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.
Here Kitty
Sparks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here kitty, here kitty
(x4)
Hark I hear them calling for me fireman, oh fireman
Hark I hear them calling for me hurry, hurry fireman
I climb the Eucalyptus, bring her kitty back
I climb the Juniper and bring her kitty back
"How can I thank you for your bringing kitty back?"
Here kitty, here kitty
(x4)
Climbing, climbing they exhort me
Hurry, hurry fireman
Crying, crying loud and softly
Every cat's a crazy man
I'm at your service, ma'am, and here's your kitty back
I'm at your service ma'am, and here's your kitty back
"How can I thank you for your bringing kitty back?"
"How can I ever thank you, ever pay you back?"
Here kitty, kitty, kitty
Here kitty, here kitty
(x4)
A four-alarmer and the circus is ablaze
Panicky people run out madly through the haze
I fight my way into the Big Top, wipe my eyes
There stands a tiger trainer, lovely, hear her cry
She points up to the high-wire, there a tiger stands
"Oh help me, help me, bring my tiger down, dear man"
"If you will save him, I will be yours every night"
I climb the pole and look the tiger in the eye
I climb the pole and look the tiger in the eye
Here kitty, kitty, kitty
Here kitty, here kitty
(x4)
Cats have struck a silent bargain with young women with no man
Treat us, feed us royally, and tonight you'll have that man
Though a lowly fireman, for tonight I am that man
Virtue is its own reward, but tonight I am that man
Virtue is its own reward, but tonight I am that man
The song "Here Kitty" by Sparks is a catchy tune with a story that unfolds through its lyrics. The song starts with the repetition of the phrase "Here kitty, kitty, kitty, here kitty, here kitty," which sets the tone for the entire song. It creates a sense of urgency, as if someone is trying to call out to a lost cat. We hear the voice of a firefighter, who is hurrying to rescue cats from various trees. He climbs tall trees like the Eucalyptus, Douglas fir, and Juniper to save the cats stranded there. The women whose cats he rescues thank him and ask him how they can ever repay him.
The song takes a bit of a surreal turn when the circus catches fire, and the firefighter enters the Big Top. There he sees a tiger trainer who is desperately trying to save her tiger that is stranded on a high-wire. She promises the firefighter that she will give herself to him every night if he saves the tiger. He climbs the pole to rescue the tiger, and in doing so, he becomes the man that the voiceover refers to in the song's opening lines.
Overall, "Here Kitty" seems to be about the idea of being a hero and doing what it takes to save those in danger. It shows how people can make a deal, like the cats and the women who want to get a man by feeding and caring for a cat, or the tiger rescue and the main character's willingness to create a relationship. It's a quirky, fun song that tells a surprising story.
Line by Line Meaning
Here kitty, kitty, kitty
Repeatedly calling the cat to approach
Here kitty, here kitty (x4)
Continuing to call the cat to approach
Hark I hear them calling for me fireman, oh fireman
Hearing a call for help from afar and identifying oneself as a firefighter
Hark I hear them calling for me hurry, hurry fireman
Hearing a call for help from close proximity and urging oneself to hurry
I climb the Eucalyptus, bring her kitty back
Climbing a tree to retrieve a cat
I climb the Douglas fir and bring her kitty back
Climbing a different kind of tree to retrieve a cat
I climb the Juniper and bring her kitty back
Climbing yet another kind of tree to retrieve a cat
"How can I thank you for your bringing kitty back?"
Asked by the cat's owner, expressing gratitude
Climbing, climbing they exhort me
People encourage the firefighter to climb higher
Hurry, hurry fireman
People urge the firefighter to hurry
Crying, crying loud and softly
Cats are meowing loudly and softly
Every cat's a crazy man
Cats can be unpredictable or difficult to handle
I'm at your service, ma'am, and here's your kitty back
Returning the cat to its owner and offering service
"How can I ever thank you, ever pay you back?"
Expressing intense gratitude towards the firefighter
A four-alarmer and the circus is ablaze
Referring to a serious fire at a circus
Panicky people run out madly through the haze
Describing the chaotic scene of people fleeing the fire
I fight my way into the Big Top, wipe my eyes
Bravely entering the circus tent while smoke obscures vision
There stands a tiger trainer, lovely, hear her cry
Encountering the tiger trainer who is in distress
She points up to the high-wire, there a tiger stands
Indicating where the tiger is perched on a high wire
"Oh help me, help me, bring my tiger down, dear man"
Begging the firefighter to rescue the tiger
"If you will save him, I will be yours every night"
Promising her affection in exchange for saving the tiger
I climb the pole and look the tiger in the eye
Ascending the pole to rescue the tiger while facing it eye to eye
Cats have struck a silent bargain with young women with no man
Suggesting that cats are willing to spend time with women who feed and care for them
Treat us, feed us royally, and tonight you'll have that man
Positing that if a woman treats cats well, she may also attract a man
Though a lowly fireman, for tonight I am that man
Despite being a humble firefighter, feeling like a desirable man in that moment
Virtue is its own reward, but tonight I am that man
Reflecting on the satisfaction and self-esteem that comes from helping others
Contributed by Riley E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Carl Stellweg
Great song, immensely funny and inventive, like so many sparks songs.
Troodon formosus
Dudududa dudududa dudududududa
Савл Иванов
Интересная музыкальная тема начинается с 2:10 сек.
JTMVision
the Neko anthem