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)
Love Will Find Someone for You
Prefab Sprout Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To break somebody's heart
To say it's over, it's time for us to part
Angel don't you cry, soon I know you'll see
I was wrong for you, this wasn't meant to be
Love may do the cruelest things
May bruise those angel wings
So angel don't you cry, in a little while
Every tear will dry, you'll look back and smile
Love may do the cruelest things
May bruise those angel wings
But angel, love will find someone for you
Love may do the cruelest things
Abuse those angel wings
But angel, love will find someone for you
Ah yes, angel, love will find someone for you
In Prefab Sprout's song "Love Will Find Someone for You", the lyrics reflect on the harsh reality of breaking someone's heart. The opening line "There's no gentle way to break somebody's heart" sets the tone for the rest of the song. The singer is trying to end a relationship, knowing that it will cause pain to their partner but believes it's the right thing to do. They assure their partner that they will be okay, and that "love will find someone for you." The use of the word "angel" as an endearment throughout the song adds to the emotional impact of the lyrics.
The chorus of the song repeats twice, highlighting the message that love can be cruel and cause pain, but it will ultimately lead to finding someone new. The lyrics also suggest that time can heal emotional wounds as the singer tells their partner that they will look back and smile one day. The song's theme of love, heartbreak, and hope is a universal experience that many can relate to.
Line by Line Meaning
There's no gentle way
Breaking up with someone is never easy and can be quite harsh.
To break somebody's heart
The act of breaking up with someone can cause them great emotional pain.
To say it's over, it's time for us to part
Sometimes there comes a time when a relationship needs to end and it is best to be honest about it.
Angel don't you cry, soon I know you'll see
Don't worry, things will get better and you will find love again in the future.
I was wrong for you, this wasn't meant to be
We were not meant to be together, and it would not have worked out in the long run.
Love may do the cruelest things
Love can sometimes hurt and cause people to do things that are not kind or considerate.
May bruise those angel wings
Sometimes love can hurt a good person and it is not always fair.
But angel, love will find someone for you
Although love can be cruel, there is still hope and you will find love again in the future.
So angel don't you cry, in a little while
Don't let this get you down, time will pass and you will feel better with each passing day.
Every tear will dry, you'll look back and smile
Eventually you will heal and be able to look back on this relationship with a sense of peace and understanding.
Abuse those angel wings
Love can even hurt the purest, nicest people and cause them pain.
Ah yes, angel, love will find someone for you
Don't lose hope, love is out there waiting for you and you will find it when the time is right.
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PADDY MCALOON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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