Artwork for podcast The Burning of the Midnight Amp
030: Sparks - No. 1 in Heaven (1979) - Beat the Clock
Episode 301st August 2025 • The Burning of the Midnight Amp • Frode, Trond & Chris
00:00:00 00:11:52

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We're flipping the record and diving into Side B of No. 1 in Heaven with “Beat the Clock”—Sparks’ urgent, synth-charged sprint into the UK Top 10. It’s fast, frantic, and funny, with Giorgio Moroder’s production pushing the song into full disco overdrive.

We talk about the iconic drum break, the song’s quirky origins, and its unusual 12-inch release—complete with colored vinyl and a Peter Cook promo skit. Is it the strongest track on the album? Maybe not. But it’s one hell of a ride.


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