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.

Almost a Hollywood Ending
Sparks Lyrics

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[Ingmar Bergman]:
And as Garbo and I entered the theater, I felt a sense of both calm and expectation.
You, dear listener, have been very patient with me.
Thank you for listening to my story.
You may be relieved to know the story is soon coming to an end.
What is strange is that the story has almost a Hollywood ending.
A Hollywood ending!
I sat in the dark with Miss Garbo and watched her glorious

Swedish film, the two of us alone in the small theater.
And when the film was over and the lights went on, she was gone.
I slowly walked toward the exit and out onto the street.

A familiar street.
A street in Sweden.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Sparks's song Almost a Hollywood Ending are a monologue by legendary film director Ingmar Bergman, who talks about an encounter he had with Greta Garbo. As he enters the theater with Garbo, he feels both calm and expectation. He thanks the listener for their patience in listening to his story, and informs that the story is soon coming to an end. What is strange is that the story takes "almost a Hollywood ending" - a phrase which refers to happy endings typically seen in movies.

As the film ends, Bergman is left alone in the small theater with Miss Garbo. After the lights go on, he realizes that she has disappeared, and he slowly walks toward the exit and out onto the street, which he finds familiar. This mysterious and sudden disappearance of Garbo echoes her withdrawal from the limelight towards the end of her career, making the ending not entirely happy or satisfying.

The song suggests that even though life can be unsatisfactory at times, it can still have a touch of glamour and happy endings, like those seen in Hollywood movies. Through Bergman's encounter with Garbo, the song highlights the fleeting nature of fame, and the reality that even the brightest stars must eventually fade away.

Line by Line Meaning

And as Garbo and I entered the theater, I felt a sense of both calm and expectation.
Entering the theater with Garbo, I felt both relaxed and anticipatory.

You, dear listener, have been very patient with me.
My thanks go to you, kind listener, for your patience.

Thank you for listening to my story.
I appreciate you taking the time to hear my tale.

You may be relieved to know the story is soon coming to an end.
Rest assured, the story is drawing to a close.

What is strange is that the story has almost a Hollywood ending.
It's curious that the story almost has a stereotypical Hollywood conclusion.

A Hollywood ending!
A classic Hollywood finale!

I sat in the dark with Miss Garbo and watched her glorious Swedish film, the two of us alone in the small theater.
In the dim light I sat beside Garbo, watching her magnificent Swedish film, the only two people in the cozy cinema.

And when the film was over and the lights went on, she was gone.
Once the movie ended and the lights came up, Garbo had vanished.

I slowly walked toward the exit and out onto the street.
I strolled leisurely toward the exit and stepped out onto the street.

A familiar street.
A street that I recognized.

A street in Sweden.
A street located in Sweden.

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

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