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.
Can I Invade Your Country
Sparks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
O'er the land of the free and one more thing
Can I invade your country
Oh baby, baby, can I invade your country?
Oh baby, baby, can I invade your country?
Oh baby, baby, can I invade your country?
Invade your country
Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and one more thing
Can I invade your country
Oh baby, baby, can I invade your country?
Oh baby, baby, can I invade your country?
Oh baby, baby, can I invade your country?
Oh baby, baby, can I invade your country?
Oh baby, baby, can I invade your country?
Oh baby, baby, can I invade your country?
Oh baby, baby, can I invade your country?
Invade your country
Countries, planets, stars
Galaxies so far
Don't let freedom fade
Baby, let's invade
Galaxies so far
Don't let freedom fade
Baby, let's invade
Countries, planets, stars
Galaxies so far
Don't let freedom fade
Baby, let's invade
Baby, let's invade
Can I invade your country?
Oh baby, baby, can I invade your country?
Baby, let's invade
Take it out, take it out
Take it out
Take it out, take it out
Take it out
Take it out, take it out
Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and one more thing
Can I invade your country, oh baby, baby, can I invade your country?
Oh baby, baby, can I invade your country?
Oh baby, baby, can I invade your country?
Oh baby, baby, can I invade your country?
Oh baby, baby, can I invade your country?
Oh baby, baby, can I invade your country?
Oh baby, baby, can I invade your country?
Oh baby, baby, can I invade your country?
Invade your country
Baby, let's invade, baby, let's invade
Can I invade your country, oh baby, baby?
Can I invade your country?
Can I invade your country, oh baby, baby?
Can I invade your country?
Invade your country
At first glance, the combination of the US national anthem and the lyrics about invading a country may seem odd and inappropriate. However, a deeper look at the lyrics shows that Sparks is using this juxtaposition to make a commentary on the nature of American nationalism and the desire to "invade" other countries in the name of spreading ideas of freedom and democracy.
The first verse of the song quotes the opening lines of "The Star-Spangled Banner," which celebrates the American flag and the brave soldiers who fought to protect it. This nationalistic sentiment is then followed by the repeated refrain of "can I invade your country," which flips the script and begs the question of what makes it okay for America to intervene in other nations' affairs.
The following verses continue to reference the American flag and military might, but also broaden the scope to include all countries, planets, stars, and galaxies. The overall message seems to be that no matter how far and wide America may go in spreading its ideals, it is always important to consider the implications of invading another nation's sovereignty.
In the end, the repeated refrain of "baby, let's invade" can be interpreted as a sarcastic plea to consider the consequences of aggression and to seek common ground and understanding instead. By using the national anthem and the language of patriotism to subvert expectations and challenge established ideas, Sparks creates a thought-provoking commentary on the societal norms of American exceptionalism.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light?
Can you perceive the potential of my army by the first light of day?
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming
What did we celebrate with such pride the last time we had a chance to defeat our enemies?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight
Whose flag did we fight under in the dangerous battle?
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming
The flag we fought under continued to wave gallantly through the barricades we watched.
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air
The explosions of rockets and bombs could be seen illuminating the battlefield.
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there
The explosions and rockets provided evidence to us that our flag was still standing.
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
Does our flag, with its star-spangled banner, continue to flutter in the wind?
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
Does our flag continue to fly over the country of the brave and the free?
Can I invade your country
May I enter your country with my military forces?
Oh baby, baby, can I invade your country?
May I enter your country with my military forces, my dear?
Invade your country
I want to enter your country with my military forces.
Galaxies so far
Even the far-reaching galaxies are not beyond our reach.
Don't let freedom fade
Maintain your freedom by allowing me to conquer your country.
Baby, let's invade
Let's enter your country together, my love.
Take it out, take it out
Take out your weapons and fight with all your might.
Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
Once again, can you see the potential of my army by the first light of day?
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
Through the barricades, we watched our flag flutter so gallantly.
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
Does our flag continue to wave with its star-spangled banner?
O'er the land of the free and one more thing
Over the land of the free, one thing more...
Baby, let's invade
Let's invade your country, my love.
Invade your country
I want to enter your country with my military forces.
Can I invade your country, oh baby, baby, can I invade your country?
My dear, may I enter your country with my military forces?
Take it out
Take out your weapons and prepare for battle.
Baby, let's invade
Together, let's enter your country with my military forces.
Can I invade your country, oh baby, baby?
May I enter your country with my military forces, my love?
Invade your country
My desire is to enter your country with my military forces.
Writer(s): Ronald D Mael, Russell Craig Mael
Contributed by Aaron T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Philip Kassabian
on Scheherazade
A great Sparks song.
Philip Kassabian
on Aeroflot
This song is amazing.
Philip Kassabian
on Irreplaceable
Sparks is an absolutely fantastic band.
Philip Kassabian
on It's Educational
An absolutely great Sparks song.
Philip Kassabian
on The Calm Before the Storm
A great and fantastic Sparks song.
Philip Kassabian
on Perfume
A very catchy and great Sparks song.