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.
What Are All These Bands So Angry About
Sparks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Someone's stolen our spotlight, Ray
Hey everybody, what do you say
What are all these bands so angry about?
Hey everybody, what do you know
Something's stolen our thunder, Joe
Hey everybody, what do you know
Hey everybody, what do you know
Something's stolen our thunder, Joe
Hey everybody, what do you know
What are all these bands so angry about?
Hey everybody, what can we do?
Crank it up just a notch or two?
Hey, everybody, what can we do?
What are all these bands so angry about?
Hey everybody, they called our bluff
Our profane ain't profane enough
Hey everybody, they called our bluff
What are all these bands so angry about?
Hey everybody what do you say
Someone's bounced us from center stage
Some might have done it, but not today
Beethoven, Coltrane, or Lady Day
Some might have done it, but not today
What with all these things besieging us now
Some might have done it, broken on through
Wagner, Tatum, or Howlin' Wolf
Some might have done what we'll never do
What are all these bands so angry about?
Hey everybody, what do you know
Something's stolen our thunder, Joe
Hey everybody, what do you know
What are all these bands so angry about?
Sparks's song "What Are All These Bands So Angry About?" questions the source of anger and frustration among fellow music artists. The song starts with an upbeat melody and lyrics that suggest a possible threat to their fame or reputation. The use of the names Ray and Joe could represent a specific person or a more generic representation of those who may have wronged them. Whatever it may be, the band is curious as to why other musicians seem to be so angry about something.
The band then reflects on their own music and questions if they need to "Crank it up just a notch or two?" in order to stay relevant. However, they also question the idea of profanity in music and how it may not be enough to make their music stand out.
There is a sense of defeat and confusion as the band acknowledges that some may have already found success and broken through the music industry, but it's not happening for them. They name drop famous musicians, such as Beethoven, Coltrane, Lady Day, Wagner, Tatum, and Howlin' Wolf, who have made their mark in music history. Ultimately, the song leaves listeners with the same question as the title: what really is causing all this anger among musicians?
Line by Line Meaning
Hey everybody, what do you say
Let's start the conversation
Someone's stolen our spotlight, Ray
Someone has taken away our fame and attention
Hey everybody, what do you say
Let's continue talking about this
What are all these bands so angry about?
Why are other bands so angry and competitive?
Hey everybody, what do you know
Let's explore this topic more deeply
Something's stolen our thunder, Joe
Something has taken away our ability to impress and awe others
Hey everybody, what do you know
Let's continue talking about this issue
What are all these bands so angry about?
Why are other bands so competitive and aggressive?
Hey everybody, what do you know
Let's keep discussing and learning
Something's stolen our thunder, Joe
Something is preventing us from standing out and being unique
Hey everybody, what can we do?
Let's brainstorm solutions
Crank it up just a notch or two?
Should we increase our energy and passion?
Hey, everybody, what can we do?
Let's keep thinking of ideas and strategies
What are all these bands so angry about?
Let's try to understand the root of their aggression and competitiveness
Hey everybody, they called our bluff
Someone has seen through our facade
Our profane ain't profane enough
Our attempts to shock and offend are not effective
Hey everybody, they called our bluff
We have been exposed and are vulnerable
What are all these bands so angry about?
Why are other bands so obsessed with winning and dominating?
Hey everybody what do you say
Let's continue the conversation
Someone's bounced us from center stage
Someone has taken away our prominence and influence
Some might have done it, but not today
Other musicians might be successful, but not right now
Beethoven, Coltrane, or Lady Day
Famous and influential musicians of the past
Some might have done it, but not today
Others may have succeeded, but not currently
What with all these things besieging us now
We are facing many challenges and pressures at this moment
Some might have done it, broken on through
Other musicians may have overcome obstacles and succeeded
Wagner, Tatum, or Howlin' Wolf
Famous and talented musicians of the past
Some might have done what we'll never do
Other musicians may have achieved things we cannot
What are all these bands so angry about?
Why are other musicians so competitive and resentful?
Hey everybody, what do you know
Let's continue to explore this topic
Something's stolen our thunder, Joe
We are not getting the attention and recognition we desire
Hey everybody, what do you know
Let's continue the discussion
What are all these bands so angry about?
Why is there so much aggression and competition among musicians?
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.