When I Kiss You (I Hear Charlie Parker Playing)
"When I Kiss You (I Hear Charlie Parker Playing)" is a 1995 electronic dance music song by American rock band Sparks, released as the second single from their 16th album, "Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins". Written and produced by the Mael brothers, it also has a reference to American jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker. It peaked at number 36 in the UK, number 61 in Germany and number 24 on the "Billboard" Hot Dance Club Play chart in the US. Originally it was released as "(When I Kiss You) I Hear Charlie Parker  Playing", before being re-named to its present title. Critical reception. Ned Raggett from AllMusic remarked that the song "finds Russell rapping (!)". Music writer James Masterton said in his weekly UK chart commentary, "The new single is as bizarre as the title sounds, featuring a high-speed rapped verse that Neil Tennant would I'm sure give his right arm to have written, coupled with an impressively commercial chorus." Pan-European magazine "Music & Media" wrote, "We're living in the age of fast food Euro with one-liners serving as lyrics. Luckily the Sparks still use their imagination—through a  tooth filling the lover here receives a jazz station." A reviewer from "Music Week" rated the song four out of five, describing it as "more delicious high camp drama from the kings of eccentric synth pop", and stated that former Suede guitarist Bernard Butler's Fashionable World Of Fashion Mix "should create a buzz." James Hamilton from the magazine's "RM" Dance Update viewed it as "Pet Shop Boys-ishly". Music video. A music video was produced to promote the single, directed by English music video director Sophie Muller. It was later published on Sparks' official YouTube channel in June  2012. Muller also directed the video for "When Do I Get to Sing 'My Way'". References.