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.
Achoo
Sparks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"La la's" with a powerful sting that'll stop any opera or any Bing
Sing, spread the news across the land
All winners will be also-rans
Achoo - one size fits everyone
Achoo - one breath, the deed has been done
Grey hair and a dash and a flair give your doctor an air
For a girl who needs care
I do hope that he makes you well
Say, is there any cure for Hell
Achoo - one size fits everyone
Achoo - one breath, the deed has been done
Sing, Ile de France and everywhere
You can't ignore that sort of air
Achoo - one size fits everyone
Achoo - one breath, the deed has been done
So, open wide, open wide and say, open wide and say goodbye, you'll be ok
Achoo - he's gonna whisk you away
Achoo - he's gonna make you ok
The opening lines of Sparks's song Achoo suggest the power of invalids over the winds, as their singing can bring a sting that can outdo opera or even Bing Crosby. This sets up a strange yet fascinating dynamic between illness and music, suggesting that those who are considered weak or ill can still hold tremendous power to the point that they can even overpower celebrated singers of the time. The "La la's" represent the sort of immortal and timeless quality of the invalids' power. The use of the term "winners" in the second verse suggests a reversal of roles between those who are traditionally seen as successful and those who are not. The phrase "all winners will be also-rans" implies that status and success are not to be relied upon, as even those who reach the top can still fall and become irrelevant.
The chorus of "Achoo" is catchy and repetitive, with the phrase "one size fits everyone" dominating the melody. In the song, this line refers to the cure-all solution provided by the titular character, Achoo. A sense of humor pervades this chorus, as it parodies the phrase often seen on clothing tags claiming a "one size fits all" fit. The phrase "one breath, the deed has been done" is more ominous, as it suggests the ease with which ailments can be cured by the enigmatic Achoo. Meanwhile, the second verse focuses on a girl in need of care, but the singer seems to judge her for her choices, implying that the doctor she's chosen has a certain dash and flair to them. There's a sense of jealousy or resentment tinged with this line, suggesting a rivalry between the singer and the girl, which adds a layer of intrigue to the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Who knows what the winds gonna bring when the invalids sing
The future is uncertain, but when those who are sick sing, their powerful voices have the potential to bring great change.
"La la's" with a powerful sting that'll stop any opera or any Bing
Even a simple tune sung by those who are ill can pack a punch and be more effective than a grand opera.
Sing, spread the news across the land
Take action and spread the message far and wide.
All winners will be also-rans
Winning isn't everything and even the most successful will eventually fall behind.
Achoo - one size fits everyone
This solution is universal and works for everyone, regardless of their differences.
Achoo - one breath, the deed has been done
It only takes one small action to make a big difference.
Grey hair and a dash and a flair give your doctor an air
An experienced and confident doctor can exude an air of competence and sophistication with their look.
I'm hurt, but the choice that you made is an obvious one
Although it hurts, it's clear that you had to make the decision you did.
For a girl who needs care
In this situation, it is clear that someone is in need of care and attention.
I do hope that he makes you well
The artist wishes that the patient is soon restored to health.
Say, is there any cure for Hell
It is unclear if there is any solution for this terrible situation.
Sing, Ile de France and everywhere
Sing from the heart and let your voice be heard everywhere, including the region of Ile de France.
You can't ignore that sort of air
The impact of someone with an impressive air cannot be overlooked.
So, open wide, open wide and say, open wide and say goodbye, you'll be ok
Although it's difficult, letting go and saying goodbye will ultimately lead to a better outcome.
Achoo - he's gonna whisk you away
This solution will quickly and easily solve the problem.
Achoo - he's gonna make you ok
With this solution, the patient will soon be healthy again.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RONALD D MAEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
John Meowzer
Propaganda's probably my favorite album ever
Grant Schinto
If you're gonna have a favorite album, this is a great one to have.
risputte
And Kimono My House :)
Gabriel Valete
It is great indeed
Randus Applecorn
yes
The Sarcasmers
They are so underrated
69Phuket
They were a bit strange even then..Hitler moustaches didn't help..
Or did it?
69Phuket
@Randus Applecorn My mom got me into Sparks...
Yep.. But she was never underrated.
Stephanie knows who...
Underrated commments overrated! Sparks are unrateable.
Mister Kingdom
I wish this would play whenever I sneeze