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.

Looks Aren't Everything
Sparks Lyrics

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I bought a car it's yellow
I drove around a lot
I caught a fish and fried it
I ate it on the spot - hot
And that's my year in review
With you things could be different

Looks aren't everything

Looks aren't everything
Looks aren't everything

By Jove I think I've got it
By Jove it's come at last
By Jove there's fingers on it
By Jove it's come at last

For the one who has made us all
Can't be seen even if you're tall
Looks aren't everything

Sleep sound and dream you've earned it
A most impressive day
Deeds and props rewarded
It's almost Saturday - say!

I like you more when the view and you are less than perfect

Looks aren't everything
Looks aren't everything
Looks aren't everything

Wake up the dawn's upon us
No don't go run and hide
I've got some jokes to tell you
And God is on your side

For the one who has made us all
Can't be seen even if you're tall

Looks aren't everything
Looks aren't everything

We'll move in to the city
Where we just bought a house
And nature's non existent
But there they under stand that

Looks aren't everything

By Jove I think we've got it
By Jove it's come at last
By Jove there's fingers on it
By Jove it's come at last

For the one who has made us all
Can't be seen even by the tall

For the one who has made us all
Can't be seen even if you're tall.

Overall Meaning

The song "Looks Aren't Everything" by Sparks is an upbeat, optimistic tune that highlights the importance of focusing on inner qualities rather than external appearances. The lyrics describe the singer's experiences over the past year, which include buying a yellow car, catching and cooking a fish, and reflecting on the fact that things could be different with the right person. Throughout the song, the singer repeats the message that looks aren't everything and acknowledges that the one who made us all cannot be seen, even if you're tall.

One interpretation of this song is that it encourages the listener to value themselves and others based on inner qualities rather than external characteristics. By emphasizing that looks aren't everything, the song suggests that we should focus on building meaningful relationships and pursuing fulfilling experiences rather than obsessing over physical beauty. This message is reinforced by the upbeat, joyful tone of the music, which suggests that celebrating our inner qualities can lead to greater happiness and contentment.

Overall, "Looks Aren't Everything" is a catchy, upbeat tune that encourages listeners to value themselves and others based on inner qualities rather than external appearances. By emphasizing this message in a lighthearted and joyful way, the song encourages us to embrace our imperfections and focus on what truly matters.

Line by Line Meaning

I bought a car it's yellow
I made a purchase recently and it was a bright yellow car

I drove around a lot
I spent a lot of time driving in my new car

I caught a fish and fried it
I went fishing and prepared my own meal by cooking the fish I caught

I ate it on the spot - hot
I was so hungry that I ate the fish I cooked right away while it was still hot

And that's my year in review
This is a summary of my year's activities

With you things could be different
I think that if I had a different companion, my experiences would be varied

Looks aren't everything
Physical appearance is not the only important thing

By Jove I think I've got it
I believe that I have finally understood something important

By Jove it's come at last
I have finally achieved something that I have desired for a long time

By Jove there's fingers on it
I have finally been successful in something that I have worked hard for

For the one who has made us all/Can't be seen even if you're tall
The creator of life is not visible to the human eye

Sleep sound and dream you've earned it
Rest well and dream, you have worked hard and deserve it

A most impressive day
It was a day that was highly notable and impressive

Deeds and props rewarded
Good actions and accomplishments are always rewarded

It's almost Saturday - say!
It is nearly the weekend and that is worth celebrating!

I like you more when the view and you are less than perfect
I prefer being with someone who is not perfect, and who embraces imperfection

Wake up the dawn's upon us/No don't go run and hide
It's time to wake up, don't be afraid or try to hide

I've got some jokes to tell you/And God is on your side
I have jokes that I want to share with you, and I believe that you have divine support

We'll move in to the city/Where we just bought a house
We are planning on relocating to the city because we just purchased a new home

And nature's non existent/But there they understand that/Looks aren't everything
Although there isn't much natural beauty in the city, people there understand that physical appearance is not everything

Contributed by Aubrey I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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