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.
White Women
Sparks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is good enough for me
I'm awfully glad we got 'em
They're easy to see (as long as they're)
White women everywhere
There's always a replacement, anytime, anywhere
They walk without a swagger
But something deep within me
Cries out all the same (it's gotta be)
White women everyday
To me it doesn't matter that their skin's passe
As long as they're white
As long as they're white
As long as they're white from head to toe
As long as they're white
As long as they're white
As long as they're white I'll have a go
White women, everywhere
The places that I'm cruising
The places that I stay
Are filled with Anglo-Saxons
And I get my way
White women, everyday
You can see'em blush, at least by light of day
I've tried most every package
From Peking to Berdoo
I'm sticking with a brand name
I'm sticking with you
Because you're a white woman, so very fair
Because you're a white woman, so very fair.
The Sparks song White Women features somewhat controversial lyrics that are crass and disturbing. The lyrics of the song are a commentary on the indulgent and privileged lifestyles of certain sections of society, which include wealthy white women. At the time of its release in the 1970s, the song's provocative tone was shocking and was criticized by many.
The lyrics describe the singer's fondness and attachment to white women, claiming that they are abundant and readily available. The mention of Adam might refer to the Garden of Eden story, where Adam, the first man, was created by God. The lyrics might allude to the notion that white women are like the mythical Eve, temptresses that men cannot help but succumb to their temptation. The derogatory tone of the song is personified in the line, "White women everywhere... there's always a replacement, anytime, anywhere."
At first glance, the song seems to celebrate the beauty of white women, but upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that the lyrics are a commentary on the hypocrisy of society and male attitudes towards women. It showcases how certain sections of society are obsessed with white women and how they see them as a commodity to be exchanged and traded.
Line by Line Meaning
What's good enough for Adam
If it was good enough for the first man, it's good enough for me
Is good enough for me
I have no standards, I'll take what I can get
I'm awfully glad we got 'em
I'm grateful for the existence of white women
They're easy to see (as long as they're)
White women are noticeable compared to other races
White women everywhere
I can find them anywhere in abundance
There's always a replacement, anytime, anywhere
I can easily find another white woman to replace the current one
They walk without a swagger
White women are not aggressive or confrontational
Their power's on the wane
White women are losing their dominance in society
But something deep within me
Despite this, something in me still desires them
Cries out all the same (it's gotta be)
My instinctual desire for white women is still strong
White women everyday
I encounter them in my daily life
To me it doesn't matter that their skin's passe
Their skin color may be outdated, but it doesn't matter to me
As long as they're white
The most important thing to me is their race
As long as they're white from head to toe
They must be completely white for me to be interested
I'll have a go
I'll take my chance with them
The places that I'm cruising
The places I frequent
The places that I stay
The places I live or visit
Are filled with Anglo-Saxons
These places are full of white people
And I get my way
I can get what I want from white women
You can see'em blush, at least by light of day
White women may be embarrassed to be with me in public
I've tried most every package
I've been with people of different races
From Peking to Berdoo
From Chinese to Californians
I'm sticking with a brand name
I prefer the tried and true option of white women
Because you're a white woman, so very fair
I'm with you because you're a white woman with fair skin
Contributed by Owen M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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.