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 Thought I Told You To Wait
Sparks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"I thought I told you to wait in the car"
What's she doing now
Has the encore come yet
And the bravas and bouquets
Don't tell me, don't tell me
Someday I'll find a mind of my own
'Til then, I'm content to hear her say
"I thought I told you to wait in the car"
I'll turn on the radio
And look at myself in the rear-view mirror
I know she has an image to protect
I know she's not just being mean when she screams
"I thought I told you to wait in the car"
What's she doing now
Meeting leaders of the Free World
She's dressed in black, she's their poster girl
Don't tell me, don't tell me
I know she has an image to protect
I know she's not just being mean when she screams
"I thought I told you to wait in the car"
"I thought I told you to wait in the car"
"I thought I told you to wait in the car"
"I thought I told you to wait in the car"
Just a glimpse of it all
Just a taste of it all
Just one foot in the door
In the door of dreamland, in the door of dreamland
"I thought I told you to wait in the car"
Walking in on an afternoon tryst
Can be a source of embarrassment
Embarrassment for all concerned
Don't tell me, don't tell me
In my wildest dreams
I never thought of Warren Beatty as a rival
"I thought I told you to wait in the car"
"I thought I told you to wait in the car"
"I thought I told you to wait in the car"
"I thought I told you to wait in the car"
The song "I Thought I Told You To Wait In The Car" by the band Sparks is a satirical take on the entertainment industry and fame. The lyrics depict a situation where the singer is constantly being told to wait in the car while their partner goes out to attend important events, possibly concerts or meetings with high-profile individuals. The singer is content with waiting in the car because they know their partner has an image to protect and is not just being mean when they scream at them to stay put. The chorus is repeated multiple times throughout the song in a humorous and almost mocking tone.
The singer also mentions the radio and the rear-view mirror, indicating that they have been waiting in the car for quite some time. Their partner is described as a poster girl, dressed in black, meeting leaders of the Free World. The singer seems to be in awe of their partner's success and fame, as they express their thoughts in lines like "Just one foot in the door / In the door of dreamland." However, the singer also acknowledges the downside of fame and the embarrassing situations that can arise, like walking in on an afternoon tryst.
Line by Line Meaning
I thought I told you to wait in the car
The singer gave an instruction to someone to wait in the car, but they did not follow it.
What's she doing now
The singer is curious about the current actions of someone they know (likely a female).
Has the encore come yet
The singer is wondering if a musical performance has finished or if there will be an additional song played.
And the bravas and bouquets
The audience is showing their appreciation for the performance, possibly by clapping or giving flowers.
Don't tell me, don't tell me
The artist does not want to hear any information about the situation, possibly due to jealousy or frustration.
Someday I'll find a mind of my own
The singer desires to have their own strong opinions and not just rely on what others tell them to do or think.
'Til then, I'm content to hear her say
For now, the singer is okay with following the instructions of the person they are with, rather than making their own decisions.
I'll turn on the radio
The artist intends to listen to music on the car radio.
And look at myself in the rear-view mirror
The artist is checking their appearance in the mirror inside the car.
I know she has an image to protect
The person the artist is with is concerned about how they are perceived by others and wants to maintain a certain image.
I know she's not just being mean when she screams
The singer understands that the instructions given to them by the person they are with are not meant to be hurtful, but rather for a specific reason.
Meeting leaders of the Free World
The person the artist is with is attending a meeting with important political figures.
She's dressed in black, she's their poster girl
The person the singer is with is dressed professionally and represents their cause or organization well.
Just a glimpse of it all
The singer has only seen a small part of the bigger picture.
Just a taste of it all
The singer has only experienced a small sample of what there is to offer.
Just one foot in the door
The artist has only just started to get involved with something and has a lot to learn and experience.
In the door of dreamland, in the door of dreamland
The artist is still in the early stages of pursuing their dreams and has not yet achieved them.
Walking in on an afternoon tryst
The singer unexpectedly entered a situation where two people were having a romantic encounter during the day.
Can be a source of embarrassment
The singer feels ashamed or embarrassed by the situation they encountered.
Embarrassment for all concerned
The situation is awkward or uncomfortable for everyone involved.
In my wildest dreams
The artist never imagined something happening, even in their most imaginative thoughts.
I never thought of Warren Beatty as a rival
The artist did not consider Warren Beatty to be a competitor in any way until this moment.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: RON MAEL, RUSSELL MAEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Danimal1577
"I know she has an image to protect. I know she's not just being mean when she screams, 'I thought I told you to wait in the car!' " Lol. If you're ever in a situation like that, RUN! Trust me.
@ezioauditore6038
Way ahead of their time
@janusmcmanus
brilliant(1)
@marachime
thank you for uploading <3
@dominicaaaaa5547
<3
@ghiote
classic Sparks
@barnabaskiss2
LOL!
@vhegedus0302
I missed this! I should get the whole album...
@dominicaaaaa5547
you should get it! sounds a bit dated now but there are some great songs. also this has to be one of the best song titles :p
@eastend59
The live version in Germany is superior to the single.