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.
I've Never Been High
Sparks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Played in a band, such harmless novelties
Wher's the forgetting, where's the regretting
Of lurid acts that never came to be
I've never been high, never been high, never been high
I've never been high, never been high, never been high
But my connections aren't what they once were
Paint me a picture, read me some scripture
Maybe I should've stuck it out with her
I've never been high, never been high, never been high
I've never been high, never been high, never been high
I've never been high. I've never been high
I've never been high. I've never been high
I've celebrated, birthdays and waited
Waited and waited, tomorrow's just a tease
Then I'll be something, then I'll be something
Look there's a camera, smile and say cheese
I've never been high, never been high, never been high
I've never been high, never been high, never been high
The lyrics of Sparks's song "I've Never Been High" tell a story of a person who has never experienced being high on drugs before. The first verse talks about the different experiences in life such as thrill rides, playing in a band, and exploring wide-open spaces. However, the person wonders where the possible regretful actions that never happened are. The chorus emphasizes that the person has never been high on drugs, and it's repeated twice to reinforce the point that the person has never experienced it before.
The second verse talks about the person's potential to experience drugs if they had connections to buy it. There's a sense of curiosity from the person, but their limited connections stop them from trying it out. The person reflects on their life choices and regrets not sticking it out with someone special. The chorus repeats again to emphasize the fact that the person has never been high on drugs.
The final verse talks about the person's hope for the future, being able to celebrate birthdays, and waiting for the next day, which is always just out of reach. There's a desire to be something more, to have a camera ready and say cheese, but the person has never been high. Overall, the song's lyrics explore the themes of regret, missed opportunities, and curiosity about the unknown.
Line by Line Meaning
Thrill rides and places, wide-open spaces
Talking about enjoying exciting activities and the freedom of having a lot of space to move around
Played in a band, such harmless novelties
Mentions being part of a band and enjoying things that were considered fun, without causing harm
Where's the forgetting, where's the regretting, of lurid acts that never came to be
Asking why there is regret or guilt over things that never happened
I've never been high, never been high, never been high
Repeats the fact that the singer has never used drugs
If I could buy it, maybe I'd try it, but my connections aren't what they once were
Suggests that if the singer had the opportunity, they might consider trying drugs, but they don't have the right contacts anymore
Paint me a picture, read me some scripture, maybe I should've stuck it out with her
Asks for a distraction from the current situation and ponders if they should have stayed with someone they lost
I've celebrated, birthdays and waited, waited and waited, tomorrow's just a tease
Mentions enjoying milestones but feeling like they haven't really achieved anything and that the promise of the future hasn't come true yet
Then I'll be something, then I'll be something, look there's a camera, smile and say cheese
Hopes that someday they will be someone people recognize and can take pictures with
Contributed by Camilla 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.