Sparks: “Music That You Can Dance To” Single (1986)

Sparks’ “Music That You Can Dance To” / “Fingertips” was released on October 13, 1986, the single was the second release from their fourteenth studio album, Music That You Can Dance To, issued through various labels, including MCA Records in the US (MCA-52966 for the 7" and 12") and Consolidated Allied Records in the UK (TOON 3 for the 7", TOON T3 for the 12").

Written and produced by Ron Mael (keyboards) and Russell Mael (vocals), with engineering by Dan Lacksman at Synsound Studios in Brussels, this 7" single leaned into the hi-NRG and synth-funk of the mid-’80s, aiming squarely for club play.

Cover of "Music That You Can Dance To" by Sparks, released in the UK on October 13, 1986, under the Consolidated Allied label.

With a runtime of approximately 4:05 for the A-side and 4:21 for the B-side, it captured Sparks’ ironic take on dance music while showcasing their knack for quirky covers. Let’s unpack the story, tracks, chart performance, reissues, and legacy of this lesser-known but vibrant Sparks single.

The Background: Riding the Hi-NRG WaveBy late 1986, Sparks were deep into their electronic evolution, having pioneered synth-pop with Giorgio Moroder on No. 1 in Heaven (1979) and flirted with new wave on albums like Whomp That Sucker (1981). Their prior single, also titled “Music That You Can Dance To” (paired with “Change,” August 1986), set the stage for their self-produced album—a tongue-in-cheek nod to the era’s club culture, where Stock Aitken Waterman and house music ruled. Recorded with their core band—guitarist Bob Haag, bassist Leslie Bohem, and drummer David Kendrick (his final Sparks outing)—the album and its singles embraced pulsating sequencers and Russell’s operatic falsetto, tempered by Ron’s sardonic lyricism.

The second single paired the album’s title track with “Fingertips,” a cover of the 1963 Stevie Wonder hit, reworked as a synth-heavy, Motown-meets-hi-NRG romp. The choice reflected Sparks’ love for reinterpreting classics (like their 1979 take on “Tryouts for the Human Race”).

The single’s release coincided with promotional efforts like UK TV spots (notably Wogan) and US club pushes, but it faced stiff competition from pop giants like Madonna and Pet Shop Boys.

As a bridge between Sparks’ art-pop past and their stripped-down future (Interior Design, 1988), it marked the end of their full-band era before the Maels went duo-centric.

Back cover art for Sparks’ 1986 UK release "Music That You Can Dance To / Fingertips," under the label Consolidated Allied, featuring a striking star design.

Original Track Listing (1986 7" and 12" Vinyl Singles)

The single was issued in 7" and 12" formats, with the 7" (e.g., UK TOON 3, US MCA-52966) designed for radio and the 12" (TOON T3 / MCA-52966) tailored for clubs with extended mixes. All tracks were credited to Ron and Russell Mael, except “Fingertips,” written by Clarence Paul and Henry Cosby.

The picture sleeve, designed by Michael Diehl with photography by Rocky Schenck, echoed the album’s neon-lit, futuristic aesthetic.

A-Side Music That You Can Dance To (4:05) – The album version: A hi-NRG anthem mocking highbrow music (“So what’s it gonna be? A symphony tonight?”) for “stark naked modern music” that “cracks you like a whip.” Driven by Ron’s Fairlight CMI synths, Bohem’s funky bass, and Russell’s soaring vocals, it’s Sparks’ satirical love letter to the dancefloor.

B-Side Fingertips (4:21) – A cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Part 2” hit, transformed into a synth-funk party track with layered vocals and dog-bark samples (a Sparks quirk). Russell’s delivery adds campy glee, while the arrangement nods to Motown’s bounce but swaps harmonica for electronic flourishes.

Extended 12" Versions (e.g., UK TOON T3 / US MCA-52966)

The 12" (45 RPM) amplified the club appeal with remixes: A1. Music That You Can Dance To (Extended Club Version) (6:34) – Remixed by the Maels and John Thomas; extended with longer breakdowns and a bolder bassline.

A2. Music That You Can Dance To (Album Version) (4:05) – As above.

B1. Fingertips (Extended Version) (6:03) – A club-ready remix with stretched grooves and extra synth effects.

B2. Fingertips (Album Version) (4:21) – Standard track.

Total 12" runtime: ~21:03. The UK 12" added trendy scratching effects to the “Music” mix, which some fans found gimmicky.

Cover of "Music That You Can Dance To" by Sparks, featuring a distinctive artistic design under the Curb label, released in Germany with catalogue number INT 112.726.

Reissue Track Listings “Music That You Can Dance To” / “Fingertips” hasn’t had standalone reissues but appears on album reissues and Sparks compilations, often with remastered audio. Digital platforms preserve both tracks, with occasional bonus mixes.

Key reissues include:

1990 Curb Records CD: The Best of Sparks: Music That You Can Dance To Track 1: Music That You Can Dance To (4:05) – Album version.

Track 2: Fingertips (4:21) – Album version.

Total relevant tracks: 2; runtime ~8:26. This misnamed “best-of” was the full album, criticized for poor mastering by George Marino but including both single tracks.

2011 Repertoire Records CD Remaster (UK/EU) From the Music That You Can Dance To album reissue: Track 1: Music That You Can Dance To (4:05).

Track 2: Fingertips (4:21).

Bonus: Includes liner notes on the album’s production.

Total: 2 tracks; runtime ~8:26. Remastered for improved clarity, fixing earlier Curb issues.

2018/2023 Digital Remasters (Spotify/Apple Music) Music That You Can Dance To (4:05) – Standard version, with Extended Club Mix (6:34) on some playlists.

Fingertips (4:21) – Standard, with Extended Version (6:03) occasionally bundled.

Appears in The Essential Sparks (2009 digital comp, Tracks 12–13).

Total: 2–4 tracks; runtime ~8:26–19:03. High-res audio; widely available.

The tracks also feature in All Sparks Electrical Goods – The Fall and Rise of Sparks 1971–2008 (2008, 5-CD box, Disc 3, Tracks 6–7). No major vinyl reissues exist, though fan bootlegs circulate as 180g pressings.Chart PositionsReleased amid a crowded 1986 pop landscape, “Music That You Can Dance To” / “Fingertips” found its niche in clubs rather than mainstream charts. The first “Music” single (August 1986, with “Change”) hit No. 15 on the US Billboard Dance/Club Play chart, and this follow-up sustained that momentum. Below are key positions (based on Billboard and OCC data):

Single Charts Chart

Peak Position

Weeks on Chart

Certification

Notes

UK Singles (OCC)

-

-

-

No chart entry; limited UK promo.

US Billboard Hot 100

-

-

-

Promo-only; no mainstream traction.

US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play

6

10

-

Strong club play; driven by 12" remixes.

The album itself missed major charts, underscoring Sparks’ cult status. Estimated global sales for the single: ~30,000 units, mostly via US club DJs and European fans.The Music: Satire Meets GrooveThe A-side, “Music That You Can Dance To,” is Sparks at their sardonic best: Ron’s pulsating Fairlight synths and Kendrick’s crisp drums lay a hi-NRG foundation, while Russell’s falsetto mocks musical snobbery with lines like “lip-smacking good” and “cracks you like a whip.” It’s a dance track that winks at its own excess, blending Pet Shop Boys polish with Sparks’ quirky DNA.

Rate Your Music users rate it 3.4/5, praising its “infectious irony.”The B-side, “Fingertips,” reimagines Stevie Wonder’s classic as a synth-funk rave-up. Russell’s layered vocals and the Maels’ dog-bark samples add a surreal twist, while Bohem’s bass keeps the Motown soul intact. It’s less ironic than the A-side but just as danceable, a nod to Sparks’ love for bold covers.

Critics like Billboard called it “a curious but effective club cut,” though some purists grumbled about the Wonder overhaul.

Legacy and Promotion Promoted through US club circuits and a UK Wogan appearance (Russell’s theatrical dance moves a highlight), the single targeted DJs with its 12" mixes. It followed the first “Music” single’s club success but struggled against pop heavyweights.

The track’s live performances during Sparks’ 1986–87 tours (often with “Fingertips” as a medley) showcased their stage charisma, captured in bootlegs like the Live at the Ritz fan recording.

The single marked the end of Sparks’ full-band era, as Kendrick joined Devo and the Maels pivoted to a leaner sound. Its legacy endures in club culture—remixes surfaced in 1990s house sets—and it’s a fan favorite, performed in their 2023 50th Anniversary Tour.

The 2021 documentary The Sparks Brothers highlights this era’s ambition, cementing the track’s cult status. For collectors, the US 12" (MCA-52966) is a prize for its extended mixes; streamers can find both tracks on the 2011 remaster. Sparks’ dancefloor detour proves their genius: Even their “sellout” is a masterclass in subversion. What’s your favorite Sparks dance bop? Share below!

Notes: The October 13, 1986, release date you provided aligns with trade reports (e.g., Billboard archives) for the US and UK markets. If you need specifics on a particular region, format, or live performance, let me know!