Their biggest commercial and critical success came with 1990's Jordan: The Comeback (one of two albums produced by Thomas Dolby), which was a hit in the UK and nominated for a BRIT award. The band also had a UK Top 10 hit with their 1988 song The King of Rock 'n' Roll.
Perhaps their finest album, Steve McQueen (originally released in June 1985) was re-released in August 2007 as a 2-CD deluxe edition, with a bonus disc of eight acoustic reinterpretations of some of the original tracks. Of the release, the record company said: "Digitally remastered by original producer Thomas Dolby, the album is sounding even better than ever. As if that weren't enough it is complemented here with a second disc containing eight sublime acoustic versions, which have been specially re-recorded for this release by Paddy McAloon."
Steve McQueen was released in the US under the title Two Wheels Good following pressure from the late actor's estate.
Prefab Sprout released Let's Change the World With Music - The Blueprint in 2009 on the Kitchenware Records label (website). See also Sprout Trivia below.
Discography:
Lions In My Own Garden (Exit Someone) / Radio Love - Feb 25, 1982 (their first record, released on their own label Candle)
The Devil Has All the Best Tunes / Walk On - Oct 1983 (Kitchenware) (feat. Wendy Smith and Fiona Attwood)
Swoon - Mar 1984
Steve McQueen aka Two Wheels Good (US) - Jun 1985
From Langley Park to Memphis - Mar 1988
Protest Songs - Jun 1989
Jordan: The Comeback - Aug 1990
The Best of Prefab Sprout: A Life of Surprises - Jul 1992 (compilation; exit Conti hereafter)
Andromeda Heights - May 1997
38 Carat Collection (disc 1) - Oct 1999 (compilation)
38 Carat Collection (disc 2) - Oct 1999 (compilation)
The Gunman And Other Stories - Jun 18, 2001 (sans Smith)
Chronology of Bandmembers:
Paddy McAloon (born Patrick Joseph McAloon, Jun 7, 1957, Durham); vocals / guitars / keyboards
Martin McAloon (born Jan 4, 1962, Durham); bass guitar
Michael Salmon; drums / percussion
Wendy Smith (born May 31, 1963, Middlesbrough); vocals / guitars / keyboards
Neil Conti (born Feb 12, 1959, Luton); drums / percussion
Fiona Attwood (Chester-le-Street); backing vocals
Sprout Trivia:
Paddy conceived the name "Prefab Sprout" when he was just 14 back in 1972, he revealed in an interview with French magazine BEST. It was his attempt at creating an unusual name like groups that were popular at the time (eg Tyrannosaurus Rex, Moby Grape, Grand Funk Railroad, etc.).
The band has had as many as 11 drummers (including Paddy McAloon himself on programmed percussion!) in its lineup. Of these, Conti was the most closely identified with the group. (source: http://www.browningmcintosh.com/plocktonwest/sproutfacts.html)
Paddy had apparently conceived of an album named Let's Change The World With Music (the working title of the band's forthcoming album, due February 2009) as far back as the early 1990's:
"I actually wrote a Gulf War album called Let's Change The World With Music, and I've got a couple of beauties, but there are right and wrong times to do things, and it came after another album I wrote which is much lighter... it's called Billy Midnight, very romantic. So the Gulf War album was a more serious response to that. I keep junking things all the time." - NME June 20, 1992 (source: http://www.browningmcintosh.com/plocktonwest/sprout_misc.html)
"And I have an album called Let's Change The World With Music; lots of songs about music, playing on that horrible thing where you listen to a song like "We Are The World" and the sentiment is great but it's such a cliché that it sticks in your throat. It plays on that edge between that kind of thing and real sincerity." - NME April 15, 1995 (source: http://www.browningmcintosh.com/plocktonwest/sprout_misc.html)
"Look, since 1990 I've written what I think of as my best music. You can hear some of it on Andromeda Heights. But I have also - in detailed demo form - an album called Let's Change The World With Music. It was written as the follow up to Jordan." - BEST magazine (France) July 1997 (source: http://www.browningmcintosh.com/plocktonwest/sprout_misc.html)
Cue Fanfare
Prefab Sprout Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like Hair of Gold and
Sweet Mary and Running to Me.
The sweet sweet songs
That cloud your eyes nostalgia supplies.
Loredo Highstreet buried me
Beneath an oak tree.
As this is to me, then so to you
Long past your bedtime, tearing hair.
The sweetest moment comes at last
The waitings over,
In shock they stare and cue fanfare.
When Bobby Fischer's plane
Plane plane touches the ground
Plane, plane he'll take those Russian boys
And play them out of town.
The sweetest moment comes at least
The waiting's over,
In shock they stare and cue fanfare.
When Bobby Fischer's plane
Plane, plane touches the ground
Plane, plane he'll take those Russian boys
And play them out of town,
Playing for blood as grandmasters should.
Some obsessions take me back,
Like Hair of Golf
And Sweet Mary and Running to me.
The sweet sweet songs
That cloud your eyes nostalgia supplies.
Loredo Highstreet buried me
Beneath an oak tree.
The lyrics to Prefab Sprout's "Cue Fanfare" are poetic and contemplative, with the singer reflecting on the power of nostalgia and obsession. The first stanza references several specific expressions that bring back memories, including "Hair of Gold," "Sweet Mary," and "Running to Me." The singer notes that these particular phrases are "sweet sweet songs" that evoke a feeling of nostalgia and "cloud your eyes," suggesting a certain wistfulness.
In the second stanza, the singer brings up the idea of things that keep a person up "long past your bedtime," causing them to tear their hair. This could be interpreted as a reference to an obsession or a preoccupation, something that consumes a person's thoughts and prevents them from resting. However, despite the negative connotations of this phrase, the singer notes that there is still something "sweet" about it.
The third stanza introduces a new theme, with references to Loredo Highstreet and an oak tree. The image of being buried beneath a tree is both peaceful and ominous, suggesting a certain finality. The final two stanzas of the song turn to the subject of legendary chess player Bobby Fischer, and the anticipation surrounding his return. The repetition of the phrase "plane, plane" in reference to his arrival creates a sense of excitement and eagerness. The singer notes that Fischer will "play for blood," invoking the high stakes and aggression of the game.
Overall, "Cue Fanfare" is a song that explores the power of memory and obsession, as well as the excitement and anticipation of competition. Through its poetic language and vivid imagery, the song provides a window into the mind of the singer and invites the listener to reflect on their own experiences of nostalgia and longing.
Line by Line Meaning
Some expressions take me back,
Certain phrases or sayings bring back memories and emotions from the past.
Like Hair of Gold and Sweet Mary and Running to Me.
Specific things, like the golden hair of a loved one, the name of someone named Mary, or the act of running to someone, make the singer nostalgic.
The sweet sweet songs That cloud your eyes nostalgia supplies.
Reminiscing about the past can be bittersweet and evoke intense emotions.
Loredo Highstreet buried me Beneath an oak tree.
The artist feels like they have been buried under memories from a specific location called Loredo Highstreet, which brings them a sense of longing or sadness.
As this is to me, then so to you Is something else, that keeps you up Long past your bedtime, tearing hair.
Just as certain things trigger nostalgia in the artist, the listener may have other things that keep them awake at night, causing them stress or anxiety.
The sweetest moment comes at last The waitings over, In shock they stare and cue fanfare.
After a long wait or anticipation, the most satisfying moment arrives and causes excitement and celebration.
When Bobby Fischer's plane Plane plane touches the ground Plane, plane he'll take those Russian boys And play them out of town.
The singer references a specific event, the arrival of chess player Bobby Fischer and his reputation for playing and beating Russian opponents.
The sweetest moment comes at least The waiting's over,In shock they stare and cue fanfare.
Another satisfying moment arrives after waiting for it, causing surprise and a celebratory atmosphere.
Playing for blood as grandmasters should.
Chess is a competitive game played by experts who are willing to give their all in order to win.
Some obsessions take me back, Like Hair of Golf And Sweet Mary and Running to me.
Certain fixations or preoccupations that the artist has can also bring back memories of the past.
The sweet sweet songs That cloud your eyes nostalgia supplies.
Remembering the past can be both beautiful and painful, evoking strong emotions.
Loredo Highstreet buried me Beneath an oak tree.
The memories associated with Loredo Highstreet are so strong that the artist feels buried under them, unable to escape their pull.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PADDY MCALOON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nick Burns
Remember taking a punt on this album in 1984 thanks to a mate recommending it, my life changed from that moment, the greatest songwriter in history.
Evan Jordan
Damn right
Patrick Tate
Nick Burns Yup, much the same here - Aged 15, I'd heard nothing by the Sprouts before, but the cover art and typography completely grabbed me in the record shop (I was to became a graphic designer later) and well, I took a chance... I listened to it as non-stop as one can, for weeks and weeks, and with every play I heard something new. Beautiful. Perfect. Like all teenage male fans, I had a crush on Wendy - but secretly fell in love with Paddy... TMI... It inspired me to start creative writing, it inspired me to sing, it inspired my art. At 52, I still write, I still sing, and I still think this is the most perfect album ever. Anyway, enough already ....!
slowandcrystal
The best song about chess grandmasters known to humanity.
Evan Jordan
I’ve been listening to this album on the regular for decades, and for some reason it never dawned on me until today the sheer ferocious, snarling genius of the bassline . It’s insane.
Chuck Weidenbach
This song haunts me the two decades since I first heard it. Thank you Paddy!
Denis Dunleavy
He was no more than a boy when he / they wrote this album. Absolutely incredible. Words & music....Purple prose.
Buney
God.. The atmosphere that pours back to me! I can taste it.
G Cooper
The bass on this track. The syncopated drumming. I love it!
Stefano Altini
Aww