The roots of TSO are found in Savatage, a traditional heavy metal band that gradually progressed into a symphonic metal act. Savatage's rock operas, starting with STREETS, began the experimentation with what would become TSO culminating on the track "Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)" from DEAD WINTER DEAD. This track was a minor hit for the struggling band, and demonstrated that there might be an audience for the symphonic metal approach to holiday themes.
The concept for a band playing Christmas carols in a rock opera style was not received warmly by the industry, but quickly proved a success with adults as well as young people. In the recording studio, Trans-Siberian Orchestra uses a full 60-piece orchestra and a choir.
As of 2004, their touring band included 14 vocalists, 14 musicians, and 2 narrators. Trans-Siberian Orchestra released their debut album Christmas Eve and Other Stories in 1996, and it remains their best-selling album. Their 1998 release The Christmas Attic was similarly a concept album with a Christmas theme. In 2000, they released their first non-Christmas album, Beethoven's Last Night. Beethoven's Last Night is a concept album about Ludwig van Beethoven's last night on earth, during which he meets Mephistopheles (possible Satan, or one of his underlings).
After a few years of touring, they returned to the studio with another full-length album, Lost Christmas Eve, and the accompanying DVD/3-CD release The Christmas Trilogy, which contained all three of their Christmas albums to date.
During their winter tours of 2005 and 2006, the band had announced that they were working on the new album, set to release later that year (this was said both years). During the summer of 2007, the official myspace for TSO stated that they were recording, with the expression 'inspired'. Finally, on October 27, 2007, the long awaited new album (and second non-Christmas) arrived "Night Castle". The album is another concept album, spanning 2 cd's, and is the telling of the story of a soldier's experience during the Killing Fields of the Khmer Rouge. As always, it's about faith, hope, fate and the inherent belief that there is good in all people. The album was received with mixed reviews, from the praise of the band's fans, to the near burning of albums by those that are less than receptive to the album. Along with the songs for the story, the album also includes 4 tracks that are not part of the story, and yes, it features the band's rendition of "Carmina Burana (O Fortuna)", performed as a preview by the band during their winter tours, as well as one cover of a Savatage song.
http://www.trans-siberian.com
http://www.nightcastlealbum.com
http://www.myspace.com/tsoofficial
Sparks
Trans-Siberian Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of a tale
Cut in the face of a crowd
Sentenced no bail
There
In the night
Deep in the back
Beckons a life
Time
Moving in a straight line
But then at a whim
A change in the wind
A story begins in its mind
For deep in her eyes
Beneath the lies
Of the dark
Leaving marks
Sparks
She
Has been steeled
Standing there looking so tight
Taut and high-heeled
One
Of a kind
The kind of a girl
That only a dream
Could design
Time
Seen through glasses of wine
Never reveals
The why or the when
How this story will end
As you find
That deep in her eyes
Beneath the lies
Of the dark
Leaving marks
Sparks
Come on
Conjure up a reason for living
Take me round
And around
And around
And around
And again
Come on
Do it in the name of living
For if not tonight
Tell me when
For if not tonight
Tell me when, ah
Hearts
Can confuse
That messed up bundle of nerves
That tends to bruise
Still
Lay it bare
It's better to bleed than to need
And never have dared
Chance
A move based on a glance
A move based on no more than feel
In this unreal circumstance
For deep in her eyes
Beneath the lies of the dark
Leaving marks
Sparks
The lyrics of "Sparks" by Trans-Siberian Orchestra are a poetic description of a woman who holds a secret inside of her. The lines "Of a tale cut in the face of a crowd, sentenced no bail" suggest that this woman has been ostracized by society due to her past, but she is still alluring to the singer. He is drawn to her and her life that beckons from the darkness. The lyrics describe how time seems to move in a straight line, but a change in the wind could change everything - a new story can begin in one's mind.
The chorus, "For deep in her eyes, beneath the lies of the dark, leaving marks, sparks," suggests that even though this woman has a dark past, something about her ignites a spark within the singer. He is drawn to her eyes, which seem to hold a secret. The lyrics continue to describe how this woman is a unique individual who only exists in dreams. She is steeled and standing tall, despite the trials and tribulations she has faced.
The bridge of the song encourages listeners to take chances and make moves based on feelings, not just circumstances. The lyrics suggest that it is better to "lay it bare" and bleed than to never have dared. The song ends with a plea to take a chance on life - in the name of living, for if not tonight, when?
Line by Line Meaning
Of a tale
This song is part of a larger story being told.
Cut in the face of a crowd
Despite the thousands of distractions and noise around us, this story stands out.
Sentenced no bail
This story is inescapable and must be experienced.
There in the night
The setting of this story is dark and mysterious.
Deep in the back
The story takes place in an area hidden from view.
Through the black
The darkness of the setting makes it difficult to see and understand.
Beckons a life
The story promises excitement and adventure.
Time
Time is an important element in the story.
Moving in a straight line
Time moves steadily forward, without variation or interruption.
But then at a whim
Occasionally, something unexpected happens that alters the course of time.
A change in the wind
This change is as unpredictable and uncontrollable as the wind.
A story begins in its mind
This change leads to a new story or chapter in the larger tale.
For deep in her eyes
The story revolves around a particular character.
Beneath the lies
This character hides secrets or motives that are not immediately obvious.
Of the dark
These secrets are hidden in shadows and darkness.
Leaving marks
This character's actions have lasting consequences and effects.
Sparks
Their actions create sparks or ignite conflict and excitement.
She has been steeled
This character is prepared and determined for what is to come.
Standing there looking so tight
This character is fierce and unyielding.
Taut and high-heeled
This character is composed and confident in their actions.
One of a kind
This character is unique and special, unlike anyone else in the story.
The kind of a girl
This character is female and has qualities traditionally associated with girls or women.
That only a dream
This character is so perfect that they seem like they could only exist in a dream.
Could design
This character seems almost too perfect to be real.
Time
Once again, time plays an important role in the story.
Seen through glasses of wine
Time, as seen through the lens of alcohol, can be distorted and confusing.
Never reveals
Time has secrets that cannot be uncovered or understood.
The why or the when
The reasons behind certain events or changes in time may never be known.
How this story will end
The outcome of this story is uncertain and unpredictable.
As you find
As the listener or reader of this story, you will come to understand its meaning.
Come on
The song is urging the listener to take action or make a change.
Conjure up a reason for living
One should find motivation or purpose in their life.
Take me round and around and around and around and again
The listener should continue searching for meaning and purpose, even if it takes them on a never-ending journey.
Do it in the name of living
One should find meaning or purpose in their life in order to truly live.
For if not tonight
The time to find that meaning and purpose may be running out.
Tell me when
The song is urging the listener to take action sooner rather than later.
Hearts can confuse
The heart can lead us astray, making it difficult to understand our true feelings.
That messed up bundle of nerves
The heart can be chaotic and unpredictable.
That tends to bruise
Emotions can be painful and leave us feeling wounded.
Still
Despite this, one should not give up on their emotions or desires.
Lay it bare
One should be honest and open about their feelings and desires, even if it makes them vulnerable.
It's better to bleed than to need and never have dared
It is better to take a risk and be hurt than to never try at all and live with unfulfilled desires.
Chance
Chance and risk-taking are themes in this story.
A move based on a glance
Taking a chance or making a move based on limited information or intuition can be risky.
A move based on no more than feel
Relying on our emotions or instincts can lead to unpredictable outcomes.
In this unreal circumstance
The setting or situation of the story may seem unusual or surreal.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PAUL O'NEILL, PAUL F. O'NEILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind