Sparks are an American rock and pop music band formed in Los Angeles in 197… Read Full Bio ↴Sparks are an American rock and pop music band formed in Los Angeles in 1970 by brothers Ron Mael (keyboards) and Russell Mael (vocals), initially under the name Halfnelson. Best known for their quirky approach to song writing, Sparks' music is often accompanied by cutting and acerbic lyrics, and an idiosyncratic stage presence, typified in the contrast between Russell's wide-eyed hyperactive frontman antics and Ron's sedentary scowling.

The band's long career has seen them successfully adopt many different musical genres; including glam pop, power pop, electronic dance music and mainstream pop. Despite these many styles, a recognizable "Sparks sound" remains throughout, and they have enjoyed a large cult following since their first releases. Sparks have been highly influential on the development of popular music, in particular on the late 1970s scene, when in collaboration with Giorgio Moroder (and Telex subsequently), they reinvented themselves as an electronic pop duo, and abandoned the traditional rock band line up. In contrast to the esteem in which they are held by such peers as Depeche Mode, New Order, Morrissey and They Might Be Giants, who all cite Sparks as a major influence, their almost constantly changing styles and unique visual presentations have sometimes seen them dismissed as a novelty act.

The 2002 release of Lil' Beethoven, their self-described "genre-defining opus", and 2006's Hello Young Lovers (their 20th studio album) have brought Sparks renewed critical and commercial success, and seen them continue to "steer clear of pop conventions."

The 2021 documentary film 'The Sparks Brothers', directed by Edgar Wright, has renewed interest in the band for a new audience.

"I Must Not Be Hasty"
Sparks Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

INGMAR BERGMAN:
I must not be hasty.
My first inclination would be to tell them to go to Hell, but I must
not be hasty.
My first inclination is to tell them they don’t deserve an artist of
my stature, but I must not be hasty.
I’ve struggled all my life for money for my films and the one thing
these people have is money, so I must not be hasty.

Perhaps I could be one of the lucky ones who survive in

Hollywood. So I must not be hasty. I must not be hasty.

Overall Meaning

The song "I Must Not Be Hasty" by Sparks is a witty commentary on the struggle of an artist in the entertainment industry. The opening lines, spoken by Ingmar Bergman, set the tone for the song. Bergman's first inclination is to reject an opportunity because he feels that a person of his caliber deserves better. However, he reminds himself not to be hasty and to consider the potential benefits of the opportunity.

The lyrics reflect the common tension between artistry and commercialism. The singer acknowledges that he has struggled financially throughout his career, and recognizes that money is a commodity that he needs to survive. But he also grapples with the realization that artistic integrity can be compromised by the allure of fame and fortune. The recurring line "I must not be hasty" functions as a reminder to the singer, and perhaps to the listener as well, to be cautious and deliberate in making decisions that could have long-lasting consequences.

Overall, "I Must Not Be Hasty" highlights the complex relationship between artists and the industry that supports their work. In the face of difficult decisions, the singer urges himself to find a balance between practicality and true creativity.

Line by Line Meaning

I must not be hasty.
I should take my time and carefully think before making any decision.

My first inclination would be to tell them to go to Hell, but I must not be hasty.
Initially, I feel like responding aggressively, but I must control my temper and act thoughtfully.

My first inclination is to tell them they don’t deserve an artist of my stature, but I must not be hasty.
My initial reaction is to belittle these people, but I need to avoid acting impulsively and consider the consequences of my actions.

I’ve struggled all my life for money for my films and the one thing these people have is money, so I must not be hasty.
Despite my financial difficulties, I should not let my frustration incentivise me to make rash decisions with wealthy individuals.

Perhaps I could be one of the lucky ones who survive in Hollywood. So I must not be hasty. I must not be hasty.
I might be able to succeed in Hollywood, but I need to think things through before making any major moves.

Contributed by Nicholas E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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