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.
Girls on the Brain
Sparks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And had no luck, no luck
It listed beriberi, menopause, and even halitosis
No luck, no luck
And then I asked my brother who is kinda thick
Tell me what I got, I'm feeling really sick
Brother keep away from me
It's really rough when you got
You got girls on the brain
Everytime I go to church
I just can't think about the Lord at all
(Girls on the brain) At all
(Girls on the brain) At all
Everytime I go to work
It seems I'm always walking into walls
(Girls on the brain) Them old walls
(Girls on the brain) Oh no
It's getting worse and worse
And then you pat me on the back
In fifty years you may outgrow it
Just like that
But until then I got
I got girls on the brain
Girls on the brain
Girls on the brain
Boy I'm in pain
They drive me insane
It's really rough when you got
You got girls on the brain
(God knows it's rough)
I'll give this hundred dollar bill
To anybody who can help at all
Don't everybody shout at once
It seems there's nothing can be done at all
It's getting worse and worse but lately
I can live with it
I'm starting to enjoy it
Just a little bit
Like it or not I got
I got girls on the brain
Like it or not I got
I got girls on the brain
In Sparks's song Girls on the Brain, the singer expresses his frustration about constantly thinking about girls. He has tried to find a diagnosis for his problem in the encyclopedia, but to no avail. Even his brother, who he describes as "kinda thick," tells him that he has "girls on the brain." This obsession with girls affects his ability to focus on anything else - not even religion or work. Despite his distress, the singer seems to have come to terms with his problem and almost enjoys it just a little bit.
The song can be seen as a lighthearted representation of male adolescent desire and the universal experience of being distracted by romantic interests. However, it also touches on issues of objectification and the objectification of women. The singer's obsession with girls reduces them to an object in his mind, rather than seeing them as individuals with their own thoughts and feelings.
One interesting fact about the song is that it was released in 1972 and was the first single from Sparks. The band, which consisted of brothers Ron and Russell Mael, went on to become known for their quirky and innovative approach to music. Sparks has been an influence on a number of bands, including Björk and Morrissey.
Line by Line Meaning
I searched the whole encyclopedia from A to Z
I looked through all information possible
And had no luck, no luck
Without any success that I can tell you.
It listed beriberi, menopause, and even halitosis
The search results consisted of several medical conditions.
And then I asked my brother who is kinda thick
I inquired my brother who is somewhat dimwitted.
Tell me what I got, I'm feeling really sick
Inform me about my condition; I'm feeling ill.
Brother keep away from me
Stay away from me, my brother.
You got girls on the brain
You are obsessing about women.
It's really rough when you got
It is quite difficult when you are constantly bothered with.
Every time I go to church
Whenever I attend religious service.
I just can't think about the Lord at all
I cannot remain focused or meditate on God at all.
(Girls on the brain) At all
Because of my obsession with women.
(Girls on the brain) At all
Due to my overwhelming fixation with the opposite sex.
Every time I go to work
Whenever I show up to my job.
It seems I'm always walking into walls
It appears that I am perpetually making unforced errors at work.
(Girls on the brain) Them old walls
As a result of being bombarded with images of women.
(Girls on the brain) Oh no
Because of my never-ending obsession with the fair sex.
It's getting worse and worse
It is intensifying and becoming more problematic.
And then you pat me on the back
And then you give me some encouragement.
In fifty years you may outgrow it
Possibly in fifty years, this problem may resolve on its own.
Just like that
As simple as that, or for no reason at all.
But until then I got
However, in the meantime, I still have.
I got girls on the brain
I am fixated with the opposite sex.
Girls on the brain
Being unable to get women off my mind.
Boy I'm in pain
It is causing me emotional distress.
They drive me insane
They are pushing me to the brink of insanity.
It's really rough when you got
It is quite challenging when you are fixated with.
You got girls on the brain
You are fixated with women.
(God knows it's rough)
It is extremely unpleasant to deal with
I'll give this hundred dollar bill
I will award this generous cash prize
To anybody who can help at all
To anyone who can provide me with some assistance.
Don't everybody shout at once
Please avoid shouting out at the same time.
It seems there's nothing can be done at all
It appears that nothing can be done to remedy the situation.
It's getting worse and worse but lately
The problem is becoming more severe, but recently.
I can live with it
I have learned to tolerate it.
I'm starting to enjoy it
I am gradually beginning to find it pleasurable.
Just a little bit
Only slightly.
Like it or not I got
Whether I want it or not, I am fixated with.
I got girls on the brain
I am preoccupied with thoughts of women.
Like it or not I got
Despite the fact that I may not enjoy it, I am constantly fixated with.
I got girls on the brain
My mind is constantly preoccupied with women.
Contributed by Eliana E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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.