciamo RETRÒ decadenti degli anni 20/30 mescolandole col ROCK e POP , conferendo al loro SOUND anche qualcosa di strano sperimentale a tratti!!!!!!!!!! Cantare i Loro brani, NON è semplice per NIENTE!!!!!! Provatevi a interpretare THIS TOWN IS ENOUGH.... oppure GET IN THE SWING o AMATEUR HOUR o altre ancora del LORO repertorio...... Ripeto Non sono brani facilmente interpretabili!!!!!!!!! Quindi il loro è GLAM ROCK??? Si è una sorta di ART ROCKPOP GLAM!!!!!!!! ASSAI di NICCHIA!!!!!!!!! I FRATELLI...MAEL..RON e RUSSELL si sono distinti per la LORO insolita originalità!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love the song, but the band is obviously not too happy to be lip-sync-ing once again to their own tune! Russell doesn't even try to look like he's singing into the mike, and I have seen shows where he just stopped 'singing' entirely and let the recorded singing go on without him.
This must be around the same time as the Don Kirshner concert in the US tho, because Russell has the same outfit, and the band actually performs (live) this song and a few more on Kirshner! Very fine. It was more work for the studio to record a live performance, but eventually audiences did demand it.
I remember someone (possibly EMF?) being made to mime at a live show once, awards ceremony or something, and their guitarist played with boxing gloves on.
... Thank God It's Not Christmas, but then on the same album you have a (different) song that borrows its intro form a Christmas classic ! Guess !!!
The Hitler look was a bit off but I do like sparks.
Ron Mael looks like Hitler if the dude had gone another way.