Never tire of seeing Ron 🥰 but it's SO good to see you here Russell, you are looking great! 😉 You guys really spoil your fans, we are so lucky ... you are the greatest 😘 I love the song, love this part: It's all the same Whether here or there or anywhere There are those who have And there are the others who have not
That one and "While I fix her breakfast I hope it's just your laugh that is infectious", in 'Good Morning' from 'Exotic Creatures Of The Deep'. Another unexpected line is the short "she caused her twins delay" in the lovely 'Brenda's Always In The Way'.
A nice surprise reading 😊 Enjoyed this one by Russell as much as I enjoy Ron reading their lyrics. As usual, looking forward to next Sunday and glad to see Ron and Russell are doing well ☺❤
Thanks Russell, the man behind the lyrics🥰🤩😍!! I'm not shocked, so shocked. The lyrics on this are, if not obscure, so a little inexplicit. Judged on what you two guys have written for the bonus stuff to the anniversary editions of 'Kimono My House', 'No. 1 In Heaven' and 'Gratuitous Sax and Senseless Violins', and also on interviews, Ron is more direct, uses few words, and Russell is often more prolific with words, not as exact as Ron. 'Hasta Mañana Monsieur' is a little vague, some things told straight on, other are more obscure. It's a sad story, which becomes obvious here, with Russell's lowered voice. Nicely read👍🥰! I believe Russell has his fingers in much more than this one (not talking about the two songs that brings a smile to my face EVERY time I hear one of them; 'Pineapple' and 'Gone With The Wind', also the more diffuse 'Roger' and 'Saccharine And The War' (those ARE obscure! 😂😂) plus a couple more with only Russell's name on), that I'm sure of. Good to see you're still alive, Russell, by the way 😉😍😁😁🤩
@@iconicshrubbery THANKS!! I have heard /seen that before, but nearly forgot about it, I agree with Broadley's comment about Beatles. In fact I like it better than the album version. All I say is; Russell is commonly underestimated. And I am tired of the comments declaring Ron = genius, Russell do what Ron is telling him to do, and how. More or less so, anyway. They are both genius, completing the band Sparks.
My god ! ...you brothers should publish your poetic song lyrics in a series of volumes ( I know they would'nt all fit in even a large single book ) . Staggering output of work. An achievment to be proud of.
@@neonskyline1, It seams like most people do 😄 However are ✨'Pineapple' (Indiscreet) ✨'Roger' (Halfnelson /Sparks) ✨'Saccharine And The War' (Halfnelson /Sparks) ✨'Gone With The Wind' (An early B-side, also a bonus track on later issues of Big Beat) ✨'The Wedding of Jacqueline Kennedy to Russell Mael' (a funny little thing, B-side of the American edition of 'Looks, Looks, Looks' single from Indiscreet) ✨'The Great Leap Forward' (An instrumental B-side of the 'Sparks vs. Faith No More /This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us' single 1997. Very Japan (the country) influenced) ONLY Russell's. I am a happy owner of their book 'In The Words of Sparks' a collection of some of their lyrics. In that book there are some photographs, whereof one is of an old note book with 'Slowboat', in working progress, written with obviously Russell's hand writing. There is another photo like that, on an other song (don't remember which, and can't check now, I'm not at home) that has only Ron's name as composer/lyricist with a different hand writing, looking like the one Ron has on the 'Don't Fuck Up My World' video. 'Slowboat' is written by both Ron and Russell, and I haven't found anything more specific about that, but... It COULD be Russell's lyrics 🤔🤔 🤔 🤔? Perhaps a later session will reveal the truth... 😃 I THINK that Russell was more active as a solo writer in the earlier years, at least for Sparks. Anyway Ron is the main song writer, music and lyrics. They have told about how they work in several interviews, shortly in two ways. Either Ron writes a song and brings it to Russell. If it has potential they start to work on it together. Or they work together from scratch in Russell's home studio. In any case Russell does the main part of mixing and engineering, all of it on 'A Steady Drip Drip Drip'. So Russell isn't the "puppet - on - a - string" as some comments I have seen around TH-cam take him for. I have "defended" 😂 him several times, and this, the confirmation of him writing the lyrics to 'Hasta Mañana Monsieur' felt good 😊😊😁
@@annabackman3028 wow that's a fabulous reply, and rightly so, i've only just got into the sparks again, so i'm not in anarak stage stage yet, however, Sparks music is the most creative i've ever heard, and i'm a fan of mr creative himself, Robert Calvert, thanks for that info :)
@@neonskyline1, You're welcome 😄 I was 14 when I heard 'Propaganda', fell immediately in love, with both Sparks and Russell's fabulous voice, not only that impeccable falsetto, in general. There is something special, I can't put my fingers on what. I didn't understand much English back then, and missed all irony in 'Big Beat', the music was much tougher and I didn't like it AT ALL. I lost interest in following up what was next, but kept listening to 'Kimono My House' and 'Propaganda' through the years, never stoped loving them, nor Russell's voice! I heard /watched a few songs on MTV when that was new, but there were so many things going on in my life in that period that I didn't investigate any more. Later I thought they were gone, though they were (of course 😖) never played on any Swedish radio station that I listened to. (Not even 'The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman'!!) A couple of years ago I took a musical "walk on memory lane", playing a lot of especially seventies and eighties music on TH-cam, of course also Sparks. Suddenly I got a suggestion for Sparks's new (!?! "Are they still ALIVE? And active?") album 'Hippopotamus'. I immediately clicked on that "Hmmm... I think I begin with the title track." That after only 'Kimono' and 'Propaganda'... 🤣! My reaction was of course "What the hell is this???? For kids??" Now, knowing a lot better English, I quickly understood it was not made for kids, Russell's voice different but recognizable, and after gasping for air till "a painting by Hieromymous Bosch" I burst into laughter, and I realized that I must have missed a lot during the years. Oh, so much, and exactly so different from everything else that I had been longing for, without all smeary "I love you" stuff. When Sparks writes about love it's not smeary, it's feet to the ground, with a touch of humor. 'All That' is a WONDERFUL example. 'Good Morning' is another, as I see it, often misunderstood one. To me it's heartbreaking, the way the guy in that song is longing, desperatly, for someone to love, and be loved back. For that night he could pretend he had that, even though he knew it wasn't real he still so badly wished it was 😢. That story had easily became smeary, with everything written right out, but with Sparks all is said, but you have to think a moment. True poetry and a fantastic craftsmanship! Since I have dug through EVERYTHING that I found, Ruud Swart has a web page with more info than I have been able to digest 😂😂😂 among other things, like interviews here on YT. My friends are a bit tired of me by now 😂!
Wait...so she was a Spanish speaking girl or a Hispanic boy? 😉 Anyway, thank you so much again for the Sunday invitation. This routine has become a cherished part of my life. May it continue.
Russell le Fou at large on the Continent! The true son and heir of Mrs. Malaprop, and the very pine-apple of politeness to appear here. His innocent abroad has gained a supercilious knowledge of the contagious countries, and with his physiognomy so grammatical he reprehends the use of his oracular tongue, and a nice derangement of epitaphs.
Let's hope for a couple more visits from that Guest Reader😉🤩💖! I would like to hear 'Saccharine And The War', preferably with an explanation of the lyrics 😁😍😍
This guest reader has potential
I'd love to hear him sing.
This guy is good, they should collaborate.
Collaborations don't work.
Collaborations don't work
Collaborations don’t work
I love when Sparks mingle in French, it’s refrenching
😅😅😅👍👍
Never tire of seeing Ron 🥰 but it's SO good to see you here Russell, you are looking great! 😉 You guys really spoil your fans, we are so lucky ... you are the greatest 😘 I love the song, love this part:
It's all the same
Whether here or there or anywhere
There are those who have
And there are the others who have not
These guys are national treasures!! Celebrate them!
wow this guest reader is amazing!! i wonder if him and ron will collaborate some day
Awesome to see Russ this week. I always put my f..I Phone down to lister to these.
The line about Kant made me a Sparks fan for life.
It's the line i always use when trying to explain to people their humour :-)
That one and "While I fix her breakfast I hope it's just your laugh that is infectious", in 'Good Morning' from 'Exotic Creatures Of The Deep'. Another unexpected line is the short "she caused her twins delay" in the lovely 'Brenda's Always In The Way'.
Always nice to see you Ron but how nice to see Russell this week. What an awesome idea. You are so lovely both of you. Love you 💜💜
The Special Guest looks so familiar. Love you both.
Oh what a big surprise tonight! A really big surprise tonight! Russell as a guest star! Always a pleasure to listen to both of you! ❤️❤️❤️
Buenas nuits, Russell. Your guest appearance being a pleasant surprise is the only thing I know for sure!
Thank you both very much for this lovely surprise! 💖
I love this 70's era of Sparks the most in lyrics and music, golden era for many groups.
J'adore esta canción.
Love Sparks STILL!Do the Louvre!
Okay, this made my afternoon.
My intellectuallity falls to the ground when I hear Russell's voice. I'm a big faaan of both though, I love you guys! *takes her shirt off*.
SO good to see and hear BOTH of you!!
Thank you, Russel and Ron 😊
Much love to you both 💖💖
A nice surprise reading 😊 Enjoyed this one by Russell as much as I enjoy Ron reading their lyrics. As usual, looking forward to next Sunday and glad to see Ron and Russell are doing well ☺❤
Bravo oradora invitada! 👏
Going to start my morning long walk with this tomorrow. Big fan, from Pompano beach.
This delivery was straying into Christopher Walken territory...Great lyrics, great song from a great album. Brilliant stuff.
Thanks Russell, the man behind the lyrics🥰🤩😍!!
I'm not shocked, so shocked. The lyrics on this are, if not obscure, so a little inexplicit.
Judged on what you two guys have written for the bonus stuff to the anniversary editions of 'Kimono My House', 'No. 1 In Heaven' and 'Gratuitous Sax and Senseless Violins', and also on interviews, Ron is more direct, uses few words, and Russell is often more prolific with words, not as exact as Ron.
'Hasta Mañana Monsieur' is a little vague, some things told straight on, other are more obscure.
It's a sad story, which becomes obvious here, with Russell's lowered voice. Nicely read👍🥰!
I believe Russell has his fingers in much more than this one (not talking about the two songs that brings a smile to my face EVERY time I hear one of them; 'Pineapple' and 'Gone With The Wind', also the more diffuse 'Roger' and 'Saccharine And The War' (those ARE obscure! 😂😂) plus a couple more with only Russell's name on), that I'm sure of.
Good to see you're still alive, Russell, by the way 😉😍😁😁🤩
You Sparks connaisseur, you...
@@iconicshrubbery 😂😂
th-cam.com/video/I_SdlMrXtRw/w-d-xo.html ... and for all connaisseurs/connaisseuses, the demo of Russ' Saccharine and the War.
@@iconicshrubbery THANKS!! I have heard /seen that before, but nearly forgot about it, I agree with Broadley's comment about Beatles. In fact I like it better than the album version.
All I say is; Russell is commonly underestimated. And I am tired of the comments declaring Ron = genius, Russell do what Ron is telling him to do, and how.
More or less so, anyway.
They are both genius, completing the band Sparks.
Thanks Masters!!! The only words I can tell you.
I LOVE YOU BOTH. Stay well! I love this so very, very much.
How wonderful you both are. Thank you 🌼
Gee whiz, I always thought that it was Pete Shelley who came up with " half-empty bed". I stand corrected! Love you all, Russell, Ron and dear Pete.
Love the video, a nice surprise too. You guys just rock
My god ! ...you brothers should publish your poetic song lyrics in a series of volumes ( I know they would'nt all fit in even a large single book ) . Staggering output of work. An achievment to be proud of.
Some are in their book 'In The Word of Sparks', just a sample of their works, together with some interesting photos.
So funny!!
Venham para o Brasil, please
Who was that wonderful visitor ;)
kimono my house best album 1974.
I had a dream recently about him in this very shirt, very rumpled
Ahhh the russell of Ron's lyrics to the ears
This is Russell reading HIS OWN lyrics. Look at the info part!
@@annabackman3028 oh dear, i thought ron wrote all the lyrics
@@neonskyline1, It seams like most people do 😄
However are
✨'Pineapple' (Indiscreet)
✨'Roger' (Halfnelson /Sparks)
✨'Saccharine And The War' (Halfnelson /Sparks)
✨'Gone With The Wind' (An early B-side, also a bonus track on later issues of Big Beat)
✨'The Wedding of Jacqueline Kennedy to Russell Mael' (a funny little thing, B-side of the American edition of 'Looks, Looks, Looks' single from Indiscreet)
✨'The Great Leap Forward' (An instrumental B-side of the 'Sparks vs. Faith No More /This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us' single 1997.
Very Japan (the country) influenced)
ONLY Russell's.
I am a happy owner of their book 'In The Words of Sparks' a collection of some of their lyrics. In that book there are some photographs, whereof one is of an old note book with 'Slowboat', in working progress, written with obviously Russell's hand writing. There is another photo like that, on an other song (don't remember which, and can't check now, I'm not at home) that has only Ron's name as composer/lyricist with a different hand writing, looking like the one Ron has on the 'Don't Fuck Up My World' video.
'Slowboat' is written by both Ron and Russell, and I haven't found anything more specific about that, but... It COULD be Russell's lyrics 🤔🤔 🤔 🤔? Perhaps a later session will reveal the truth... 😃
I THINK that Russell was more active as a solo writer in the earlier years, at least for Sparks.
Anyway Ron is the main song writer, music and lyrics.
They have told about how they work in several interviews, shortly in two ways. Either Ron writes a song and brings it to Russell. If it has potential they start to work on it together.
Or they work together from scratch in Russell's home studio.
In any case Russell does the main part of mixing and engineering, all of it on 'A Steady Drip Drip Drip'.
So Russell isn't the "puppet - on - a - string" as some comments I have seen around TH-cam take him for.
I have "defended" 😂 him several times, and this, the confirmation of him writing the lyrics to 'Hasta Mañana Monsieur' felt good 😊😊😁
@@annabackman3028 wow that's a fabulous reply, and rightly so, i've only just got into the sparks again, so i'm not in anarak stage stage yet, however, Sparks music is the most creative i've ever heard, and i'm a fan of mr creative himself, Robert Calvert, thanks for that info :)
@@neonskyline1, You're welcome 😄
I was 14 when I heard 'Propaganda', fell immediately in love, with both Sparks and Russell's fabulous voice, not only that impeccable falsetto, in general. There is something special, I can't put my fingers on what.
I didn't understand much English back then, and missed all irony in 'Big Beat', the music was much tougher and I didn't like it AT ALL. I lost interest in following up what was next, but kept listening to 'Kimono My House' and 'Propaganda' through the years, never stoped loving them, nor Russell's voice!
I heard /watched a few songs on MTV when that was new, but there were so many things going on in my life in that period that I didn't investigate any more. Later I thought they were gone, though they were (of course 😖) never played on any Swedish radio station that I listened to. (Not even 'The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman'!!)
A couple of years ago I took a musical "walk on memory lane", playing a lot of especially seventies and eighties music on TH-cam, of course also Sparks. Suddenly I got a suggestion for Sparks's new (!?! "Are they still ALIVE? And active?") album 'Hippopotamus'.
I immediately clicked on that "Hmmm... I think I begin with the title track." That after only 'Kimono' and 'Propaganda'... 🤣!
My reaction was of course "What the hell is this???? For kids??" Now, knowing a lot better English, I quickly understood it was not made for kids, Russell's voice different but recognizable, and after gasping for air till "a painting by Hieromymous Bosch" I burst into laughter, and I realized that I must have missed a lot during the years.
Oh, so much, and exactly so different from everything else that I had been longing for, without all smeary "I love you" stuff. When Sparks writes about love it's not smeary, it's feet to the ground, with a touch of humor. 'All That' is a WONDERFUL example. 'Good Morning' is another, as I see it, often misunderstood one. To me it's heartbreaking, the way the guy in that song is longing, desperatly, for someone to love, and be loved back. For that night he could pretend he had that, even though he knew it wasn't real he still so badly wished it was 😢.
That story had easily became smeary, with everything written right out, but with Sparks all is said, but you have to think a moment. True poetry and a fantastic craftsmanship!
Since I have dug through EVERYTHING that I found, Ruud Swart has a web page with more info than I have been able to digest 😂😂😂 among other things, like interviews here on YT.
My friends are a bit tired of me by now 😂!
Wait...so she was a Spanish speaking girl or a Hispanic boy? 😉 Anyway, thank you so much again for the Sunday invitation. This routine has become a cherished part of my life. May it continue.
👍🏻❤
Russell le Fou at large on the Continent! The true son and heir of Mrs. Malaprop, and the very pine-apple of politeness to appear here. His innocent abroad has gained a supercilious knowledge of the contagious countries, and with his physiognomy so grammatical he reprehends the use of his oracular tongue, and a nice derangement of epitaphs.
Hasta la bye bye
This bloke’s alright really…!
Wonderful, but it should have been "Pineapple" ;)
Let's hope for a couple more visits from that Guest Reader😉🤩💖!
I would like to hear 'Saccharine And The War', preferably with an explanation of the lyrics 😁😍😍
:-)
You and your brother should try and be more serious.
Russell should have brushed his hair before getting in front of the camera, that's the only complaint.
Haha 😂! I think that is exactly what he had done, with the goal to look young and not so "old-man-polished". He sort of succeeded. 😉
Well read Russell 👍