Very interesting and enjoyable commentary on Sparks Indiscreet album. He follows up his observations with examples throughout the presentation. Full marks
It's great that you took this one on. It's easily one of their most dense and challenging albums, and your commentary makes it a fair deal easier to penetrate and appreciate.
Thanks! Indiscreet has got to be their most rewarding albums. I saw it live at 21x21 because I couldn’t wait to see how they’d tackle it on stage. It’s so ambitious. This way of looking at the album is new to me too, I worked it out this month, and it’s given me even more to love about it.
@@MetaSparks Agreed - the 21x21 show was the night I was looking forward to most - seeing the marching band come out for Get In The Swing and then the string players for Under The Table With Her made my heart sing! (At the end, when R&R thanked everyone, I was the person who shouted "You sound f***ing INCREDIBLE!" - a sudden, impulsive shriek of delight!)
It was amazing. I still can’t quite fathom that this band took an album as complex as indiscreet and played it live in its entirety, in the middle of 20 other albums. It can’t be stated loudly enough how mad that Sparks put SO MUCH into that show, and it was such a privilege to be one of the few that saw it. We are lucky people!
Such a lovely Christmas gift for the Sparks fans. Thank you. I am so grateful for this and other MetaSparks analyses you've done before and in the future. You have helped me understand the brother's lyrics. I grew up with Sparks, and was 12 1/2 when "This town..." came. English is not my native language, it's Swedish. I began to learn English when I was 10, I liked very much what I understood with Sparks' lyrics (on the sleeves).. but I didn't understand the deeper meaning behind their songs like I do after you have explained them.
That’s so kind. I’ve always shared that fascination you had, reading through the lyrics. I love with Sparks that you can fall in love with a song, the find out what it’s about and fall in love with all over again! I’ve never known a band like it, with so many things to love in their music.
Hi.. you may want to look into the Swedish version of The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman! There is a fair amount of Swedish dialogue and singing in it! I'm an Aussie though!
Insightful and entertaining, bravo! Indiscreet is my all-time favourite Sparks album, I played the original vinyl LP to death. I also think - despite Bolan and Bowie - that this is Tony Visconti's finest hour too.
Thanks! Tony Visconti was the perfect pairing for Sparks. They brought out the best in each other. He is so proud of that album from what I’ve read, and enjoys it as much as we do.
Brilliant album..i saw them on indiscreet tour 75...Coventry theatre...my first ever gig loud and wonderful..£1..for a ticket. I was deaf next day at school!...always remember Russell coming out inhis riding gear and whip..!..encore ron in a vest..eating an apple..to achoo and in the future..also how are you getting home...wonderful 👏..rip dinky diamond...rons lyrics..genius...still a major fan....i knew they were always...going to last...the rest is history...still churning out great stuff...universally cherished Sparks...thanks for indepth ..review of indiscreet...always a favourite sleeve too....plane wreckage 😮...scene by pool and horse..studio shot..i met ian hampton...and he told me!!..cheers gazz
I’m so jealous that you got to see them tour Indiscreet! I was lucky enough to see them play it in London on the 21x21 shows. Who would have thought in 1975 that you’d still be listening to them five decades later! We’re very lucky to be fans of such a great band 😄. Thanks for watching!
I am mightily impressed, Paul. This is quite intricate and thoughtful. Some of your interpretations seem right on, others less so, but your rigor and enthusiasm make for a great watch. Not to mention your amazing disappearing/reappearing hair and beard! ;-) I would like to see you, or someone, check out the factual side of things more deeply, in addition to the Sparks Brothers information that you cite. As always, I wonder about placing a such a specific grid over a narrative that we know relatively little about. But I am utterly fascinated by your take on Sparks. Your comments on Hospitality on Parade, I Want to Hold Your Hand and Pineapple are especially wonderful, though Pineapple breaks the pattern because it was written by Russell instead of Ron. Anyway, this video brought me the closest I've come to your point of view, and I really love your videos.
Thanks so much! This vid took longer than expected and it was a fight against time with the beard getting too unruly! I see what you mean about looking for evidence outside of the lyrics, but I’m kinda treating The Sparks Brothers as cannon, because it’s how they want to tell their story. For Indiscreet it mentions things like Louis Louis, record company pressure, the hysteria of a teenage fanbase, all tying to these interpretations. I almost feel like I can ignore any proof other than the lyrics and doc. If it is a yet-to-be-revealed story then the doc is part of the storytelling, so I’m almost treating Sparks like a work of fiction. I’m not sure if that makes sense!
This is just astounding! I've had this album since 1975 and tbh it was never my favourite. But your analysis is highly persuasive and has changed my whole perception. It is mind-boggling! I've now subscribed and looking forward to seeing what other revelations are in store!
I had never understood what Hospitality on Parade was about - the answer was hidden in plain sight all the time. I'd agree Indiscrete has always been one of my most faves. I can't wait till you get to Big Beat and the Tati intended track 'Confusion'.
Thank you, Paul. Loving your perspectives on Sparks’ music & lyrics. ‘Indiscreet’ is hands-down my favorite Sparks album, and you’ve just provided a new way for me to ponder why this is such a masterpiece.
Thank you! It sounded like a masterpiece when I first heard it and I can’t quite believe that 20 years after I first heard it there are still new ways to love these songs.
Very interesting, I love the cover with the brothers crash landing in California, posed by a Hollywood pool and holding bags of groceries in a vast supermarket car park. They are happy to be back in the LA sunshine. But I'm not sure how much pressure Island records put on them to be commercial, as friends of mine who were signed there had a lot of artistic freedom. The three albums Sparks recorded for Island were certainly a trio of experimental surprises and breathtaking originality. Roxy Music were also pushing Pop/Rock boundaries on the label at a similar time. I can't imagine any contemporary major label supporting such daring artistic risks. It's interesting that the move to America resulted in two flop albums, before scoring hits by once again by returning to Europe.
Thanks for watching, and I’m glad you found it interesting. Regarding Island Records, I agree that they’ve long been champions of left-of-field artists, so I don’t think they necessarily pushed Sparks to be commercial, but what the Sparks Bros doc says is that Kimono was such a big hit, that there was a kind of expectation for them to do it again. The impression I got is that they had a great relationship with Island but were eager to leave the UK and reinvent the band again.
Merry Christmas! Another great video. I first discovered the song Tits thanks to a fan made video, I liked your take on it. I had no idea they covered The Beatles for a non album single. The first band to capture my heart..I should tell you that I got A Steady Drip Drip Drip limited edition book version for Christmas!
Thanks! I’m really proud of my Tits interpretation because it’s always sounded like there’s a puzzle element to it anyway, such a fantastic song. A steady drip drip drip is a great album so I hope you love it. It was the first album that set me off to making these meta interpretations so it’ll always have a place in my heart.
@@petabulmer3317 happy hunting! There are so many great songs on a steady drip drip drip. Left out in the cold and pacific standard time are two of my all time favourites.
After listening to your take on the tracks, I see that there's so much more to them than I initially thought, when buying the album, albeit a bit late, in the early 80's. Thanks for an entertaining analysis.
Great work as always Paul. Really enjoyable to see all these connections between the songs. With regard to the song the Lady is Lingering, I have always thought this was a terrific song and I have always thought it would have been perfect for Liza Minnelli to sing. Every time I hear it I can hear her voice singing it. Nothing to do with the meaning of the song but just a side thought.
You’re right about Liza Minnelli! That song is dripping with class. It was a slow burn for me but it’s such a favourite for me now. It’s the perfect coupling of Russ’s voice and Ron’s words.
I am a huge - I mean HUGE - Sparks fan and I'm loving your content. Regarding your question about what is meant by "every Parisian will love tonight without using hands"...I always assumed Ron was referring to oral sex! The French obviously have a reputation for romance and as you know, the boys have never shied away from risqué subject matter!
I was beginning to wonder if you were just busy through the holidays and was going to wait until next year Brilliant record Brilliant analysis You are it anything consistent I’m not sure you are right but I like how this all rings true I always knew there was much more “Hospitality” but I never dug deep enough to come to your conclusion What you say seems good Any way you slice I’m glad you’re back Looking for more of you BALLS analysis I briefly thought you might’ve given up but you explained it Thanks
Thank you! I’m glad the consistency rings true, especially because this interpretation of indiscreet is new to me (mostly) and it has so much in common with what I’ve said about Balls, Terminal Jive and Annette, and i’ve only covered the tip of the iceberg so far. I can’t wait to get more vids out and thanks for sticking with me!
Paul - only my second excursion into your world of Meta-Sparks, but I watched this as I adored "Indiscreet" when it was first released.....and I still do. I'd picked up on the US-UK references over the years, but I'll be honest - I had never considered that the whole shebang might be autobiographical, as it were. Because "Hospitality on parade" is my favourite song on the album, I had kinda recognised that 'one extra coastline' as also being their home. But I digress... I think your essay is extremely well-presented and well-argued. I can go with you on just about all of it..... I had never thought about the lyrics to "Without using hands" that way, but I'm happily buying your theory (I'm still devastated that my favourite French director was too unwell to proceed with the Sparks project). The only argument I'm not sold on is "The lady is lingering", but given that you've tied all of the rest of the album into such a well-reasoned package, I think I have to give you a free pass on that one :) Thank you very much
Thanks Jim, I’m really glad you enjoyed it, and hope you get the chance to check out more. I appreciate the feedback too, because it’s hard to see what’s landing with people, it’s useful to know.
I know they are usually issued as bonus tracks with Big Beat, but I've always thought Tearing The Place Apart and Looks Aren't Everything feel like they belong more with Indiscreet and I'm pretty sure they were written/recorded around the Indiscreet sessions (it's deliciously Maelesque to have a song called Looks, Looks, Looks followed up with another called Looks Aren't Everything - sort of like the two 'Fun' songs on Hippopotamus).
That’s a really great point. I don’t know much about these songs yet, beyond them sounding great. I always liked that “tearing the place apart” is such an aggressive line it’s a casual, calm and sophisticated song. That’s gotta mean something in the big picture, and it fits right into that world of indiscreet, just like ‘looks’. Thanks for giving me something to think about for whenever I move onto Big Beat.
@@MetaSparks Same with the last verse of Without Using Hands - "When the explosion rocked the lobby of the Ritz Hotel..." is a very elegant and restrained expression of a horrific event. I can imagine Tearing The Place Apart being left off Indiscreet for having been deemed too musically and thematically similar to Without Using Hands. I'd have loved Looks Aren't Everything to have been included on Indiscreet just for the sheer contrariness of having one song extolling looks and another decrying them. But the tracklist of Indiscreet is so perfect as it is, I can't imagine where you'd place Looks Aren't Everything - it would mean moving Looks, Looks, Looks to earlier in the running order which in turn would mean moving everything else around and I'm not sure that would improve the album. It's obviously a fan favourite though, as Looks Aren't Everything made it on to the 'audience requests' setlist for the second half of the Exotic Creatures show at 21x21.
Oh I love that - both songs being “an elegant and restrained expression of a horrific event”, that works completely! Without Using Hands had me completely stumped but there’s a thread to pull in with that way of looking at it. I was there for indiscreet and ECOTD at 21x21. I have never felt more lucky to have these two as my favourite band, pulling off incredible feats like 21x21, with a tiny audience and for one-night only.
I thought this was one of your better ones. Very interesting. Though was puzzled when you said R&R had no children... I have to say I've never been sure of anything in their personal life. They keep it all so private. For all I know they've got 20 grandchildren each. I have never got a clue about their private life, only their artistic public life. Other than Ron's collections and their love of coffee shops.
Thank you , as always, Paul, for your insightful interpretations. After this, I did think to myself about "without using hands", how to me it feels like it is sung with kind of a French vocal (alluding to the proposed film you point out). Hospitality, when the guitar kicks, in kind of reminds me of "Lilly the Pink", by Scaffold, which to me is a very English sounding song. The whole album does seem to be a love letter to going home, being homesick, being tired of people trying to control what they do. I am glad SPARKS and their music is open to interpretation, and works on many levels. I don't think there IS a right or wrong in the interpretation, showcasing their brilliance, lyrically and musically (Make of it what you will, make of it what you will.....). Thank you so much, as always, MetaSparks is a fascinating watch/listen. It makes me replay the albums with fresh ears. I am hopefully for a tour next year, whether they celebrate 50 years of Kimono/Propaganda, or something else, it doesn't matter as it is SPARKS. If so, I hope I will have the chance to say thank you to you in person. Happy Christmas to you and yours, Paul.
Thanks Steve, here’s to a 2024 tour, and if so, I’ll see you there! Lily the Pink is something my partner sings over Hospitality on Parade… I wonder if it’s intentional? I’m glad it’s coming across that these songs tell us about Sparks, with all the themes you mention. It’s such an interesting way to tell their own story in music.
My 1st and favorite Sparks LP. Bought it never heard of Sparks. Cover looked cool and I thought they were English. It was so odd, unlike anything I have heard before or after really. Ron said this was his favorite album
I can’t wait to get back onto Balls. This video was supposed to be a five minute palette cleanser about Hospitality on Parade, but then I started to join the dots with other songs. Lots more to come in balls though, then a video for every song after that.
The Sparks never threw tvs out of hotel windows or bragged about overdosing on drugs, and though they are considered glam rock they kicked more ass than the pansies who had their agents call the press to let them know their star has been misbehaving. I was 8 years old when this song came out, and we loved it in the school playground (while talking about Jaws and who'd seen it).
@@MetaSparks It's weird, I don't know anyone who doesn't like the Sparks; they're one of those acts that even people who don't own a single album (like myself) admit to liking, at worst saying they're a "guilty pleasure"; they're a pleasure to me too, but I don't feel guilty about it.
I’m enjoying seeing the world come around to Sparks. People seem to love them but they’ve been unknowns for so long. It’s great seeing them get their dues.
This album is a tough one for me, I like it, but it feels so different from the previous two. I think I actually like Big Beat more (I know im probably in the minority there)😅 Also, It would be great to know if Ron ever watched any of these, he seems like he's constantly in music mode to be watching UA-cam though.
I really hope R&R have seen this, and approve of what I’m doing! I know what you mean about this album not always sitting right. It’s too wacky to fit every mood, but still a masterpiece!
What made me laugh at the time sparks were branded a glam rock band...but as much as I love glam bands including the sweet and t.rex...I could never see them doing something like looks looks looks 😂.....sparks always had brilliant b.sides too!...👍
Spark's were always very irreverent and were doing parodies of different genres of Rock and Pop music. I really liked their musical work during their English phase With Kimono M H, Propaganda, and Indiscrete, all excellent recordings, brimming over with wit. sly references to sexual mores and cultural snobbery , making swipes at crass materialism.and having inventive forays into ragtime style as well as classical string quartet styling. I don't agree withbthis fellows interptetation of the meanings behind Soarks' songs ,including rhe often very witty lyrics in their songs on this album. I just think he takes there humor and witty parody much too seriously. I thinks his interoretayionnof Hospitality on Parade is way off the mark. I actually think that if the group Sparks was making a comment about Ametucan values vs British valyes.I think it clear that they actually appreciate English attitudes and sensibilities much more than the crass commercialism that attribute to American culture!
I respectfully disagree. Did you get further than Hospitality on Parade when watching? This way of viewing the songs fits the whole album. Also, they clearly did want to leave England because after this they didn’t tour the UK for 20 years.
Very interesting and enjoyable commentary on Sparks Indiscreet album. He follows up his observations with examples throughout the presentation. Full marks
Thank you so much, it’s so nice to know that these ideas land and resonate well.
Halfway through and really enjoying your thoughts on one of Sparks best albums!
Thanks Larry! I saw this one at 21x21 - what a night!
Fancy seeing you here! This is a great video!
It's great that you took this one on. It's easily one of their most dense and challenging albums, and your commentary makes it a fair deal easier to penetrate and appreciate.
Thanks! Indiscreet has got to be their most rewarding albums. I saw it live at 21x21 because I couldn’t wait to see how they’d tackle it on stage. It’s so ambitious. This way of looking at the album is new to me too, I worked it out this month, and it’s given me even more to love about it.
@@MetaSparks Agreed - the 21x21 show was the night I was looking forward to most - seeing the marching band come out for Get In The Swing and then the string players for Under The Table With Her made my heart sing! (At the end, when R&R thanked everyone, I was the person who shouted "You sound f***ing INCREDIBLE!" - a sudden, impulsive shriek of delight!)
It was amazing. I still can’t quite fathom that this band took an album as complex as indiscreet and played it live in its entirety, in the middle of 20 other albums. It can’t be stated loudly enough how mad that Sparks put SO MUCH into that show, and it was such a privilege to be one of the few that saw it. We are lucky people!
Such a lovely Christmas gift for the Sparks fans. Thank you. I am so grateful for this and other MetaSparks analyses you've done before and in the future. You have helped me understand the brother's lyrics. I grew up with Sparks, and was 12 1/2 when "This town..." came. English is not my native language, it's Swedish. I began to learn English when I was 10, I liked very much what I understood with Sparks' lyrics (on the sleeves).. but I didn't understand the deeper meaning behind their songs like I do after you have explained them.
That’s so kind. I’ve always shared that fascination you had, reading through the lyrics. I love with Sparks that you can fall in love with a song, the find out what it’s about and fall in love with all over again! I’ve never known a band like it, with so many things to love in their music.
Hi.. you may want to look into the Swedish version of The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman! There is a fair amount of Swedish dialogue and singing in it! I'm an Aussie though!
Insightful and entertaining, bravo! Indiscreet is my all-time favourite Sparks album, I played the original vinyl LP to death. I also think - despite Bolan and Bowie - that this is Tony Visconti's finest hour too.
Thanks! Tony Visconti was the perfect pairing for Sparks. They brought out the best in each other. He is so proud of that album from what I’ve read, and enjoys it as much as we do.
Wow...l never thought l'd hear anyone make this claim.......( Same avec Moi....)
This is marvelous! Thank you, Paul.
Thank you so much! I’ve just posted a long video on Kimono My House that I hope you’ll enjoy too.
Brilliant album..i saw them on indiscreet tour 75...Coventry theatre...my first ever gig loud and wonderful..£1..for a ticket. I was deaf next day at school!...always remember Russell coming out inhis riding gear and whip..!..encore ron in a vest..eating an apple..to achoo and in the future..also how are you getting home...wonderful 👏..rip dinky diamond...rons lyrics..genius...still a major fan....i knew they were always...going to last...the rest is history...still churning out great stuff...universally cherished Sparks...thanks for indepth ..review of indiscreet...always a favourite sleeve too....plane wreckage 😮...scene by pool and horse..studio shot..i met ian hampton...and he told me!!..cheers gazz
I’m so jealous that you got to see them tour Indiscreet! I was lucky enough to see them play it in London on the 21x21 shows. Who would have thought in 1975 that you’d still be listening to them five decades later! We’re very lucky to be fans of such a great band 😄. Thanks for watching!
I am mightily impressed, Paul. This is quite intricate and thoughtful. Some of your interpretations seem right on, others less so, but your rigor and enthusiasm make for a great watch. Not to mention your amazing disappearing/reappearing hair and beard! ;-) I would like to see you, or someone, check out the factual side of things more deeply, in addition to the Sparks Brothers information that you cite. As always, I wonder about placing a such a specific grid over a narrative that we know relatively little about. But I am utterly fascinated by your take on Sparks. Your comments on Hospitality on Parade, I Want to Hold Your Hand and Pineapple are especially wonderful, though Pineapple breaks the pattern because it was written by Russell instead of Ron. Anyway, this video brought me the closest I've come to your point of view, and I really love your videos.
Thanks so much! This vid took longer than expected and it was a fight against time with the beard getting too unruly! I see what you mean about looking for evidence outside of the lyrics, but I’m kinda treating The Sparks Brothers as cannon, because it’s how they want to tell their story. For Indiscreet it mentions things like Louis Louis, record company pressure, the hysteria of a teenage fanbase, all tying to these interpretations. I almost feel like I can ignore any proof other than the lyrics and doc. If it is a yet-to-be-revealed story then the doc is part of the storytelling, so I’m almost treating Sparks like a work of fiction. I’m not sure if that makes sense!
This is just astounding! I've had this album since 1975 and tbh it was never my favourite. But your analysis is highly persuasive and has changed my whole perception. It is mind-boggling! I've now subscribed and looking forward to seeing what other revelations are in store!
Thanks Terry! I’ve got lots more to come, and am looking forward to doing more on The Island Years in particular. Glad you enjoyed it.
@@MetaSparks Can't wait!
I had never understood what Hospitality on Parade was about - the answer was hidden in plain sight all the time. I'd agree Indiscrete has always been one of my most faves. I can't wait till you get to Big Beat and the Tati intended track 'Confusion'.
Thank you, Paul. Loving your perspectives on Sparks’ music & lyrics. ‘Indiscreet’ is hands-down my favorite Sparks album, and you’ve just provided a new way for me to ponder why this is such a masterpiece.
Thank you! It sounded like a masterpiece when I first heard it and I can’t quite believe that 20 years after I first heard it there are still new ways to love these songs.
Very interesting, I love the cover with the brothers crash landing in California, posed by a Hollywood pool and holding bags of groceries in a vast supermarket car park. They are happy to be back in the LA sunshine. But I'm not sure how much pressure Island records put on them to be commercial, as friends of mine who were signed there had a lot of artistic freedom. The three albums Sparks recorded for Island were certainly a trio of experimental surprises and breathtaking originality. Roxy Music were also pushing Pop/Rock boundaries on the label at a similar time.
I can't imagine any contemporary major label supporting such daring artistic risks. It's interesting that the move to America resulted in two flop albums, before scoring hits by once again by returning to Europe.
Thanks for watching, and I’m glad you found it interesting. Regarding Island Records, I agree that they’ve long been champions of left-of-field artists, so I don’t think they necessarily pushed Sparks to be commercial, but what the Sparks Bros doc says is that Kimono was such a big hit, that there was a kind of expectation for them to do it again. The impression I got is that they had a great relationship with Island but were eager to leave the UK and reinvent the band again.
Merry Christmas! Another great video. I first discovered the song Tits thanks to a fan made video, I liked your take on it. I had no idea they covered The Beatles for a non album single. The first band to capture my heart..I should tell you that I got A Steady Drip Drip Drip limited edition book version for Christmas!
Thanks! I’m really proud of my Tits interpretation because it’s always sounded like there’s a puzzle element to it anyway, such a fantastic song. A steady drip drip drip is a great album so I hope you love it. It was the first album that set me off to making these meta interpretations so it’ll always have a place in my heart.
@MetaSparks Glad to know that it got you started. I'll be getting into it when I'm not busy with Boxing Day sales, I hope to find more albums too!
@@petabulmer3317 happy hunting! There are so many great songs on a steady drip drip drip. Left out in the cold and pacific standard time are two of my all time favourites.
A stead drip drip is class 👌 gazzz
An interesting look at the lyrics. You really took a dive behind the lyrics and give your translation on what they are about.
Glad you enjoyed it my friend :)
The orchestral arrangements on Indiscreet adds a new whole amazing level to this album.
Exactly, which is amazing considering this was their third album in 2 years.
Thanks for clarifying this album, I had no idea. It was a hidden craving to return to home. Yet again, it's Sparks' uniqueness.😃
Thanks for watching and commenting. Seeing the album in this context is new to me too, and it makes me appreciate my favourite band even more!
After listening to your take on the tracks, I see that there's so much more to them than I initially thought, when buying the album, albeit a bit late, in the early 80's. Thanks for an entertaining analysis.
Thanks! I always worry these’ll only be interesting to me so I’m glad you and others dig it.
Great work as always Paul. Really enjoyable to see all these connections between the songs. With regard to the song the Lady is Lingering, I have always thought this was a terrific song and I have always thought it would have been perfect for Liza Minnelli to sing. Every time I hear it I can hear her voice singing it. Nothing to do with the meaning of the song but just a side thought.
You’re right about Liza Minnelli! That song is dripping with class. It was a slow burn for me but it’s such a favourite for me now. It’s the perfect coupling of Russ’s voice and Ron’s words.
I am a huge - I mean HUGE - Sparks fan and I'm loving your content. Regarding your question about what is meant by "every Parisian will love tonight without using hands"...I always assumed Ron was referring to oral sex! The French obviously have a reputation for romance and as you know, the boys have never shied away from risqué subject matter!
Thanks! I always loved that line, and the same with ‘two hands, one mouth’. I love it when Ron’s writing goes to the dirty side :)
I was beginning to wonder if you were just busy through the holidays and was going to wait until next year
Brilliant record
Brilliant analysis
You are it anything consistent
I’m not sure you are right but I like how this all rings true
I always knew there was much more “Hospitality” but I never dug deep enough to come to your conclusion
What you say seems good
Any way you slice I’m glad you’re back
Looking for more of you BALLS analysis
I briefly thought you might’ve given up but you explained it
Thanks
*if* anything consistent
Thank you! I’m glad the consistency rings true, especially because this interpretation of indiscreet is new to me (mostly) and it has so much in common with what I’ve said about Balls, Terminal Jive and Annette, and i’ve only covered the tip of the iceberg so far. I can’t wait to get more vids out and thanks for sticking with me!
Paul - only my second excursion into your world of Meta-Sparks, but I watched this as I adored "Indiscreet" when it was first released.....and I still do.
I'd picked up on the US-UK references over the years, but I'll be honest - I had never considered that the whole shebang might be autobiographical, as it were. Because "Hospitality on parade" is my favourite song on the album, I had kinda recognised that 'one extra coastline' as also being their home. But I digress... I think your essay is extremely well-presented and well-argued. I can go with you on just about all of it..... I had never thought about the lyrics to "Without using hands" that way, but I'm happily buying your theory (I'm still devastated that my favourite French director was too unwell to proceed with the Sparks project). The only argument I'm not sold on is "The lady is lingering", but given that you've tied all of the rest of the album into such a well-reasoned package, I think I have to give you a free pass on that one :)
Thank you very much
Thanks Jim, I’m really glad you enjoyed it, and hope you get the chance to check out more. I appreciate the feedback too, because it’s hard to see what’s landing with people, it’s useful to know.
I don't know how you do it, Metasparks.You must have spent a lot of hours preparing this video. Very impressive.
It was a big job but well worth it. I can see myself ageing in realtime as my beard get bushier!
I know they are usually issued as bonus tracks with Big Beat, but I've always thought Tearing The Place Apart and Looks Aren't Everything feel like they belong more with Indiscreet and I'm pretty sure they were written/recorded around the Indiscreet sessions (it's deliciously Maelesque to have a song called Looks, Looks, Looks followed up with another called Looks Aren't Everything - sort of like the two 'Fun' songs on Hippopotamus).
That’s a really great point. I don’t know much about these songs yet, beyond them sounding great. I always liked that “tearing the place apart” is such an aggressive line it’s a casual, calm and sophisticated song. That’s gotta mean something in the big picture, and it fits right into that world of indiscreet, just like ‘looks’. Thanks for giving me something to think about for whenever I move onto Big Beat.
@@MetaSparks Same with the last verse of Without Using Hands - "When the explosion rocked the lobby of the Ritz Hotel..." is a very elegant and restrained expression of a horrific event. I can imagine Tearing The Place Apart being left off Indiscreet for having been deemed too musically and thematically similar to Without Using Hands. I'd have loved Looks Aren't Everything to have been included on Indiscreet just for the sheer contrariness of having one song extolling looks and another decrying them. But the tracklist of Indiscreet is so perfect as it is, I can't imagine where you'd place Looks Aren't Everything - it would mean moving Looks, Looks, Looks to earlier in the running order which in turn would mean moving everything else around and I'm not sure that would improve the album. It's obviously a fan favourite though, as Looks Aren't Everything made it on to the 'audience requests' setlist for the second half of the Exotic Creatures show at 21x21.
Oh I love that - both songs being “an elegant and restrained expression of a horrific event”, that works completely! Without Using Hands had me completely stumped but there’s a thread to pull in with that way of looking at it. I was there for indiscreet and ECOTD at 21x21. I have never felt more lucky to have these two as my favourite band, pulling off incredible feats like 21x21, with a tiny audience and for one-night only.
I thought this was one of your better ones. Very interesting. Though was puzzled when you said R&R had no children... I have to say I've never been sure of anything in their personal life. They keep it all so private. For all I know they've got 20 grandchildren each. I have never got a clue about their private life, only their artistic public life. Other than Ron's collections and their love of coffee shops.
Pretty sure they confirmed it in Edgar Wright's film?
I’ll have to watch it again (as if I needed an excuse).
Thank you , as always, Paul, for your insightful interpretations. After this, I did think to myself about "without using hands", how to me it feels like it is sung with kind of a French vocal (alluding to the proposed film you point out). Hospitality, when the guitar kicks, in kind of reminds me of "Lilly the Pink", by Scaffold, which to me is a very English sounding song. The whole album does seem to be a love letter to going home, being homesick, being tired of people trying to control what they do. I am glad SPARKS and their music is open to interpretation, and works on many levels. I don't think there IS a right or wrong in the interpretation, showcasing their brilliance, lyrically and musically (Make of it what you will, make of it what you will.....). Thank you so much, as always, MetaSparks is a fascinating watch/listen. It makes me replay the albums with fresh ears. I am hopefully for a tour next year, whether they celebrate 50 years of Kimono/Propaganda, or something else, it doesn't matter as it is SPARKS. If so, I hope I will have the chance to say thank you to you in person. Happy Christmas to you and yours, Paul.
Thanks Steve, here’s to a 2024 tour, and if so, I’ll see you there! Lily the Pink is something my partner sings over Hospitality on Parade… I wonder if it’s intentional? I’m glad it’s coming across that these songs tell us about Sparks, with all the themes you mention. It’s such an interesting way to tell their own story in music.
My 1st and favorite Sparks LP. Bought it never heard of Sparks. Cover looked cool and I thought they were English. It was so odd, unlike anything I have heard before or after really. Ron said this was his favorite album
Have I missed something. I thought you were doing a track by track analysis of Balls. As far as I can see you've only covered five of the tracks.
He says he'll be returning to the Balls series soon at the end of the video.
I can’t wait to get back onto Balls. This video was supposed to be a five minute palette cleanser about Hospitality on Parade, but then I started to join the dots with other songs. Lots more to come in balls though, then a video for every song after that.
The Sparks never threw tvs out of hotel windows or bragged about overdosing on drugs, and though they are considered glam rock they kicked more ass than the pansies who had their agents call the press to let them know their star has been misbehaving. I was 8 years old when this song came out, and we loved it in the school playground (while talking about Jaws and who'd seen it).
Very well put! This band play by their own rules and are so much better for it.
@@MetaSparks It's weird, I don't know anyone who doesn't like the Sparks; they're one of those acts that even people who don't own a single album (like myself) admit to liking, at worst saying they're a "guilty pleasure"; they're a pleasure to me too, but I don't feel guilty about it.
I’m enjoying seeing the world come around to Sparks. People seem to love them but they’ve been unknowns for so long. It’s great seeing them get their dues.
This album is a tough one for me, I like it, but it feels so different from the previous two. I think I actually like Big Beat more (I know im probably in the minority there)😅 Also, It would be great to know if Ron ever watched any of these, he seems like he's constantly in music mode to be watching UA-cam though.
I really hope R&R have seen this, and approve of what I’m doing! I know what you mean about this album not always sitting right. It’s too wacky to fit every mood, but still a masterpiece!
@MetaSparks Wacky, yes. Masterpiece, yes. I'm pretty much a Sparks mark, though. I can find the good in Interior Design 😆
Same! Interior Design took me about 20 years but I love it now!
What made me laugh at the time sparks were branded a glam rock band...but as much as I love glam bands including the sweet and t.rex...I could never see them doing something like looks looks looks 😂.....sparks always had brilliant b.sides too!...👍
TITS....their 2nd BEST song they ever made!!
It’s fricken amazing! What’s your #1?
@@MetaSparks My #1 is Bon Voyage from Propaganda. That song hits me in the gut every time I hear it! Beautiful.
Spark's were always very irreverent and were doing parodies of different genres of Rock and Pop music. I really liked their musical work during their English phase With Kimono M H, Propaganda, and Indiscrete, all excellent recordings, brimming over with wit. sly references to sexual mores and cultural snobbery , making swipes at crass materialism.and having inventive forays into ragtime style as well as classical string quartet styling. I don't agree withbthis fellows interptetation of the meanings behind Soarks' songs ,including rhe often very witty lyrics in their songs on this album. I just think he takes there humor and witty parody much too seriously. I thinks his interoretayionnof Hospitality on Parade is way off the mark. I actually think that if the group Sparks was making a comment about Ametucan values vs British valyes.I think it clear that they actually appreciate English attitudes and sensibilities much more than the crass commercialism that attribute to American culture!
I respectfully disagree. Did you get further than Hospitality on Parade when watching? This way of viewing the songs fits the whole album. Also, they clearly did want to leave England because after this they didn’t tour the UK for 20 years.