In The Words of Sparks...Selected Lyrics

by Ron Mael (Editor), Russell Mael (Editor), Morrissey (Introduction)

Sparks--the long-running duo of Ron and Russell Mael--are among the most respected songwriters of their generation, their songs ranking alongside those of Ray Davies (The Kinks having been a formative influence), George Gershwin, Cole Porter and Stephen Sondheim. Formed in Los Angeles in 1971, Sparks have issued over 20 albums and scored chart hits with songs such as “This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us,” “Cool Places” and “Never Turn Your Back on Mother Earth.” While their musical style has changed dramatically over the course of 40 years--embracing the British Invasion sound of the 60s, glam rock, disco (they teamed up with Giorgio Moroder for 1979’s “No. 1 in Heaven”) and even techno--their work has consistently stretched the boundaries of pop music and the song form. Sparks continue to break new they are currently working on a project with filmmaker Guy Maddin and are soon to embark on a world tour. Now, for the first time, the Mael brothers have chosen their favorite Sparks lyrics (to some 75 songs), editing and correcting them for presentation in In the Words of Sparks . As James Greer--novelist and former member of Guided by Voices--comments, “Sparks-level wordplay is a gift, and more than that, an inspiration.” This book also includes a substantial introduction by fellow Los Angeles resident and longtime fan, Morrissey.

Genres: Music

200 pages, Hardcover

First published June 30, 2013

Reviews

[Tosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

"In The Words Of Sparks... Selected Lyrics" is the dream book for me and my press TamTam Books. People can gather that I am a huge fan of Sparks (hopefully through my book "Sparks-Tastic") but to think that I would ever work with them on a book - the impossible dream! And yet, I did with the help of Morrissey who wrote a brilliant but funny, heartwarming introduction to the book as well.

Ron Mael and Russell Mael (Sparks) selected 76 songs to be represented in this volume that just focuses on their lyrics. As a publisher i wanted to do a classic lyric book because Ron and Russell's writing is top notch writing on the scale of Cole Porter, Ira Gershwin, Lorenz Hart and may be a touch of Bertolt Brecht here and there. The visuals that come with the reading of the songs is Ron's handwritten lyrics which serves as an illustration through out the book. So it serves as a look behind the curtain by watching over Ron's shoulders as he jogs down these lyrics for the first time.

"In The Words of Sparks..." is a major literary approach to the wonderful world that is Sparks. The 76 pieces here is for the fan, who will know the melodies, but reading the text cold is an additional pleasure, because the imagery, the narrative of some of the songs, and the incredible genius-like wit runs through the book as if a storm is approaching its pages. I am super happy with the book.

[SirBilly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Solo per Maeliani all'ultimo stadio.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

It really reads like poetry, and should be celebrated as such. It is simply a great book. The facsimiles of the original drafts are so fascinating, seeing what didn't make the final cut. I noticed a couple of typos, but overall this was a very beautiful presentation of some damn brilliant lyrics. More people need to discover Sparks.

[Niklas Pivic · Rating 4 out of 5]

With an introduction by Morrissey, a fan since the 1970s, this book encases the notion that Sparks' lyrics are poetry. Well, they are. Always dry, almost always funny, at times introspective and often philosophical, this is beyond pop despite it being just that. Well, not nowadays, and that's part of the fun. A good little read, not just once but repeatedly, as a reminder that most musical lyrics wouldn't stand a chance against this collection.

[Kimley · Rating 5 out of 5]

S'wonderful!

S'marvelous!

It's the top!