Burning The Ground Exclusive
Released in February 1982, “I Predict” was the first single taken from Sparks’ eleventh studio album Angst In My Pants. By this point, brothers Ron and Russell Mael had fully embraced a slick synth-pop and new wave sound while continuing to deliver the eccentric humor and sharp satire that made them one of the most unique acts in popular music.
“I Predict” became Sparks’ first entry on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 60 in May 1982. The achievement marked the duo’s first success on the U.S. singles chart since “Wonder Girl” in 1971, ending an eleven-year absence from the American Hot 100.
Produced by Mack, known for his work with Queen and Electric Light Orchestra, the track perfectly balanced quirky art-pop with polished early 80s production. Driven by sharp synthesizers, pulsing rhythms, and Russell Mael’s unmistakable falsetto, “I Predict” delivered one of Sparks’ most accessible singles while still maintaining their wonderfully bizarre sense of humor.
Lyrically, the song is classic Sparks, absurd, witty, and satirical. The narrator confidently predicts fame, scandal, and strange future events with complete sincerity, creating a surreal commentary on celebrity culture and media obsession years before reality television and viral fame became commonplace.
In the United States, a promotional 12-inch single was issued featuring an exclusive “Club Mix” of “I Predict,” available only on the promo release. The extended mix gave DJs a longer and more dancefloor-friendly version of the track, highlighting the layered synthesizer arrangements and quirky vocal passages that made Sparks stand apart from their contemporaries.
The music video made to accompany the single quickly became infamous during the early MTV era. The clip featured Ron Mael in drag performing a striptease dance routine in a Los Angeles nightclub while Russell lip-syncs the song’s lyrics. Because of the video’s more mature sexual themes and adult content, MTV generally limited airings to late-night hours or around midnight.
Over the years, the video has often been mistakenly credited to filmmaker David Lynch because of its surreal visual style. However, the book Talent Is An Asset: The Story Of Sparks credits the video to Steve and Doug Martin, who intentionally created the clip in a style inspired by Lynch’s work.
While “I Predict” was only a modest chart hit at the time, the single has grown into one of Sparks’ defining tracks from their early 80s period. The song perfectly captures the duo’s ability to combine sophisticated pop songwriting, experimental humor, and fearless visual presentation into something completely original. More than forty years later, “I Predict” still sounds daring, strange, and unmistakably Sparks.
SIDE A:
I Predict 2:52
SIDE B:
I Predict (Club Mix) 6;20
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
| Chart | Peak Position | Date |
|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 | #60 | 1982 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Atlantic – PR 429
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo
Country: US
Released: 1982
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: New Wave
CREDITS:
- Lacquer Cut By – GP*
- Producer, Arranged By – Mack (2)
- Written-By – Ron Mael, Russell Mael
- Produced For – Giorgio Moroder Enterprises Ltd
NOTES:
PROMOTIONAL COPY
NOT FOR SALE
From Atlantic LP 19347 “ANGST IN MY PANTS”
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
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Audio Interface: MOTU M4
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Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
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SOFTWARE:
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Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
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RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Six Days!
Password: burningtheground
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Love it, thank you Paul!
Hello Paul! Thanks for posting this superb club mix! However, the Discogs link is to the promo with same song on both sides. Should be https://www.discogs.com/release/1320990-Sparks-I-Predict, if you want to move your images there. Thanks!
Thank you Paul. I do remember the Club Mix and sometimes I need to listen to something a bit heavier. I just went through my collection, and I actually don’t have a single record left. Once again, you have filled a gap in my collection.
You’re welcome, Toxicaudio. I know exactly what you mean about sometimes needing something with a little more edge to it. “I Predict” has that perfect balance of synth-pop polish and rock energy that makes it stand apart from a lot of the lighter New Wave material from the same period. It’s funny how collections evolve over the years too. So many of us have sold records, traded things away, or lost pieces along the journey, only to later realize how much we miss certain mixes or releases. That’s one reason I enjoy sharing these promo-only versions so much. Sometimes it’s… Read more »
Such a great intertwining mélange of pop, rock, new wave and synth. Not hugely familiar with all of Sparks catalog, but this one is such a standout there is literally no way to miss it. Excellent 12″ here – you get the bite size radio friendly version and the amazing club mix that just flows so well. The rock edge really pushes this track in such a unique direction, on paper you might not think it would work but it really really does. Great choice Dj Paul, I predict that you are going to pick something else amazing this week too… Read more »
You nailed exactly why this track works so well, JP. On paper, mixing sharp synth-pop, quirky New Wave, theatrical vocals, and a rock edge should probably collapse into chaos, but Sparks somehow make it sound completely natural. That balance was always one of their greatest strengths. The Club Mix especially gives the groove room to breathe. I love how it stretches out the rhythm and lets those synth textures and guitar accents build gradually. It never feels excessive either, every extra minute adds something worthwhile. Promo-only mixes like this are exactly why I’m so obsessed with tracking these records down.… Read more »
Having been familiar with Sparks through their great contribution to the Fright Night soundtrack (Armies Of The Night) and Music That You Can Dance To, this is new to me! This is quite catchy and I love the beat. I can see why I would have missed the video if it only played around midnight, lol. Thank you Paul for filling in the gaps with these wonderful 12 inch promos!!
“Armies Of The Night” is such a fantastic track, Retro Hound. That Fright Night soundtrack introduced a lot of people to Sparks during the mid-80s. “Music That You Can Dance To” was another great era for them too, very slick and very mid-80s, but still unmistakably Sparks. “I Predict” feels like an important bridge between those periods because you can really hear them moving fully into synth-pop and New Wave territory while keeping all of their quirky humor intact. It’s one of those songs that sneaks into your head after a couple of listens. And yes, if you weren’t up… Read more »
Downloads no longer work for me:
“Transfer not found
Please check your link or try in another browser. Some softwares or extensions may modify the link in the browser.
You can also contact the user that has created this transfer is order to resolve the encountered problem.”
Works perfectly on my end. Maybe try another browser.
Nineteen eighty-two was the year for me! I started college in the Fall of that year and discovered their “Angst in My Pants” album at our college radio station. The title alone made me smile! I knew Sparks from the Disco evergreen, “Beat the Clock” which made me dive into this record. Our station was Adult Contemporary during the day, while the nighttime went for Top 40. I was sad about this because New Wave was blowing up at the time, so I was bummed. I got into a little trouble playing things not in the format, but I couldn’t… Read more »
Jeff, this comment absolutely made my day. I can completely picture that moment in 1982, college radio, stacks of records, trade magazines spread across a desk, and somebody sneaking “non-format” tracks onto the air because the music was just too exciting to ignore. Honestly, that rebellious spirit is exactly what made the New Wave era so special. The rules were changing in real time. I love that you discovered Sparks through “Beat The Clock” and then fell headfirst into Angst In My Pants. That album really was a perfect gateway because it balanced their weirdness with catchy hooks and sharp… Read more »
Thanks for this. I love Sparks. They’re still active today releasing top 10 albums, and a recent collaboration with Gorillaz. Currently touring Japan. The album Angst In My Pants was my introduction as well, but mainly through the film Valley Girl, and hearing their pair of songs Micky Mouse, and Minnie Mouse. These piqued my interest enough to buy their album, and I was hooked.
That’s awesome, Paul. Sparks are one of those rare bands that never stopped evolving, yet somehow still sound unmistakably like themselves. It’s pretty incredible that after more than five decades they’re still releasing acclaimed albums and selling out tours. Valley Girl was such a great gateway for a lot of people discovering early 80s new wave and synth-pop. “Mickey Mouse” and “Minnie Mouse” definitely stood out on that soundtrack because they were so quirky and different from everything else around them. Once you hear Sparks for the first time, especially material from Angst In My Pants, you either completely get… Read more »
Certainly contains many of The Sparks unique styles, just can’t help recognizing Queen’s influence in more ways than simply on a production level, Mack’s involvement notwithstanding….
You can definitely hear some of that influence, Raymond. Mack’s production style brought a bigger and cleaner sound that naturally invites comparisons to Queen, especially with the layered vocals and dramatic presentation. Russell Mael’s theatrical delivery also fits nicely alongside that early 80s Queen aesthetic. At the same time, Sparks still managed to keep their own oddball identity intact. Where Queen often leaned toward arena-sized grandeur, Sparks always seemed more interested in satire, awkward humor, and intellectual absurdity. “I Predict” feels polished and accessible on the surface, but underneath it’s still completely bizarre in that way only Sparks could pull… Read more »
Thank you Paul for This post.
You will probably not believe me, but for many times, I thought the Sparks brothers were English.
Even in their accent, when they sing, it’s very british I believe.
You’re definitely not alone, Arnaud. A lot of people assumed Sparks were British, especially during the 1970s and early 80s. Their style, humor, and sophisticated songwriting felt much closer to the UK art-rock and glam scene than typical American pop music of the time. The Mael brothers were actually born in Los Angeles, but they became huge stars in England after moving there in the mid-70s. They were embraced by the British music press almost immediately, especially during the Kimono My House era. That connection really shaped how many people perceived them. Russell’s vocal phrasing and delivery also have that… Read more »
Another great 80s track! I had this cassette back in high school:
https://www.discogs.com/release/9010112-Various-The-Beat
where I first heard this song. I don’t think I have any mixes of this so I’m eager to take a listen!
Thanks Paul!
That is so cool, Mikey. That’s where I first heard it, but I had the vinyl.
That’s awesome. Great minds!
That album was instrumental in introducing me to so many new wave songs that became my favorites. I must have been around 12 or 13 when it was released, and I’ve loved K-Tel compilations ever since.