045: Sparks - Terminal Jive (1980) - Stereo

As Terminal Jive (1980) nears its end, Sparks team up once more with Giorgio Moroder on Stereo. Unlike their earlier collaboration on No. 1 in Heaven, this track leans more toward rock textures than synth-heavy disco, yet it still delivers one of the album’s catchier moments.

In this episode, we explore the song’s pulsing bassline, playful stereo-panning effects, and Ron Mael’s wry lyrics that can be read as both slyly ironic and oddly romantic. Fans often single it out, alongside When I’m With You, as one of the few highlights on an otherwise uneven album. While never released as a single or given live prominence, Stereo stands out as a solid deep cut — one that hints at what Sparks could achieve even in their less celebrated phases.