Sparks – Past Tense (The Best Of Sparks)

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Label:	BMG – BMGCAT406TCD
Format:	3 x CD , Compilation, Remastered
Country:	Europe
Released:	Nov 8, 2019
Genre:	Pop
Style:	Art Rock

Tracklist

1-1	Sparks–	Computer Girl Written-By – Russell Mael	3:12
1-2	Sparks–	Wonder Girl Producer – Todd Rundgren Written-By – Russell Mael	2:19
1-3	Sparks–	(No More) Mr. Nice Guys Producer – Todd Rundgren Written-By – Ron Mael	5:47
1-4	Sparks–	Girl From Producer – Thaddeus James Lowe Written-By – Russell Mael	3:29
1-5	Sparks–	Beaver O'Lindy Producer – Thaddeus James Lowe Written-By – Russell Mael	3:45
1-6	Sparks–	This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us Producer – Muff Winwood Written-By – Ron Mael	3:03
1-7	Sparks–	Amateur Hour Producer – Muff Winwood Written-By – Ron Mael	3:35
1-8	Sparks–	Here In Heaven Producer – Muff Winwood Written-By – Ron Mael	2:46
1-9	Sparks–	Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth Producer – Muff Winwood Written-By – Ron Mael	2:29
1-10	Sparks–	Something For The Girl With Everything Producer – Muff Winwood Written-By – Ron Mael	2:16
1-11	Sparks–	Achoo Producer – Muff Winwood Written-By – Ron Mael	3:32
1-12	Sparks–	Get In The Swing Producer – Tony Visconti Written-By – Ron Mael	4:06
1-13	Sparks–	In The Future Producer – Tony Visconti Written-By – Ron Mael	2:13
1-14	Sparks–	Looks, Looks, Looks Producer – Tony Visconti Written-By – Ron Mael	2:34
1-15	Sparks–	I Want To Hold Your Hand Producer, Orchestrated By – Rupert Holmes Written-By – Lennon-McCartney	2:55
1-16	Sparks–	Big Boy Producer – Rupert Holmes Written-By – Ron Mael	3:28
1-17	Sparks–	I Bought The Mississippi River Producer – Rupert Holmes Written-By – Ron Mael	2:28
1-18	Sparks–	Occupation Producer – Terry Powell Written-By – Russell Mael	5:13
1-19	Sparks–	Those Mysteries Producer – Terry Powell Written-By – Russell Mael	5:00
1-20	Sparks–	Tryouts For The Human Race Producer – Giorgio Moroder Written-By – Russell Mael	6:07
1-21	Sparks–	Beat The Clock Producer – Giorgio Moroder Written-By – Russell Mael	4:21
2-1	Sparks–	The Number One Song In Heaven Producer – Giorgio Moroder Written-By – Russell Mael	7:27
2-2	Sparks–	When I'm With You (Single Version) Producer – Harold Faltermeyer Written-By – Russell Mael	4:06
2-3	Sparks–	Tips For Teens Producer – Mack (2) Written-By – Russell Mael	3:33
2-4	Sparks–	Funny Face Producer – Mack (2) Written-By – Russell Mael	3:26
2-5	Sparks–	Angst In My Pants Producer – Mack (2) Written-By – Russell Mael	3:28
2-6	Sparks–	I Predict Producer – Mack (2) Written-By – Russell Mael	2:52
2-7	Sparks–	Sherlock Holmes Producer – Mack (2) Written-By – Russell Mael	3:36
2-8	Jane Wiedlin–	Cool Places Producer – Russell Mael Written-By – Russell Mael	3:23
2-9	Sparks–	Popularity Producer – Russell Mael Written-By – Russell Mael	3:51
2-10	Sparks–	I Wish I Looked A Little Better Producer – Russell Mael Written-By – Russell Mael	2:59
2-11	Sparks–	With All My Might Producer – Ian Little Written-By – Russell Mael	3:42
2-12	Sparks–	Change Producer – Russell Mael Written-By – Russell Mael	5:25
2-13	Sparks–	Music That You Can Dance To Producer – Russell Mael Written-By – Russell Mael	4:22
2-14	Sparks–	So Important Written-By – Russell Mael	4:31
2-15	Les Rita Mitsouko–	Singing In The Shower Producer – Tony Visconti Written-By – Russell Mael	4:24
2-16	Sparks–	National Crime Awareness Week (Psycho Cut) Producer – Finiflex Written-By – Russell Mael	3:29
2-17	Sparks–	When Do I Get To Sing 'My Way' Producer – Russell Mael Written-By – Russell Mael	4:37
2-18	Sparks–	(When I Kiss You) I Hear Charlie Parker Playing (Radio Edit) Producer – Russell Mael Written-By – Russell Mael	3:46
2-19	Sparks–	Let's Go Surfing Producer – Russell Mael Written-By – Russell Mael	5:02
3-1	Sparks–	Pulling Rabbits Out Of A Hat Orchestrated By, Arranged By [Choral Arrangements], Conductor – Tony Visconti Producer – Russell Mael Written-By – Russell Mael	3:35
3-2	Sparks–	The Calm Before The Storm Producer – Russell Mael Written-By – Russell Mael	4:03
3-3	Sparks–	It's A Knockoff Producer – Russell Mael Written-By – Russell Mael	3:42
3-4	Sparks–	The Rhythm Thief Producer – Russell Mael Written-By – Russell Mael	5:20
3-5	Sparks–	My Baby's Taking Me Home Producer – Russell Mael Written-By – Russell Mael	4:43
3-6	Sparks–	Suburban Homeboy Producer – Russell Mael Written-By – Russell Mael	2:57
3-7	Sparks–	Dick Around Producer – Russell Mael Written-By – Russell Mael	6:35
3-8	Sparks–	Perfume Producer – Russell Mael Written-By – Russell Mael	4:59
3-9	Sparks–	Islington N1 Producer – Russell Mael Written-By – Russell Mael	2:34
3-10	Sparks–	Good Morning Producer – Russell Mael Written-By – Russell Mael	3:54
3-11	Sparks–	Lighten Up Morrissey Producer – Russell Mael Written-By – Russell Mael	4:15
3-12	Sparks–	Two Hands One Mouth Producer – Russell Mael Written-By – Russell Mael	5:26
3-13	Sparks–	Piss Off (Original Sparks Version) Guitar, Bass, Drums, Arranged By [Guitar, Bass & Drums Arranged By] – Dean Menta Written-By – Russell Mael	4:21
3-14	F•F•S*–	Johnny Delusional Mixed By – Cenzo Townshend Producer – John Congleton Written-By – F•F•S*	3:12
3-15	Sparks–	Missionary Position Producer – Russell Mael Written-By – Russell Mael	4:17
3-16	Sparks–	Edith Piaf (Said It Better Than Me) Producer – Russell Mael Written-By – Russell Mael	4:33
3-17	Sparks–	I Wish You Were Fun Producer – Russell Mael Written-By – Russell Mael	4:04
3-18	Sparks–	Check Out Time 11am Producer – Russell Mael Written-By – Russell Mael	3:33

Companies, etc.

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – BMG Rights Management (UK) Limited
Copyright © – BMG Rights Management (UK) Limited
Published By – BMG Rights Management (UK) Limited
Remastered At – D2 Mastering
Manufactured By – Key Production
Glass Mastered At – TAKT – 2100008507988
Glass Mastered At – TAKT – 2100008508022
Glass Mastered At – TAKT – 2100008508060

Credits

Consultant – Emmi Joutsi
Design – Rachel Gutek
Liner Notes – Simon Price
Management – Sue Harris (2)
Photography By [Cover Photo] – Richard Creamer
Remastered By – Dave Schultz

Notes

8 card Digisleeve with 16-page staple bound booklet insert.

Remastered at d2 Mastering in Los Angeles

This compilation ℗ & © 2019 BMG Rights Management (UK) Ltd.
Made in the EU

[Notes]:
All tracks taken from the relevant albums except:
Track 1-1 -- "Computer Girl" previously unreleased, recorded as Urban Renewal Project.
Track 1-15 is from Sparks - I Want To Hold Your Hand
Track 2-2 is from Sparks - When I'm With You
Track 2-8 is from Sparks And Jane Wiedlin - Cool Places
Track 2-15 is from Les Rita Mitsouko - Marc & Robert
Track 2-16 is from Sparks - National Crime Awareness Week
Track 2-18 is from Sparks - When I Kiss You (I Hear Charlie Parker Playing)
Track 3-9 -- "Islington N1" was originally only available for "Golden Ticket" holders at
Sparks Spectacular (21 albums in 21 nights, May-June 2008 in Islington, London)
Track 3-12 is from Sparks - Two Hands, One Mouth
Track 3-13 -- "Piss Off (Original Sparks Version)" previously unreleased.
Track 3-14 is from FFS - FFS
Track 3-18 is from Sparks - Check Out Time 11AM

Barcode and Other Identifiers

Barcode (Text): 4 050538 507201
Barcode (Scanned): 4050538507201
Rights Society: ms
Matrix / Runout (CD1): 2100008507988 www.keyproduction.co.uk
Mastering SID Code (CD1): IFPI LK97
Mould SID Code (CD1): IFPI 9R88
Matrix / Runout (CD2): 2100008508022 www.keyproduction.co.uk
Mastering SID Code (CD2): IFPI LK97
Mould SID Code (CD2): IFPI AEW52
Matrix / Runout (CD3): 2100008508060 www.keyproduction.co.uk
Mastering SID Code (CD3): IFPI LK97
Mould SID Code (CD3): IFPI AEW51

Other Versions (3)

View All

	Title (Format)	Label	Cat#	Country	Year
New Submission	Past Tense (The Best Of Sparks) (3×LP, Compilation, Remastered)	BMG	BMGCAT406TLP	Europe	2019
New Submission	Past Tense : The Best Of Sparks (2×CD, Compilation, Remastered)	BMG	BMGCAT406DCD	Europe	2019
	Past Tense (The Best Of Sparks) (3×CD, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered, CD, Compilation, Sampler)	BMG	BMGCAT406TCD, 4050538634853		2020

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Reviews

Dysfunco Jul 21, 2023
Isnt it weird that the 2 CD version has some songs which is NOT on this 3CD instead?
"Forever Young" for instance, which is a song I like.
Therefore it's difficult to choose. But the 2CD doesn't have Popularity instead, which is also a good tune...
saucer-people Jul 29, 2021
Edited 3 years ago

Why you would opt for the 2CD version when the 3CD version goes for a similar price is a total mystery, especially when the third disc is full of their more later material and rarities which includes for my money, their best track of this century. 'My Baby's Taking Me Home' (the video is genius, but aren't they all?)
I have to it that I primarily bought it to have a copy of their previously unreleased 1967 track Computer Girl (recorded under the Urban Renewal Project name from a needledrop acetate and thank god it survived all those decades as you have to pinch yourself and chant '1967? 1967!' several times.)
If for some reason you haven't seen the 'Sparks Brothers' documentary yet then do so as it totally reignited (I refuse to say 'sparked') my interest in the band which has been coming and going since I heard the godlike Moroder produced Beat The Clock on Top of the Pops as a 70s kid back in the olden days. The 3CD version is an essential buy while it's still cheap as chips and even after it's not.
Psychofrakulator Nov 14, 2019
Basically the ultimate Sparks compilation, both for old fans and new ones who want an essential look at their decade long body of work. I can't think of any important song that is missing, although I wish the FFS version of "Piss Off" would've been on it.

Personally I like the 3rd CD the best, because the brothers were/are on fire in the 21st century, but of course their older stuff, the early glamrock things, the Moroder collabos, the synthie pop songs, still hold up too.

In conclusion, it's the Best Of that this underrated band deserves and I can only recommend it to everybody.