Sparks are an American rock and pop music band formed in Los Angeles in 197… Read Full Bio ↴Sparks are an American rock and pop music band formed in Los Angeles in 1970 by brothers Ron Mael (keyboards) and Russell Mael (vocals), initially under the name Halfnelson. Best known for their quirky approach to song writing, Sparks' music is often accompanied by cutting and acerbic lyrics, and an idiosyncratic stage presence, typified in the contrast between Russell's wide-eyed hyperactive frontman antics and Ron's sedentary scowling.

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.

How Do I Get To Carnegie Hall
Sparks Lyrics

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How do I get to Carnegie Hall?
How do I get to Carnegie Hall?
How do I get to Carnegie Hall?

Practice, man, practice
Practice, man, practice
Practice, man, practice
Practice, man, practice

How do I get to Carnegie Hall?
Practice, man, practice
How do I get to Carnegie Hall?
Practice, man, practice
To get yourself to Carnegie Hall
Practice, man, practice
Carnegie Hall, Carnegie Hall

Technical facility,
Old-word sensibility
All of this I did for you
Still there is no sign of you

I practiced, I practiced
Carnegie Hall was beckoning
I practiced, I practiced
Carnegie Hall was beckoning
I was ready, I was ready
Carnegie Hall was beckoning
Still there is no sign of you, still there is no sign of you

Steinway, Steinway, Steinway, Steinway,

How do I get to Carnegie Hall?
Practice, man, practice
How do I get to Carnegie Hall?
Practice, man, practice
To get yourself to Carnegie Hall
Practice man, practice
Carnegie Hall, Carnegie Hall

Practice on the Steinway,
Practice on the Steinway,
Practice on the Steinway,

They loved it, they showed it
The audience was deafening
I was ready, I was ready
The critics all said, "riveting"
On the Steinway, on the Steinway
I guess it doesn't mean a thing
Still there is no sign of you,
Still there is no sign of you

How do I get to Carnegie Hall?
Practice man, practice

How do I get to Carnegie Hall?
Practice, man, practice
How do I get to Carnegie Hall?
Practice man, practice

Still there is no sign of you.

Overall Meaning

The song "How Do I Get To Carnegie Hall?" by Sparks is a commentary on the value of hard work and dedication, particularly in the pursuit of artistic excellence. The repeated refrain of "Practice, man, practice" emphasizes the importance of repetition and commitment in the face of the daunting goal of performing at New York City's legendary Carnegie Hall.

The song's verses are tinged with a sense of frustration and disappointment at the fact that, despite the singer's tireless efforts to perfect his skills and earn the prestigious opportunity to play at Carnegie Hall, there is still "no sign of you" - presumably a loved one or a muse whose presence would make the achievement feel more meaningful. However, the chorus's insistence on the value of practice suggests that the hard work itself is its own reward, regardless of whether or not it leads to great success.

Overall, "How Do I Get To Carnegie Hall?" is a witty and wry ode to the virtues of persistence and self-improvement, delivered with Sparks's trademark combination of theatricality and dry humor.

Line by Line Meaning

How do I get to Carnegie Hall?
Asking for directions to Carnegie Hall

Practice, man, practice
The key to reaching Carnegie Hall is through constant practice

To get yourself to Carnegie Hall
The journey to Carnegie Hall is a personal one that requires dedication and hard work

Technical facility,
The ability to perform with precision and accuracy

Old-word sensibility
A style or approach that reflects traditional or classical music values

All of this I did for you
The sacrifices and hard work put into the performance were done for the sake of the audience

Still there is no sign of you
Despite the effort put into the performance, the audience is not present

Steinway, Steinway, Steinway, Steinway,
A brand of piano used in performances

They loved it, they showed it
The audience was enthusiastic and supportive during the performance

The audience was deafening
The audience's noise level was extremely loud and enthusiastic

The critics all said, "riveting"
The critics praised the performance as intense and captivating