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 Young
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 harbour
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 Young" by Prefab Sprout is a nostalgic and introspective piece reflecting on the transience of life and the bittersweet memories that are left behind. The title of the song is a reference to a 1960s country singer who, like the sentimentality of his music, is a relic of the past. The lyrics rely heavily on metaphor and imagery to convey the underlying themes of the song. The opening line, "Every other sentiment's an antique," is a reflection on the fleeting nature of emotions and the way they lose their significance over time. The next two lines, "As obsolete as warships in the Baltic," further reinforce this idea.
The singer then describes driving down a straight road with the radio as their only company. The imagery of the serenading radio "never faltering" could symbolize the comfort of routine and consistency in a constantly changing world. The next few lines introduce the idea of substitutes for real experiences, such as "paper spoons," "bubble gum," and "infrared instead of sun." These represent a hollow and artificial version of what should be genuine and authentic.
The chorus repeats the line "You give me Faron Young four in the morning," which can be seen as a longing for a simpler time, perhaps when the singer was younger and more innocent. The reference to Faron Young suggests a certain kind of music and a certain kind of mood that is associated with it. The final lines, "Forgive me Faron Young four in the morning," express a sense of regret for not being able to relive those moments again.
Line by Line Meaning
Antiques !
The concept of sentimentality is outdated
Every other sentiment's an antique
Feelings and emotions are no longer relevant in modern society
As obsolete as warships in the baltic
As useless as old, outdated military technology
I'm driving on a straight road it never alters
My life is rigid and unchanging
And the radio serenades but doesn't falter
Music is the only escape from my monotonous life
You offer infrared instead of sun
You offer substitutes instead of the real thing
You offer paper spoons and bubble gum
You offer cheap and flimsy alternatives to real experiences
Late sky
Nighttime
Like an all night radio station
Endlessly playing without pause
Without morning
No end in sight
Like stumbling on pearl harbour
A sudden, jarring shock
Without warning
No time to prepare
You give me faron young four in the morning
You provide a small moment of joy in my otherwise bleak life
Every mother's son's romantic
Everyone yearns for love and affection
Every mother's son's frantic !
Everyone is eager and anxious to experience love
The sunset makes a fence out of the forest
Beauty can be a barrier to truly experiencing life
But here I am with head inside the bonnet
I am stuck in my own thoughts and unable to truly live
I've lost just what it takes to be honest
I have become disconnected from my true emotions and feelings
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PADDY MCALOON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind