Squeezing Out Sparks

Squeezing Out Sparks is a 1979 album by Graham Parker and the Rumour. Attuned to the punk rock energy of the period, with a hard-rocking sound and intense lyrical concerns, the album drops the group's previous R&B inflections, creating their generally most acclaimed work. It is Parker's most popular album in the US, and it appears on many lists of the greatest rock albums.

Squeezing Out Sparks was reissued in the UK in 2001 on Vertigo/Mercury, with two bonus tracks. In addition, in 1996, Polygram issued Squeezing Out Sparks + Live Sparks with the original ten tracks followed by live versions of the same songs, in the same order, plus "I Want You Back (Alive)" and "Mercury Poisoning" live.

"Live Sparks" had originally been released only as a limited edition, promotional picture disc LP. Studio versions of "I Want You Back" (a Jackson 5 cover) and "Mercury Poisoning" were originally issued on a 45 rpm 7" single which was included with early copies of the album.

Track listing

Side one

1. "Discovering Japan" – 3:32
2. "Local Girls" – 3:44
3. "Nobody Hurts You" – 3:42
4. "You Can't Be Too Strong" – 3:21
5. "Passion Is No Ordinary Word" – 4:26

Side two

1. "Saturday Nite Is Dead" – 3:18
2. "Love Gets You Twisted" – 3:02
3. "Protection" – 3:54
4. "Waiting for the UFOs" – 3:08
5. "Don't Get Excited" – 3:04

Bonus Tracks (2001 reissue)

1. "Mercury Poisoning" – 3:09
2. "I Want You Back" (The Corporation) – 3:26

Personnel

• Graham Parker – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
• Brinsley Schwarz – guitar, backing vocals
• Martin Belmont – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
• Bob Andrews – keyboards, backing vocals
• Steve Goulding – drums, backing vocals
• Andrew Bodnar – bass

Charts