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.

Batteries Not Included
Sparks Lyrics

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I brought it home and I opened it up
And a smile came to my face for the first time in a while
Yes a smile came to my face for the first time in a while
I turned it on
But nothing happened when I did
Nothing happened at all
I kicked it down the stairs
I threw it at the wall

Hey kid, batteries not included

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Sparks's song "Batteries Not Included" are open to interpretation. The song seems to be about a person who is looking for something to bring them joy and excitement. The singer brings something home, presumably a toy or gadget, and is initially thrilled with it. However, when they turn it on, nothing happens, and they become frustrated. They lash out, kicking it down the stairs and throwing it at the wall. The phrase "batteries not included" could be a metaphor for the idea that sometimes the things we expect to bring us joy don't work as intended, or that sometimes we need to provide our own energy to create happiness in our lives.

Alternatively, "batteries not included" could be a direct reference to the fact that the item the singer brought home requires batteries in order to function properly. The frustration and anger expressed in the later lines could represent a common feeling of disappointment when something doesn't work the way we expect it to.

Line by Line Meaning

I brought it home and I opened it up
I acquired something new and was excited to try it out.

And a smile came to my face for the first time in a while
I was happy to have something new, which had been a rare feeling for me lately.

Yes a smile came to my face for the first time in a while
My previous statement still holds true, emphasizing the significance of this moment.

I turned it on
I attempted to use the product.

But nothing happened when I did
Unfortunately, it did not work as expected or at all.

Nothing happened at all
Reiterating the disappointment and lack of any response from the product.

I kicked it down the stairs
Frustrated with the non-functionality, I acted out by kicking the item down the stairs.

I threw it at the wall
In a fit of anger, I threw the object at the wall.

Hey kid, batteries not included
A message to potential buyers or users that batteries are required to run the product.

Contributed by Lincoln N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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