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.
Hollywood Tour Bus
Sparks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That Hollywood tour bus is certainly following me closely.
[Hollywood Tour Guide]:
Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the Hollywood Tour Bus Line.
Ah, we’re in luck!
To your right you’ll see Mr. Ingmar Bergman, yes, the great director
Looking though he’s lost in his thoughts, as he often does, let’s
Rumor has it that Bergman’s here in high level talks with a major
motion picture studio to begin what would be his first of many,
many English language films made in our sunny climate.
We can only hope that the sun doesn’t burn the trademark
Scandinavian gloom out of his outlook.
That’s why we love him!
(Ingmar, you’re a genius!)
Give Ingmar a wave!
That’s why we love him!
(Ingmar, you’re a genius!)
Give Ingmar a wave!
(Ingmar, you’re a genius!)
That’s why we love him!
Give Ingmar a wave!
(Ingmar, you’re a genius!)
The song "Hollywood Tour Bus" by Sparks is a satirical take on the Hollywood entertainment industry and its relentless pursuit of artists and their talents. The lyrics are spoken from the perspective of a tour guide, welcoming tourists to a Hollywood tour bus and pointing out famous landmarks and celebrities. In this particular verse, the guide spots the famous Swedish director Ingmar Bergman and announces his presence to the passengers. The guide wryly notes that Bergman is lost in thought, as he often is, and jokes that they should pull up closer to see if he'll give them a "big Swedish hello."
The guide then goes on to speculate about Bergman's purpose in Hollywood, suggesting that he may be in town to negotiate with a major film studio for his first English-language film. The guide predicts that the sunshine and glamour of Hollywood might have an impact on Bergman's characteristically dark and brooding outlook, but expresses admiration for the director's genius nonetheless. The chorus repeats the phrase "Ingmar, you're a genius!" as if to acknowledge the director's artistic greatness and the absurdity of the tour bus culture.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the commercialization of art and the way that Hollywood can consume and manipulate even the most talented and acclaimed artists. The exaggerated enthusiasm of the tour guide stands in stark contrast to the introspective and intellectual work that Bergman is known for, highlighting the superficiality and falseness of the Hollywood machine.
Line by Line Meaning
That Hollywood tour bus is certainly following me closely.
I am being followed by the Hollywood tour bus.
Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the Hollywood Tour Bus Line.
Welcome to the Hollywood Tour Bus Line.
Ah, we’re in luck!
We are fortunate to be on this tour bus.
To your right you’ll see Mr. Ingmar Bergman, yes, the great director
On your right, you will see the acclaimed director Ingmar Bergman.
Looking though he’s lost in his thoughts, as he often does, let’s pull up just a little closer and see if he’ll give us a big Swedish hello.
Ingmar Bergman appears deep in thought, a common occurrence. We will approach him and see if he will greet us in Swedish.
Rumor has it that Bergman’s here in high level talks with a major motion picture studio to begin what would be his first of many, many English language films made in our sunny climate.
There are talks that Bergman is in discussions with a major film studio to create his first of many English language films in the sunny climate of Hollywood.
We can only hope that the sun doesn’t burn the trademark Scandinavian gloom out of his outlook.
It is hoped that the bright and cheerful atmosphere of Hollywood does not diminish the signature darkness of Bergman's work.
That’s why we love him!
That is why we admire and appreciate Ingmar Bergman.
(Ingmar, you’re a genius!)
Ingmar Bergman is a genius.
Give Ingmar a wave!
Please wave to Ingmar Bergman.
(Ingmar, you’re a genius!)
Ingmar Bergman is a genius.
That’s why we love him!
That is why we admire and appreciate Ingmar Bergman.
Give Ingmar a wave!
Please wave to Ingmar Bergman.
(Ingmar, you’re a genius!)
Ingmar Bergman is a genius.
That’s why we love him!
That is why we admire and appreciate Ingmar Bergman.
Give Ingmar a wave!
Please wave to Ingmar Bergman.
Contributed by Alice Y. 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.