The band formed in Sydney in 2004 and were originally known as The Spark. The brainchild of Alex Burnett (vocals, guitar) and Dave Hall (drums), Sparkadia became a reality with the addition of Nick Rabone (bass) and Josephine Ayling (keyboards, guitar, vocals) in 2006.
They first came into prominence in Australia with their debut EP titled Things Behind the Sun. The EP was released in Australia on 20 February 2007; with the lead single "Morning Light" being the #1 most downloaded track off Australian national broadcasters Triple J's website with 32,000 downloads in two months. This was followed by extensive Australian touring and led to signing with UK label Ark Recordings.
With a line-up change in 2008 with Tiffany Preece replacing Josephine Ayling, Sparkadia released their debut studio album Postcards on 31 May 2008. The album was recorded with producer Ben Hillier (Blur, Depeche Mode, Doves, Elbow etc.) at Miloco Studios, London. The album peaked at #23 on the ARIA albums chart.
The debut single off the album Animals was The Guardian's single of the week and received rotation on BBC Radio One. This was followed by the release of the singles "Too Much to Do", "Jealousy" and "Morning Light".
Subsequent single "Too Much to Do" was B listed by Radio 2, played by everyone from Colin Murray to Terry Wogan, and earned accolades from Mojo, Q4 Music and The Guardian. All four singles received airplay on Australian radio station Triple J. In January 2009 Sparkadia's hit Jealousy was number 79 in the triple j Hottest 100 of 2008.
The singles "Talking Like I'm Falling Down Stairs" (10 September 2010) and "China" (27 January 2011) were released in Australia and "Mary" (14 February 2011) was released in the UK ahead of the album "The Great Impression" (18 March 2011). The Great Impression debuted at no. 8 on the ARIA Albums Chart and at no. 1 on the ARIA Australian Artist Albums Chart. Talking Like I'm Falling Down Stairs came in at number 24 in the triple j Hottest 100 of 2010.
In 2011, Burnett made a new name for himself with the release of Sparkadia’s The Great Impression on OK!Good Records. The 12 track debut album showcases Burnett’s great skill in songwriting, with definite influence from 80s pop groups. Stylistically, The Great Impression combines retro elements and sprawling, anthemic choruses with evocative lyrics to form a bold work that is heartbreaking and uplifting all at once. “I wanted to write big songs”, says Burnett. “I wanted to go there on The Great Impression and see what would happen. It felt right.” Already a big chart success in his native Australia and growing in popularity in the UK, The Great Impression is all set to make just that on US audiences as well.
http://okgoodrecords.com
Space and Time
Sparkadia Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Catch a plane to France
Cos I know we'll dance again
Show your hand in Monaco,
Hear the standards of Montreaux
Cos I know you'll be home again
We won't be like this forever
Space & time - this race of mine will all be in vain
Unless we're together again
Ride the tran-siberian line,
Buy me something in Shanghai
Cos I know you'll be mine again
Cross the mountains of Japan,
Remember where it all began
Cos I know we'll be one again
Even if we're not together
We won't be like this forever
Space & time-this race of mine will all be in vain
Unless we're together again
Cos I won't ever let you out of my mind
Cos I won't ever let you out of my mind
I won't ever let you disappear without a trace
it's only space,
it's only time
The lyrics to Sparkadia's song 'Space and Time' suggest a separation between two individuals, but also express the hope and belief that they will be reunited once again. The song lists different locations around the world, encouraging the idea that there is no distance too far that could dampen the connection between these people. The idea that "even if we're not together, we won't be like this forever" suggests that the separation is temporary, but still difficult to bear. The lyrics "space & time - this race of mine will all be in vain, unless we're together again" illustrates the desperation for a reunion - life just doesn't feel right until they're back together.
The song is also conveying the idea that the memories and emotional connection between the two people can never be erased, “Cos I won't ever let you out of my mind, I won't ever let you disappear without a trace”. The last line, "it's only space, it's only time", seems to be a reassurance to the listener that distance and time will not dilute the strength of their relationship, but it's a hard phrase to take in, since the characters of the song can't be together.
Overall, the song seems to be an expression of longing and hope that love and connection will remain strong, despite separation or confusion. It also speaks of the ability of the human spirit to transcend geographic and time-based limitations.
Line by Line Meaning
You can sail to Spain,
You have the freedom to go anywhere, even Spain,
Catch a plane to France
You have the freedom to go anywhere, even France,
Cos I know we'll dance again
Despite the distance, we will dance together again,
Show your hand in Monaco,
Go and gamble in Monaco,
Hear the standards of Montreaux
Listen to the music of Montreaux,
Cos I know you'll be home again
Despite the short trip, you will return home,
Even if we're not together
Even if we're apart,
We won't be like this forever
This distance won't last forever,
Space & time - this race of mine will all be in vain
All my effort to overcome the distance will be for nothing,
Unless we're together again
Unless we are reunited in person,
Ride the tran-siberian line,
Take a ride on the Trans-Siberian Railway,
Buy me something in Shanghai
Get me a gift from Shanghai,
Cos I know you'll be mine again
Despite the distance, we will be together again,
Cross the mountains of Japan,
Travel across the mountains of Japan,
Remember where it all began
Reflect on where our relationship started,
Cos I know we'll be one again
Despite the distance, we will be united once again,
Cos I won't ever let you out of my mind
I will always remember you,
I won't ever let you disappear without a trace
I won't let you completely disappear from my life,
it's only space,
The distance between us is only physical,
it's only time
The duration of our separation is only temporary,
Contributed by Cameron A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Amanda Turone
Such a beautiful song. I also heard it on Neighbours today. I don't usually watch it either, so it was lucky I tuned in!
Well subversed
Ahh. Nice. Just the song for the distants! Cheers Sparkadia!
Thomas Aitken
Co za asy!
guillermozzer
great song
Kimberly S
Beautiful song...
Reverse Key Productions
Sears commercial 2012 connecting flights brought me here. Stayed for this great song:)
RickInDorset
yeah ok, slightly Coldplay but a very nice tune - heard it on Neighbours today (UK) - that programme often uses lovely music, someone in production has an exteremely good ear for music. If you're reading this thanks (Neighbours music man and Sparkadia)
Seneca Brown
Girlfriend dumped me....This song doesn't help but A great song tho
romobeanie
Thanks, Sears!
Trenton Casey
the person who made this missed spelled something in the description they missed spelled favorite they put favourite lol