Sparks - Pacific Standard Time (Official Lyric Video)

Lyric video created by Galen Johnson

Lyrics

Clouds may be moving in
People may be too thin
Traffic may be a crawl
Seasons, there's none at all

Shadows too deep, too long
Sunsets that last too long
Moon in an awkward sky
My, how the time does fly

In Pacific Standard Time
Mine is yours and yours is mine
Pacific Standard Time
Everything is near-divine

Clouds may be moving in
Tourists display chagrin

Breathing our precious air
They come from everywhere
Soon they all realize what we all realize
Our inconsistency is our consistency
Our insincerity is our sincerity

And they're never going back
Once they're here, they're staying here
And they're never going back
Once they're here, they're staying here

In Pacific Standard Time
Mine is yours and yours is mine
In Pacific Standard Time
Everything is near-divine

I tried a foreign place
Turned out to be a waste
People were weird and small
They thought they knew it all

In Pacific Standard Time
We don't know it all at all
In Pacific Standard Time
We don't know it all at all

They've come to realize what we've all realized
They seem a bit surprised
To us it's no surprise

In Pacific Standard Time
Mine is yours and yours is mine
In Pacific Standard Time
Everything is near-divine

And they're never going back
Once they're here, they're staying here
And they're never going back
Once they're here, they're staying here

In Pacific Standard Time
Mine is yours and yours is mine
In Pacific Standard Time
Mine is yours and yours is mine

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#Sparks #ASteadyDripDripDrip #PacificStandardTime

[irenebyrne]

Their whole lives have been dedicated to bringing joy to people, this song is stunning, but that's Sparks musical legacy isn't it? A mix of innovation, humour, wit, absurdity and absolute beauty.

[squest]

I have loved Sparks since early 1970s as a we lad, Im 65 now and like me there still going strong! Keep it up GUYS! The Best!

[autumnmatthews]

The world is a better place for having Sparks

[dominicaaaaa]

Had this song in my head all day think a steady drip drip drip might be one of the best sparks albums

[paulcarr]

Why did it take me almost a year to find out this was released? I am ashamed of myself. This album is amazing.

[JulieSage]

I have loved you for over 40 years, ever since I heard "Biology2" on the Dr. Demento show when I was like 12 years old, living in Ontario, California. Thank you for existing. I adore you both.

[robwarner]

Such a perfect song. You can just imagine roller skating along the beach path in the sun at Santa Monica thinking “I’m never going back”.

[donnaduncan]

Russell, you still have that Fabulous voice! I Love It!

[evafohlin]

They are still outstanding. Have listen to their music since 1978. I was eleven years old when i got the album Propaganda. I became a big fan then and still is. They are so talent and i think Russell have got a special gift...He can do everything with his voice...sorry for my english..I'm from Sweden 🇸🇪😊

[RebirthRadio]

Beautiful Sparks song, one of the best they've ever done after over 50 years making great music. Real emotion to this one, plus the usual lyrical brilliance. This song may finally get you to Carnegie Hall. Bravo, bravo!

[valgehiir]

Great, great song and Sparks is back to their all time heights, it is unbelievable how Sparks' talent last for decades, this almost never happens to any author, bands run out of ideas after just few albums, happens to truly talented bands. This level of genius usually shines only few years, but this song alone is on level with Indiscreet and mid 70s masterpieces, how do they do it?

[TooTallForPony]

Can we appreciate for a moment the brilliant comedic musical genius of this song? It's ostensibly about a time zone, where the time alternately shifts forward or back with the seasons. Unlike so many Sparks songs that make a joke lyrically, this song makes it musically by shifting between 8/8 and 6/8 repeatedly. It also hearkens to the phrase many of us learned as children about time zones, "spring forward, fall back."

Taking that a step further, in the context of what @metasparks has said repeatedly, every step of progress for the band has involved setbacks. They've addressed this concept in other songs as well ("Ride 'Em Cowboy", "Your Call's Very Important To Us. Please Hold", etc). "Spring forward, fall back" as a phrase fits right in there, but now they incorporate that idea purely by implication and musical composition rather than including it straight in the lyrics.

Also, just going to point out that Pacific Standard Time (PST) is distinct from Pacific Daylight Time (PDT). PST is the winter clock when more of the year-round Californians are there, while PDT is the summer one where you don't know where anyone came from or what their story is. Given the Mael's long history with the area I know they're fully aware of that fact. So this song also toys with the idea of understanding who really lives in this world vs who's a tourist.

California dreamin', on such a winter's day.

[erjo]

I like these lyric videos because we can actually comment on them, unlike most official audio tracks.

[pdcrmr]

I’m late to the Sparks party but for Ron, this may be a late career effort but that has to be one of the great melodies...ever. And Russell, when he pauses on Pa—cific. Gets me every time.

[darrellminx]

The ever evolving Sparks brothers. Can't beat them.

[markpadley]

Another quality contribution from the Sparks brothers - their music is an antidote to the formulaic output of much of the contemporary pop industry. Songs to stimulate mind heart and soul - go Sparks!

[bokane]

Beautiful. I cannot get enough of this song (and SPARKS to be fair)

[mags]

I don’t think I’ve ever heard a more accurate description of anything.

[Bruce_Dickinson]

Really love the composition of this one somehow it has a moving and haunting feel to it - even with the more upbeat parts within it - I don't know - maybe that's just me? The lyrics are a separate story to the feel of the song in my opinion but - like always with Sparks - it works perfectly. Thanks guys, I am so glad we have you 😊

[annabackman]

Feels like floating on an air mattress in water. It's so relaxing!
You haven't noticed? Close your eyes, and imagen the sound of a sea gull!