# Sam Sparro

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"Sparro" redirects here. For the family of birds, see [Sparrow](/source/Sparrow_(disambiguation)#Birds).

For the debut album of this artist, see [Sam Sparro (album)](/source/Sam_Sparro_(album)).

**Samuel Falson** (born 8 November 1982), better known by his stage name **Sam Sparro**, is an Australian singer, songwriter and record producer. He was signed to the British record label [Island Records](/source/Island_Records).[1] Sparro is best known for his 2008 single "[Black and Gold](/source/Black_and_Gold)".

## Biography

Sam Sparro was born on November 8, 1982, and raised in Sydney, Australia.[2][3] Sparro's father, Chris Falson is a gospel minister and recording artist[4] of [Maltese](/source/Maltese_people) and [Portuguese descent](/source/Portuguese_people)[5][6] who has written music for *[Star Trek](/source/Star_Trek)* and *[Queer Eye for the Straight Guy](/source/Queer_Eye_for_the_Straight_Guy)*.[7] Sparro's mother, Karyn Falson (née Frankland) is from Australia. His brother plays guitar professionally while his mother plays organ at a Baptist church.[8] The family relocated to Los Angeles when Sparro was ten years old.[2] His father had signed a deal there and was recording a [soul](/source/Soul_music) album, he took Sparro to a church in [Tujunga](/source/Tujunga,_Los_Angeles,_California) to hear some of the genre's singers.[8] Fellow church goers, were the [McCrary](/source/Howard_McCrary) family. [Chaka Khan](/source/Chaka_Khan) became one of his early admirers after hearing Sparro's singing through knowing the McCrarys.[9] His first role as a child actor was in a [McDonald's](/source/McDonald's) commercial.[10] His stage name was derived from a family nickname, which in turn was inspired by the Sydney radio announcer [Gary O'Callaghan](/source/Gary_O'Callaghan)'s on-air character "Sammy Sparrow".[11]

Sparro left Los Angeles and returned to Sydney, where he lived with his grandparents and worked for a [public relations](/source/Public_relations) company, before travelling to the UK, immersing himself in the music scene in London. He returned to Los Angeles in 2002, where he took a job in a coffee shop.[12] It was during this time that he wrote his single, "[Black and Gold](/source/Black_and_Gold_(Sam_Sparro_song))" with his producer, Jesse Rogg.[3][9] When growing up, Sparro regularly performed backing vocals at his father's concerts and on his music releases.[13] He states "I'm a spiritual person, but ... not into any religion. I was always kind of a non-denominational Christian" and "a bit of a [gypsy](/source/Names_of_the_Romani_people#Gypsy_and_gipsy)".[14][15] Sparro is openly gay. He did an interview for *Attitude* magazine and was featured on the front cover.[14][16] Sparro married DJ Zion Lennox in a private ceremony in California on 21 September 2018.[17]

## Career

### *Sam Sparro* and breakthrough (2007–2012)

Sparro's debut single, "Cottonmouth", was released in late 2007. His second single, "[Black and Gold](/source/Black_and_Gold_(Sam_Sparro_song))", peaked at number two in the [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom) in April 2008 and at number four in [Australia](/source/Australia), and has since been used in soundtracks and promotional campaigns for various television series, video games, and films. Sparro's self-titled debut album, *[Sam Sparro](/source/Sam_Sparro_(album))*, was released in the UK in April 2008[18] and reached the top five on the [UK Albums Chart](/source/UK_Albums_Chart), eventually receiving a gold [certification](/source/Music_recording_sales_certification) from the [BPI](/source/British_Phonographic_Industry) for selling 100,000 copies. Two subsequent singles, "[21st Century Life](/source/21st_Century_Life)" and "[Pocket](/source/Pocket_(Sam_Sparro_song))", were considerably less successful on the charts.

During promotion of "Black and Gold", Sparro covered "[American Boy](/source/American_Boy)" by [Estelle](/source/Estelle_(musician)) on [Jo Whiley](/source/Jo_Whiley)'s [Live Lounge](/source/Live_Lounge) on [BBC Radio 1](/source/BBC_Radio_1). In September 2008, Sparro was nominated for five [ARIA Music Awards](/source/ARIA_Music_Awards). His tour that month formed part of the [Wonky Pop](/source/Wonky_Pop) tour; Wonky Pop is a new genre of music created by artists such as Sparro and Alphabeat. In December 2008, Sparro and co-writer/ producer Jesse Rogg received a [Grammy Award](/source/Grammy_Award) nomination for [Best Dance Recording](/source/Grammy_Award_for_Best_Dance_Recording) for "Black and Gold".

Sparro is featured on the [Basement Jaxx](/source/Basement_Jaxx) single "[Feelings Gone](/source/Feelings_Gone)", released in September 2009. He also collaborated on a track called "Soles on Fire" with Chauffeur, which consists of Sparro, Theophilus London and producer [Mark Ronson](/source/Mark_Ronson). In March 2010, a new single, "Corrected" was released to U.S. iTunes and is a collaboration with [Mason (DJ)](/source/Mason_(DJ)) and rapper [DMC](/source/Darryl_McDaniels).[19] Sparro co-wrote Voodoo with Adam Lambert, a song that appears on the international and tour editions of Lambert's album *For Your Entertainment* and digital ep *Remixes.*In July 2010, a new song titled "Pink Cloud" was premiered on East Village Radio's Accidental Rhythm. The premiered song was stated to be un-mastered.[20][21] The video for the song, directed by artist and designer [Franc Fernandez](/source/Franc_Fernandez), was uploaded onto Sparro's YouTube channel in December 2010.[22] Sparro stated via his Twitter that the video is an art project, and the song was not released as a single. Addressing rumours of a mostly instrumental album, he clarified that, unlike "Pink Cloud", his second album would be full of tracks featuring his vocals.[23] A free EP was released following the release of the video.[24][25]

### *Return to Paradise* (2012–2014)

Sparro announced his second album, *[Return to Paradise](/source/Return_to_Paradise_(Sam_Sparro_album))*, on his newly redesigned website. It was described as being inspired by soul and funk from the late seventies and early eighties.[26] A new video premiered, featuring a new track from the album. In January 2012, "The Shallow End" was uploaded onto VEVO and YouTube. It is "compiled of home video footage of the making of the record and was filmed in LA, New York, London and Spain."[27] The album was released in spring 2012, accompanied by tours in the United States and Australia.[28] A video was filmed for the upcoming track, "Happiness".[29] Sam collaborated with Adam Lambert again for Lambert's second album *Trespassing,* co-writing Shady and Broken English with Lambert and Lester Mendez. Sam and Adam performed Shady together with Nile Rodgers at the *We are Family* gala on 31 January 2013.

In late 2013, Sparro released his first mixtape *Mechanical* to [SoundCloud](/source/SoundCloud), featuring sixteen songs. On 17 September 2013, Sparro collaborated with The Bloody Beetroots on a track titled "Glow in the Dark" stating that "It's one of my favorite songs I've written recently." On 1 October 2013, Sparro's new EP, *Quantum Physical*, was released, in which the lead single being "Hang on To Your Love" featuring [Durand Bernarr](/source/Durand_Bernarr) Hang on To Your Love, Fascism, and Infinite were included from Mechanical. He is currently working on and directing the music video for "Hang on To Your Love".

### *Quantum Physical, Vol. 2* (2014–present)

On 14 February 2014 "Stay in Love", Sparro's fourth single as a featured artist was released with producer, instrumentalist, and lifelong friend [Plastic Plates](/source/Felix_Bloxsom) to the producer's SoundCloud account.[30] The release was appropriately timed as Sparro posted a link to the track on his [Facebook](/source/Facebook) and [Twitter](/source/Twitter) accounts with the words "Happy Valentines Day Lovers".[31] The song was made available for digital purchase on 19 February, contrary to the official release date of 13 February listed everywhere.[32][33]

Sparro's mixtape *Love Made Me Do It* was released to his SoundCloud account on 13 February 2015.[34] 31 July of that year he released the single "Hands Up" from the second volume of *Quantum Physical*,[35] with a remix single following on 25 September.[36] *Quantum Physical, Vol. 2* was released on 16 October 2015 with Intuit Records.[37]

## Discography

Main article: [Sam Sparro discography](/source/Sam_Sparro_discography)

- *[Sam Sparro](/source/Sam_Sparro_(album))* (2008)
- *[Return to Paradise](/source/Return_to_Paradise_(Sam_Sparro_album))* (2012)
- *Boombox Eternal* (2020)

## Awards and nominations

**[ARIA Music Awards](/source/ARIA_Music_Awards)[38]**

|- | rowspan=5 | [2008](/source/ARIA_Music_Awards_of_2008) || Sam Sparro || [Best Male Artist](/source/ARIA_Award_for_Best_Male_Artist) || |- | *[Sam Sparro](/source/Sam_Sparro_(album))* || [Breakthrough Artist – Album](/source/ARIA_Award_for_Breakthrough_Artist_-_Album) || |- | rowspan=3 | "[Black and Gold](/source/Black_and_Gold_(Sam_Sparro_song))" || Breakthrough Artist – Single || |- | [Best Pop Release](/source/ARIA_Award_for_Best_Pop_Release) || |- | [Single of the Year](/source/ARIA_Award_for_Single_of_the_Year) ||

**[GLAAD Media Awards](/source/GLAAD_Media_Award)**

|- | 2009 || Sam Sparro || Outstanding Music Artist ||

**[Grammy Awards](/source/Grammy_Award)**

|- | || "Black and Gold" || [Best Dance Recording](/source/Grammy_Award_for_Best_Dance_Recording) ||

**[GQ Australia](/source/GQ_Australia) Man of the Year Awards**

|- | 2012 || Sam Sparro || Man of Style ||

**[MTV Australia Awards](/source/MTV_Australia_Awards)**

|- | [2009](/source/MTV_Australia_Awards_2009) || "Black and Gold" || Best Dance Video ||

## References

1. ["Sam Sparro – Music Interview"](http://www.digitalspy.com.au/music/interviews/a92331/sam-sparro.html). *[Digital Spy](/source/Digital_Spy)*. Hearst Magazines UK. 28 March 2008. Retrieved 4 December 2013.

1. Birchmeier, Jason. "Sam Sparro > Biography". *[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)*. [Rovi Corporation](/source/Rovi_Corporation). Retrieved 5 November 2011.

1. ["ACE Title Search – 'Black & Gold'"](http://www.ascap.com/ace/search.cfm?requesttimeout=300&mode=results&searchstr=322452057&search_in=i&search_type=exact&search_det=t,s,w,p,b,v&results_pp=25&start=1). [American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers](/source/American_Society_of_Composers,_Authors_and_Publishers) (ASCAP). Retrieved 5 November 2011.[dead link]

1. Robinson, Peter (20 April 2008). ["CD: Sam Sparro, Sam Sparro"](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/apr/20/popandrock.samsparro). *[The Observer](/source/The_Observer)*. Guardian News and Media Limited. Retrieved 4 December 2013.

1. ["Sam Sparro profile"](https://www.pressparty.com/pg/profile/SamSparro). *Pressparty*. Retrieved 2023-05-17.

1. ["Sam Sparro – Complex or Confused? (Part I of II)"](https://idknada.wordpress.com/2008/04/30/sam-sparro-complex-or-confused-part-i-of-ii/). *idk.*. 2008-04-30. Retrieved 2023-05-17.

1. ["Credits"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110708150101/http://chrisfalson.com/CF/?page_id=8). Chris Falson. Archived from [the original](http://chrisfalson.com/CF/?page_id=8) on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 2008-06-26.

1. Lush, Brian. ["Rockwired Interviews Sam Sparro"](http://www.rockwired.com/rockwired_interviews_sam_sparro.html). *ROCKWiRED*. Brian Lush. Retrieved 4 December 2013.

1. ["About Sam Sparro"](http://www.samsparro.com/about.php). Sam Sparro. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080625105003/http://samsparro.com/about.php) 2008-06-25 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2008-06-26.

1. Levine, Nick (28 March 2008). ["Popstar Sparro recalls McDonald's past"](http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/news/a92427/popstar-sparro-recalls-mcdonalds-past.html). *Digital Spy*. Retrieved 4 December 2013.

1. Cashmere, Paul (19 August 2017). ["R.I.P. Sydney Radio Legend Gary O'Callaghan at 83. He Inspired Sam Sparro's Name"](http://www.noise11.com/news/r-i-p-sydney-radio-legend-gary-ocallaghan-at-83-he-inspired-sam-sparros-name-20170819). Noise11.com. Retrieved 12 August 2018.

1. Eleanor Conway (2008-10-09). ["Eleanor Conway Presents: Sam Sparro"](http://music.virgin.com/2008/10/09/eleanor-conway-presents-sam-sparro-interview/). music.virgin.com. Retrieved 2008-10-10.

1. ["Gin Fizz - auf dem Plattenteller"](https://web.archive.org/web/20081012080416/http://www.schuckelt.net/falson_liveworship_treebywater.htm) (in German). Archived from [the original](http://www.schuckelt.net/falson_liveworship_treebywater.htm) on 12 October 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-26.

1. Paul Lester (2008-05-19). ["Paul Lester talks to Sam Sparro, pop's latest out gay star"](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/may/19/popandrock.samsparro). *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)*. Retrieved 2008-06-26.

1. Rand, Hannah (2008-11-23). ["21st Century Boy"](http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24692602-2902,00.html). *[Sunday Herald Sun](/source/Sunday_Herald_Sun)*. pp. Sunday magazine supplement (pp. 38–39)

1. ["Sam Sparro's geek guru | The Daily Telegraph"](http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,24531047-5012964,00.html). Sydney Confidential. 2008-10-22. Retrieved 2008-10-22.

1. ["Black and Gold singer Sam Sparro marries boyfriend Zion Lennox"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210916115818/https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/sam-sparro/). *Gay Star News*. 2018-09-22. Archived from [the original](https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/sam-sparro/) on 16 September 2021. Retrieved 2018-09-22.

1. ["'Sam Sparro' Out Today"](https://web.archive.org/web/20081012050151/http://www.samsparro.com/news.php?item=23). Sam Sparro. 2008-04-28. Archived from [the original](http://www.samsparro.com/news.php?item=23) on 12 October 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-26.

1. ["Corrected"](https://web.archive.org/web/20101009083724/http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/corrected-feat-dmc-sam-sparro/id359896072). iTunes (U.S.). Apple Inc. 16 March 2010. Archived from [the original](https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/corrected-feat-dmc-sam-sparro/id359896072) on 9 October 2010. Retrieved 2010-03-27.

1. ["EYE ON THE SPARRO: WORLD PREMIERE MUSIC"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140523145122/http://www.eastvillageradio.com/news/Items.aspx?id=15994). East Village Radio. Archived from [the original](http://www.eastvillageradio.com/news/items.aspx?id=15994) on 23 May 2014. Retrieved 2010-08-10.

1. ["The PINK CLOUD is coming"](https://twitter.com/sam_sparro/status/19714254177). Twitter (Sam Sparro). Retrieved 2010-08-10.

1. ["PinkCloudVideo"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vi-niQizUZU). YouTube. Retrieved 2010-12-22.

1. ["It is not a single"](https://twitter.com/sam_sparro/status/18046130956795904). Twitter. Retrieved 2010-12-23.

1. ["Free EP Any Day Now"](https://twitter.com/sam_sparro/status/17705482378551297). Twitter. Retrieved 2010-12-22.

1. ["Pink Cloud| publishedSamSparro.com"](http://samsparro.com/freeDownloads.html). Retrieved 2010-12-24.

1. ["SAM ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM"](http://samsparro.com/2011/12/sam-announces-new-album/). SamSparro.com. Retrieved 2011-12-01.

1. ["THE SHALLOW END - New Song and Behind the Scenes Video"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120206023405/http://samsparro.com/2012/02/the-shallow-end/). SamSparro.com. Archived from [the original](http://samsparro.com/2012/02/the-shallow-end/) on 6 February 2012. Retrieved 2012-02-03.

1. ["WIN TICKETS TO SAM'S U.S. MINI-TOUR"](http://samsparro.com/2012/02/win-tickets-to-sams-u-s-mini-tour/). SamSparro.com. Retrieved 2012-02-07.

1. ["Sam Sparro"](https://twitter.com/sam_sparro/status/167162156041781248). Twitter. Retrieved 2012-07-27.

1. ["Stay in Love"](https://soundcloud.com/plasticplates/stay-in-love-feat-sam-sparro). [SoundCloud](/source/SoundCloud). Retrieved 2014-02-21.

1. ["Valentine's Day Facebook post - Sam Sparro"](https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?id=20672524168&story_fbid=494205260689081). [Facebook](/source/Facebook) / Sam Sparro. Retrieved 2014-02-21.

1. ["Plastic Plates's post on February 19 confirming download availability date"](https://www.facebook.com/plasticplatesmusic/posts/10152644641098065). [Facebook](/source/Facebook) / [Felix Bloxsom](/source/Felix_Bloxsom). Retrieved 2014-02-21.

1. ["Stay in Love"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140619063054/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/stay-in-love-feat.-sam-sparro/id824293848?i=824293850). [iTunes](/source/ITunes_Store) / [Apple Inc.](/source/Apple_Inc.). Archived from [the original](https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/stay-in-love-feat.-sam-sparro/id824293848?i=824293850) on 19 June 2014. Retrieved 2014-02-21.

1. ["LOVE MADE ME DO IT MIX"](https://soundcloud.com/sam-sparro/love-made-me-do-it-mix). Soundcloud and Sam Sparro. 13 February 2015. Retrieved 29 July 2015.

1. ["Hands Up - Single"](https://web.archive.org/web/20151212074430/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hands-up-single/id1025179928). [iTunes](/source/ITunes_Store), [Apple Inc.](/source/Apple_Inc.). 31 July 2015. Archived from [the original](https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hands-up-single/id1025179928) on 12 December 2015. Retrieved 8 December 2015.

1. ["Hands Up (Remixes) - Single"](https://web.archive.org/web/20151212074403/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hands-up-remixes-single/id1040994698). [iTunes](/source/ITunes_Store), [Apple Inc.](/source/Apple_Inc.). 25 September 2015. Archived from [the original](https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hands-up-remixes-single/id1040994698) on 12 December 2015. Retrieved 8 December 2015.

1. ["Quantum Physical, Vol. 2 - EP"](https://web.archive.org/web/20151212074322/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/quantum-physical-vol.-2-ep/id1036358781). [iTunes](/source/ITunes_Store), [Apple Inc.](/source/Apple_Inc.). 16 October 2015. Archived from [the original](https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/quantum-physical-vol.-2-ep/id1036358781) on 12 December 2015. Retrieved 8 December 2015.

1. [ARIA Awards History 2008](http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/year/2008).Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 10 June 2012

## External links

- [Australian website](http://www.samsparro.com) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180525142149/http://www.samsparro.com/) 25 May 2018 at the Wayback Machine
- [Interview with The Advocate magazine on Grammy Award nomination](http://www.advocate.com/issue_story_ektid69523.asp)
- [Eleanor Conway Presents: Sam Sparro video interview](http://music.virgin.com/2008/10/09/eleanor-conway-presents-sam-sparro-interview)
- [Wonky Pop website](http://www.thisiswonky.com)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Sam Sparro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Sparro) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Sparro?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.