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.

The Decline and Fall of Me
Sparks Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Now I stutter, now I dribble
Other than that, I'm lots like I was then
The decline and fall of me

I just shaved my nose off, oh well
Other than that, I'm lots like I was then
The decline and fall of me

If I had a hammer I would drop it and break it
Look at the pieces
Now I've got a hobby, I collect frozen pizzas
Check out my pizzas

Now your jokes seem really funny
Other than that, I'm lots like I was then
The decline and fall of me

Where's my mouth, man, this eating is rough on the shirts
Gee, I'm sorry about the thermometer, nurse
Would you tell me again, which are girls, which are guys
Gee, I thought that this finger meant so long, goodbye

Chart position, bubbling under, drowning
And goodbye future Mrs. Mael, Mael
The decline and fall, decline and fall, decline and fall of me

I'm fading away

I'm fading away
I'm fading away

Overall Meaning

In Sparks's song "The Decline and Fall of Me," the singer reveals his current state of being with little left to hold on to. He declares his stuttering and dribbling but notes that's he's still like he was then, which suggests a loss of purpose or identity. The line "the decline and fall of me" is repeated throughout the song, highlighting the idea of a decline or deterioration. He goes on to make light of his self-deprecating humor as he talks about shaving his nose off, dropping a hammer, and collecting frozen pizzas as a hobby. These absurdities provide an ironic commentary on his life, which is spiraling out of control.

The song switches from being humorous to melancholic when he talks about his fading away. He mentions how his jokes, which were once funny, now seem unfunny to him, and he struggles to eat without making a mess. He also apologizes to the nurse about his thermometer, which suggests a lack of control over his body. He seems confused about his sexuality, asking the nurse which are girls and which are guys. The line "goodbye future Mrs. Mael, Mael" suggests that he has lost hope of getting married or settling down. The song ends on the haunting note of him fading away, leaving the listener to contemplate the singer's plight.

Line by Line Meaning

Now I stutter, now I dribble
My speech is unsteady and erratic.

Other than that, I'm lots like I was then
Despite my speech impediment, I haven't changed much.

The decline and fall of me
I am experiencing a slow, subtle loss of my former self.

I just shaved my nose off, oh well
I have made a peculiar decision and am unbothered by its consequences.

If I had a hammer I would drop it and break it
I feel directionless and have no use for tools.

Look at the pieces
I revel in the destruction of the hammer.

Now I've got a hobby, I collect frozen pizzas
I have found a new interest, but it is not particularly productive or meaningful.

Check out my pizzas
I take pride in my odd collection.

Now your jokes seem really funny
I find humor in things that previously didn't strike me as particularly funny.

Where's my mouth, man, this eating is rough on the shirts
I am clumsy and having difficulty eating without making a mess.

Gee, I'm sorry about the thermometer, nurse
I have made a mistake that requires outside assistance to remedy.