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.
Frankly Scarlett I Don't Give a Damn
Sparks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Might as well just come out and say it.
You have your fans, but frankly, Scarlett, I don't give a damn.
All that Moonlight and Magnolia,
It just doesn't cut it, it just doesn't cut it anymore.
You had your chance, but frankly, Scarlett, I don't give a damn.
Ashley Wilkes, gentleman that he is,
He'll protect you
If I wanted to, I could remove all thoughts of him from your head.
Like this, like this,
Like this, like this.
You can lie all you want to do,
You can cry all you want to do,
You can scheme all you want to do.
See if I care.
You've had your fans, but frankly, Scarlett, I don't give a damn.
Buildings were burning to the right of us,
Buildings were burning to the left of us;
Those fires are out now.
You have your fans, but frankly, Scarlett, I don't give a damn.
That soft southern accent,
Delivered without the slightest trace of a British accent.
Even that's starting to wear on me.
I've made my plans, but frankly, Scarlett, I don't give a damn.
If I wanted to, I could remove all thoughts of him from your head.
Like this, like this,
Like this, like this.
You can lie all you want to do,
You can cry all you want to do,
You can scheme all you want to do.
See if I care.
You had your plans, but frankly, Scarlett, I don't give a damn.
We cut each other so much slack.
That we were both falling over backwards.
You had your chance, but frankly, Scarlett, I don't give a damn.
Got my bearings now, know where I'm going now,
Out... Out...
You had your chance, but frankly, Scarlett, I don't give a damn.
Might as well just say it,
Might as well just come out and say it.
Might as well just say it,
Might as well just come out and say it.
I've made my plans, but frankly, Scarlett, I don't give a damn.
I've made my plans, and frankly, Scarlett, I don't give a damn.
I've made my plans, and frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.
The lyrics to Sparks's song "Frankly Scarlett I Don't Give a Damn" depict a relationship that has ended, with the singer expressing their lack of interest and/or concern for their former partner. The use of the name "Scarlett" likely references Scarlett O'Hara, the strong-willed protagonist of Margaret Mitchell's novel "Gone with the Wind." This allusion is further supported by the line "All that Moonlight and Magnolia," as "Moonlight and Magnolias" is a play about the making of the film adaptation of "Gone with the Wind."
The lyrics also reference Ashley Wilkes, a character from "Gone with the Wind" who is a love interest of Scarlett. The singer acknowledges that Ashley will protect Scarlett, but remains uninterested in her, stating "If I wanted to, I could remove all thoughts of him from your head." The imagery of buildings burning to the right and left of the singer implies chaos and destruction surrounding the failed relationship.
The repeated line "Might as well just say it" serves as a blunt declaration of the singer's feelings, while the repetition of "like this" suggests a rapid and forceful removal of any lingering emotions. The lyrics exemplify the frustrations and finality of a relationship that has run its course, with the singer standing firmly in their decision to move on.
Line by Line Meaning
Might as well just say it,
There's no point in hiding my true feelings any longer.
Might as well just come out and say it.
It's better to be honest than to keep pretending.
You have your fans, but frankly, Scarlett, I don't give a damn.
I know you have supporters, but I don't care about them or your situation.
All that Moonlight and Magnolia,
The romantic appeal of your past doesn't impress me anymore.
It just doesn't cut it, it just doesn't cut it anymore.
It used to be enough, but it's not enough now.
You had your chance, but frankly, Scarlett, I don't give a damn.
You missed your opportunity, and I'm not interested anymore.
Ashley Wilkes, gentleman that he is,
Ashley is a good man, and he will take care of you.
He'll protect you
He will keep you safe.
If I wanted to, I could remove all thoughts of him from your head.
I have the power to erase any memories you have with him.
Like this, like this,
It would be quick and easy.
You can lie all you want to do,
You can be dishonest and try to deceive me.
You can cry all you want to do,
You can show emotion and hope it changes my mind.
You can scheme all you want to do.
You can plan and plot in desperation.
See if I care.
My indifference will remain.
Buildings were burning to the right of us,
We witnessed destruction and chaos.
Buildings were burning to the left of us;
Violence and destruction were present all around us.
Those fires are out now.
The damage has already been done.
That soft southern accent,
The way you speak with a Southern drawl.
Delivered without the slightest trace of a British accent.
Yet, despite your roots, you don't have a hint of a British accent.
Even that's starting to wear on me.
Your voice is beginning to grate on me.
We cut each other so much slack.
We gave each other a lot of leeway.
That we were both falling over backwards.
To the point of losing our balance.
Got my bearings now, know where I'm going now,
I've regained my sense of direction and purpose.
Out... Out...
I'm leaving and not looking back.
I've made my plans, but frankly, Scarlett, I don't give a damn.
I have a plan for my life, and your opinion or situation doesn't matter.
Might as well just say it,
There's no point in continuing to hide my true feelings.
Might as well just come out and say it.
It's better to be honest than to keep pretending.
I've made my plans, and frankly, Scarlett, I don't give a damn.
My plans for my future don't involve you or your past.
I've made my plans, and frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.
I've decided what I want to do without your input or influence.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: RON MAEL, RUSSELL 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.