Amateur Hour

Sparks

About Amateur Hour

"Amateur Hour" is a song by Sparks. It was released as the second single from their 1974 album Kimono My House. Bassist Martin Gordon was requested to replace his original bass part (recorded using a Rickenbacker 4001 bass) with a Fender Precision bass, belonging to his subsequent replacement in the band. A re-recording was produced in 1997 for the retrospective Plagiarism album. This new version was given a complete electronic synthpop overhaul and was performed with Erasure. On 25 June 2009, the song "Amateur Hour" was featured in a stunt when UK magician and mentalist Mark Cairns predicted that radio personality George Lamb would choose the Sparks song, in a free choice from a list of 100 tracks that had been recently played on Lamb's BBC Radio 6 Music show. 


Year:
1974
3:41
144 
#1

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Lawns grow plush in the hinter lands
Its the perfect little setting for the one night stands
The drapes are drawn and the lights are low
Its the time to put in practice what you've dreamed about

But she can show you what you must do to be more like people better than you.

Amateur Hour goes on and on 
When you turn pro, you know,
She lets you know
Amateur Hour goes on and on
When you turn pro, you know,
She tells you so

Girls grow tops to go topless in
While we sit and count the hairs 
That blossom from our chin
Our voices change at a rapid pace
I could start a song at tenor and then end at bass

So choose your partners everyone
If you hesitate, the good ones are gone

Amateur Hour goes on and on 
When you turn pro, you know,
She lets you know
Amateur Hour goes on and on
When you turn pro, you know,
She tells you so

Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh oooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh oooh ooh ooh

And Amateur Hour goes on and on,
When you turn pro you know,
She lets you know

Dance, laugh, wine, dine, talk and sing
But those cannot replace what is the real thing
It's a lot like playing the violin
You cannot start off to be Yehudi Menuhin

So Amateur Hour goes on and on 
When you turn pro, you know,
She lets you know
Amateur Hour goes on and on
When you turn pro, you know,
She tells you so

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Sparks

Sparks is an American rock and pop band formed in Los Angeles in 1971 by brothers Ron (keyboards) and Russell Mael (vocals), renamed from Halfnelson. Best known for their quirky approach to songwriting, Sparks' music is often accompanied by intelligent, sophisticated, and acerbic lyrics, and an idiosyncratic, theatrical stage presence, typified in the contrast between Russell's wide-eyed hyperactive frontman antics and Ron's sedentary scowling. They are also noted for Russell Mael's falsetto voice and Ron Mael's keyboard style. more »

1 fan

Written by: RON MAEL

Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


13 facts about this song

Release Details
"Amateur Hour" is a song by the American rock band Sparks. It was released as a single in 1974.
Record Label
The song was released under the Island Records label.
Album Information
"Amateur Hour" is a part of the band's third studio album "Kimono My House," which was their first album to achieve significant commercial success.
Chart Rankings
The song reached #7 on the UK Singles Chart, standing as Sparks' fourth top-ten hit in the UK.
Song Duration
The song has a runtime of 3:37 minutes.
Musical Style
Just like other songs in the album "Kimono My House," "Amateur Hour" is famous for its glamorous and flamboyant style of music.
Songwriters
"Amateur Hour" was written by Ron Mael, the band's keyboardist.
Cover Versions
The song has been covered by various artists since its release, including the bands Erasure and Cinema.
Reissues
The song was reissued as a single in 1979 to promote the compilation album "The Best of Sparks."
Music Video
A music video was made for the song, featuring the band members performing in a white room filled with period antique furniture.
Song Promotion
"Amateur Hour" was promoted on the British music television program "Top of the Pops" by Sparks.
Critical Reception
The song is often noted for its originality and whimsical lyrics, and it is considered one of Sparks' most popular songs.
Band Members
A memorable feature of "Amateur Hour" is the distinctive falsetto vocals of lead singer Russell Mael and the quirky keyboard playing of his brother, Ron Mael.

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