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)
List of Impossible Things
Prefab Sprout Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let the music begin
And sing like you're Francis Hoboken
If your voice is all shot
It's still the best one you've got
You're a work of art that's broken
Abstract expressionist saints
We ride with stateless kings
And dream that our horses have wings
Sleeping on cold stone floors
Engaged in some new noble cause
Stretch out your hands to hold
A grandeur that won't be controlled
This is the list of impossible things
We're on the list of impossible things
High on the list of impossible things
Crazy the mystic's song
But what if they're right all along
Trust what you cannot know
And pray till your prayers make it so
This is the list of impossible things
We're on the list of impossible things
High on the list of impossible things
See what the blind man paints
Abstract expressionist saints
See what the blind man paints
Abstract expressionist saints
See what the blind man paints
Abstract expressionist saints
The song List of Impossible Things by Prefab Sprout appears to be a motivational piece, encouraging listeners to embrace imperfection and pursue the impossible. The opening lines urge the listener to start creating, even if using a damaged instrument, and to sing with abandon in the vein of Francis Hoboken, who was a legendary singer known for his soulful, raspy voice. The lyrics suggest that no matter what state your art may be in, it still has value and beauty.
The next stanza speaks to the creative process itself, and the odd and surprising images that can come from truly letting your imagination run wild. The singer encourages the listener to strive for something grandiose and to embrace the wildness of their dreams. The final verse speaks to the power of faith and the unknown, urging the listener to trust beyond what they know to be true and to pray unceasingly to make their dreams a reality.
Line by Line Meaning
Take your cracked violin
Use whatever tools you have, even if they are damaged or broken
Let the music begin
Start creating something beautiful and meaningful
And sing like you're Francis Hoboken
Sing with passion and soul, as if no one is watching
If your voice is all shot
If you feel like you are struggling or not at your best
It's still the best one you've got
You should use what you have, even if it isn't perfect
You're a work of art that's broken
You are unique and valuable even with imperfections
We ride with stateless kings
We follow and believe in leaders who may not have official power or recognition
And dream that our horses have wings
We have impossible aspirations and dreams
Sleeping on cold stone floors
Sacrificing comfort for a greater cause or purpose
Engaged in some new noble cause
Participating in a worthwhile endeavor for the betterment of society
Stretch out your hands to hold
Reach out and strive for greatness and something beyond your current grasp
A grandeur that won't be controlled
An ambitious aim or goal that cannot be restricted or limited
This is the list of impossible things
These are the outlandish and incredible goals that we aspire to achieve
We're on the list of impossible things
We are part of this collective movement and dream
High on the list of impossible things
We have soaring ambitions and desires
Crazy the mystic's song
The spiritual or mystical aspects of life may seem irrational or nonsensical
But what if they're right all along
What if these seemingly crazy beliefs actually hold truth and value?
Trust what you cannot know
Have faith in something that is beyond your understanding or ability to comprehend
And pray till your prayers make it so
Persist in hope and belief until your dreams or prayers become reality
See what the blind man paints
Look at the beauty and creativity that can come from unexpected sources or limitations
Abstract expressionist saints
Visual representations of the divine or holy that are non-representational and abstract
Contributed by Austin G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Gelsyviolet
Un Genio! La tua musica è una continua carezza che riscalda il cuore. Lunga vita felice a te Carissimo Paddy
John Lawler
This song and album are highest on the list of impossible things. Genius
Gelsyviolet
yes, yes! Bravo Grazie.
chris glynn
This is a very strong selection of songs - looking forward to hearing the final versions immensely.
nat33musique
Toujours aussi talentueux....De la grande musique..Merci Paddy......Tu as accompagné toute ma vie depuis 1984......La seule musique dont je ne me sois jamais lassé...une éternelle redécouverte de tes chansons somptueuses.....Merci
James Williams
County Durham's answer to Brian Wilson, to Cole Porter, is back with a remarkable album. What's startling about McAloon's music is there isn't a scintilla, an echo, a trace, a soupcon of cynicism there. It's melodically and lyrically ravishing. PS of course haven't existed for years. 'Prefab Sprout' IS Paddy McAloon. Every sound is his.
Bernard Baker
Nothing like Wilson/Porter (or Gershwin) coz there ain't no firm melodies:just slabs of po faced nothingness.His voice is sickly and the same on every song....
Arturo Fernández
Esto es una absoluta maravilla.
Scott Anderson
I'm getting " we let the stars go "