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.
Under The Table With Her
Sparks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Not when there's big wigs there, there
Dinner for twelve is now dinner for ten
Cause I'm under the table with her
[Chorus]
I give a yelp and they throw me a cutlet
Somebody pats her hair, hair
I'm under the table with her
People all around the world are having only rice and tea
Two of them should come and take the place of Loura Lee and me
[Chorus]
The lyrics of "Under The Table With Her" by Sparks describe a situation where the singer is hiding under a table with someone who is considered to be a "subhuman species." The singer implies that they are not missed when they are gone because there are "big wigs" there who are more important. The dinner party has now gone from 12 to 10 people because the singer and this other person are hiding under the table together.
Despite their lowly position, the singer receives occasional scraps of food like cutlets and experiences small acts of kindness like having their hair patted. The song ends with the singer suggesting that two people from somewhere in the world should take their place at the dinner table.
Line by Line Meaning
Nobody miss diminutive offspring
No one cares about small or insignificant things.
Not when there's big wigs there, there
Especially when important or powerful people are present.
Dinner for twelve is now dinner for ten
The group has become smaller because two people are absent.
Cause I'm under the table with her
The reason for the two people's absence is because they are hiding under the table together.
I give a yelp and they throw me a cutlet
They give the artist food without realizing he is under the table.
Somebody pats her hair, hair
Someone shows affection towards the person the singer is hiding with.
Everyone's nice to the subhuman species
Even though they are hiding, the singer and the other person are still being treated well.
People all around the world are having only rice and tea
People in other parts of the world are suffering and have little to eat or drink.
Two of them should come and take the place of Loura Lee and me
The artist and the other person believe someone else should take their place and appreciate their good fortune.
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.