Ron looks debonair but sinister behind the tree, but Russell sails in like the beautiful archangel Michael to reassure us that they are not THAT creepy.
Which is something I have had a tough discussion about, to the "video" for 'Young Girls' ('Terminal Jive, 1980) where someone didn't understand the sarcastic tone, instead was totally convinced that Ron and Russell, in 1976 31 and 28 years old, were chasing 12 years old girls, and weren't even in shame about it.😮💨😒🙄. That person claimed (s)he had been abused, and could recognize a pervert on the spot, or something like that. It's terrible that such things happen, unforgivable, and that's what the song obviously is about. I don't know if it had something to do with the lyrics to that song, but Twiggy, the model, brought out a wave of skinny young models, a look very few adult women would have, it was nearly only young girls. The look was advertised as young and fresh, just about to become a woman. Of some reason the ideals of the fashion usually spread to become the ideal for being sexy, which automatically meant men in all ages had a thing for females looking 13. And some couldn't keep their fingers in their pockets, so to speak. Like (most likely) Roman Polanski, whose little 'affair' with a 13-years old girl allegedly (he pleaded not guilty, but agreed to a plea bargain) took place in 1977. He fled to first England, later France in 1978. Talk of the town for years.
This is just absolutely brilliant in every way. I had heard the song years ago and forgot all about it, but I never even knew there was a video. The "sad lyrics, jolly tune" philosophy is executed to perfection in the song itself, confusing your feelings, pleasantly unpleasantly, and setting them down in some elsewhere dimension; the actual story told is from a perspective many people would find it hard to sympathize with, yet is no doubt a real human experience (a tragedy of beauty), and it's told with perfect concision; last but not least, the Peckinpah-helmed video ramps up this whirlwind to wire-frying proportions. This is my favorite thing I've seen in 2024. Just - wow.
@@jordanfarquharson5345 wow, never realized that, now I see he also did ELO and I also hear that in this song . "similar" sound to ELO And Queen at the time.
Should’ve been a hit here in the States. So ironic that an American band from Los Angeles has more chart success in other countries than here in America. LOL
Buenisima canción.Tengo 46 años quizás me pillo un poco joven vuestros primeros éxitos os he empezado a seguir desde el alubm de Franz me encantáis muchas gracias por vuestra fantástica musica
This is my favourite song on the LP, I love song with story and Russell has never looked more hot than in this video. Not many men can get away with a pink jacket but he definitely did
The Sundance Film Festival, beige jacket with pearle butterflies. Manly? Yeah, on Russell. He wore a bunch of interesting outfits in Cannes ('Annette') too. As like a white-ish shirt/jacket with a big heart on the chest. That's Russell for you, folks! The question is; How many men get away with Mumin socks? We know who does 😅
I love that album title "Whomp that Sucker"...ah Sparks...at least you can put a smile on the face of a Gen X'er...they don't make songs or videos like this any more...
@@ИльяМилягин Thanks for replying. How do you know that? I'm just asking because the only source I can find is IMDb, but afaik potentially anyone can put stuff on there and it may be the source for some other pages that just copy/paste.
"Billions of dollars are spent on the face / Covering, smoothing, and changing the shape / Everyone wanted a face just like mine / Nobody wanted me, only to look like me! "
A lot of bands were heavily influenced by them. Listen to songs like "Tips for Teens" and tell me that doesn't sound like something Cheap Trick might have done.
available this LP in South Africa in 80's too...local pop grup ELLA MENTALwere SPARKS South African imitators both were techno greats...girls and gays love them :-)
People that control media/imagery. Masonic influence or something (seems like all the 80s videos used small girls. Soft Cell Tainted Love.. Lords of the New Church Dance With Me is most creepy. Continues on with little girl in a bee suit for Sound Garden or whoever that was. Plenty more examples I'm sure (scripted by censors bs)
I always thought these guys were amusing and borderline mediocre, but then I saw a movie that said they were the best band ever, so now that's what I believe.
Maybe Russell sometimes felt a bit like the guy in the text🤔. If looking like him I can imagen people look much more at ones appearance than inside qualities... There's pros and cons of beauty.
Jason Zabbidou, What I understand Russell wrote four songs that they have used in Sparks' productions. 'Pineapple', 'Roger', 'Saccharine and the war' and 'Gone by the wind '. Can be more, I haven't found any more though🤔. How and why Ron came up with this lyrics, you've to ask him, I won't speculate. I know my earlier comment seems ridiculous, but if one consider how girls in all ages gladly had (hopefully not literally 😂) torn him to pieces in the seventies and the eighties so can my comment perhaps be easier to understand. He really had "the looks" according to the standards at that time and big, a bit sad eyes to drown into. (No, in the seventies I thought his eyes looked silly. Now, however, 40+ years later 😂I have a better understanding of that 😉😂😂). So, as a woman I know much too well how both sad and boring it is to constantly be seen as a pair of tits, no-one speaks to you, only to your tits. Never looking in your eyes, keep staring eight inches below. Dehumanizing. 😠 Guys can laugh and say that would be their dream to have loads of girls/women wanting them only for sex. Initially. I promise, after a while they'll miss being an individual, a person with a mind, thoughts, feelings. Someone worth listening to, not as a singer, as a human. Just a reflection I made, not as profound as it looks here when I wrote this 😂😂😂, just a little thought in its simplicity 😀, haha! 😇😇 So please, everyone who read this, don't bury your self deep in these comments, they were never meant that way! 😂 😂! If you don't have humor, get some. Could help some people understand more of Sparks' lyrics. 😉😊
@@annabackman3028 Human nature is naturally shallow, regardless of who you are and where you come from; as this song so succinctly points out! It only seems to be getting more prominent year by year as we sink into more decadence. But also, everyone is judged one way or another, to pretty much the same extent but just in different ways. It's a timeless facet that has survived to this very day, and as always Sparks seems to acknowledge these things a lot more than others are willing to.
To tell the truth this song is not my favourite one. Not because of the performance of my favourite musicians, which is as usual fantastic... Just but because of the lyrics which are really sad and worrying... A young man/woman who cannot have real love relationship because of his/her good-looking face - maybe the story of fashion models, good-looking actors and pop-stars - and ends up with smashing his/her face to be able to be loved like ordinary people... It is not so funny ..But I find it very cool that in a lot of their songs the Sparks poke fun at the cult of beauty and outward appearance. It is very important not only to listen to the Sparks' music but also at least to read the lyrics...
I've always wondered how much of the lyrics were Russell's contribution. It has to be frustrating to be such a talented singer and musician, yet have the press only focus on his good looks as "the pretty brother" instead.
In every decade Sparks are ahead of their time...... That's why the band is so outstanding 🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶
Not only that, they are genius. That's the bottom of everything, a solid ground of pure genius.
Nobody said better than you 👍
Every post 1973 band owes Sparks.
comme QUEEN !
And this video was directed by Sam Peckinpah. One of the last works of the master...
My current fav Sparks track x my go to driving song 🎵 xx
Ron looks debonair but sinister behind the tree, but Russell sails in like the beautiful archangel Michael to reassure us that they are not THAT creepy.
Which is something I have had a tough discussion about, to the "video" for 'Young Girls' ('Terminal Jive, 1980) where someone didn't understand the sarcastic tone, instead was totally convinced that Ron and Russell, in 1976 31 and 28 years old, were chasing 12 years old girls, and weren't even in shame about it.😮💨😒🙄.
That person claimed (s)he had been abused, and could recognize a pervert on the spot, or something like that.
It's terrible that such things happen, unforgivable, and that's what the song obviously is about.
I don't know if it had something to do with the lyrics to that song, but Twiggy, the model, brought out a wave of skinny young models, a look very few adult women would have, it was nearly only young girls. The look was advertised as young and fresh, just about to become a woman. Of some reason the ideals of the fashion usually spread to become the ideal for being sexy, which automatically meant men in all ages had a thing for females looking 13. And some couldn't keep their fingers in their pockets, so to speak. Like (most likely) Roman Polanski, whose little 'affair' with a 13-years old girl allegedly (he pleaded not guilty, but agreed to a plea bargain) took place in 1977. He fled to first England, later France in 1978. Talk of the town for years.
Nothing has ever been more mood than Ron Mael sitting down dejectedly in the front half of a pantomime cow.
100%
This is just absolutely brilliant in every way. I had heard the song years ago and forgot all about it, but I never even knew there was a video. The "sad lyrics, jolly tune" philosophy is executed to perfection in the song itself, confusing your feelings, pleasantly unpleasantly, and setting them down in some elsewhere dimension; the actual story told is from a perspective many people would find it hard to sympathize with, yet is no doubt a real human experience (a tragedy of beauty), and it's told with perfect concision; last but not least, the Peckinpah-helmed video ramps up this whirlwind to wire-frying proportions.
This is my favorite thing I've seen in 2024. Just - wow.
It sounds and looks like à fairy tale ! It's magic ❤
Probably my fav from 'Whomp', really addicting and well composed, and never get tired of the lyrics.
Queen "I want to Break free " was 3 years after this......Cheers
Same producer(Mack) as well
@@jordanfarquharson5345 wow, never realized that, now I see he also did ELO and I also hear that in this song . "similar" sound to ELO And Queen at the time.
I don’t really hear the similarity. I do hear the similarity in the production of this album to The Game, since both were produced by Mack.
Sam Phillips from Sun Records was once asked the formula/recipe for a hit song. He said, "Sad lyric, happy tune."
So true! That to me is the definition of great music.
That's exactly what Ron has said in a bunch of interviews! He usually uses the word 'jolly', though 😆!
Happy music with dark lyics, happy visuals with dark undertones... bravo, lads. Bravo.
Sparks.
And a great sense of humour
Awesome dancing by the singer
Sparks forever!
Ange et démon, le paradoxe de Sparks!
Sparks: The Masters of a heartbreaking tale, told to a catchy, happy tune!
#iwanttodancebutiamsad #saddances
This song is perfect in so many ways.
Should’ve been a hit here in the States. So ironic that an American band from Los Angeles has more chart success in other countries than here in America. LOL
Russell has taught me a new way to dance
I love the band Sparks and they Rock so good and well.
The Sparks are among the best of all time.
A great band. ☺
I wonder if thats there mum in the vid ? . well it might be . I always love some Sparks . Thanks ron and russ mum and dad for giving them to us all .
Buenisima canción.Tengo 46 años quizás me pillo un poco joven vuestros primeros éxitos os he empezado a seguir desde el alubm de Franz me encantáis muchas gracias por vuestra fantástica musica
Моя любимая песня Sparks)
А моя eaten my the monster of love
This is my favourite song on the LP, I love song with story and Russell has never looked more hot than in this video. Not many men can get away with a pink jacket but he definitely did
The Sundance Film Festival, beige jacket with pearle butterflies. Manly? Yeah, on Russell.
He wore a bunch of interesting outfits in Cannes ('Annette') too. As like a white-ish shirt/jacket with a big heart on the chest.
That's Russell for you, folks!
The question is; How many men get away with Mumin socks?
We know who does 😅
Ron e Russell são ótimos e originais. Amo eles!!!!
it's the first single I bought in my life in 1981, quel souvenir......
Great song, video is the stuff of nightmares
Brilliant
"20 takes and that was the best one!" XD I love this video.
Bella bella quanti ricordi 🔝🔝
I remember childhood :)
But I still love Sparks!
Those girls are in their late forties now, and still traumatised by their appearance in a Sparks video.
And how do you know?
😂😂
think this was based on a dream Ron had. Can't see how else to explain it. hahaha !
This was a big hit in Belgium. :)
in Suid Afrika too...see ELLA MENTAL local imitators in Ellis Park 1985
i remember it perfectly
Dinca: How could it not have been? :D
They have great taste in Antwerpen. 👍
Had the Album..loved this son.
NEW FAN from the Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada - thanks to my chat friend Phil from England who introduced me to you!!! LOVE this song!!
"Inspiration" for The Killers
Love it! Awesome song
Whomp That Sucker and Angst In My Pants were brilliant albums. Was surprised that this got chosen as a single, though!
Love
I miss my brother. He did this pretty well, leaving room for both to exist.
After 40 freaking years I just now learn that Sam Pekinpah directed this?
So that's why Ron never smiles. I get it now.
He smiles. Occasionly. But when he does, you won't miss it! His smile i HUGE and contagous.
I love that album title "Whomp that Sucker"...ah Sparks...at least you can put a smile on the face of a Gen X'er...they don't make songs or videos like this any more...
they created a world where i recognize myself
Excellent ! Funny!
Except it's actually not funny if you follow the lyrics.
my favourite sparks song!!! never seen the video, cheers for postin!
Sam Peckinpah is credited as the director of this on IMDb and MUBI. Anybody know whether that's true?
Yes. It was his last work.
@@ИльяМилягин Thanks for replying. How do you know that? I'm just asking because the only source I can find is IMDb, but afaik potentially anyone can put stuff on there and it may be the source for some other pages that just copy/paste.
"Billions of dollars are spent on the face / Covering, smoothing, and changing the shape / Everyone wanted a face just like mine / Nobody wanted me, only to look like me! "
Great Song! Should be the Super Model Anthem!
Still can’t believe this video was directed by Sam Peckinpah of all people 😅
The video is like something out of Grimm’s Fairy Tales.
me encanta
😍😍😍😍😍😍😍
Anyone know where to find a decent copy of this in it's native resolution?
New Album 2020!!!!
Шедевр
❤❤
Люди делятся на две категории.
Одни думают что живут не так, а вторые знают, что так и проживают сам дни.
Все одиноки, в этом мире.
lastima que sus letras no estan sub tituladas en castellano. muy bonita balada, desde argentina.
:O Me hiciste sentir curiosidad por la letra y vaya que es siniestra. Muy inteligente.
I love how his horrible facial deformity as a result of his failed suicide attempt is a happy ending. He got his funny face.
now we know where The Killers have their sound from
NO SHIT!!!!! Where is the music media!!!!!
Spot on. It's brilliant.
A lot of bands were heavily influenced by them. Listen to songs like "Tips for Teens" and tell me that doesn't sound like something Cheap Trick might have done.
Nowhere near as good though.
Now you mention it..
Ron Mael is a better songwriter and musician that most could ever hope to be, if you know you know 😉
i can understand why people were scared of ron back in the day :(
available this LP in South Africa in 80's too...local pop grup ELLA MENTALwere SPARKS South African imitators both were techno greats...girls and gays love them :-)
wonderful song, creepy video though....great band
I thought at first it was like fairy tales. You know, Billy Goat Gruff and such🤔
People that control media/imagery. Masonic influence or something (seems like all the 80s videos used small girls. Soft Cell Tainted Love.. Lords of the New Church Dance With Me is most creepy. Continues on with little girl in a bee suit for Sound Garden or whoever that was. Plenty more examples I'm sure (scripted by censors bs)
Feels like heaven by fiction factory comes to my mind. Eerie.
I prefer the one where Ron and Russell box with each other.
tips for teens
@@Junes37 No, there's a video of Funny Face from French TV where Ron and Russell are boxing each other, too. ua-cam.com/video/hId_bMpGW3Q/v-deo.html
IMDB says this was directed by Sam Peckinpah.
It was his last work.
I’m not suprised
I always thought these guys were amusing and borderline mediocre, but then I saw a movie that said they were the best band ever, so now that's what I believe.
why does this song have two music videos
Ты ж не знал 😊
Sinister
Poor Ron just wants to be friends.
This video probably wouldn't get past the censors nowadays.
He's a genius.
@@eastend59 Nope.
Тоже по английси
Where's The Wicker Man?
Maybe Russell sometimes felt a bit like the guy in the text🤔. If looking like him I can imagen people look much more at ones appearance than inside qualities...
There's pros and cons of beauty.
Yeah
Jason Zabbidou, What I understand Russell wrote four songs that they have used in Sparks' productions. 'Pineapple', 'Roger', 'Saccharine and the war' and 'Gone by the wind '. Can be more, I haven't found any more though🤔. How and why Ron came up with this lyrics, you've to ask him, I won't speculate.
I know my earlier comment seems ridiculous, but if one consider how girls in all ages gladly had (hopefully not literally 😂) torn him to pieces in the seventies and the eighties so can my comment perhaps be easier to understand.
He really had "the looks" according to the standards at that time and big, a bit sad eyes to drown into. (No, in the seventies I thought his eyes looked silly. Now, however, 40+ years later 😂I have a better understanding of that 😉😂😂).
So, as a woman I know much too well how both sad and boring it is to constantly be seen as a pair of tits, no-one speaks to you, only to your tits. Never looking in your eyes, keep staring eight inches below. Dehumanizing. 😠
Guys can laugh and say that would be their dream to have loads of girls/women wanting them only for sex. Initially. I promise, after a while they'll miss being an individual, a person with a mind, thoughts, feelings. Someone worth listening to, not as a singer, as a human.
Just a reflection I made, not as profound as it looks here when I wrote this 😂😂😂, just a little thought in its simplicity 😀, haha! 😇😇
So please, everyone who read this, don't bury your self deep in these comments, they were never meant that way! 😂 😂! If you don't have humor, get some. Could help some people understand more of Sparks' lyrics. 😉😊
Jason Zabbidou! "Just" the voice?! But what a voice!!! 😆! They are a fantastic team.
@@annabackman3028 Human nature is naturally shallow, regardless of who you are and where you come from; as this song so succinctly points out!
It only seems to be getting more prominent year by year as we sink into more decadence. But also, everyone is judged one way or another, to pretty much the same extent but just in different ways. It's a timeless facet that has survived to this very day, and as always Sparks seems to acknowledge these things a lot more than others are willing to.
It's a year ago, but anyway.
'More Than A Sex Machine' (Balls, 2000). Takes the subject one step further.
To tell the truth this song is not my favourite one. Not because of the performance of my favourite musicians, which is as usual fantastic... Just but because of the lyrics which are really sad and worrying... A young man/woman who cannot have real love relationship because of his/her good-looking face - maybe the story of fashion models, good-looking actors and pop-stars - and ends up with smashing his/her face to be able to be loved like ordinary people... It is not so funny ..But I find it very cool that in a lot of their songs the Sparks poke fun at the cult of beauty and outward appearance. It is very important not only to listen to the Sparks' music but also at least to read the lyrics...
I've always wondered how much of the lyrics were Russell's contribution. It has to be frustrating to be such a talented singer and musician, yet have the press only focus on his good looks as "the pretty brother" instead.
Directed by Sam Peckinpah, no less.
I think you're on the wrong page, Baby!
Sounds just like The Killers.
Perhaps they were sparks fans
I'm sure they are.
Ябать мои тапки 😬
Aural happiness.
Maybe, I'm missing it, but I don't like this video. It ruins the song for me.
Unnerving. Good song, though.
Lil bit Killers,lil bit ADOLF,LoL
Chaplin. Charlie Chaplin. 😣🙄😒
@@annabackman3028 yeah,thouh
Crap video, but the song is really good
I like the video
calvinistic advice to all girlies exhausted of looking herselves like cosmeticiennes obsedés par les beaux visages
Just a little too much id for me, not as funny as promised