The Burning of the Midnight Amp
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burningmidnightamp.bsky.social
The Burning of the Midnight Amp
@burningmidnightamp.bsky.social
6 followers 4 following 49 posts
Three Norwegian guys dissecting music history album by album and song by song. We have a podcast and Youtube-show where we sit and nerd about music together.
Podcast: burningmidnightamp
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@burningmidnightamp
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burningmidnightamp.bsky.social
Safety first? Sparks make it literal.
“Susie Safety” blends fuzzy guitar, naïve piano, and a health-and-safety PSA vibe that feels halfway to Sesame Street. Cute, quirky, but one of Whomp That Sucker’s lighter cuts.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSzi...
#Sparks #WhompThatSucker
Suzie Safety - Sparks | reaction & analysis
YouTube video by The Burning of the Midnight Amp
www.youtube.com
October 27, 2025 at 9:56 PM
burningmidnightamp.bsky.social
Rhino beat. Hippo POV. Hunter gets shot. “Don’t Shoot Me” is Sparks at their most absurdly primal — thumping groove, sly humor, and a build that grows more intense with every bar.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ts5-...
#Sparks #WhompThatSucker
Don't Shoot Me - Sparks | reaction & analysis
YouTube video by The Burning of the Midnight Amp
www.youtube.com
October 23, 2025 at 12:04 AM
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“They call it The Willys…” Side B of Whomp That Sucker kicks off with Sparks at their most mischievous: doo-wop echoes, oddball noises, and a chorus that just won’t quit. Annoying? Addictive? Maybe both.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjI_...
#Sparks #WhompThatSucker
The Willys - Sparks | reaction & analysis
YouTube video by The Burning of the Midnight Amp
www.youtube.com
October 18, 2025 at 6:59 PM
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“I do.” 👽💍
Sparks slam Side A shut with “I Married a Martian”—anthemic new wave, gleaming arpeggios, and a B-movie love story that actually rocks. We break down the pomp, the punch, and the punchlines.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHKB...
#Sparks #WhompThatSucker
I Married a Martian - Sparks | reaction & analysis
YouTube video by The Burning of the Midnight Amp
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October 14, 2025 at 7:32 PM
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Glass shatters, pipes clang, the bass thumps on.
Sparks’ “Upstairs” (1981): witty chaos, proto-industrial edges, and one of Whomp That Sucker’s most experimental grooves. We break down the noise and the charm.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXky...
#Sparks #WhompThatSucker
Upstairs - Sparks | reaction & analysis
YouTube video by The Burning of the Midnight Amp
www.youtube.com
October 13, 2025 at 10:57 PM
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Deep cut, hidden gem. 💎Sparks’ Where’s My Girl (1981): post-punk edge, tempo twists, organ stabs, and Russell soaring high. Not a single, barely played live, but one of Whomp That Sucker’s strongest tracks.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiGW...
#Sparks #WhompThatSucker #NewWave
Where's My Girl - Sparks | reaction & analysis
YouTube video by The Burning of the Midnight Amp
www.youtube.com
October 7, 2025 at 11:22 PM
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A singalong chorus, a sinister grin.
Sparks’ “Funny Face” (1981): Blondie/Bowie shimmer, darkly comic lyrics, and an abrupt exit that sticks in your head. We break down the single that KROQ loved—even without a U.S. release.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWVz...
#Sparks #WhompThatSucker
Funny Face - Sparks | reaction & analysis
YouTube video by The Burning of the Midnight Amp
www.youtube.com
October 3, 2025 at 4:43 PM
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Punchy hooks, breathless wit, and a snapshot of Aunt Maureen. Sparks open Whomp That Sucker with “Tips for Teens” — a classic new-wave jolt that helped kickstart their LA comeback. We break down the riff, the lyric, and the boxing-ring video.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe8J...
#Sparks #WhompThatSucker
Tips for Teens - Sparks | reaction & analysis
YouTube video by The Burning of the Midnight Amp
www.youtube.com
September 30, 2025 at 6:28 PM
burningmidnightamp.bsky.social
Finale time. 🎪
Sparks’ The Greatest Show on Earth (1980): Moroder/Faltermeyer drive, big bass, catchy chorus — a single that never was, and one of Terminal Jive’s stronger exits. We break down the closer and wrap the album.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RltB...
#Sparks #TerminalJive
The Greatest Show on Earth - Sparks | reaction & analysis
YouTube video by The Burning of the Midnight Amp
www.youtube.com
September 28, 2025 at 11:00 AM
burningmidnightamp.bsky.social
Headphones on. ⚡️
Sparks’ Stereo (1980) isn’t No. 1 in Heaven, but with Moroder on board it delivers punchy bass, cheeky stereo tricks & one of the album’s catchiest choruses. A deep cut fans still rate among Terminal Jive’s best.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NZ1...
#Sparks #TerminalJive
Stereo - Sparks | reaction & analysis
YouTube video by The Burning of the Midnight Amp
www.youtube.com
September 28, 2025 at 10:59 AM
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Happy… or disturbing? Sparks’ Noisy Boys (1980) teams the Maels with Harold Faltermeyer & Keith Forsey. Catchy synths & punchy drums on the surface, but its “boys will be boys” lyrics make it one of Terminal Jive’s most divisive tracks.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4R6...
#Sparks #TerminalJive
Noisy Boys - Sparks | reaction & analysis
YouTube video by The Burning of the Midnight Amp
www.youtube.com
September 16, 2025 at 2:39 PM
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Rock ’n’ roll swagger, disco sheen, and a lyric count you could fit on a postcard.
Sparks’ Rock and Roll People in the Disco World (1980): parody, self-mockery, or just a riff on repeat? We dig into the clash.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_VB...
#Sparks #TerminalJive #Sparkstember2025
Rock 'n' Roll People in a Disco World - Sparks | reaction & analysis
YouTube video by The Burning of the Midnight Amp
www.youtube.com
September 9, 2025 at 7:27 PM
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After Sparks’ biggest hit came… this. "Just Because You Love Me" (1980): a chorus on endless repeat, bubblegum synths, and lyrics even Sparks admit are “ridiculous.” Forgotten B-side or guilty pleasure? We dive in.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CX8f...
#Sparks #TerminalJive
Just Because You Love Me - Sparks | reaction & analysis
YouTube video by The Burning of the Midnight Amp
www.youtube.com
September 5, 2025 at 6:24 PM
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Sparks’ least favorite album at the time produced their biggest hit. “When I’m With You” (1980) topped charts in France and even got Ron cast as a ventriloquist in the video. We break down the synths, the awkward lyrics, and the odd magic.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXlK...
#Sparks #TerminalJive
When I'm with You - Sparks | reaction & analysis
YouTube video by The Burning of the Midnight Amp
www.youtube.com
September 2, 2025 at 8:15 PM
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The lost Noël track we wish had been on the album: “I Just Want to Be Seen With You.” Slower, funnier & closer to classic Sparks than anything else here. Why was it left off?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDO_...
#Sparks #Noël #MusicPodcast
I Just Want to Be Seen with You - Noël (written and produced by Sparks) | reaction & analysis
YouTube video by The Burning of the Midnight Amp
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August 30, 2025 at 12:01 AM
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We wrap up Noël’s Sparks-produced album from 1979 with “I Want a Man.” Quirky & chaotic, with almost no lyrics — Frode kind of likes it, Chris hates it. Hidden gem or just weird?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=27WE...
#Sparks #Noël #MusicPodcast
I Want a Man - Noël (written and produced by Sparks) | reaction & analysis
YouTube video by The Burning of the Midnight Amp
www.youtube.com
August 24, 2025 at 8:53 AM
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New episode! 🎧 We hit track 4: “Au Revoir” on Noël's Is There More to Life Than Dancing. Shorter, snappier & more Sparks-like than the rest — but does the relentless disco beat still hold it back?
youtu.be/vAVmnqn3PIg?...
#Sparks #Noël #MusicPodcast
Au Revoir - Noël (written and produced by Sparks) | reaction & analysis
YouTube video by The Burning of the Midnight Amp
youtu.be
August 20, 2025 at 10:24 PM
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New episode! 🎧 Side B from Sparks’ Noël project from 1979 kicks off with “The Night They Invented Love” — a 9-min disco epic. Great sax & groove, but is it yet another track that's just too long? 🤔
www.youtube.com/watch?v=elEv...
#Sparks #Noël #MusicPodcast
The Night They Invented Love - Noël (written and produced by Sparks) | reaction & analysis
YouTube video by The Burning of the Midnight Amp
www.youtube.com
August 15, 2025 at 10:09 PM
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New episode! 🎧 We tackle the 8-min title track from Is There More to Life Than Dancing? — Sparks’ 1979 disco-synth side project with Noël. Ironic art-disco or just too long? 🤔
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OQr...
#Sparks #Noël #MusicPodcast
Is There More to Life Than Dancing - Noël (written and produced by Sparks) | reaction & analysis
YouTube video by The Burning of the Midnight Amp
www.youtube.com
August 13, 2025 at 12:29 PM
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We dive into Is There More to Life Than Dancing? (1979), Sparks’ side project with singer Noël. First up: “Dancing is Dangerous” — a 9-min disco-synth workout with big ideas but mixed results. Hidden gem or misstep? 🤔
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mfxo...
#Sparks #MusicPodcast
Dancing is Dangerous - Noël (written and produced by Sparks) | reaction & analysis
YouTube video by The Burning of the Midnight Amp
www.youtube.com
August 8, 2025 at 5:40 PM
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New episode! 🎧 We wrap up No.1 in Heaven with its epic closer “The Number One Song in Heaven” — a two-part disco-synth masterpiece. Moroder’s production, quirky lyrics, chart success & why this album is a Sparks creative peak.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zLy...
#Sparks #Moroder
The Number One Song in Heaven - Sparks | reaction & analysis
YouTube video by The Burning of the Midnight Amp
www.youtube.com
August 5, 2025 at 5:32 PM
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We dive into My Other Voice. Sparks at their most spectral and sinister. Vocoders, noir vibes, eerie lyrics… this deep cut from No. 1 in Heaven haunts us (in the best way).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmRf...
#Sparks #Moroder #No1InHeaven #MusicPodcast
My Other Voice - Sparks | reaction & analysis
YouTube video by The Burning of the Midnight Amp
www.youtube.com
August 4, 2025 at 9:30 AM
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We flip the record and hit Side B with “Beat the Clock” — Sparks' frantic, synth-fueled race back into the UK Top 10. Drum breaks, colored vinyl, a Peter Cook cameo… it’s a lot. Is it great? Is it grating? We decide.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2qV...
#Sparks #Moroder
Beat the Clock - Sparks | reaction & analysis
YouTube video by The Burning of the Midnight Amp
www.youtube.com
August 4, 2025 at 9:25 AM
burningmidnightamp.bsky.social
La Dolce Vita was the first single from No. 1 in Heaven by Sparks, but it’s still a mystery to many.
We dig into its icy synths, cinematic ambiguity, and strange charm—from sugar mamas to scrubbing floors.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnB5...
#Sparks #No1InHeaven #Moroder
La Dolce Vita - Sparks | reaction & analysis
YouTube video by The Burning of the Midnight Amp
www.youtube.com
July 25, 2025 at 3:15 PM
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Ron Mael wrote it. Giorgio Moroder didn’t reject it. And Sparks never released it as a single. We break down "Academy Award Performance"'s wit, irony, and irresistible drama. No B-sides, no remixes—just applause.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV6s...
#Sparks #Moroder #No1InHeaven
Academy Award Performance - Sparks | reaction & analysis
YouTube video by The Burning of the Midnight Amp
www.youtube.com
July 22, 2025 at 7:37 PM