074: Sparks - In Outer Space (1983) - Popularity

On the second track from In Outer Space, Sparks ease off the glossy punch of “Cool Places” and drift into something calmer and more inward-facing. “Popularity” unfolds over a gently looping sequencer line and soft-focus synths, creating a floating, almost weightless backdrop that quietly recalls the romantic side of Kraftwerk rather than Sparks’ usual theatrical bite. It’s restrained, hypnotic, and deliberately unshowy.

What makes the song stand out is how unguarded it feels. Lyrically, there’s very little irony or character distance — just simple statements about attraction, movement, and being liked, delivered with an unusual sense of calm self-belief. Written in a last-minute rush in the studio, the words sound oddly relaxed, as if the lack of overthinking is exactly what gives the track its charm.

We talk about how “Popularity” functions as an early mood-setter for the album: not a single, not a showstopper, but a track that quietly pulls the listener into In Outer Space’s more understated side. Played frequently in 1983 and revisited in later years — even re-recorded in a Eurodance version in the late 90s — it’s one of those Sparks songs whose appeal grows the longer it lingers.