Sparks - Saccharin And The War Lyrics

I think Russell and Ron have beautiful way how write a song.
Too much metaphors (?)

One of the most underrated bands ever

Way underrated masterpiece

Such an epic song from their first album. I just wish that fade out had gone on for another ten minutes. Just nuts, pure Sparks brilliance. When they performed the entire album in 2008 at the Islington academy on the 21 nights extravaganza the whole place went completely crazy. I think even they were surprised at the ecstatic reaction they received from an album that was nearly 40 years old.

You're absolutely right! I was there... :-)

Its brilliant sorta Indie before Indie! / y know way ahead of everything people who saw them live back in the day attest to this the two albums woofer and sparks mega re-form halfnelson now -xxx

Was Russell stoned when he wrote this? because i can't figure it out. I tried to find a meaning but...Well,it's just a bizarre story about some girls goin' to the doctor and bizarre things started to happen (that's what i think). It makes me remember when i was 13. I used to write meaningless things as "swords turning into carrots",i just wanted to be psychedelic,perhaps Russ thought the same

Hi there! A bit late, but anyway. If you look at my reply to Alie Baron I've told about my idea of interpretation of this strange looking song. As I wrote there, It's just my opinion or thoughts, but I think it makes some sence. 😀💖

What does this song mean?? Why is it that when Russell is given a chance to write a song, he always makes it bizarre and incomprehensible???

Russell is a bit crazy,all of us know

I don't think Russell was "given a chance", I think he wrote more than the four recorded songs (Saccharin, Roger, Pineapple and Gone with the wind), but Ron's songs simply were regarded as better.

At these times, late sixties in California, this lyrics probably made better sence.
Still, over most of the world, young people want to leave the country side and small towns for the Big City to find Luck. They had to wait to be old enough to take the (Greyhound?) bus. Life in the Big Cities wasn't as easy as the girls hoped for. Perhaps; eyeliner means they put on way too much make-up, looking like whores, to try to blend in, doctor means someone who can provide "medicine" of different sorts than a regular drugstore. Some "meds" cause weightloss and are usually addictive (something that also could be on prescription, still addictive). Use your own imagenation.
I don't believe Russell disdained the girls but their naivety. They believed life in the city was a walk in the park to happiness, but had to pack their bags and go home again. Without slendering meds...
(Also consider these guys "Halfnelson /Sparks" were in their early twenties, 1968 Russell was 20 in October, and looked at life differently than adults. I was 20 once, believing I was an adult. 🤣🤣🤣How wrong I were!)

Of course there still are coming a lot of people looking for luck in the big cities, but they are probably better prepared now, than fifty years ago. Yet a part don't make it.

This is only my interpretation of this song, maybe I'm totally wrong. I'll ask Russell when I meet him😆😂😂😂😂😂😂😂(which most likely never will happen!)
I agree with that Russell probably is the craziest brother, after looking into his lyrics🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣! Pineapple is superb! I love that kind of irony!

(Edit: also "The Wedding of Jacqueline Kennedy to Russell Mael" is Russell's own)

I absolutely love Sparks. Criminally underrated. The beginning of this reminds me of Pink Floyd's Brain Damage. This obviously came first. Ron Mael - the guy's a frigging genius.

I was listening to this today too.The lyrics are a treasure trove !
And I've always loved the squeaky bass drum pedal.and then-Big Bands.
I share all your sentiments about Sparks and Ron.Check out first demos...

Well, in this case Russell is the genius... He wrote this one.

lyrics added are so odd after years of listening without knowing- reminds me of 'guessed at' lyrics for Eno's first two solo works- if you had to guess...

Kick it, kick it...yea

Weightwatchers first theme song! Put the headphones on and enjoy!

Weightwatchers first theme song!