Sparks - Lighten Up Morrissey (Official Video)

The official video for the single "Lighten Up, Morrissey" from the 2008 album Exotic Creatures Of The Deep.
Originally released on May 19th 2008, and performed as the pinnacle of Sparks Spectacular - in which Sparks played a record breaking 21 albums in 21 nights in London (one album each night) - ‘Exotic Creatures Of The Deep’ is released on vinyl for the first time on May 18 2018.
Remastered, and pressed on coloured heavyweight vinyl, this reissue also includes the bonus track ‘Brenda’s Always In The Way’, previously released as the B-side of the 7” vinyl single ‘Lighten Up Morrissey’.
Video directed By Shaw Petronio & Anders Weberg
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Follow SPARKS on Instagram: / sparks_official
Visit the official SPARKS website: www.allsparks.com

[@NoxiousRob]

The best line from this song.....'if only Morrisey wasn't so Morrisey-esque, she might overlook all my flaws'.

[@old5333]

Should've been Morose-y-esque

[@sexobscura]

​@@old5333 👍

[@GeraldYniguez]

@@old5333 Good ear!!!

[@keter1234]

I've been listening to everything from left and right field... anything different ... for a long time.... And I didn't discover Sparks until last week... Where tah hell have I been??? I love them... I just bought their new CD and I love it.

[@rubenv101]

I'm like you Keith. I didn't discover Sparks til just a few months ago. I don't know how I missed out on them. They are amazing!!

[@marilurasonyi218]

Happened the same with me....50 days ago. SPARKS

[@bansheefan57]

I admit I'm the same since last year. I only stumbled onto them through the song "Armies of the Night" from the 'Fright Night' SDTK. WOW! These guys are amazing and spontaneous. Love 'em! Heard everything the've done and await more!

[@N1ckMar0]

I first became aware of them in 2006 when Weird Al did the style parody Virus Alert. I didn't do any research then, just looked up who they were, but didn't listen to anything. (Because I'm a genius or something.) I then got the Kick-Ass OST in 2011. Listened to This Town Ain't Big Enough For the Both of Us a lot. But again, didn't really listen to anything else they did. (Once again, because I'm a genius or something.) Only within the past month had I started listening to various band stations on Google Play. Sparks got played a lot and that's when I realized that I had heard A LOT of their songs in movies. Now I'm asking myself why the hell haven't I paid attention to them? This is definitely a band I would have listened in my late teens/early twenties as the oddball comic geek.

[@215Gallagher]

Welcome new Sparks people, they are a fun duo

[@dwightlangendorfer6458]

Maybe my favorite. If not it is right up there with Stones, Bowie, Rundgren and Roxy. Thankful to have finally discovered Sparks

[@eastend59]

25 people neeed to lighten up and discover the magic that is SPARKS.

[@annabackman3028]

28 now 🙄. Poor bastards, they don't know better.

[@daviddavid1346]

Thumbs 👇 must be Justin Bieber fans

[@willharris3798]

29 now. I played it through anyhow. There's 1.2k "likes"!

[@tedwebb7243]

Up to 31! They must be 31 Morrissey fans who don't know that Mozza is a big fan. Their loss.

[@adammchugh5456]

morrissey has been a fan since he was a kid. This is hilarious :)

[@NoH8NoH8USA]

LOVE the idea in a perfect world the next duo project Morrisey + Sparks..call it 3MS

[@theboywithathorninhisside.4179]

Well, apparently not so much now though as apparently he wasn't mentioned Once in The Sparks up coming Movie.. Oh Morrissey, so much too answer fore..

[@adammchugh5456]

@@theboywithathorninhisside.4179 indeed, can't believe how he turned out, although the signs were there

[@roselinihan367]

I have loved these two amazing guys all of my life. I saw them at palace theater in Manchester in 75. They never stop, they just live on forever. a unique sound that everybody copied. ground breaking. one day the music world will wake up and realise how good they are.. Music Legends. please dont stop

[@couchninja571]

I never really liked them so never kept up with them. Then I discover all the stuff they've done in the past twenty years and I love it.

[@countbrackmoor]

They have a documentary coming out soon, so i think that day is coming

[@Mounutt]

Their energy!!!

[@berniex7841]

"The Sparks Brothers" is a fantastic documentary.

[@dwarfbeat1]

"One day the music world will wake up and realise how good they are." Well you are prescient. It's happening right now thanks to Edgar Wright and The Sparks Brothers documentary.

[@lonelyone]

As a lifelong Morrissey fan, I wasn't sure if this was a tongue-in-cheek tribute or taking the piss out of him. Until I saw his face in a hundred red dresses.

[@xnslrzn]

Morrissey grew up listening to Sparks. Years later, Sparks writes a song about Morrissey. Morrissey is such an inspiration that anything is possible, as long as you don't betray yourself.

[@chrishardy9238]

This hasn't aged well

[@hulakan]

You are aware that they are mocking him with merciless sarcasm, aren't you? See their comments about him in the documentary "The Importance of Being Morrissey".

[@annabackman3028]

@@hulakan, You are aware of this song is a tribute to Morrissey? That the song is about a guy, being rejected by his girlfriend, who has a crush on Morrissey, much because of his sorrowful attitude. The Mael brothers and Morrissey are friends, they have met many times. Morrissey used this video in a montage before he went on stage. The Mael brothers have also said, several times, that they are fans of Morrissey too.

[@larendor10]

@@annabackman3028 I think you're confusing being cordial with a fan with being friends with one. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[@annabackman3028]

@@larendor10, Is "being friendly" better? Ok with me😉 My MAIN point was that the song itself isn't anything negative, contrary, it's positive recognition. The Mael's may have a laugh or two, but they also respect him.

[@justmadeit2]

What did Morrisey say to Johnny Marr when he bumped in to him at L.A Airport? This town ain't big enough for the both of us !

[@bhdctn]

I have listened to this full blast w earbuds 10 times in a row. I actually just discovered this band today by way of Morrissey listing them in his 13 favorite albums. This song rocks and it's cool that Morrissey plays this before his shows. Shows he has a since of humor. Dark and demented yes but it's in their somewhere 🤣🤣🤣

[@Augmuse]

Been a fan since 1971's "Sparks/Halfnelson' and "A Woofer in Tweeters Clothing" in 1972.

[@syddavies2530]

It's been one hell of a ride with them ,hasn't it? Wonder Girl was a regional hit and I heard it regularly in SOUTH DAKOTA when I was 14. I jumped on that bandwagon at the same time you did. I hope they put another FFS album out and tour with them again. What a show that was!

[@rogerjones1976]

Likewise my friend .

[@brianwoods2395]

I'm with you guys, teenagers to pensioners, the one golden thread . The excellence of Sparks . dud album , absolutely incredible. ...

[@Chukkz2]

How was this not a major hit? I hear this for the first time today and its so much better than anything featured on the Grammys.

[@3798penisholder]

dont trust the grammys to judge your music taste

[@theunwantedcritic]

Even though Sparks is American they sound very European. Also I don’t think many people in the United States know Sparks or Morrissey. The Grammys is an American awards show.

[@dwarfbeat1]

@@theunwantedcritic Everybody under 70 knows Morrissey.

[@theunwantedcritic]

@@dwarfbeat1 only in Mexico. Fame is regional. Do you know the biggest pop stars from Spain, Togo or New Zealand in1985? Neither do I. I was actually surprised that Sparks was still around. The last time I heard them was 1977.

[@kilted1776]

@@theunwantedcritic first time I heard about them was in the 80's with Cool Places. The Mael brothers are genius.

[@clemensottawa1780]

This song just grows and grows and grows on you...

[@anajalomo2707]

Sparks, one of my favorite bands of all times. Always loved them. Pure genius.

[@MFizz01]

Ha ha ha! Love this video as a devoted Sparks fan and Smiths fan!!!

[@jacksterner]

Sparks are great. So is Morrissey. Good to hear Sparks using guitars again, that is, more than less.

[@mylesakatrm4388]

OMG Love it! 🤣🤣🤣🤣 This is amazing have always loved Sparks since the late 70's through the 80's. I haven't listen to them in a good decade! KROQ Rocks!

[@JumpLoose]

They live next door to each other!

[@annabackman3028]

No.

[@chrisgibson5267]

@@annabackman3028 And I heard somewhere they corresponded by writing each other letters.

[@annabackman3028]

@@chrisgibson5267, It's known that Morrissey wrote them letters, the other way around, I don't know anything about. I doubt that they do now, after Morrissey's somewhat racist comments.

[@michaeleverett2597]

Rumor has it "Lighten up, Morrissey" was the last thing Johnny Marr said to him when the Smiths broke up.

[@steadyed]

Genius and piss funny .. love Moz/Sparks

[@Andy.Moore.AndysTreasureTrove]

She won't go out with me, no, she won't go out Cause my intellect's paper thin She won't go out with me, no, she won't go out Since my intellect's not like him So, lighten up, Morrissey She won't hang out with me, no, she won't hang out 'Til my biting wit bites like his She won't hang out with me, no, she won't hang out 'Til my quick retort's quick as his So, lighten up, Morrissey She won't have sex with me, no, she won't have sex 'Less it's done with a pseudonym She won't do sport with me, no, she won't do sport Says it's way, way too masculine, look at him So, lighten up, Morrissey I got comparisons coming out my ears And she never can hit the pause If only Morrissey weren't so Morrissey-esque She might overlook all my flaws So, lighten up, Morrissey She won't dine out with me, no, she won't dine out Says my t-bone steak is at fault She won't dine out with me, no, she won't dine out With a murderer, pass the salt So lighten up, Morrissey

[@xaviersoleravila7949]

Thanks for the lyrics

[@truvelocity]

Yah, it is a commentary on judging. Morrissey was known for doing that, too.

[@goldenreel]

This is both hilarious and genius

[@Greatest1979]

I bet old Mozzer was over the moon when they released this song!

[@annabackman3028]

Over The Milky Way 😂, and that's high...

[@Chrisamusic1]

He was, and he plays this song amongst the other songs before he comes onstage.

[@blackwingvalleylover]

😂😂

[@AbellaTeacher]

This is the best video I've seen in a long time. I absolutely love all bands that don't take themselves 100% seriously.

[@peterrawcliffe4733]

loving the dancing mozzas

[@katiebates6134]

Man the Mael brothers! Got to love them😀❤️!!

[@batphink2655]

These two lads could write a song and writing a song and still make it quirky, humorous and or interesting. Russel does some awesome harmonies on many many Sparks songs people take for granted!

[@dines1687]

My two fav artists...it’s too much for one song!❤️

[@francisanosissi1]

I've been listening to sparks since their halfnelson days..and i was born in 1989..

[@buckdancer8916]

I would of paid good money to see Morrisey's reaction... I imagine a flash of anger followed by a wry smile.

[@naomismith8102]

Well, this is just like leaving a message on a pal’s answering machine when you know you’re more talented than them in most respects but you want to acknowledge their talent too and for them to feel supported even though you know they’ve subconsciously borrowed from you.

[@eliotguerra6783]

Sparks are great! The Sparks have never written a single verse of lyrics that equals Morrissey's in his dullest song. But the Sparks are great! And very clever!

[@djangry]

I love this band!...They are a secret love of mine. They are intelligent. Not for dummies. The last three albums they put out are Grammy quality. They have been at it forever and they deserve props-. lighten up. Lil Beethoven, Young lovers ,and the aforementioned Exotic c o t deep.

[@quasarsphere]

Yeah, seems Sparks are a secret love of a lot of my friends, too. That's why I got to the age of 42 without ever hearing them. If my so called "friends (BASTARDS!) had OPENLY loved Sparks, then I would have done also at least twenty years ago, but no, nobody ever told me about them, and I had to discover them by accident about three weeks ago. I mean, sure, I've got the thrill of the new discovery going on, and that's wonderful, but at the same time, my friends are all BASTARDS!!!!!!!!! because they never told me about Sparks.

[@annabackman3028]

Add 'Hippopotamus' to that list.

[@annabackman3028]

And now, 2020, add 'A Steady Drip Drip Drip'!

[@Erni3K]

I screwed up and didn't go to the Key Club show years ago; the person I gave my ticket to informed me Morrissey and Weird Al were hanging at the show, trading their favorite Sparks songs. GAH!

[@drlarrymitchell]

Time to oscillate wildly.

[@tinalippincott9823]

This could not be any cooler! Love!!!!

[@kitamoto13]

é extremamente agradável ouvir Sparks.....

[@neonskyline1]

Every now and then i pop back to get a spark of energy from this music, truly amazing stuff

[@PaulWady]

Sparks. Genius. Timeless. Bless you x

[@eusebiocipriano4707]

Im a big fan of morrissey.... & now d biggest diehardfan of sparks. Luv u guys!

[@jamiefoyers2800]

Three and a half minutes of genius...like this!. Quirky little number there...

[@kevinmaltby6852]

Great song never heard this before. Late to the game with Sparks.

[@rubenv101]

Kevin maltby I'm the same way. I didn't know who Sparks were til this year. I can't get enough of them.

[@andywilley3041]

Kevin maltby been a fan since kimmono my house

[@stephenbagshaw4078]

Lucky you. You have so many great albums to catch up on. Leave the 80's stuff till last though.

[@stephenbagshaw4078]

​@Cherry Red It was a complete change of style following their European success. I think they just wanted to crack their home market and chanced on what would appeal to it. They had some moderate success with songs that I find baffling and hard to like, such as With All My Might and I Predict but I agree with you, it was their weakest period. Just been listening to the album Music You Can Dance To from 1986, which is my least favourite Sparks album, to try and re-discover it. I love Modesty Plays, although it would be much better with a rock beat. Also like the title track, albeit more apt as background music at the hairdresser's or a coffee shop. The Scene is interesting, more like a soundtrack to a film rather than a song and quite lively. However, Fingertips (not one of their own compositions) and Let's Get Funky are for me, the worst songs they have ever recorded. So a mixed response, though still my least favourite Sparks album. Gratuitous Sax is my favourite, in case you are wondering; every track simply brilliant, especially Let's Go Surfing. Now why didn't they release that one as a single for the West Coast market?

[@Kissbear]

The greatest video of all time....by the greatest band.....pure brilliance

[@Uarehere]

One of the best songs ever

[@simonedgbaston]

3 geniuses 💚

[@skumsters2323]

wtf why i find u just now. still happy i did though

[@rubberface1424]

Wait are they morris dancers or Morris-sey dancers??

[@AuroraBomnichord]

🤣🤣🤣 🏆

[@Babaziba]

Fan club member, 1973. :)

[@d.k.9953]

Killer song!

[@plastinki1]

This is Great.. Love It

[@dougielee62]

First time I've seen this, love it to bits!!

[@PoppyB2011]

LOVE! ♥

[@LéoNidas-b9c]

Amazing Sparks !

[@MartyRotten]

I came here after hearing how mad Morrissey currently is at the Simpsons.

[@nilesingalls]

they (Simpsons) should just play this on loop for their next episode

[@blackwingvalleylover]

😂😂

[@JagBetty]

Haven’t laughed so much for ages.....😁😁

[@theboywithathorninhisside.4179]

So it's official. Morrissey did indeed invent Morris~Dancing. I knew it.

[@hdervish2497]

I'm dying lol. I adore this

[@johnkelly5816]

Brilliant !

[@mightydorchux]

This is just tooóoo good

[@tomhaupt5238]

I love MORRISSEY❤, but I really like this...videograpghy too

[@robthejones]

God bless 'em. Like.

[@danakryzwick6288]

jeopardy question brought me to this. he needs to know that brits national treasure needs to cheer up!

[@simonedgbaston]

❤

[@krisscanlon4051]

Touche Mssrs Mael! Humorous and much needed regardless of Steve's fan status lol I laugh for nothing but personal reasons as well! Oh Russell put ole Stevie baby in his place too lol

[@lindawhalen1325]

Morrissey can do a version called "Lighten up Sparks". Gosh this a great talented video. GREAT!!!

[@misterbamboostick]

'Simmer down, Sparks' would be a better title if Morrissey would sing it. ;-)

[@silverkitty2503]

he would need to lighten up to even entertain the idea!

[@bobdavis4848]

@@misterbamboostick "Darken Down Sparks" has an even better ring to it. :-)

[@newforestpixie5297]

Sparks could get away with “ England is United on one thing- that I know , cos everybody there thinks you suck - Bono “ 🙄❤️love from wessex

[@windnchgo]

I mean, lighten up. Jeez!

[@richardrincon3090]

One of the greatest sounding 80 songs that never came of in the 80s I wonder how Morrissey feels being made Immortal by The Immortals

[@chevken1831]

Thanks, Er.

[@Vivacior]

What a great tribute to the first-ever metro/uni-sexual rock star... This song is crazy-awesome!

[@mr.obscuria5232]

The first what? He's just a dude like you and me

[@crimsonhermit]

I love Moz and I love this song 😂

[@awookieandagerman]

I saw this video title and said to myself, "they didn't..." they did! XD

[@m4r35n357]

Hehe seems like most of the posters here have not read & understood the lyrics ;) Morrissey is working as designed!

[@zivkovicable]

He definitely didn't take their advice.

[@eastend59]

they wouldn't have Morrissey any other way!

[@hulakan]

@@eastend59 That's right. They are laughing at him for the posturing clown he is.

[@worldaccordingtogarp]

@@hulakan You only think so cause your intellect's paper thin

[@W00lyBully]

@@worldaccordingtogarp i love the smiths but they have a point. His obsessive thought process is consistent with autism... anyway its just his opinion

[@PaphosLife]

@@W00lyBully and?

[@realnoid7839]

Mo I see the mo ah wanna thee.

[@sebaof]

HB dear Mozz!!! 🍻

[@DTD110865]

I had to watch this once again, after checking out the music video for "November Spawned a Monster" on Beavis and Butt-head.

[@maval4537]

Is this a new Sparks song? 'Cause it sounds as if it was one of their great classics... But that's the problem: they simply don't age anyway...

[@annabackman3028]

It's from the album 'Exotic Creatures of the Deep', 2008. Look in the info part!

[@gurgisjones1120]

Why can't they do more stuff like this?!??! This is rocking and kicking like their good old days in the 70's, and way better than all the synth and classical pop crap from mid-80s, through the 90s, through the 00's.

[@annabackman3028]

Because they do WHAT THEY want to, WHEN they want to. Not following anyone else's ideas or suggestions. That is SPARKS. Not selling themselves out. One of many things that identifies greatness.

[@annabackman3028]

Have you heard the album 'A Steady Drip Drip Drip' yet?

[@funky-kx7zu]

@@annabackman3028 on repeat here

[@zigner]

Who is the drummer on this track?

[@daviddavidson2111]

I absolutely love Sparks. They are the opitome of how siblings can have a genius symbiosis when it matters. They have achieved legendary status through the longevity of their talent, thank you brothers. Quite right about Morrissey too. Miserable twat at the best of times. Probably weeping and wallowing in self-pity whilst flagellating himself during lockdown. Then again, he has written some good lyrics, but he could go against the grain now and again and surprise us with some optimism.

[@ForARide]

Spot on. I always thought the Smith's being totally overrated. There's a video here on KZbin, listing the ten most important Manchester bands, and guess what, they occupy spot no. 1, way ahead of Joy Division and The Fall. Now give me a break. Now Sparks on other hand are easily one of the most creative and versatile acts around, always with intelligent and artfull (but not arty farty) music and lyrics. From an intellectual perspective I'd put them in the same bracket as Brian Eno, Caberet Voltaire, Captain Beefheart, David Bowie, John Cale, Pere Ubu, Ray Davies or The Residents.

[@rickardlagrelius5555]

What did Morrissey say?

[@annettelouise6781]

Yes but what does morrissey think of this song

[@Normaub1]

Whos watching in 2018??

[@53rdAndThird]

Huh. Song wasn't really about Morrissey at all, except as the subject of who they were telling to lighten up. I was expecting lyrics like "you were in the Smiths/then you went solo" or "you don't eat meat/but you sing so sweet", something like that.

[@jonathanevans3024]

Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth and Ouija Board - interesting to compare

[@gustavobarreras3768]

Mourraessí jajajajaja los que hablan español entienden. Acá le decimos morrisei

[@pcaetano7527]

really surprised this does not have more views, too bad they did not use this on the Simpsons episode were they made fun of Morrissey.

[@misterdavid5400]

All shoe gazers should lighten up, and Morrissey started it, did he not?

[@GhostPurple69]

Sounds weirdly like an R.E.M. song...

[@mjschumaker]

Aderack Online: Which came first the chicken or the egg? I think REM sounds like Sparks. 🙂

[@annabackman3028]

I believe this is a rework of or idea to something that was on their minds to the album before 'Exotic Creatures Of The Deep'; 'Hello Young Lovers' (2006). I sense similarities to 'Perfume' for instance. Is it only a coincidence that Shaw Petronio directed this video as well as 'Perfume' and 'Dick Around'? I don't think so. He also directed 'My Baby's Taking Me Home' from 'Lil' Beethoven' 2002, another somewhat, hm😂, repetitive song.

[@charliemcilwain7743]

it would've been nice if he'd listened. as-in, . but hey. the Maels are staying the course., & they care for every one.

[@janwallden739]

1:08. Obehöriga äga ej tillträde

[@lauriegiemza4570]

So funny and catchy. Luckily for my honey though, I favor Johnny Marr.

[@barnabyhughes5643]

I wonder what Morrissey thinks of this song?

[@bobupanddown8707]

like a cough in reverse or a missing fortnight.......

[@ianbarkham5080]

And if you could be a bit less racist as well Morrissey, that'd be grand...

[@citizenseventies6738]

Lighten up, woke !

[@theimaginarygallery5935]

Morrissey in a dress? Are they making fun of him or embracing him?

[@brianjones2479]

😂

[@fakeigniz13]

Sadly, he didn't

[@timmy707707]

As much as I may like Morrisey...it's about time someone told him to shut up for awhile...

[@mildredchester]

I hate Morrissey. Been fan of sparks since 1978.