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)
God Watch Over You
Prefab Sprout Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
maybe doubt's a modern disease
then I look at you and here's what I do:
I wear holes in both my knees.
I pray that God protects you
and if he is busy elsewhere
may his legions speed.
in your hour of need
and surround you till he's there
I pray that God protects you.
God watch over you every minute,
every moment
God Watch over you... and if you fall...
God watch over you,
God watch over you.
I've told your guardian angel
not to let you out of his sight
or attempt to fly if he sees you cry
He's to stand his ground and fight.
God watch over you every minute,
every moment
God Watch over you--and if you fall--
May he stretch out his arm
and catch you, keep you from harm
Or sweep you into his palm but
God watch over you,
God watch over you.
God watch over you
God watch over you.
The lyrics to "God Watch Over You" seem to be about someone who has no interest in organized religion, but finds himself praying for someone he deeply cares about. The first two lines express a lack of faith in religion, possibly indicating a tendency towards skepticism or agnosticism. However, the following lines reveal that this person does hold a belief in a higher power, or at least a desire for one to exist, as he prays that God protects the person he cares about. The second verse continues this sentiment by invoking the idea of a guardian angel, and even giving orders to that angel to watch over the person in question.
The repetition of the chorus reinforces the central theme of the song, with the repeated phrase "God watch over you" acting as both a plea and a comfort. The line "and if you fall" introduces the idea that the person in question may encounter difficulties or challenges, but even in those moments, the singer trusts that God will be watching over them. The final lines express the belief that God will either catch the person or "sweep them into his palm" if they are in danger.
Overall, the lyrics suggest a deep sense of caring for someone and a desire for their protection, even in the face of doubt or skepticism. The invocation of God and guardian angels are both common themes in religious traditions, but the song's lyrics imply that these ideas can still offer a sense of comfort and hope, even for those who may not fully embrace organized religion.
Line by Line Meaning
I've no time for religion
I don't have time to commit to a particular religious belief.
maybe doubt's a modern disease
Perhaps doubt is a common affliction of modern times.
then I look at you and here's what I do
However, when I see you, this is what I find myself doing:
I wear holes in both my knees.
I kneel down to pray so fervently that I wear holes in my trousers.
I pray that God protects you
I plead with a higher power to grant you protection.
and if he is busy elsewhere
In case God has other matters to attend to.
may his legions speed.
I hope his armies can respond to your need for protection quickly.
in your hour of need
During times when you require help the most.
and surround you till he's there
May he place a protective barrier around you until he can arrive to provide assistance.
God watch over you every minute, every moment
A prayer to God to watch over and protect you at all times.
God Watch over you... and if you fall...
God, please be there to look after me ... even if I fail.
I've told your guardian angel
I have spoken to the protector that watches over you.
not to let you out of his sight
To keep a constant watchful eye on your actions.
or attempt to fly if he sees you cry
To not ignore you if you are feeling down or upset.
He's to stand his ground and fight.
He must remain ready to take on any challenge in your defense.
May he stretch out his arm
In case of a fall or a misstep.
and catch you, keep you from harm
To protect you from injury or trouble.
Or sweep you into his palm but God watch over you, God watch over you.
Alternatively, may he scoop you up and carry you out of harm's way. Either way, God, please continue to look after and protect you.
God watch over you
A repetition of the previous prayer, to implore God for your continued well-being.
God watch over you.
A final prayer for divine guidance and protection.
Contributed by Sophia K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.