SPARKS - Hippopotamus (Spoken Word Version)

[@MuseOSRS]

this is the best video on the internet

[@WahldoK]

A very surprising sort of slam from the two Mael brothers, very successful and always with a touch of humour.This video shows incredible sincerity. It is touching. It is also the two brothers who simply "sing" together, Russell without his high pitched voice and Ron without his keyboard. Two charming gentlemen essential to the world of rock music.

[@davidjackson1268]

Oh, to have just a few minutes of conversation with two of my favorite people! I've been a devoted fan of Ron and Russell since the first Halfnelson LP, and every new recording brings something wonderful and unusual.

[@weevil6969]

SAME

[@iconicshrubbery]

I just want to give them a Big Hug.

[@Tackytiger74]

These guys have been around my whole life and even now they are still pushing the boundaries of music / performance art. Love it!!! More creative than bands half their age...

[@liselottefrejdig1112]

My first reccord I bought was Propaganda back in 1974.. Then I was 12.. Now I’m 60 and I really still love them!!

[@andynixon2820]

They make me very happy .

[@katastrophenschutzwa]

Love Ron and Russell. This is fantastic. 🕶🕶

[@philhealing]

One of the best videos they have done so far. I love this. Genius marketing. The thing I love the most about Sparks is that they teach me stuff whilst entertaining me. Hieronymus Bosch.

[@TheWaterlooWatermelon]

This humor is so modern in its absurdity, which is perfect for Sparks. I love it!

[@vertxxgg]

a hippo in the pool ¡ surprice surprice in South Africa after the rains you d find even a mamba swimming...SPARKS one of the best pop bands in Pop History

[@canadianstudmuffin]

Ron and Russell are always eating! :D DON'T FORGET TORONTO ON YOUR UPCOMING TOUR!

[@WahldoK]

And they are still slim!!!! I am jealous :)

[@carlogee]

The car/bus horn at 2.03. Brilliant!

[@aut1976]

Awesome. Very hypnotic too.

[@Bruce_Dickinson]

Seeing the guys on the streets in my country is very cool

[@neonskyline1]

that's London, it a metropolis, it ain't a country lol

[@Bruce_Dickinson]

@@neonskyline1 London ain't IN a country?! Wow, you learn something new every day! Okaaaaay. I meant - as they are American - it's good to see them in the UK.

[@camelsheit_on_the_walls446]

Had me smiling throughout, love seeing them, and it's such a weird everyday themed video ;)

[@robdavidson1876]

Sparks albums and cds are in my room!

[@fatwhitejen5035]

Baaahaaaahaaaa Excellent! I can't get enough of Hippopotamus, delighted to hear it in other guises. Honoured to have heard it live at the 6 Music Festival in March ♪

[@velmad3091]

Amazing! Love it!❤️

[@JackFromBeatStrings]

That's incredible.

[@simonedgbaston]

I can't wait for the album & Birmingham gig 😃

[@carolegagnon1974]

I love it !!!

[@jonv2911]

Brillianto! Unique! Life-saving! Presentday-rescue!

[@peterrawcliffe4733]

love it

[@Knufflebeest]

Russell's dinner looks nice!

[@girlfromgermany]

I always wonder what it is. XD There are French fries but what is that other thing??

[@MadcapShambleton]

@@girlfromgermany Just catcthing up here... Surprisingly, I think for Russell, it's a whack (my Canadian way of saying "large chunk") of battered fish with chips (my Dad's parents were English, so he never said French Fries), served classic English-style on newspaper. In other words, it's probably very tasty and very unhealthy!

[@AbbyOliveGrove]

This is class 😍

[@KarenGarcia-pm2ck]

Sparks is back!!!

[@girlfromgermany]

That's a very funny version! And they filmed it in London

[@haraldwolf498]

Oh Mann! Ist das gut!!!!!!!

Very cool.

[@ivansushkevich467]

1:52 a Volkswagen microbus

[@angellacanfora]

Those crazy rock gods and their salads!

[@pa609]

Hail Sparks!

[@zowieatsushikido]

最高！来日してきて下さい！！！！

[@autumnmatthews3179]

Ron and Russell must have a big pool

[@neonskyline1]

Genius

[@iconicshrubbery]

1:51 cue the VW , in the background, van not a microbus van not a microbus in my pool

[@kidssparks5728]

you know what ?!!? I really prefer this version... Really ...

[@flabbybum9562]

The Eponymous Hippopotamus.

[@ShimronElit]

Waaaaaaah!

[@monkeySkeptic]

They taunt us with video footage from London. Gentlemen, it’s time for Sparks to play New York again.

[@broom2000]

YES!! Always brilliant!! (By the way, i'm desperately seeking a ticket for the Sparks gig this coming September in Edinburgh... If anyone out there has a spare ticket for sale perhaps you could message me and we could sort something out!)

[@robdavidson1876]

In my room!

[@annabackman3028]

This was really fun watching!🤩 But Ron, don't you need something more than att handful of sprouts🥬☘️🌱?? And... Do I spot a little hippopotamus🦛 on Russell's plate?? A little pig🐖? Could someone tell me, a Swede who never been to England, what on Earth it is?🦛 🤔 🤔 🤔 "Chips", yes, but that pouch, or hippo??

[@girlfromgermany]

Thank you for that question, I'd like to know that too! XD

[@girlfromgermany]

Perhaps Russell eats Fish and Chips? Could this be a fish? I'm not sure, it looks so big. Does he like fish? I don't know...

[@girlfromgermany]

Anna Backman How about asking Russell himself? ;-) I consider doing that, I only have to think of a good way to ask, so that it doesn't sound like a stupid question. XD

[@annabackman3028]

@@girlfromgermany I didn't have a notification about your post about 'fish and chips', that sounds reasonable. Maybe something went wrong and they caught a miniature hippo and deep fried the poor thing 😂😂 Sorry, tired and my brain is running amok. 😆 Nä, I leave that, it was something deep fried, good enough. I have mailed the head quarter in in England about the lyrics to 'Brenda's always in the way", you know that short pass that is totally impossible to hear. I got the lyrics, not a word more. I tell you Sue Harris guards these guys!!! 😁😁 with all rights , I guess. I'm unfaithful right now, listening to Klaus Nomi. But there is a tiny connection to Sparks, or Russell mostly actually. A certain Kristian Hoffman was Nomi's musical director and wrote most of his songs. In 2003 he wrote a song 'Devil may care' and recorded it with Russell. Hoffman has also worked with Earle Mankey, from the first set of Halfnelson. If you haven't heard Nomi it's like Nina Hagen meets a counter tenor Bowie at the Opera 😂 I found Klaus Nomi through the Hoffman thread. So much sorrow in that voice. Died of AIDS. I guess he had a few things in life to feel sad about. Now something to eat and sleep. 😴

[@girlfromgermany]

@@annabackman3028 I really meant asking Russell himself. That means, if one is lucky enough and he chooses to answer that question. I don't really know how they choose that, maybe there will be a pre-selection of questions that reach Russell and Ron in the end, so that they can choose which ones they want to answer. That's a very good question about this process btw...

[@eastend59]

Who else would choose to make a video right outside a building site??

[@girlfromgermany]

I really have got "a book by Anonymous". It's called "Das Buch Ohne Namen" ("The Book Without A Name")

[@Qolus]

As a (modern, liberal) Jewish person, I find this very idolatrous. It's also thoroughly awesome. 😉❤

[@annaknoha6728]

Anna

[@eastend59]

Hilarious! Looks like they filmed this on the streets of London.

[@smeringtonweeps2717]

How did it get here?

[@r3000ful]

1:52 A Volksawgen Microbus

[@girlfromgermany]

Volkswagen ;-)

[@wendygarbett98]

Shame it is standing only at the Manchester gig. I can't stand for that long at my age so can't go.

[@kittymetal186]

Wendy Garbett I understand, I can't stand either. If you haven't already done it, check for "disabled access" for wheelchairs & seating for people like me with a walking stick. I'm in London & all venues have a disabled access policy. I get a folding chair to sit on in a roped off area or early entry to balcony seating. I really hope you get to see Sparks!

[@wendygarbett98]

Thanks Kitty. If they were performing at another venue in Manchester, I don't think it would be a problem. Anyway, I will make do with the new album which I have just ordered from the Fan Club.

[@gramhilleard943]

Next time don't go to Notting Hill Gate; come to south London!

[@pouchklepper]

. .. ..... ..... I dont't know! :-)

[@thedolphin5428]

These two are truly bent!

[@revolverdolls]

Jajajajaja

[@prokesuk]

Those Annoying Post Brothers covering Sparks...

[@RobinPM100]

Personally, I prefer Sparks doing classic electronic pop - perfect album was BALLS. I would not mind Balls 2, however these days - and last 4 albums - they are doing these oompa loompa type of songsm which I am not that fan of. Nevertheless, I am glad they still keep making music but next time Balls 2 please

[@annabackman3028]

Never will happen. Repeats, not for Sparks. New ideas, new visions, new landmarks. Probably before anyone else gets there. SPARKS. 🤩💖💖💖💖💖

[@annabackman3028]

Let us know what you think about 'A Steady Drip Drip Drip'! 😁! Definitely not a 'Balls II' but it surely looks like it's gonna be awesome! (written on May 13th, the fully -digital- release in two days, the 15th)

[@hazy33]

I hope the rest of the album is better. Just being honest.

[@RYBATUGA]

hazy33 Yeah, I love Sparks and I'm sure there will be better songs but honestly I was not a fan of this first single .