Sparks (July 13, 1979) – 7" Single: Beat The Clock (UK)

Jul 13, 1979
4 min read

Updated: Jul 13

Artist: Sparks

Label: Virgin

Country: UK

Catalogue: VS 270

Release Date: July 13 1979

Type: Vinyl Record

Format: 7" Single

TRACK INFORMATION

Title: Beat The Clock

Writer(s): Ron Mael, Russell Mael Producer(s): Giorgio Moroder

Album Origin: No. 1 In Heaven Associated Releases:

Beat The Clock (Alternative Mix) •

Beat The Clock (Long Version) • Plagiarism (1997)

TRACK LISTING

A: Beat The Clock

Composer: Ron Mael, Russell Mael Producers: Giorgio Moroder

B: Beat The Clock (Alternative Mix) Composer: Ron Mael, Russell Mael Producers: Giorgio Moroder

SLEEVE & PRESSING DETAILS

Issued in Picture Sleeve for UK 7" editions.

12" editions issued as coloured picture discs in multiple variants (blue, pink, green, yellow, orange, red, mottled colours) in a die cut sleeve.

Produced by Giorgio Moroder during Sparks’ electronic/disco period.

VARIANTS — UK

United Kingdom 1979

Beat The Clock — 7" 45 RPM Single Stereo — Virgin VS 270

Beat The Clock — 12" 45 RPM

Large Picture Centre Disc Label

(Came in the colors listed below, all sharing the same catalogue number, with some being solid and others mottled)

Virgin VS27012 (Black)
Virgin VS27012 (Green)
Virgin VS27012 (Yellow)
Virgin VS27012 (Blue)
Virgin VS27012 (Orange)
Virgin VS27012 (Pink)
Virgin VS27012 (Red)

VARIANTS — INTERNATIONAL

Australia 1979

• Beat The Clock — 7" 45 RPM Single — Virgin K‑7587

Germany 1979

• Beat The Clock — 7" 45 RPM Single Stereo — Ariola 100 873 / Oasis 100 873

Ireland 1979

• Beat The Clock — 7" 45 RPM Single — Virgin VS 270

Netherlands 1979

• Beat The Clock — 7" 45 RPM Single Stereo Paper Label — Ariola 100.873

• Beat The Clock — 7" 45 RPM Single

Blue Injection Label — Ariola 100.873

• Beat The Clock — 7" 45 RPM Single Silver Injection Label — Ariola 100.873

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Released as the fourth single from Sparks’ eighth studio album No. 1 In Heaven. Produced by Giorgio Moroder, whose electronic disco style shaped Sparks’ late‑70s sound.

Peaked at No. 10 on the UK Singles Chart in August 1979, spending six weeks on the chart. Their third and final UK Top 10 hit.

COMPOSITION & RECORDING

Recorded in 1979 with Giorgio Moroder at the helm. Features synthesizer programming by Dan Wyman and drums by Keith Forsey. The 12" remix was Sparks’ first extended mix, adding new keyboard lines and restructured drum patterns.

MUSICAL ANALYSIS

A driving disco‑synth track blending Moroder’s sequenced electronics with Sparks’ trademark vocal eccentricity. The song’s theme of racing against time mirrors the mechanical pulse of the production.

CULTURAL REFERENCES

Inspired by Sparks’ admiration for Donna Summer’s I Feel Love, which Moroder co‑produced. 12" editions included a promotional commercial narrated by comedian Peter Cook.

CRITICAL RECEPTION

Widely praised for its innovative electronic production. Regarded as one of Sparks’ most influential singles of the late 1970s.

CHART PERFORMANCE

UK Singles Chart — No. 10

Belgium — No. 10

Netherlands — No. 16

LIVE PERFORMANCE LEGACY

Performed during late‑70s promotional appearances.

Later reworked for Sparks’ 1997 album Plagiarism.

COMPILATION & REMASTER HISTORY Included on numerous Sparks compilations and reissues. Live version released as a B‑side on the UK CD single Now That I Own the BBC (1996).

COLLECTOR NOTES

UK 12" picture discs are highly collectible due to colour variations. Netherlands pressings notable for multiple label types (paper, blue injection, silver injection).

SINGLE CHRONOLOGY

Preceded by: Tryouts For The Human Race (1979)

Followed by: When I’m With You (1980)

INFLUENCE & LEGACY

A landmark in electronic pop, bridging Sparks’ glam‑rock past with their future synth‑pop direction.

Frequently cited as a key track in Moroder’s late‑70s production catalogue.

PERSONNEL

Ron Mael — keyboards, synthesizer, vocals

Russell Mael — vocals

Chris Bennett — backing vocals

Keith Forsey — drums

Jack Moran — backing vocals

Giorgio Moroder — synthesizer

Dan Wyman — synthesizer programming Dennis Young — backing vocals

TRACK TIMINGS

Beat The Clock — 3:49 Beat The Clock (Alternative Mix) — 3:32

CREDITS & ART DIRECTION

Photography: Norman Seeff

Model: Madeline Bocaro (accreditation needed)

Art Direction: Sparks / Giorgio Moroder Production Team Design: Virgin Records Art Department (London) Notes: Madeline Bocaro appears across the entire No. 1 In Heaven visual campaign, including the LP sleeve and the Beat The Clock single. The imagery was shot during the same Seeff session, using translucent enclosures, clinical lighting and futurist styling to match Moroder’s electronic aesthetic.

MODEL INFORMATION

Name: Madeline Bocaro Role: Sleeve Model — No. 1 In Heaven LP and Beat The Clock Single Photographer: Norman Seeff Art Direction: Sparks / Giorgio Moroder Production Team Design: Virgin Records Art Department (London) Notes: Madeline Bocaro appears across the entire No. 1 In Heaven visual campaign, including the LP sleeve and the Beat The Clock single. Her silver‑haired, futurist aesthetic was central to the Moroder‑era imagery. Bocaro later became a respected writer and archivist, contributing to Sparks retrospectives and authoring In My Life: Madeline Bocaro.