Sparks: Propaganda Album (1974)

Mael Brothers' Mother Earth Warning

Sparks’ Propaganda LP, released in the UK on November 11, 1974, on Island Records (catalogue: ILPS 9312), was their fourth studio album and a glam-pop triumph. Produced by Muff Winwood at Trident Studios, this 11-track whirlwind—featuring Russell Mael’s falsetto and Ron Mael’s witty lyrics—followed Kimono My House (No. 4 UK, 1974). With the Mael brothers tied-up and gagged on Monty Coles’ cover (titled “Welcome on Board”), it included a black/white photo/lyrics inner sleeve (1–2 trimmed corners) and pink-rimmed labels. Peaking at No. 9 on the UK Albums Chart for 7 weeks, it’s a quirky masterpiece.

Album Overview

Release Details:

Label: Island Records (UK).

Formats: Vinyl LP, cassette (white/black shell), 8-track; later reissues.

℗ & ©: 1974 Island Records Ltd. Lacquer cut at Sterling Sound. Pressed by EMI Records. Printed by Robor Ltd.

Notes: Published by Island Music Ltd. Durations timed (not on release).

UK Release Formats and Track Listings

Propaganda was released in the UK in 1974 in multiple formats, all with the same 11-track sequence:

Vinyl LP (Catalogue: ILPS 9312):

Side A:

Propaganda (0:22)

At Home, At Work, At Play (3:01)

Reinforcements (3:46)

BC (2:07)

Thanks But No Thanks (4:04)

Don't Leave Me Alone With Her (2:55)

Side B:

Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth (2:24)

Something For The Girl With Everything (2:13)

Achoo (3:25)

Who Don't Like Kids (3:28)

Bon Voyage (4:42)

Packaging: Fully laminated sleeve, black/white photo/lyrics inner (1–2 trimmed corners). Pink-rimmed labels.

Cassette, Album (White Shell) (Catalogue: ZC1 9312, Island Tapes):

Side A:

Propaganda

At Home, At Work, At Play

Reinforcements

BC

Thanks But No Thanks

Don't Leave Me Alone With Her

Side B:

Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth

Something For The Girl With Everything

Achoo

Who Don't Like Kids

Bon Voyage

Packaging: White cassette shell.

Cassette, Album (Black Shell) (Catalogue: ZC1 9312, Island Tapes)

8-Track Cartridge, Album (Catalogue: Y819312):

Program 1: Propaganda / Reinforcements / Thanks But No Thanks

Program 2: At Home, At Work, At Play / BC / Don't Leave Me Alone With Her

Program 3: Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth / Something For The Girl With Everything / Achoo

Program 4: Who Don't Like Kids / Bon Voyage

Packaging: Slipcover with black/white artwork.

Reissues:

LP, Album, Reissue (Island ILPS 9312 / ILPS.9312):

Released 1975.

Issued with the pink-rimmed Island label, a laminated sleeve, and black & white photo/lyrics inner sleeve. Inner sleeve may or may not have 1 or 2 trimmed corners.

LP, Album, Reissue (Island ILPS 9312):

Released 1977.

Laminated sleeve.

Includes carton inner-sleeve with lyrics, credits and photo.

Sunburst Island label with blue rim

CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered (Island Masters IMCD 199 / 524 035-2):

Released 1994.

This release comes with original artwork & photos and includes bonus B-Sides (tracks 12 & 13).

12 Alabamy Right 2:09

13 Marry Me 2:44

Country Variations

The album was also released in:

Germany - Island - 1974

Netherlands - Island - 1974

Yugoslavia - Jugoton - 1974

USA - Island - 1975

Production and Context

Produced by Muff Winwood. Musicians: Russell Mael (vocals), Ron Mael (keyboards), Trevor White (guitar), Ian Hampton (bass), Dinky Diamond (drums), Adrian Fisher (guitar). Engineered by Richard Digby-Smith, Robin Black, Bill Price. Propaganda was Sparks’ glam-pop peak, following Kimono My House.

Singles Released and Chart Performance

Propaganda spawned two UK singles:

Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth (1974, Island WIP 6174): No. 13 UK.

Something For The Girl With Everything (1975, Island WIP 6208): No. 17 UK.

Album Chart Performance

Propaganda charted in the UK:

UK:

Peak: No. 9.

Weeks on Chart: 7 (November 23, 1974 – January 4, 1975).

Chart Run: No. 9 (Nov 23), No. 9 (Nov 30), No. 11 (Dec 7), No. 25 (Dec 14), No. 41 (Dec 21), No. 41 (Dec 28), No. 46 (Jan 4).

Album International Chart Performance:

Australia (Kent Music Report): 75

Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM): 81

German Albums (Offizielle Top 100): 49

Norwegian Albums (VG-lista): 16

Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan): 50

US Billboard 200: 63

Legacy and Collectibility

Propaganda is Sparks’ glam-pop whirlwind, with Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth and Bon Voyage enduring. Original UK vinyls (with inner) fetch £15–£40 on eBay/Discogs, cassettes (£5–£15), 8-tracks (£10–£25). Verify catalogue ILPS 9312.

Streams on Spotify via reissues preserve the analog spark. This LP is a must-have for Sparks fans and glam collectors.

Do you have Propaganda in your vinyl stack? Which track sparks you? Share in the comments!

Sources

Information is drawn from my personal knowledge and supplemented by web sources, including Discogs, 45cat, AllMusic, Rate Your Music, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts Company, Billboard Chart History and YouTube