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
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
Audio Interface: MOTU M4
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
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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