Sparks: Wonder Girl Single (1972)

Rundgren's Bearsville Spark

Sparks' “Wonder Girl” 7-inch vinyl single, was released in the UK on November 10, 1972, on Bearsville Records (catalogue: K 15505). Backed with “(No More) Mr Nice Guys,” this effervescent track, written by Ron Mael, was produced by Todd Rundgren. The A-side's quirky pop energy and Mael brothers' eccentric charm did not chart in the UK but reached No. 112 in the US. Issued in a Bearsville company sleeve, it's an early gem from the band's Kimono My House era precursors.Sparks

Single Overview:

A-Side: “Wonder Girl” (2:15)

Written-By – Ron Mael. Producer – Todd Rundgren.

B-Side: “(No More) Mr Nice Guys” (5:45)

Written-By – Mankey, Mael. Engineer – James Lowe Producer – Todd Rundgren.

Label: Bearsville Records (UK pressing, 45 RPM).

Formats:

Commercial

7" Vinyl (K15505)

A Wonder Girl 2:15

B(No More) Mr. Nice Guys 5:45

Promotional

7" Vinyl (BSV 0006)

A Wonder Girl 2:15

B(No More) Mr. Nice Guys 5:45

Label lists duration of 3:33 for side B (the length of the edit used on the US edition) but record plays full 5:45 album version.

Country Variations:

The single was a UK release with limited international distribution:

7" Wonder Girl / (No More) Mr. Nice Guys

7", Single, Promo

Bearsville – BSV 0006

US

1972

7", Single

Bearsville – BSV 0006

US

1972

7", Single, Styrene, Terre Haute Pressing

Bearsville – BSV 0006

US

1972

7", Single

Bearsville – K 15505, Bearsville – BSV 0006

UK

1972

7", Single, Promo

Bearsville – K 15505, Bearsville – BSV 0006

UK

1972

7", Single

Bearsville – BSV 0006

Canada

1972

7" Single, Stereo

Bearsville – BEA 15.505

Netherlands

1972

Production and Context:

Produced by Todd Rundgren. Recorded in 1972 during early Sparks sessions. The lineup: Ron and Russell Mael, with Rundgren's production. “Wonder Girl” was the band's debut single, while “Mr Nice Guys” added theatrical flair.

Singles Released and Chart Performance

“Wonder Girl” was Sparks' debut single:

Chart Data:

UK: No chart entry.

US: No. 112 (Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100).

International: No chart entries elsewhere.

Single Chart Performance

“Wonder Girl” did not chart in the UK and peaked at No. 112 in the US Bubbling Under Hot 100, with no international success.

Legacy and Collectibility

“Wonder Girl” is Sparks' quirky debut, with “Mr Nice Guys” a fan-favorite oddity. Original UK 7-inch vinyls, verify catalogue K 15505.

Streams on Spotify via compilations preserve the analog fizz. This single is a must-have for Sparks fans and early glam collectors.

Have you snagged this Sparks rarity in your vinyl collection? Does Wonder Girl wonder you? Share in the comments!

Sources

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

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