Summary
Terminal Jive is the ninth album by the American rock band Sparks and the second recorded with Giorgio Moroder. The album has a disco-vibe like its predecessor but featured fewer synthesizers, opting instead for more electric rock guitar, resulting in a new wave sound.[4] The album was produced by Moroder and Harold Faltermeyer, the latter of whom is claimed to have produced the majority of the album.
| Terminal Jive | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | January 28, 1980 | |||
| Recorded | 1979 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 35:55 | |||
| Label | Virgin | |||
| Producer | ||||
| Sparks chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Terminal Jive | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [2] |
| Smash Hits | 9/10[3] |
Sparks scored a hit single in France with "When I'm with You", which led to them staying in the country for a year promoting the album.[5][6]
Release edit
Terminal Jive was not released in the US, although Polydor Records issued it in Canada. It was also not a success in the UK. However, it fared better in continental Europe.
The lead single "When I'm with You" was a hit in France where it reached #16. The single also hit the Top 20 in Australia, reaching #14.[7] The second single from the album was "Young Girls", it too performed well in France. "Young Girls" was released with an extended remix on 12", an edited version on the 7" single, and backed with "Just Because You Love Me". French releases included "Rock 'n' Roll People in a Disco World", since "Just Because You Love Me" had accompanied the release of "When I'm with You" in that territory already.
Cover art edit
The album's artwork features various poses of the Mael brothers in odd postures in and around Hamleys toy store in Regent Street, London.
Track listing edit
All tracks are written by Ron Mael and Russell Mael; except where indicated
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "When I'm with You" | 5:45 |
| 2. | "Just Because You Love Me" | 4:36 |
| 3. | "Rock 'n' Roll People in a Disco World" | 4:47 |
| 4. | "When I'm with You (Instrumental)" | 3:45 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5. | "Young Girls" | 4:49 | |
| 6. | "Noisy Boys" | Harold Faltermeyer, Keith Forsey, Mael, Mael | 3:55 |
| 7. | "Stereo" | Giorgio Moroder, Mael, Mael | 4:01 |
| 8. | "The Greatest Show on Earth" | Moroder, Faltermeyer, Mael, Mael | 4:17 |
| Total length: | 35:55 | ||
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 9. | "The Farmer's Daughter (Unreleased Demo)" | 4:03 |
| 10. | "After Dark (Unreleased Demo)" | 3:30 |
| 11. | "Modesty Plays (Instrumental Version)" | 3:10 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 9. | "When I'm With You (Single Version)" | 3:54 |
| 10. | "Young Girls (Single Version)" | 3:51 |
| 11. | "Young Girls (Disco Version)" | 6:11 |
Personnel edit
Musicians
- Russell Mael – vocals
- Ron Mael – keyboards
- W. G. Snuffy Walden – guitar
- Richie Zito – bass guitar
- Harold Faltermeyer – keyboards
- Keith Forsey – drums
- Laurie Forsey – backing vocals
Technical
- Giorgio Moroder – production
- Harold Faltermeyer – production
- Brian Reeves, Dennis Drake – engineer
- Gered Mankowitz – photography
Charts edit
| Chart (1980) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[8] | 96 |
References edit
- ^ "Sparks - Terminal Jive". Allmusic. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
- ^ AllMusic review
- ^ Starr, Red. "Albums". Smash Hits (February 21 – March 5): 28.
- ^ "Sparks - Terminal Jive". Allmusic. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
- ^ Easlea, Daryl (July 2003). "Sparks Interview". Record Collector Magazine Issue. 287.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2009). "Sparks". The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (4 ed.). Muze Inc and Oxford University Press, Inc. doi:10.1093/acref/9780195313734.001.0001. ISBN 9780199726363.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (Illustrated ed.). Sydney: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 286. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
External links edit
- Terminal Jive at Discogs (list of releases)