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.

Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth
Sparks Lyrics

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When she's on her best behavior
Don't be tempted by her favor
Never turn your back on mother Earth

Towns are hurled from A to B
By hands that look so smooth to me
Never turn your back on mother Earth

Grasp at straws that don't want grasping
Gaze at clouds that come down crashing
Never turn your back on mother Earth

Three days and two nights away from my friends
Amen to anything that brings a quick return to my friends
Never turn your back on mother Earth
I'll admit I was unfaithful

But from now I'll be more faithful
Never turn your back on mother

Never turn your back on mother
Never turn your back on mother Earth

Overall Meaning

The song "Never Turn Your Back on Mother Earth" by Sparks is a cautionary tale about the importance of respecting nature and not taking it for granted. The lyrics suggest that when the earth is behaving well, we shouldn't become complacent or take it for granted. Instead, we should always remember that our planet can be unpredictable and should be treated with respect.

The lines "Towns are hurled from A to B / By hands that look so smooth to me" suggest that humans have the power to reshape the environment, but this power can have negative consequences when we are not careful. The lyric "Grasp at straws that don't want grasping / Gaze at clouds that come down crashing" further emphasizes the theme of recklessness and exploitation of the natural world.

The line "Three days and two nights away from my friends / Amen to anything that brings a quick return to my friends" suggests a desire for immediate gratification, even if it means neglecting our responsibilities to the environment. However, the song ultimately encourages the listener to be more faithful to the earth and to never turn their back on it.

Overall, the song is a powerful warning about the dangers of taking the earth for granted and the importance of treating it with care and respect.

Line by Line Meaning

When she's on her best behavior
Even when Mother Earth looks like she is being kind and behaving herself, you must be cautious.

Don't be tempted by her favor
Do not be tempted by the seeming kindness Mother Earth is offering.

Never turn your back on mother Earth
Always be attentive to the actions and unpredictable nature of Mother Earth.

Towns are hurled from A to B
The Earth's terrain is subjected to unpredictable and forceful changes.

By hands that look so smooth to me
Catastrophes can be precipitated by minute actions.

Grasp at straws that don't want grasping
There is no use in desperate attempts to control uncontrollable circumstances.

Gaze at clouds that come down crashing
Even skyward events can have tumultuous and damaging effects.

Three days and two nights away from my friends
The artist may feel lonely and isolated during an unpredictable and unforeseeable event.

Amen to anything that brings a quick return to my friends
The artist may be impulsive and favor quick-elimination of predicaments.

I'll admit I was unfaithful
The artist has ignored responsible behavior in the past.