Iain James Farquharson (born 20 February 1980), more commonly known as Iain James or Sparx, is a British singer, songwriter and vocal producer from Bristol, but based in London. He started as part of the British boyband Triple 8 in 2003 as their lead singer and known as Sparx. He left after the group had two Top 10 hits and was replaced by Stewart Macintosh in 2005.
He has written a number of songs recorded by a great number of singing artists, plus writing many songs for reality television contestants from UK, Europe and Asia, and on three occasions for Eurovision Song Contest songs, including co-writing the winning song for Azerbaijan "Running Scared" by Ell & Nikki in 2011.
Triple 8 James was the lead singer of UK boy band Triple 8 (888), who were originally signed to Polydor Records. He was known by his nickname, "Sparx". The group had two successful singles, "Knockout" and "Give Me A Reason", which charted at numbers 8 and 9, respectively, in the UK Singles Chart. The group parted company with their record label in 2004, leaving their album, Heavy W8, unreleased. James left in 2004, to be replaced as lead singer in 2005 by a new member, Stewart Macintosh, before the group broke up by the end of 2005.
Writing and production After Triple 8, James concentrated on music writing and production. He has written for artists as diverse as Westlife, Professor Green, Emeli Sandé, Craig David, Taio Cruz, The Vamps, Anne-Marie, and Korean boyband TVXQ (aka Tohoshinki). He has also written for successful acts from reality television competitions, including Little Mix, One Direction, Olly Murs and Leona Lewis.
He co-wrote British number one "Read All About It" by Professor Green featuring Emeli Sandé, as well as Sandé's own version of the song which appears on her two million selling album Our Version of Events, which broke a record set by the Beatles for longest unimpeded spell in the UK top 10.
James wrote several songs on the album of Little Mix, the first ever British girlgroup whose album went straight into the top 5 in the US, including the UK Number 1 "Wings" and the critically lauded third place song "DNA".He wrote songs on their second album Salute, which did not match DNA commercially, but was a critical success, and followed its predecessor in charting in the UK top 5 and US top 10 (it would have repeated DNA's fourth placing if compilations were not included in the US albums chart). He wrote the album's song Little Me with Little Mix and TMS. For the group's third album Get Weird; Iain co-wrote the singles "Love Me Like You" and "Hair" feat. Sean Paul. The group's most successful album Glory Days features the single "Shout Out To My Ex", also co-written by James.
He is also a vocal producer and has recorded many artists including Little Mix, Ella Henderson, One Direction and Pixie Lott.
Eurovision James co-wrote the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 winning song "Running Scared" by Ell & Nikki, who were the first male-female duo to win the song contest since 1963. They were also the first Azeris to win the contest, winning in Düsseldorf in May 2011.
James also co-wrote the Belgian entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 2013, "Love Kills" by Roberto Bellarosa, which placed 12th, and the British entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 2020, "My Last Breath" by James Newman.
Discography YearTitleArtistAlbumCredits2007Officially YoursCraig DavidTrust MeCo-Writer2008You're My IdolDonnie KlangJust A Rolling StoneCo-WriterWrong NumberTVXQMIROTIC - The 4th AlbumCo-Writer2010Did I?Diagram Of The HeartN/ACo-Writer2011Build You A HouseTimothy JamesMake It HappenCo-WriterThe Sound Of Swing ft. Aloe BlaccThe Kenneth Bager ExperienceThe Sound Of...Co-WriterFell In Love With A SongBlushMake You BlushCo-WriterSecond Last ChanceThe OvertonesGood Ol' Fashioned Love (Platinum Edition)Co-WriterRunning ScaredEll & NikkiN/ACo-WriterNa Na NaOne DirectionUp All NightCo-WriterRead All About It feat. Emeli SandéProfessor GreenAt Your InconvenienceCo-WriterWorld In Our HandsTaio CruzTy.OCo-WriterHush Little Baby feat. Ed SheeranWretch 32Black & WhiteCo-WriterWalking On WaterMatt CardleLettersCo-Writer2012WingsLittle MixDNACo-Writer / Backing VocalsDNAGoing NowhereMake You BelieveMadhouseStereo SoldierAlways Be TogetherVocal ProducerRead All About It (Part III)Emeli SandéOur Version Of EventsCo-WriterHand On HeartOlly MursRight Place Right TimeCo-WriterOvertime feat. GhettsClement Marfo & The FrontlineN/ACo-Writer / Backing VocalsChampionI Need You feat. JaggaTMSN/ACo-Writer / Backing Vocals2013HeartlessA*M*EN/ACo-WriterBeethovenUnion JUnion JCo-Writer / Backing VocalsStereotypeSamsayaBombay CallingCo-WriterSummer RainChris MedinaWhat Are WordsCo-WriterLittle MeLittle MixSaluteCo-Writer / Backing VocalsCompetitionA Different BeatSee Me NowThey Just Don't Know YouMr LoverboyVocal ProducerLove KillsRoberto BellarosaMa VoieCo-WriterJust The Way You Love MeShane FilanYou & MeCo-WriterOne More SleepLeona LewisChristmas, With LoveCo-WriterGoing UnderMichael PaynterWeary LoveCo-Writer2014Nothing Without YouOlly MursNever Been BetterCo-WriterThe First TimeElla HendersonChapter OneVocal ProducerGive Your Heart Away2015Left OutLEGENDN/ACo-WriterShe Ain't MeSinead HarnettN/ACo-WriterCry For HelpHomeTownHomeTownCo-WriterMe 4 UOMIMe 4 UCo-WriterTroubleMajor MyjahTroubleCo-WriterStart AgainBen HaenowBen HaenowCo-WriterBreakfastFleur EastLove, Sax and FlashbacksCo-WriterLove Me Like YouLittle MixGet WeirdCo-WriterThe FallMarkus FeehilyFireCo-Writer / Backing Vocals2016Gets No Better (2.0) feat. SerayahEmpire CastEmpire: Original Soundtrack Season 2Co-WriterHair feat. Sean PaulLittle MixGet WeirdCo-WriterShout Out To My ExGlory DaysCo-WriterBeep BeepCo-Writer / Backing VocalsGood Things Come To Those Who WaitNathan SykesUnfinished BusinessCo-Writer / Backing VocalsHurt AnymoreSamantha Jade & CyrusTBACo-Writer2017UnpredictableOlly Murs & Louisa Johnson24 HRSCo-Writer / Backing VocalsGiantsLightsSkin & EarthCo-WriterHeavyAnne-MarieSpeak Your MindCo-WriterThe Thing About LoveMatt TerryTroubleCo-Writer / Backing Vocals2018Start Over AgainNew Hope ClubNon Album SingleCo-WriterMonday BluesExo-CBXBlooming DaysCo-WriterJust My TypeThe VampsNight & Day (Day Edition)Co-Writer / Backing VocalsFriendsWhy Don't We8 LettersCo-Writer / Backing VocalsTake Your LoveOlly MursYou Know I KnowCo-Writer여기 있을게 (Smile On My Face)ExoDon't Mess Up My TempoCo-Writer2019GirlRak-Su -Co-WriterPabloBig Heath -Co-Writer2020Small TalkLouiseHeavy LoveCo-WriterGive You UpCo-Writer / Backing VocalsFather's SonDeclan J DonovanHomesickCo-WriterHabitLouis TomlinsonWallsCo-WriterVibeMullallyNon Album SingleCo-WriterMy Last BreathJames Newman The Things We DoCo-Writer / Backing VocalsLook What We've DoneNew RulesNon Album SingleCo-WriterMY FACEVERIVERYFACE USCo-WriterAfter The Night BeforeMolly HockingTBACo-WriterChristmas PrayerPaloma Faith & Gregory PorterInfinite ThingsCo-Writer2021Feels Like LoveSyn Cole ft. MIYA MIYANon Album SingleCo-WriterVibeMatt HunterNon Album SingleCo-WriterSuperstarSHINeeNon Album SingleCo-WriterCan't Stop Writing Songs About YouKylie Minogue and Gloria GaynorDisco: Guest List EditionCo-WriterKiss Me It's ChristmasLeona Lewis & Ne-YoChristmas, With Love AlwaysCo-WriterDay OneJLS2.0Co-Writer / Vocal Producer / Backing VocalsTangoPostcardVocal ProducerPricelessChangedAuditionLove ImmortalGlowNothing Without USecretsMonsta XThe DreamingCo-WriterWomanLeigh-Anne PinnockBoxing Day (Soundtrack)Co-Writer2022HappyJosef SalvatIslandsCo-Writer1, 2, 7 (Time Stops)NCT 1272 Baddies - The 4th AlbumCo-WriterPastaNew RulesGo The DistanceCo-WriterSeat At The TableThe VampsNon Album SingleCo-WriterLove Me HardSugababesThe Lost TapesCo-WriterNo RegretsI'm Alright2023SingleLou ElliotteTBACo-WriterPut Your Hands UpMarvin HumesNon Album SingleCo-WriterThe BirdsBank & Ranx feat. Zach ZoyaNon Album SingleCo-WriterI AmNow UnitedThe Musical: Welcome To The Night Of Your LifeCo-WriterWhen The Rain ComesSugababesTBACo-WriterCan't Say GoodbyeKEYGood & Great - The 2nd Mini AlbumCo-Writer2024DowntimeTyler Lewiswait 'til she gets her heart brokenCo-Writer2025Happy TearsIsaakNon Album SingleCo-WriterHeartbreakFifty FiftyDay & NightCo-WriterTake My HalfTomorrow x TogetherThe Star Chapter: TogetherCo-WriterOptionsTWICETHIS IS FORCo-WriterFeel It AgainMEDUNNon Album SingleCo-WriterHeartbeatPerriePerrieCo-WriterAdolescenceidntt<unevermet>Co-WriterKnees UpOlly MursKnees UpCo-WriterHonestStill Getting Used (To The Ring)2026A OKMyleTBACo-Writer
With Triple 8 Year Single Chart positions UK2003 "Knockout" "Give Me a Reason"
References
External links Discogs.com Iain James Farquharson page