SPARKS

Sparksienne · Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2021 1:43 pm Post subject: I wanna hold your hand

Does anyone know why the Sparks have chosen to interpret again this already dull Beatles song in such a syrupy way.
I am very surprised that this song that I already disliked when performed by the Beatles was selected for the best of the Sparks' past tense
In my opinion this song can only be listened to thanks to the ironic message from the Sparks that I feel in Russell's way of singing it. It reminds me of the David Bowie's singing the Beatles' Across the Universe, which I also find it extremely hard to appreciate if it is not a parody.

PeterE · Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2021 3:27 pm Post subject:

this was one the gruesome things Sparks recorded 75-78...

Sparky Rickmaniac · Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2021 4:05 pm Post subject:

I agree, not their finest hour.
TBH, while Russell is a superb interpreter of Ron's sings, I'm not convinced of his ability to interpret other song writers' work.
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deadcalm · Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2021 3:01 am Post subject:

Funny I posted the song on this guys FB page who was listing rare Beatles covers ! He was ultra Impressed . :). He had never heard it before..

Was it Rupert Holmes that produced it . I think so. The same guy who watered down the original Big Beat sessions with his keep it smooth style..

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Sparksienne · Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2021 11:37 am Post subject:

I hope the Sparks didn't have to pay royalties to cover this awful song and they will all their lives long be paid in royalties for the songs they have composed!!!!!!... I don't know who this Beatles song copyright goes to ...If I am not mistaken, Paul Mac Cartney has no more to do with Beatles' copyright.. Anyway I think that the Mael brothers are also good managers and anyway much more closer as brothers than the Beatles' members...
No, this song is no Beatles' song rare song ... On the contrary it already appeared in the mid seventies in an album dedicated to their success of their period 1962-66 ...
The years 63-64 when Beatlemanias' little girls would have dreamt of throwing themselves on each Beatles' member were particularly dullen as for their inspiration in lyrics, even if commercially extremely successful.
I neither know Rupert Holmes nor the job of popstars' producer, but if he specializes in syrupy covers made by famous bands of boring songs from earlier famous singers, he must have made a lot of money.

Sparky Rickmaniac · Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2021 11:06 am Post subject:

Rupert Holmes is best known in the UK for the pina colada song.
It's OK the first couple of times, then starts to grate.

https://youtu.be/Xb6l38eP-4w
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bangingrocks · Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2021 2:45 am Post subject:

I really like the cover... smileheadphones

leslie hanagan · Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2023 11:42 am Post subject:

I idea to cover this song came from the Mael's, as was the the idea to use Rupert Holmes as producer. It was supposed to be a Russell duet with Marianne Faithfull. She apparently pulled of the session which was already booked and Rupert had prepared the orchestral arrangement.
For further info check out the chapter on 'Big Beat' on Ruud Swart's superb 'fanmael' site.

veryoldfan · Groupie Joined: 22 Mar 2002 Posts: 197

Must admit it's always baffled me. Could never work out why they covered 'Do Re Mi' either. I confess that I'm on auto-alert to skip over those whenever I listen to those otherwise extremely fine albums.
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Eric Murray · Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2023 6:57 am Post subject:

Do Re Mi is wonderful live.

Alex Robertson · Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2023 7:39 am Post subject: L

Eric Murray · Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2023 1:24 pm Post subject:

It’s like - It’s a Sparks Show Tonight
Absolutely fantastic and I hope it will be played on the 50 years anniversary tour in 2024

mowkiss · Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2023 10:51 pm Post subject:

Spyke · Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2024 5:12 pm Post subject:

I quite like the joke behind Sparks' version of IWTHYH, and it sort-of adds to its quirkiness that it's a bit of an odd cul-de-sac in their career. And if it wasn't for the single release, we wouldn't have its smashing b-side, England!

I agree that Do Re Mi works better live than on the album. Didn't it used to lead in to Angst In My Pants?

Of their few other cover versions, We Are The Clash is an interesting reinterpretation. It's hardly an obvious choice for a song to be given the Lil B / HYL - era sound.
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annata20 · Newbie Joined: 22 Jan 2024 Posts: 5

splash154 · Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2024 10:33 am Post subject: I Wanna Hold Your Hand

leslie hanagan · Posted: Wed Sep 18, 2024 7:30 am Post subject:

It was released on 19th March 1976*. EMI had released a set of 23 Beatles singles on 5th March (all of which charted I believe). Island felt that as the market was swamped by so much Beatles product, it was not worth pursuing the official release, although they released 2 different promo singles.

*According to the Island press release sheet.