Cool Places
Encyclopedia
"Cool Places" is a song recorded by American duo Sparks
in collaboration with Go-Go's
member Jane Wiedlin
.
The song was released as the lead single for Sparks’s 1983 album In Outer Space
. At the time Sparks were at their most popular in US, their two previous albums had dented the lower reaches of the Billboard 200
album chart. The single reached #49 on the Hot 100
in April 1983. The hit followed on from the success of their previous single and only other Hot 100 entry "I Predict
".
Sparks recorded "Lucky Me, Lucky You" with Jane Wiedlin for the same parent album. Jane Wiedlin also helped promote the album on tour and appeared at a few gigs to perform the duets.
The song is a bit of an anomaly in Sparks back catalogue, being one of the closest examples to a novelty song. Sparks have often been labelled a novelty act throughout their career. The song is at least representative of the style and content of their work in the mid eighties.
Wiedlin's band, The Go-Go's, performed the song on their 2006 tour, employing a more rock-driven style. They are performing it on their 2011 "Ladies Gone Wild" tour, as well.
Alvin and the Chipmunks
covered the song for their 2007 video game Alvin and the Chipmunks
.
Twelve Inch Atlantic 0-89863
Sparks (band)
Sparks is an American rock and pop band formed in Los Angeles in 1968 by brothers Ron and Russell Mael , initially under the name Halfnelson...
in collaboration with Go-Go's
The Go-Go's
The Go-Go’s are an all-female American rock band formed in 1978. They made history as the first all-female band that both wrote their own songs and played their own instruments to top the Billboard album charts....
member Jane Wiedlin
Jane Wiedlin
Jane Marie Genevieve Wiedlin is an American musician, singer-songwriter, and actress. She is best known as the rhythm guitarist of the all-female New Wave band The Go-Go's.-Early life:...
.
The song was released as the lead single for Sparks’s 1983 album In Outer Space
In Outer Space
-Personnel:* Russell Mael, vocals* Ron Mael, keyboards* Bob Haag, guitars* Leslie Bohem, bass* David Kendrick, drums* James Goodwin, keyboards* Jane Wiedlin, guest vocals on "Cool Places" and "Lucky Me, Lucky You"* Dan Lacksman, engineer...
. At the time Sparks were at their most popular in US, their two previous albums had dented the lower reaches of the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
album chart. The single reached #49 on the Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
in April 1983. The hit followed on from the success of their previous single and only other Hot 100 entry "I Predict
I Predict
"I Predict" is a song by Sparks. It was released in 1982 as the only single from Angst in My Pants, although an effort was made to release "Eaten by the Monster of Love" as a second single. The group promoted the single with a typically eclectic performance on Saturday Night Live...
".
Sparks recorded "Lucky Me, Lucky You" with Jane Wiedlin for the same parent album. Jane Wiedlin also helped promote the album on tour and appeared at a few gigs to perform the duets.
The song is a bit of an anomaly in Sparks back catalogue, being one of the closest examples to a novelty song. Sparks have often been labelled a novelty act throughout their career. The song is at least representative of the style and content of their work in the mid eighties.
Wiedlin's band, The Go-Go's, performed the song on their 2006 tour, employing a more rock-driven style. They are performing it on their 2011 "Ladies Gone Wild" tour, as well.
Alvin and the Chipmunks
Alvin and the Chipmunks
Alvin and the Chipmunks is an American animated music group created by Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. in 1958. The group consists of three singing animated anthropomorphic chipmunks: Alvin, the mischievous troublemaker, who quickly became the star of the group; Simon, the tall, bespectacled intellectual;...
covered the song for their 2007 video game Alvin and the Chipmunks
Alvin and the Chipmunks (video game)
Alvin and the Chipmunks is a video game based on the film of the same name. The game was released on December 4, 2007 and was the first release by short-lived video game company Brash Entertainment. It follows The Chipmunks as they play their way from small venues to massive crowds at Burning Munk...
.
Track listing
Seven Inch Atlantic 0-89863- "Cool Places" — 3:25
- "Sports" — 3:23
Twelve Inch Atlantic 0-89863
- "Cool Places" (Long Mix) — 4:38
- "Sports" — 3:23
Chart positions
| Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
49 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Hot Dance Club Play The Hot Dance Club Songs chart is a weekly national survey of the songs that are most popular in U.S. dance clubs... |
13 |