Beat the Clock

Sparks

About Beat the Clock

"Beat the Clock" is a disco single by the American rock duo Sparks, which was released in 1979. It is named after the game show Beat the Clock. The song peaked at #10 in August 1979 and spent six weeks in the UK Singles Chart. It was their third and final top ten single in the UK. The song was taken from the album No. 1 In Heaven and produced by Giorgio Moroder for Mellow B. V. During the late 1970s he was one of the premier producers, his working relationship grew from Sparks' appreciation of Donna Summer's dynamic "I Feel Love" which Moroder co-wrote and co-produced. The 12" remix was the first of the group's extended remixes. The remix utilized the drum pattern from the songs midsection and added a new keyboard melody line during the chorus. The "long version" as it was dubbed was edited to three and a half minutes and released as the B-side to the 7" single. Long versions of "The Number One Song in Heaven" and "Tryouts for the Human Race" - both singles from the same album as "Beat the Clock" were merely the standard album versions. 


Year:
2009
3:15
114 
#1

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I was born a little premature
Mom just couldn't take no more
Had no time to learn to cry
Goodbye, Mama, got to fly
Bye, bye, bye, bye, bye, bye, bye

Entered school when I was two
PhD'd that afternoon
Never entered any sports
Didn't look too good in shorts
Got divorced when I was four

[Chorus:]
I've seen everything there is
I've done everything there is
I've met everyone but Liz
Now I've even met ol' Liz
No time for relationship
Skip the foreplay, let 'er rip
You gotta beat the clock, beat the clock,
Beat the clock, beat the clock

I did lots of traveling
Parts of me unraveling
The Army then rejected me
Said I had two flat feet
Wore them out when I was three

Too bad there ain't ten of you
Then I'd show you what I'd do
I could cheat on five of you
And be faithful to you too
But there's only one of you

[Chorus]

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Sparks

Sparks is an American rock and pop band formed in Los Angeles in 1971 by brothers Ron (keyboards) and Russell Mael (vocals), renamed from Halfnelson. Best known for their quirky approach to songwriting, Sparks' music is often accompanied by intelligent, sophisticated, and acerbic lyrics, and an idiosyncratic, theatrical stage presence, typified in the contrast between Russell's wide-eyed hyperactive frontman antics and Ron's sedentary scowling. They are also noted for Russell Mael's falsetto voice and Ron Mael's keyboard style. more »

1 fan

Written by: RON MAEL

Lyrics © Royalty Network

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Band Origin
Sparks is an American pop rock band formed in Los Angeles by brothers Ron and Russell Mael.
Release Info
The song "Beat the Clock" was released as part of their 1979 album, "No. 1 in Heaven," which marked a stylistic shift to a more synth-heavy sound.
Chart Performance
"Beat the Clock" reached 10 in the UK Singles Chart, becoming one of the band's highest-charting songs.
Music Evolution
The song is an example of how Sparks changed their style from more traditional rock to blend in with the emerging synth-pop and disco scenes of the late 1970s.
Inspiration
The song was inspired by Giorgio Moroder, a prominent figure in the dance music scene of the time, who also produced the track and the rest of the "No. 1 in Heaven" album.
Lyrics
"Beat the Clock" is an upbeat song with lyrics that reflect themes of urgency and fast-paced, modern-day living.
Notable Performances
The band has performed "Beat the Clock" live on numerous occasions including a famous performance on the popular UK music show Top Of The Pops in 1979.
Cover Versions
Various artists have covered "Beat the Clock" over the years, showcasing its enduring influence and popularity in both pop and dance music.
Album Performance
While the overall album "No 1 in Heaven" did not chart highly in the US, it reached number 14 in the UK and was critical to the band maintaining their popularity in Britain.
Remix
In 2017, "Beat the Clock" was remixed by Belgian group Telex for the Sparks' remix album "Plagiarism."
Feature in Media
"Beat the Clock" and other Sparks tracks have been featured in various forms of media, from films to commercials, reflecting the song's enduring popularity.

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