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)
Faron
Prefab Sprout Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Every other sentiments an antique
As obsolete as warships in the Baltic
I'm driving on a straight road it never alters
And the radio serenades but doesn't falter
You offer infrared instead of sun
You offer paper spoons and bubble gum
Late sky
Like an all night radio station
Without morning
Like stumbling on pearl harbor
Without warning
You offer infrared instead of sun
You offer bubble gum
You give me faron young four in the morning
You give me faron young four in the morning
Every mother's son's romantic
Every mother's son's frantic!
The sunset makes a fence out of the forest
But here I am with head inside the bonnet
I've lost just what it takes to be honest
You offer infrared instead of sun
You offer bubble gum
You give me faron young four in the morning
You give me faron young four in the morning
Forgive me faron young four in the morning
Forgive me faron young four in the morning
The song "Faron" by Prefab Sprout is a melancholic song that explores the isolation and detachment of modern life. The opening lyrics talk about the obsolescence of sentiment and the way that technology replaces real human connection. The anonymous narrator drives down a straight road while the radio plays in the background. The radio is there to serenade the driver, but it is a pale substitute for real human companionship.
The second verse discusses the emptiness of the night sky and the way that it can be compared to stumbling upon the Pearl Harbor attack without warning. The imagery is powerful and evocative, and it speaks to the sense of disconnectedness and alienation that many people feel in modern society. The song's chorus returns to the idea of technology replacing real human connection, with the singer complaining about being offered "infrared instead of sun" and "bubble gum" instead of real nourishment.
The song's bridge introduces the titular character, Faron Young, a country music singer. The singer is listening to him at four in the morning and finds solace in his music. The last verse returns to the theme of isolation and detachment, as the singer describes being lost and unable to be honest with himself. The song ends on a note of forgiveness, as the singer asks Faron Young to forgive him for his inability to connect with others.
Line by Line Meaning
Antiques!
The singer is stating that most sentiments are outdated and no longer relevant.
Every other sentiments an antique
The singer is reinforcing the idea that old-fashioned sentiments are no longer valuable in modern times.
As obsolete as warships in the Baltic
The singer is comparing outdated sentiments to old warships in the Baltic, suggesting that both are no longer useful or relevant.
I'm driving on a straight road it never alters
The artist is traveling on a road that lacks variety or excitement.
And the radio serenades but doesn't falter
The artist is hearing songs on the radio, but they are not particularly memorable.
You offer infrared instead of sun
The singer is disappointed with what they are being offered, as infrared light is not as desirable as sunlight.
You offer paper spoons and bubble gum
The singer is being offered insignificant things that hold no value.
Late sky
The sky is dark, indicating that it is nighttime.
Like an all night radio station
The atmosphere is akin to that of a radio station that stays open throughout the night.
Without morning
There is no dawn that will signal the end of the darkness.
Like stumbling on pearl harbor
The singer feels as though they are encountering something unexpected and dramatic, like the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
Without warning
This unexpected event is happening without any prior notice or indication.
You give me faron young four in the morning
The singer is being given a song by Faron Young at a time when most people are sleeping.
Every mother's son's romantic
Everyone has a romantic side to them.
Every mother's son's frantic!
At times, people can be frantic and overwhelmed.
The sunset makes a fence out of the forest
The sunset serves as a natural barrier, blocking the artist's view of the forest.
But here I am with head inside the bonnet
The artist is lost in thought and unaware of their surroundings.
I've lost just what it takes to be honest
The singer feels as though they can no longer be truthful or transparent.
Forgive me faron young four in the morning
The singer is asking for forgiveness for their erratic behavior associated with Faron Young's music.
Forgive me faron young four in the morning
The artist is asking for forgiveness for their erratic behavior associated with Faron Young's music.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PADDY MCALOON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind