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)
Life's a Miracle
Prefab Sprout Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Get a move on
Life's a miracle, let me tell you why
If you look above you, there are no more stars
Like this one in the sky
Life's a miracle, we gotta make the most
Gotta do our best, there'll be time enough to rest
Gotta do our best, there'll be time enough to rest
Tell someone you them, there's always a way
And if the dead could speak I know what they would say
To you and me don't waste another day
Show someone you love them don't be scared
And if they fall into your arms you'll be surprised to find
The weight that you can bear, because
Life's a miracle, we gotta do our best
Before it's time to rest
Life's a miracle it's a Summer's day
It's a passing moment
Enjoy the sky, be a brilliant butterfly!
Tell someone you them, there's always a way
And if the dead could speak I know what they would say
To you and me - don't waste another day
Show someone you love them don't be scared
And if they fall into your arms you'll be surprised to find
The weight that you can bear, because
Life's a miracle
Life's a miracle
Life's a miracle
The song "Life's a Miracle" by Prefab Sprout is an uplifting and motivating reminder to make the most of every moment in life. The opening lines of the song encourage the listener to seize the day, indicating that time is fleeting and one must make every moment count. The chorus emphasizes the miracle of life itself, pointing to the beauty of the sky and the passing moment as reasons to cherish every day.
The second verse of the song employs a more direct approach to motivating the listener, encouraging them to express their love for others and boldly take risks in life. The reference to the dead speaking underscores the notion that every moment is precious and should not be wasted. The song's message is one of hope and optimism, encouraging listeners to recognize the inherent value of their lives and to make the most of every opportunity. The song ultimately calls on the listener to embrace the miracle of life and to be a force for good in the world, living every moment to the fullest and spreading love and joy wherever they go.
Line by Line Meaning
Say, what you doing' sleeping? Hey half the day is gone
Get up and start doing something productive with your day, because it's already half over.
Life's a miracle, let me tell you why
If you look above you, there are no more stars
Like this one in the sky
Life is a rare and wonderful thing that should be cherished, because if you think about it, every star in the sky is unique and unrepeatable, just like every human being is unique and unrepeatable.
Life's a miracle, we gotta make the most
Of the passing moment,
Gotta do our best, there'll be time enough to rest
We should seize the day and do our best to make the most of every passing moment, because life is short and there will be plenty of time to rest later.
Gotta do our best, there'll be time enough to rest
We should always give our best effort, but not forget to take appropriate breaks and rest when needed.
Tell someone you them, there's always a way
And if the dead could speak I know what they would say
To you and me don't waste another day
We should encourage and support others, because there's always a solution to every problem, and if the dead could speak they would remind us not to waste any more time on petty or unimportant things.
Show someone you love them don't be scared
And if they fall into your arms you'll be surprised to find
The weight that you can bear, because
We shouldn't be afraid to express our love to others, because if they need our help or support we will be strong enough to handle the burden and make a positive impact on their lives.
Life's a miracle, we gotta do our best
Before it's time to rest
Life's a miracle it's a Summer's day
It's a passing moment
Enjoy the sky, be a brilliant butterfly!
We should do our absolute best every day, because we never know when our time will come, and every moment is a precious opportunity to enjoy and appreciate the beauty of life, just like a butterfly flitting through a summer sky.
Life's a miracle
Life is an incredible and wondrous thing.
Life's a miracle
Life is an incredible and wondrous thing.
Life's a miracle
Life is an incredible and wondrous thing.
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PADDY MCALOON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind