Sparks: Let’s Go Surfing Single (2019)

Let's Go Surfing a Purple Wave

Sparks’s “Let’s Go Surfing” was released as a 7-inch vinyl single, special edition purple vinyl, and white label test pressing in the UK on November 15, 2019, on BMG (catalogue: BMGCAT423SV). Backed with the previously unreleased demo “She’s Beautiful (So What),” this surf-rock gem and quirky demo (both written/produced by Ron Mael, Russell Mael), co-produced by Linus Burdick & Mark Stagg (A), were issued as an exclusive collector’s edition via Townsend Music. Issued in purple vinyl with hype sleeve, test pressing in plain white sleeve.

Single Overview

A-Side: “Let’s Go Surfing”

Written-By, Producer – Ron Mael, Russell Mael. Co-producer – Linus Burdick, Mark Stagg. Engineer [Additional], Mixed By – John Thomas, Steve Bates.

B-Side: “She’s Beautiful (So What)” (Unreleased Demo)

Written-By, Producer – Ron Mael, Russell Mael.

Release Details:

Label: BMG (UK pressing, 45 RPM).

Published By – BMG Rights Management.

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Sparks.

Copyright © – Sparks.

Licensed To – BMG Rights Management (UK) Limited.

Recorded At – Marangelo Studios.

Remastered At – D2 Mastering.

Exclusive Retailer – Townsend Music.

Design – Rachel Gutek.

Management – Sue Harris.

Photography By – Dieter Eikelpoth.

Project Manager – Emmi Joutsi.

Remastered By – Bill Inglot, Dave Schultz.

Pressed By – Made in E.U.

UK Formats:

Vinyl, 7" Single

Special Edition, Purple (BMGCAT423SV)

A: “Let’s Go Surfing” – Written-By, Producer – Ron Mael, Russell Mael – Co-producer – Linus Burdick, Mark Stagg – Engineer [Additional], Mixed By – John Thomas (5), Steve Bates

B: “She’s Beautiful (So What)” (Unreleased Demo) – Written-By, Producer – Ron Mael, Russell Mael

Vinyl, 7" Test Pressing

White Label (BMGCAT423SV)

A: “Let’s Go Surfing”

B: “She’s So Beautiful (So What)” (Unreleased Demo)

Black vinyl test pressing in plain white sleeve. “Sparks” and “Let’s Go Surfing” handwritten on sleeve, “A BMGCAT423SV” handwritten on A side label, “B” handwritten on B side label. Matrix numbers same as official purple vinyl release.

Country Variations:

The single was released unique to the UK.

UK (BMG BMGCAT423SV)

Released November 15, 2019. 7-inch purple special edition, test pressing.

Production and Context

Written/produced by Ron Mael, Russell Mael at Marangelo Studios, “Let’s Go Surfing” co-produced by Linus Burdick & Mark Stagg with additional engineering/mixing by John Thomas and Steve Bates. Remastered by Bill Inglot & Dave Schultz at D2 Mastering. A-side from original sessions, B-side a previously unreleased demo. Issued as a collector’s exclusive via Townsend Music with hype sleeve proclaiming “SPECIAL COLLECTOR'S EDITION! EXCLUSIVE COLORED VINYL! INCLUDES PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED DEMO ‘SHE'S BEAUTIFUL (SO WHAT)’” (note American spelling “colored” on UK release). “Unreleased Demo” stated on front/rear sleeve but not on label. Management by Sue Harris, design by Rachel Gutek, photography by Dieter Eikelpoth.

Chart Performance:

No UK chart entry.

Legacy and Collectibility

“Let’s Go Surfing” is a breezy surf-rock throwback, “She’s Beautiful (So What)” a charming unreleased demo. Original UK purple vinyl fetches £8–£20 on eBay/Discogs, test pressings (£30–£60). Verify catalogue BMGCAT423SV.

Streams on Spotify via Sparks compilations preserve the analog sparkle.

This purple wave is a must-have for Sparks completists and ‘10s vinyl collectors.

Have you caught this Sparks surf wave on purple vinyl? Does the unreleased demo make you say “So What”? 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.