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.
Barbecutie
Sparks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Living in the snow advancing how much we will know
But his heart cries out
Barbecutie, Barbecutie, Barbecutie, you Barbecutie,
When you're with him he is warm
Let's pursue this more why should he leave so much that's warm
Ask her, she would know
Barbecutie...
The friends are getting friendly on the lawn
The flies are making enemies of all
Aroma rising from the ancient coals
Has turned you into someone very bold
And killed whatever hesitance she showed
Barbecutie...
Look he's back unharmed he must defrost his frozen charm
"How are you today" that's very good, he's on his way
To the barbecue
Barbecutie...
The Sparks song "Barbecutie" begins with the intriguing line, "For the sake of man he has forsaken his whole tan." This opening hints at a deep longing felt by the singer, who is giving up something essential to him in order to advance forward in his life. The lyrics then describe him as "living in the snow advancing how much we will know," suggesting that he is dedicated to progress even at the cost of his comfort. However, amidst all this movement and ambition, "his heart cries out" for Barbecutie, the song's titular character. The chorus repeats her name as a joyful exclamation, declaring that when the singer is with Barbecutie, he feels warm and whole.
The verses that follow delve into the possible reasons why the singer is sacrificing so much to pursue his goals. The second verse implies that he may be "oh so slightly bent," a line that is left intentionally ambiguous but could be interpreted as meaning that he is eccentric or queer. Despite this, the chorus continues to celebrate Barbecutie as a source of comfort and joy, suggesting that her presence in his life is a key factor in his emotional wellbeing. The final verse describes the scene of a barbecue, with friends gathered around and the aroma of cooking meat filling the air. This vivid description is both sensory and evocative, creating a sense of community and celebration that enhances the song's overall mood.
Line by Line Meaning
For the sake of man he has forsaken his whole tan
He sacrificed his natural skin color for the sake of mankind's advancement
Living in the snow advancing how much we will know
As he lives in a cold, wintry climate, he continues to advance in knowledge
But his heart cries out
Despite his accomplishments, he still feels a deep emotional longing
Barbecutie, Barbecutie, Barbecutie, you Barbecutie,
He is addressing someone he finds attractive, calling them 'Barbecutie'
When you're with him he is warm
The presence of the person he finds attractive brings him warm feelings
Let's pursue this more why should he leave so much that's warm
He questions why he should abandon something that brings him warmth and comfort
To his detriment maybe he's oh so slightly bent
Perhaps it is to his disadvantage that he is so attached to this warmth
Ask her, she would know
He suggests that the person he finds attractive might have insight and answers for him
The friends are getting friendly on the lawn
People are socializing outside on the grass
The flies are making enemies of all
The presence of flies is causing annoyance and frustration for everyone
Aroma rising from the ancient coals
The smell of cooking food is wafting from the old coals
Has turned you into someone very bold
The enticing scent of the food has given you confidence and boldness
And killed whatever hesitance she showed
The aroma of the food has eliminated any reluctance the person he finds attractive was showing
Look he's back unharmed he must defrost his frozen charm
He has returned unscathed, and must thaw out his reserved demeanor
"How are you today" that's very good, he's on his way
He greets someone and expresses approval before heading to the barbecue
To the barbecue
He is going to the barbecue
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: RONALD D MAEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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.