042: Sparks - Terminal Jive (1980) - Rock 'n' Roll People in a Disco World

With a title as tongue-in-cheek as Rock and Roll People in the Disco World, Sparks’ third track on Terminal Jive (1980) straddles irony and self-parody. Written by Ron and Russell Mael, it hints at the culture clash between rock and disco — and at Sparks’ own precarious place in that tension.

In this episode we unpack its chugging riffs, repetitive lyrics, and playful chorus, weighing whether it’s a fun, catchy oddity or a song that quickly wears thin. Is it mocking rock fans who jumped on the disco bandwagon, or Sparks themselves for daring to live in both worlds? Released only as a French B-side, the track may be a minor entry in their catalog, but it opens the door to Sparks’ sly humor and self-awareness during one of their most contested eras.