About the song
“This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us” is a seminal track by the American rock band Sparks, released in 1974. The song was written by Ron Mael, one half of the Mael brothers who make up the core of Sparks, with Russell Mael delivering the song’s distinctive and theatrical vocal performance. This track stands as a highlight from their third studio album, “Kimono My House,” which is widely regarded as one of their most influential works.
The song’s dramatic, operatic style and eclectic arrangement helped it stand out during its time, contributing to its rise on the charts. Upon its release, “This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us” achieved significant commercial success, reaching number 2 on the UK Singles Chart, marking it as one of Sparks’ highest-charting hits in the UK. The song’s success was bolstered by its unique sound, blending rock with elements of glam and art rock, which was innovative for its time.
The Mael brothers, known for their quirky and avant-garde approach to music, crafted “This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us” with a distinctive narrative and theatrical flair that has resonated with audiences for decades. The song’s lyrics, filled with vivid imagery and dramatic tension, reflect a sense of rivalry and urgency, fitting the song’s title perfectly.
“Kimono My House,” the album featuring this hit, is often cited as a classic, having a lasting impact on the rock and glam rock genres. Over the years, “This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us” has been covered by various artists, demonstrating its enduring influence and the timeless appeal of Sparks’ innovative music.
In summary, “This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us” by Sparks is not just a song but a piece of rock history that showcases the Mael brothers’ unique artistic vision and has cemented its place in the annals of music history with its distinctive sound and memorable chart performance.
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Lyrics
Zoo time is she and you time
The mammals are your favourite type, and you want her tonight
Heartbeat, increasing heartbeat
You hear the thunder of stampeding rhinos, elephants and tacky tigers
This town ain’t big enough for the both of us!
And it ain’t me who’s gonna leave!
Flying, domestic flying
And when the stewardess is near, do not show any fear
Heartbeat, increasing heartbeat
You are a khaki-coloured bombardier
It’s Hiroshima that you’re nearing
This town ain’t big enough for both of us!
And it ain’t me who’s gonna leave!
Daily, except for Sunday
You dawdle in to the café where you meet her each day
Heartbeat, increasing heartbeat
As 20 cannibals have hold of you
They need their protein just like you do
This town ain’t big enough for the both of us!
And it ain’t me who’s gonna leave!
Shower, another shower
You got to look your best for her, and be clean everywhere
Heartbeat, increasing heartbeat
The rain is pouring on the foreign
Town, the bullets cannot cut you down
This town ain’t big enough for the both of us!
And it ain’t me who’s gonna leave!
Census, the latest census
There’ll be more girls who live in town, though not enough to go round
Heartbeat, increasing heartbeat
You know that this town isn’t big enough
Not big enough for both of us!
This town isn’t big enough
Not big enough for both of us
And I ain’t gonna leave!