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 rleased 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)
Don't Sing
Prefab Sprout Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In every face see Judas.
The burden of love is so strange.
The stubborn beast and the priest,
Are hiding from the captains.
The burden of love is so plain.
Are they happy to see you?
No, you always bring trouble.
Doesn't change facts.
Like most I'll cone when I want things done,
Please God don't let that change.
The anguish of love at long range.
Should've been a doctor, oh,
Then they can see what they're getting.
Oh no, don't blame Mexico,
That's the feast that the whiskey priest
May yet have to forego.
Rob me a color,
Make the sound duller,
But never go away.
Trough teeth of sharks the Autumn barks,
And Winter squarely bites me.
Don't ever do this again.
Dawn breaks in the Southern States,
And blindfolded he rests,
The burden of loves last request.
That's the feast that the whiskey priest
May yet have to forego.
Oh no, don't blame Mexico,
They ask for more than you bargained for
And then they ask for more.
Oh no, don't blame Mexico,
That's the feast that the whiskey priest
May yet have to forego.
They ask for more than you bargained for
And then they ask for more.
Rob me a color,
Make the sound duller,
But never go away.
The song "Don't Sing" by Prefab Sprout is a complicated piece of music that delves into themes of love, betrayal, and regret. The opening lines of the song set the stage for the narrative, with the lyrics "An outlaw stand in a peasant land, In every face see Judas." It appears that the singer is talking about someone who is an outsider in their community, always viewed with suspicion and mistrust. As the song progresses, the themes of love and burden come into play, with the lyrics "The burden of love is so strange" and "The burden of love is so plain." It seems that the singer is grappling with the complexities and difficulties of romantic relationships.
There are several images and characters that reappear throughout the song. The "whiskey priest" is one of them, a figure who appears to represent temptation and transgression. The lyrics "That's the feast that the whiskey priest May yet have to forego" suggest that the singer is aware of the dangers of indulging in too much of a good thing. There are also references to Mexico, which seem to evoke a sense of lawlessness and danger.
The overall tone of the song is one of melancholy and regret. The lyrics "Should've been a doctor, oh, Then they can see what they're getting" suggest that the singer is reflecting on choices they have made in the past and wondering what might have been. The repeated refrain of "Oh no, don't blame Mexico" adds to the sense of resignation and sadness.
Line by Line Meaning
An outlaw stand in a peasant land
The singer feels like an outsider in their own community.
In every face see Judas
The singer does not fully trust those around them and is cautious regarding their true intentions.
The burden of love is so strange
Love is a complicated emotion that can be difficult to navigate.
The stubborn beast and the priest / Are hiding from the captains
Even those in positions of power and authority sometimes have to evade responsibility and hide from the consequences of their actions.
The burden of love is so plain
Despite its complexity, love can also be very obvious and straightforward.
Are they happy to see you? / No, you always bring trouble
The singer feels like a burden to others and worries that they are not well-liked.
Cast a shadow on Mexico-denial / Doesn't change facts
Ignoring or denying a problem does not make it go away, and can actually make it worse.
Like most I'll cone when I want things done / Please God don't let that change
The artist is comfortable with their own motivations and hopes they do not deviate from these in the future.
The anguish of love at long range
It can be difficult to love someone from a distance, whether physically or emotionally.
Should've been a doctor, oh / Then they can see what they're getting
The artist is frustrated by the perception others have of them, and feels that they could have pursued a more respected profession where their worth would be more clear.
Oh no, don't blame Mexico / That's the feast that the whiskey priest / May yet have to forego
The singer believes that blaming Mexico for one's problems is misdirected and avoids the real issue at hand.
Rob me a color / Make the sound duller / But never go away
The artist is willing to sacrifice some aspects of life (like bright colors or pleasant sounds) if it means they can continue to feel alive and present.
Trough teeth of sharks the Autumn barks / And Winter squarely bites me / Don't ever do this again
The singer has faced harsh challenges in the past and does not wish to experience them again.
Dawn breaks in the Southern States / And blindfolded he rests / The burden of loves last request
The singer reflects on the toll that love can take on a person, even after it has ended.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PADDY MCALOON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lonegroover
This was shown on British TV on New Year's Day, 1984. It's not an exaggeration to say that it changed my life. SWOON was released a couple of months later and became the soundtrack to that year. Still my favourite album ever. About four years later I met Paddy by change in a greetings card shop in Newcastle and chatted to him for a few minutes. Lovely, funny, humble guy.
@telsutton
Same here... Swoon and Protest Songs top of my Sprout tree.
@eightiesmusic1984
The album was one of my few Christmas presents in 1986 ( a bit late to the party). It didn't change my life ( great comment and glad it did yours) but it was a thrill to explore the album in all its variety, depth and quirkiness. My love of the band's music has stood the test of time and the rest of the albums are all great too.
@millymeridan4521
Totally agree. It's just one classic Album you could listen to all day
@eamonnquigley2125
you have a great memory there i get it hard to remember what happend last week .......but agree great album never gets old still great to this day...
@cloverfield911
TV-am...also Hazel O Connor - Dont Touch Me
@WHALEBOY777
This is one of the most unique songs I've ever heard while still managing to sound catchy, truly great songwriting.
@MrCijuciju
this band is essence.....first I' ve fell in love with strange and unusual harmonies,than words,than this sensual intelligence and silky appearance of thoughts.....love them very much...complex,intelligent,talented and stellar band....
@stefanrobijn2655
one of my favorite songs from their debut album. Which is their greatest work.
If I ever stop listen to all the music I have ever loved, this will remain until the end
@MarkBryon-Edmond-nd5we
Like so many, the first time I heard this is etched in my mind, round at a friend’s house drinking tea after school, immediately hooked hearing something so unexpected, different and striking such a musical chord, not so much ahead of its time, but rather like coming home. Amazing band, thank you for the music.