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)
Lions In My Own Garden
Prefab Sprout Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tonight, let's pretend that this will last
I've got a dream you would like to sleep until
Oh, I'm sorry to dwell on the past
I'd better say nothing at all
But I've got this friend who thinks he's in love with you
And it doesn't sum it up to say he's singing the blues
He's screaming because he's found something to lose
So you're living in Eden where, apples are good
But every narrow miracle, takes place on Earth
Yeah, some militia have arrived and, the percussion has come
And they're pounding out messages loud on the drum
The rumors have started that we are both young
Lions in my own garden, exit someone
That's what I'll shout when you just stay out of reach
And it doesn't sum it up to say I'm singing the blues
And whoever learnt to walk in somebody else's shoes?
I'm screaming because I've found something to lose
And it doesn't sum it up to say I'm singing the blues
And whoever learnt to walk in somebody else's shoes?
I'm screaming because I've found something to lose
And I'm pounding out messages loud on the drum
The rumors have started that we are both young
Lions in my own garden, exit someone
The lyrics of "Lions In My Own Garden" by Prefab Sprout are a mix of apologies, desperation, and unrequited love. The first verse starts with an apology for going too fast in the relationship and suggests that they should pretend that the moment will last forever. The singer then admits to dreaming about the person he is addressing, but acknowledges that dwelling in the past is not healthy. The second verse takes a turn when the singer reveals that he has a friend who is in love with the same person. The friend is struggling to cope with his feelings, and the singer is desperate to show that he is also affected by the situation. In both verses, the singer is trying to convey that he has something to lose, and he is willing to shout out loud to keep it.
The chorus "And it doesn't sum it up to say I'm singing the blues / And whoever learnt to walk in somebody else's shoes?" emphasizes the desperation and confusion of the singer. He is screaming because he has found something to lose, and he can not bear the thought of someone else taking it away from him. The last verse brings in elements of danger and rumors, with mentions of militias and percussion. The singer imagines himself and the other person as young lions in a garden, where they are both at risk of being hunted down. The song ends with the repetition of the phrase "Lions in my own garden, exit someone," which indicates that the singer is still struggling with the situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, I'm sorry if I go too fast
I apologize if I am moving too quickly without considering your pace
Tonight, let's pretend that this will last
For tonight, let us imagine that this moment will never end
I've got a dream you would like to sleep until
There’s a pleasant dream I want you to experience all night
Oh, I'm sorry to dwell on the past
Apologies for talking about the past
I'd better say nothing at all
Maybe it's best I don’t say anything
But I've got this friend who thinks he's in love with you
I have a friend who believes he loves you
And it doesn't sum it up to say he's singing the blues
It goes beyond saying he's just a typical heartbroken man
And whoever learnt to walk in somebody else's shoes?
Who ever truly understand another person's life or experiences?
He's screaming because he's found something to lose
He is screaming in fear of losing something that he values
So you're living in Eden where, apples are good
You're in paradise, with everything perfect
But every narrow miracle, takes place on Earth
Every rare miracle happens on Earth, not in paradise
Yeah, some militia have arrived and, the percussion has come
Suddenly, a group of people came in with loud instruments to create noise
And they're pounding out messages loud on the drum
They are forcefully sending out a message using the sound of the drum
The rumors have started that we are both young
People are saying that we’re both inexperienced
Lions in my own garden, exit someone
There are those who are not welcome in the safety and comfort of my home
That's what I'll shout when you just stay out of reach
If you remain difficult to access, I'll shout those words with frustration
And whoever learnt to walk in somebody else's shoes?
Who can truly understand another person's life or experiences?
I'm screaming because I've found something to lose
I am screaming in fear of losing something that I value
And I'm pounding out messages loud on the drum
I am communicating forcefully using the sound of the drum
The rumors have started that we are both young
People are saying that we’re both inexperienced
Lions in my own garden, exit someone
There are those who are unwelcome in the safety and comfort of my home
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PADDY MCALOON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ROOF TOP CAT
Prefab sprout is fine music anytime , anyplace, I have them all, and glad to say it, have been a fan since the 80s, and still am, I just got the trawling the megahertz from the u.k. I was happy to see it re released again at a good price, paddy and his lyric style really get me, have to read between the lines, and have a laugh at times with a smile. It would be nice to get a good set of acoustic songs from the early days, live it when its paddy and guitar,
Simon Pickles
Got this on 12" single. Brilliant record.
Steve Semenuk
Creative, clean, cool sound. Love it!
nitedreamer23
Pure genius on display here.
jageiosjgaeiojg
Love swoon and Steve McQueen but this is comfortably their best song imo
Keith Swan
Chords to make you want to learn guitar
John Hodgson
removed from Spotify for some reason, it has really spoilt my Prefab Sprout playlist!
Andrew Johnstone
Wonderful then Wonderful now 🎭❤
Paul Roseen
The rumors have started that we are both young
John S
Best debut single ever?