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.

Stereo
Sparks Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Make your choice and that is that
Live with her and don't look back
Easy, simple, tidy, ultra-clean
Not with me, I don't know why

To the left and to the right
Good things come from more than just one side

In stereo
Stereo
Stereo

In stereo
Stereo
Stereo

In a sandwich, in a vice
Stuck with too much paradise
It's okay with me, it's not too bad
Each of you has other scenes

Smart professors, clean marines
You too live your life in stereo

In stereo
Stereo
Stereo

In stereo

Stereo
Stereo

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song Stereo by Sparks presents a message that life is full of choices and decisions that we make, where at times it is easier and simpler to settle with what seems clean, tidy and ultra-perfect, and yet other times we find ourselves drawn to something that is not quite as clear, but maybe a bit more complex and exciting. The lines "Make your choice and that is that, Live with her and don't look back, Easy, simple, tidy, ultra-clean, Not with me, I don't know why" suggests that the singer has made a decision to let the other person go, probably because they have made a choice to be with someone else who gives them a sense of security and cleanliness that the singer is incapable of providing. The refrain of the song emphasizes the idea of the two sides - "To the left and to the right, Good things come from more than just one side, In stereo."

The song goes on to say that being in a sandwich or vice, surrounded by too much paradise, is not necessarily a bad thing, and that everyone has other scenes in their lives. The singer seems to accept their situation and is fine with it. They express that even smart professors and clean marines live their life in stereo, meaning that everyone is capable to make choices that may not always be clear, but still make them happy nevertheless. The song Stereo can be interpreted as an existential dilemma that we all face, where we need to choose between what is easy and does the job and what is exciting and keeps us on our toes, and how this balance may shift from time to time.

Line by Line Meaning

Make your choice and that is that
Once you make a decision, stick with it and don't look back

Live with her and don't look back
Commit to your choice, be content, and don't dwell on what could have been

Easy, simple, tidy, ultra-clean
The other person may appear perfect and easy to be with, but that doesn't mean they're the right fit for you

Not with me, I don't know why
I understand that the other person chose someone else, but I don't understand why

To the left and to the right
There are opportunities and blessings that come from both sides

Good things come from more than just one side
Don't limit yourself to just one option, there are good things that can come from multiple paths

In a sandwich, in a vice
I feel stuck or trapped in between trying to find my own piece of paradise

Stuck with too much paradise
Being surrounded by good options can be overwhelming, making it hard to choose a realistic one

It's okay with me, it's not too bad
I'm content with my life, but I still wonder how things could have been different

Each of you has other scenes
Both individuals involved have their own paths and opportunities that they will pursue outside of each other

Smart professors, clean marines
People from all backgrounds and professions experience the same feelings and situations regarding relationships