In Outer Space

In Outer Space is the twelfth studio album by American pop band Sparks, released in April 1983 by Atlantic Records. Brothers Ron and Russell Mael of Sparks self-produced the album.

In Outer Space
Studio album by
Sparks
ReleasedApril 1983
StudioSynsound Studios (Brussels)
Genre
Length36:37
LabelAtlantic
Producer
Sparks chronology
Angst in My Pants
(1982)		 In Outer Space
(1983)		 Pulling Rabbits Out of a Hat
(1984)
Singles from In Outer Space
  1. "Cool Places" b/w "Sports"
    Released: March 1983
  2. "All You Ever Think About Is Sex" b/w "Dance Godammit"
    Released: July 1983
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]

Release

In Outer Space became one of Sparks' most successful albums in the U.S. It peaked at No. 88 on the Billboard 200 albums chart,[2] and built upon the success of the band's previous two studio albums, Angst in My Pants (1982) and Whomp That Sucker (1981). In France, the non-album single "Modesty Plays" (originally conceived for the TV series Modesty Blaise) was added and included as the final track.

"Cool Places" was released as the first single from the album and it reached No. 49 on the Billboard Hot 100.[1] The song was a duet with the Go-Go's rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist Jane Wiedlin. Wiedlin's band was very popular, and her input gave exposure to the single, which led it to become Sparks' biggest hit in the US. "Cool Places" was extended for 12", and both formats were backed with the non-album track "Sports". The single also became the first of many entries for the band on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart; where it peaked at No. 13.

"All You Ever Think About Is Sex" was remixed and released as the follow-up single, but it did not chart. An extended mix was also produced and it was backed with a remixed version of the album track; "Dance Godammit" on both 7" and 12" formats.

Neither the album or the accompanying singles were successful in the UK.

Track listing

All tracks are written by Ron Mael and Russell Mael

Side one
No.TitleLength
1."Cool Places"3:23
2."Popularity"3:52
3."Prayin' for a Party"2:59
4."All You Ever Think About Is Sex"4:09
5."Please Baby Please"3:42
Side two
No.TitleLength
6."Rockin' Girls"4:42
7."I Wish I Looked a Little Better"2:58
8."Lucky Me, Lucky You"3:26
9."A Fun Bunch of Guys from Outer Space"4:00
10."Dance Godammit"3:26
11."Modesty Plays" (French editions only)3:47
Imperial Records (Japan) bonus tracks (2009)
No.TitleLength
11."Miniskirted"3:47
12."All You Ever Think About Is Sex" (Unreleased Alternate Version)4:06
13."Sports"3:23
Repertoire Records bonus tracks (2013)
No.TitleLength
11."All You Ever Think About Is Sex" (Single version – Remixed by Brian Reeves)3:32
12."Sports"3:23
13."Cool Places" (12" mix)4:40
14."All You Ever Think About Is Sex" (12" club version – Remixed by Brian Reeves)5:06
15."Dance Godammit" (12" club version – Remixed by Brian Reeves)3:59

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the In Outer Space liner notes.[3]

Sparks

Additional musicians

  • Bob Haag – Endodyne guitars and Roland guitar synthesizers, Tab cans, background vocals, and additional bass guitar
  • Leslie Bohem – Bass guitar, background vocals
  • David Kendrick – Drums
  • James Goodwin – Additional concert keyboards
  • Jane Wiedlin – guest vocals on "Cool Places" and "Lucky Me, Lucky You"

Production and artwork

References
  1. AllMusic review
  2. "Sparks in Billboard 200". billboard.com. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  3. In Outer Space (CD booklet). Sparks. Atlantic Records. 1983.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
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