056: Sparks - Whomp That Sucker (1981) - That's Not Nastassia

“That’s Not Nastassia” is one of the wildest moments on Whomp That Sucker. Built around the obsessive repetition of its title phrase, the song piles on layer after layer until it reaches a chaotic crescendo, only to twist back with a clever fake-out ending. Some of us found it a Sparks overload—too much, too insistent—while others adored its manic energy and sinister piano riff. It’s a track that splits opinion but demonstrates Sparks’ willingness to push their sound into excess. The Nastassia in question almost certainly references actress Nastassja Kinski, whom the Maels knew through Giorgio Moroder, though Ron clarified the song wasn’t about her—just a name that was fun to repeat endlessly. The result is part horror soundtrack, part pop satire, echoing traditions of albums that deliberately include an overwhelming, chaotic track. Rarely performed live (only in 2008 during the 21x21 concerts), it nonetheless stands out as one of the most divisive and memorable songs on the record.