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.
Nothing Is Sacred
Sparks Lyrics
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Adding some of this to some of that Madame Science wins again
We are now forever people, we'll outlive our will to live
Nothing is sacred any more
Nothing is sacred any more
Nothing is sacred any more
If you'll hang on just a trifle more I might need you once again
Nothing is sacred any more
Nothing is sacred any more
Nothing is sacred any more
I am sure you will appreciate your new found leisure time
I am sure we will appreciate our new found leisure time
Nothing is sacred any more
Nothing is sacred any more
Nothing is sacred any more
Nothing is sacred any more
Well, if you have the money I've got time
And if you know a honey I've got time
If you have the money I've got time
And if you know a honey I've got time
Nothing is sacred any more
Nothing is sacred any more
Nothing is sacred any more...
In the song "Nothing Is Sacred," by Sparks, the opening lines set the tone for the entire song, suggesting a world that has lost all sense of tradition, values, or sanctity. The song carries an ironic tone as it comments on the state of the world while still being a proud participant in the celebrity culture which it targets. The second line of the song implies that contemporary society is too eager to mix and match to achieve some desired outcome, with no regard for cultural or historical integrity. The reference to “Madame Science” reinforces this idea - science and technology have brought humanity to a place where we are unable to separate the different aspects of our culture and past.
The song builds on this idea, identifying the human race as "forever people," possessing immortality through collective memories and technology. The final verse suggests that this newfound leisure time enabled by technology will allow us to constantly explore, mix, and experiment. We might have lost our sense of meaning, but we have now an overarching leisure time that can be used to broaden our horizons.
Line by Line Meaning
Nothing...no nothing, IS...is, SACRED ...no sacred, ANY MORE
There is nothing in the world that is considered sacred and precious anymore
Adding some of this to some of that Madame Science wins again
The use of science and technology has become so advanced that nothing seems impossible anymore
We are now forever people, we'll outlive our will to live
We have become so reliant on technology that we will continue to exist even if we no longer have a desire to live
I remember when I needed you several billion years ago
The singer reflects on a time in the past when humanity might not have existed yet
If you'll hang on just a trifle more I might need you once again
The singer suggests that humanity might face another crisis that would require them to turn to their past for help
I am sure you will appreciate your new found leisure time
The singer predicts that the future will have an abundance of free time due to advancements in technology
I am sure we will appreciate our new found leisure time
The singer himself also looks forward to having more free time in the future
Well, if you have the money I've got time
The singer is willing to sell his time if someone is willing to pay for it
And if you know a honey I've got time
The singer is also willing to spend time with someone if they are attractive to him
Contributed by Skyler W. 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.