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.
Pretending To Be Drunk
Sparks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A little change in character, pretending to be drunk
You think I am weak and feeble, you think I'm a bore
When you drag me to a party, soon I'm out the door
Next time I'll portray a suave sophisticated hunk
That is what I had intended, pretending to be drunk
That is what I had intended, pretending to be drunk
You say I could use some swagger, you say toughen up
I am rigid as a board, you tell me loosen up
I'm so loose and I'm so tough that I can barely move
That is what I had intended, pretending to be drunk
You notice a transformation, pretending to be drunk
I've lost all my inhibitions, pretending to be drunk
You can take me to the soiree and be proud of me
Everyone will be impressed, I'll pass out on your knee
Now I am so continental, they think that it's nice
Think I'll pretend to be drunk for the rest of my life
That is what I had intended, pretending to be drunk
In the song "Pretending To Be Drunk" by Sparks, the lead singer paints the picture of a person who wishes to change their image through the guise of drunkenness. The lyrics describe the singer's desire to break free from their current persona by adopting a new character as a suave, sophisticated hunk. The singer's partner seems to be the reason for their discontent with their current image, as they are often labeled boring and rigid. However, the singer believes that by pretending to be drunk, they can alleviate their inhibition and transform into the life of the party.
The lyrics seem to convey the idea of how people often feel the need to mask their true selves to fit into certain social circles or to impress others. The singer's willingness to completely alter their personality to gain acceptance is a significant insight into just how much pressure people feel to fit in with others, even if it requires pretending to be someone they are not. The singer's declaration that they will continue to pretend to be drunk for the rest of their life suggests that the desire for social acceptance may be so strong that they may never feel comfortable being their true selves.
Overall, "Pretending To Be Drunk" is a song about societal pressure and the lengths people will go to fit in. The lyrics are carefully crafted to give insight into the singer's conflicted desires and the frustration that comes with feeling out of place in one's own skin.
Line by Line Meaning
This is what I had intended, pretending to be drunk
I planned on acting drunk to change my character.
A little change in character, pretending to be drunk
By pretending to be drunk, I can be someone different.
You think I am weak and feeble, you think I'm a bore
You see me as uninteresting and incapable.
When you drag me to a party, soon I'm out the door
I don't enjoy social gatherings and tend to leave early.
Next time I'll portray a suave sophisticated hunk
Next time I'll act like a charming, cultured person.
That is what I had intended, pretending to be drunk
I planned to fake being drunk to achieve this.
A bit of "I have lived and loved," I'm pretending to be drunk
I'll act like I've had a lot of experience in life and love.
You say I could use some swagger, you say toughen up
You think I need to be more confident and assertive.
I am rigid as a board, you tell me loosen up
I'm uptight and need to relax.
I'm so loose and I'm so tough that I can barely move
I'm acting so confidently and carefree that I can barely control myself.
You notice a transformation, pretending to be drunk
You see a noticeable change in my behavior when I pretend to be drunk.
I've lost all my inhibitions, pretending to be drunk
Acting drunk has made me less self-conscious and more open.
You can take me to the soiree and be proud of me
You can bring me to a fancy party and show me off.
Everyone will be impressed, I'll pass out on your knee
People will be impressed by my behavior, even if I end up passing out.
Now I am so continental, they think that it's nice
I'm acting cultured and worldly, and people like it.
Think I'll pretend to be drunk for the rest of my life
I'm considering making this drunken persona a permanent part of myself.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: RONALD D MAEL, RUSSELL CRAIG MAEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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.