054: Sparks - Whomp That Sucker (1981) - Don't Shoot Me

We move into the second half of Whomp That Sucker with “Don’t Shoot Me,” a track driven by what the panel dubs the “rhino beat” — a heavy, thumping rhythm that plods forward with almost animalistic determination. At first glance, it’s deceptively simple, but the layering and steady build give it a growing intensity that sneaks up on you. Lyrically, Sparks play with perspectives — from rhinos and hippos to hunters and their unfortunate outcomes — all filtered through Ron Mael’s trademark wit. Some of us heard it as a catchy, groove-heavy gem that gets better with every listen, while others found it plodding and less immediate than the rest of the album. The song was briefly a B-side in the early ’80s and even inspired a cover in a Sparks tribute project decades later. Not a setlist regular, but one we could easily imagine Iggy Pop tearing into.