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.

In My Family
Sparks Lyrics

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That's how it's gonna be
In my family
From the biggest branch to the smallest leaf
Still you're gonna see similarity
In my family
That's how it's gonna be

That's how its gonna be

Cause it's my family
Gonna live to see post-senility
Lots of time to spend with my family

In my family
That's how it's gonna be

There you got your Rockefeller
There you got your Edward Teller
J. Paul Getty is a splendid fellow, but
None of them would be in my family

In my family
That's how it's gonna be

Family
It's like any other family
Big and small
It's like any other family

That's how it's gonna be
Before and after me
Manufacturing many, many me's
Gonna hang myself from my family tree

In my family
That's how it's gonna be

Overall Meaning

The song "In My Family" by Sparks is an ode to family and the uniqueness that each family possesses despite their similarities. The opening lines, "That's how it's gonna be in my family, from the biggest branch to the smallest leaf, still you're gonna see similarity," establishes that the family may have differences, but they all possess similarities that tie them together. The harmonies in the song and the repetition of the phrase "That's how it's gonna be" enforce the idea that there's a sense of permanence in family being a constant factor in a person's life.

The song also talks about how the family unit is made up of different types of people, "There you got your Rockefeller, there you got your Edward Teller, J. Paul Getty is a splendid fellow, but none of them would be in my family." This illustrates the concept that family is not determined by wealth or status, but rather by the familial bond that exists between individuals.

The lyrics also touch upon the idea of legacy and continuation, "Before and after me, manufacturing many, many me's, gonna hang myself from my family tree." This highlights the idea that family is not just confined to the present but exists beyond one's lifetime. It showcases how family is a timeless entity that transcends years and generations.

Line by Line Meaning

That's how it's gonna be
This is how things will be in my family

In my family
Within my own family

From the biggest branch to the smallest leaf
From the most influential to the least influential members

Still you're gonna see similarity
There will be common traits and characteristics among us all

That's how it's gonna be
This is how things will be in my family

Cause it's my family
Because this is my own family

Gonna live to see post-senility
I will live long enough to experience old age and more family gatherings

Lots of time to spend with my family
I will have plenty of time to spend with my family

There you got your Rockefeller
There are famous people like Rockefeller

There you got your Edward Teller
There are famous people like Edward Teller

J. Paul Getty is a splendid fellow, but
Although J. Paul Getty is well-respected,