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.
Big Surprise
Sparks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We know a lot of things
I know each muscle on your back and every toe
But you've held out on me, I can tell from your eyes
Disguising the ace that you hold
I want a big surprise tonite
A really big surprise tonite
Where is that Yankee ingenuity
Somebody told me how the motion picture would end
I turned and glared at them
And then I read the way the world was going to end
With a whimpering sound, not a banging away
I'm sorry I gave it away
I want a big surprise tonite
A really big surprise tonite
It's boy meets girl and here we go once again
I want a big surprise tonite
A really big surprise tonite
It's boy meets girl and here we go once again
Where is that Yankee ingenuity
I want a big surprise tonite
A really big surprise tonite
It's boy meets girl and here we go once again
Where is that Yankee ingenuity
Break the rules and make a fool out of me
Where is that Yankee ingenuity right now
I want a big surprise tonite
A really big surprise tonite
The song "A Big Surprise" by Sparks discusses the expectations and desires in a relationship. The first verse speaks to this idea of knowing someone intimately, yet there is still something being held back, a secret desire. The chorus, "I want a big surprise tonight, a really big surprise tonight," indicates that there is a need for a change or something unexpected to occur in the relationship. The next verses speak to the idea of wanting spontaneity and excitement, rather than a predictable and predetermined future.
The line "Where is that Yankee ingenuity" points to the idea of American innovation and creativity. The singer longs for something new and unpredictable, not a preconceived storyline that has been fed to them. The final line, "Break the rules and make a fool out of me," speaks to the idea that taking risks and being vulnerable can lead to unexpected and exciting experiences in a relationship.
The song's overall theme is about the importance of surprise and spontaneity in relationships, and how breaking away from expectations can lead to exciting and authentic experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
No use in our pretending we don't know what we know
We can't fool ourselves into pretending that we don't know what we really know.
We know a lot of things
We have knowledge about many different things.
I know each muscle on your back and every toe
I am familiar with every part of your body.
But you've held out on me, I can tell from your eyes
You haven't told me everything, and I can sense that from your eyes.
Disguising the ace that you hold
You are concealing something important from me.
I want a big surprise tonite
I am hoping for something unexpected to happen tonight.
A really big surprise tonite
I am hoping for something truly remarkable to happen tonight.
It's boy meets girl and here we go once again
This is a classic scenario of a romantic encounter that we have experienced before.
Where is that Yankee ingenuity
I am wondering where that great American spirit of creativity and resourcefulness is.
Somebody told me how the motion picture would end
Someone ruined the ending of the movie for me by telling me how it would end.
I turned and glared at them
I looked at them with anger and disappointment.
And then I read the way the world was going to end
I found out about the end of the world from somewhere else.
With a whimpering sound, not a banging away
The end of the world will be quiet and uneventful, instead of loud and explosive.
I'm sorry I gave it away
I regret sharing this information with others.
Break the rules and make a fool out of me
Take a risk and do something unexpected that might embarrass me.
Where is that Yankee ingenuity right now
Where is that American creativity and resourcefulness when we need it?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: RONALD D MAEL, RUSSELL CRAIG 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.