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.
Screwed Up
Sparks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In 1910 you'd never need a horse anymore
In 1920 you could dance
In 1930 lose your pants
In 1940 you could go to war really soon
In 1950 you could just be dull and a bore
In 1960 set the world on fire
That was then, this is now
[Chorus:]
Screwed up, that's the problem
You're going down, down, down, down, down
Screwed up, that's your problem
You're coming unwound wound, wound, wound
You're wasting time seeking comfort
From any sight or any sound
I knew you when you weren't a bit screwed up
Now what you got is spreading around
It really doesn't matter if you know how to sing
The only thing that matters is the girl that you bring
So when I saw you sitting there just asking for some curly hair
I knew that I was getting where I wanted to be
But someone must have warned you, so it's Anchors Aweigh
This Johnny's marching home again tonight
You couldn't leave quietly You had to tell the world and loud
Screwed up, that's the problem
You're going down, down, down, down, down
Screwed up, that's your problem
You're coming unwound wound, wound, wound
You're wasting time seeking comfort by having anyone around
I knew you when you weren't a bit screwed up
Now what you got is spreading around
I'm getting on my nerves I'm getting
On my nerves and
Everything you're throwing at me's
Coming up a curve
Swing & miss
Swing & miss
Swing & miss and then you're out
[Chorus:]
The song "Screwed Up" by Sparks talks about the changes and evolution that have happened in society in different decades. The lyrics mention different eras and how each had its own unique characteristics. For example, in 1900, holding hands could make someone feel like they had scored, while in 1920, people enjoyed dancing. In 1960, people were setting the world on fire, but now, in the present, nothing seems to be blowing in the wind, and people are getting screwed up instead.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the theme of getting screwed up in our current times. The lyrics suggest that seeking comfort from anything and anyone may lead to being screwed up. The song lyrically questions what one has got in light of the messed up situation they are in. The verses talk about people chasing after materialistic items like curly hair, but when someone intervenes, they will immediately switch to explaining themselves and start loudly voicing their rights.
Overall, the song "Screwed Up" seems to criticize the current state of society, questioning why people are wasting time and getting screwed up instead of focusing on the essential things in life.
Line by Line Meaning
In 1900 you held hands and felt like you'd scored
Back in 1900, holding hands with someone was a big accomplishment and made you feel successful
In 1910 you'd never need a horse anymore
By 1910, horses were no longer necessary for transportation
In 1920 you could dance
In the 1920s, dancing became a popular and exciting activity
In 1930 lose your pants
During the 1930s, people would sometimes get into trouble and lose their pants as a result
In 1940 you could go to war really soon
In the 1940s, war was on the horizon and many young men were preparing to join the military
In 1950 you could just be dull and a bore
The 1950s were known for being a conservative and conformist era, where being dull or boring was more acceptable
In 1960 set the world on fire
The 1960s were a time of revolution and change, where people aimed to make a significant impact on the world
That was then, this is now
Times have changed, and what worked in the past may not work anymore
And nothing's blowin' in the wind
There are no major new ideas or theories that are changing things up
Screwed up, that's the problem
The main problem is that things are not going well
You're going down, down, down, down, down
You're getting worse and worse
You're coming unwound wound, wound, wound
You're becoming unhinged and unglued
You're wasting time seeking comfort
You're not making progress because you're stuck in your comfort zone
From any sight or any sound
You're not willing to explore new ideas or try new things
I knew you when you weren't a bit screwed up
I remember when things were going well for you
Now what you got is spreading around
Your problems are affecting other people too
It really doesn't matter if you know how to sing
Your musical abilities are not what's important
The only thing that matters is the girl that you bring
What matters most is who you're with
So when I saw you sitting there just asking for some curly hair
When I saw you trying to impress someone with curly hair, I knew what you wanted
I knew that I was getting where I wanted to be
I knew that I was making progress in my goal to be with someone
But someone must have warned you, so it's Anchors Aweigh
Someone probably told you to back off, so it's time to move on
This Johnny's marching home again tonight
It's time to accept defeat and go home
You couldn't leave quietly
You had to make a big scene
You had to tell the world and loud
You wanted everyone to know
I'm getting on my nerves I'm getting
You're starting to annoy me
On my nerves and
Your behavior is really testing my patience
Everything you're throwing at me's
Everything you're doing is
Coming up a curve Swing & miss
But you're not successful, you keep missing your goals
Swing & miss Swing & miss and then you're out
You keep trying and failing, but eventually you will run out of chances
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: RONALD D 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.