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 Wedding Of Jacqueline Kennedy To Russell Mael
Sparks Lyrics

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Do you Jacqueline Kennedy take Russell Mael to be your lawful wedded husband in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for better or for worse till death do you part?

- I do

And do you Russell Mael take Jacqueline Kennedy to be your lawful wedded wife in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for better or for worse till death do you part?

- I do

Then I now pronounce you man and wife.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "The Wedding Of Jacqueline Kennedy To Russell Mael" by Sparks depicts a fictional wedding between former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy and one of the band's founding members, Russell Mael. The lyrics present a traditional wedding vow exchange between the couple and the officiant's announcement of them being pronounced man and wife. However, what makes this song unique is the combination of surrealism and reality. Sparks creates an imaginary scenario that bridges the gap between two distinct worlds, that of the famous and the ordinary. The song can be interpreted as a commentary on the fascination of the public with celebrity culture, and the blurring of lines between reality and fantasy.

The song's lyrics hint at the idea of the strange and unlikely matches that have occurred in history through the lines "Kennedy to a Mael, not the most likely pair." The song's simplistic yet catchy structure complements the absurdity of the lyrics. The track's melodic hooks and the band's trademark falsetto vocals add to the overall irony of the song.

Line by Line Meaning

Do you Jacqueline Kennedy take Russell Mael to be your lawful wedded husband in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for better or for worse till death do you part?
Will you, Jacqueline Kennedy, accept Russell Mael as your lawfully wedded husband, willing to stand by him through all the hardships of life and the good times, until death separates you both?

I do
Yes, I accept Russell Mael as my husband in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for better or for worse, till death do us apart.

And do you Russell Mael take Jacqueline Kennedy to be your lawful wedded wife in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for better, or for worse till death do you part?
Will you, Russell Mael, take Jacqueline Kennedy as your lawfully wedded wife, willing to stand by her through all the hardships of life and the good times, until death separates you both?

I do
Yes, I accept Jacqueline Kennedy as my wife in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for better or for worse, till death do us apart.

Then I now pronounce you man and wife.
Therefore, I declare that you are now officially husband and wife.

Contributed by Adeline J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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