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 Ghost of Liberace
Sparks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Something strange was in the air, I couldn't figure it out
Who's there, tell me what you want from me
Oh no, I can't believe what I now see
They say the paranormal's just a sucker's game
I keep an open mind, but deep down I feel the same
Oh no, now I think I've changed my mind
Oh no, now I know I've changed my mind
[CHORUS]
The ghost of Liberace keeps on hanging 'round
Hovers over farmland, lingers over towns
The ghost of Liberace still has that mystique
If he were alive he'd now be at his peak
The ghost of Liberace
The ghost of Liberace
Across the street, in fact across the whole damn town
They're making fun of him, they try to put him down
Oh yeah, but I wished they'd let him be
Oh yeah, he's not hurting you or me
Sometimes he blinds the drivers with his shiny suits
They see that smile and they laugh at him, hey don't shoot
Oh no, now he's hung in effigy
On no, why can't they just let him be
The ghost of Liberace
The ghost of Liberace
CHORUS x 2
He hums Evita and Moon River and Michelle
Maybe that's why the people scream out "go to hell"
Oh no, now they're throwing cans of beer
Oh no, I thought ghosts could disappear
But he remains in all his glory, it's so strange
These aren't the kind of people he can change
But wait, now they're starting to applaud
I guess there really is a God above
[CHORUS x 2]
The ghost of Liberace
The song "The Ghost of Liberace" by Sparks is a tribute to the iconic pianist and entertainer Liberace who passed away in 1987. The lyrics describe a dark and stormy night where something strange is in the air as the ghost of Liberace appears. The singer keeps an open mind about the paranormal but is surprised to see the ghost of Liberace. The chorus repeats the phrase "The ghost of Liberace keeps on hanging 'round, hovers over farmland, lingers over towns" as a homage to Liberace's larger-than-life persona and the impact he had on popular culture.
The lyrics also touch on some of the controversy that surrounded Liberace, particularly regarding his flamboyant dressing style and his sexuality. The singer notes that some people try to put him down and make fun of him, but they should let him be as he is not hurting anyone. The song ends on a positive note, highlighting how the people who were initially mocking Liberace start applauding, perhaps indicating how his legacy has endured.
Line by Line Meaning
It was a dark and stormy night that I stepped out
The singer sets the eerie tone by describing the weather, hinting at something unusual.
Something strange was in the air, I couldn't figure it out
The singer senses something otherworldly, but doesn't know what it is yet.
Who's there, tell me what you want from me
The singer is trying to identify who or what is causing the strange feeling.
Oh no, I can't believe what I now see
The artist has spotted something supernatural and is startled.
They say the paranormal's just a sucker's game
The artist acknowledges that some people don't believe in ghosts or otherworldly beings.
I keep an open mind, but deep down I feel the same
Despite trying to keep an open mind, the singer is also skeptical.
Oh no, now I think I've changed my mind
The singer has witnessed something that has caused them to believe in the supernatural.
Oh no, now I know I've changed my mind
The artist is certain that they now believe in the paranormal.
The ghost of Liberace keeps on hanging 'round
The ghost of the famous pianist Liberace is haunting the area.
Hovers over farmland, lingers over towns
The ghost is not confined to one location, it appears to be travelling across the region.
The ghost of Liberace still has that mystique
Liberace's ghost has retained the charm and charisma he was known for while alive.
If he were alive he'd now be at his peak
If Liberace were still alive, he would still be just as popular and successful.
Across the street, in fact across the whole damn town
The ghost's presence is being noticed by many people in the area.
They're making fun of him, they try to put him down
Some people are mocking the ghost of Liberace, trying to bring him down and discredit his legacy.
Oh yeah, but I wished they'd let him be
The singer is sympathetic towards the ghost and wishes people would leave him alone.
Oh yeah, he's not hurting you or me
The ghost is not causing any harm to anyone, so there is no reason to mock or ridicule him.
Sometimes he blinds the drivers with his shiny suits
The flashy clothing Liberace was known for in life is still being worn by his ghost, and it can be distracting for drivers.
They see that smile and they laugh at him, hey don't shoot
People find the ghost's appearance amusing, but the singer doesn't think they should be hostile towards him.
Oh no, now he's hung in effigy
Some people have taken their disdain for the ghost to the extreme by creating a symbol of his death.
On no, why can't they just let him be
The artist is frustrated that people are still harassing and mistreating the ghost of Liberace.
He hums Evita and Moon River and Michelle
The ghost is singing a few of his favorite songs.
Maybe that's why the people scream out 'go to hell'
Some people are angry that the ghost is still present and singing in their area.
Oh no, now they're throwing cans of beer
People are resorting to hurling objects at the ghost to make him leave or stop singing.
Oh no, I thought ghosts could disappear
The artist is surprised that the ghost hasn't disappeared or moved on yet, as they assumed ghosts were transient beings.
But he remains in all his glory, it's so strange
Despite the hostility and mockery of some people, the ghost remains present and retains his sense of grandeur.
These aren't the kind of people he can change
The singer realizes that the ghost cannot change the minds of those who do not believe in him or who are hostile to his presence.
But wait, now they're starting to applaud
After initially mocking the ghost, some people in the crowd have begun to appreciate his presence and are showing their approval.
I guess there really is a God above
The artist is expressing surprise at the sudden reversal of the crowd's attitude towards the ghost and suggests that a higher power may have influenced it.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: RON MAEL, RUSSELL 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.