Prefab Sprout are an English pop band from Witton Gilbert, County Durham fo… Read Full Bio ↴Prefab Sprout are an English pop band from Witton Gilbert, County Durham formed in 1976, who rose to fame during the 1980s. Though critically acclaimed, and considered by many to have released some of the best pop albums of the decade, the band never matched this acclaim with commercial success. The band's best known lineup comprised Paddy McAloon (vocals, guitar, keyboard), Wendy Smith (vocals, guitar, keyboard), Martin McAloon (bass), and Neil Conti (drums).

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)

Pearly Gates
Prefab Sprout Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Feel the sun upon your back
Someone somewhere wants to steal it
Pray each night you'll catch the thief
But while you sleep he comes and takes it
Does that make you think little girl?
Doesn't it just little boy
There'll be no stampede on the Pearly Gates
I'll say after you

You'll say I don't mind the wait
There'll be no stampede on those imposing doors
Naked and afraid,
Cowering we crawl on all fours
See the smile on her young face
Watch life casually erase it
Now I know she's all grown up
She wears a look I can't quite place yet
What makes you cry little girl?
Maybe I'm scared little boy
There'll be no stampede on the Pearly Gates
I'll say after you
You'll say I don't mind the wait
There'll be no stampede on those imposing doors
Naked and afraid,
Cowering we crawl on all fours
There'll be no stampede on the Pearly Gates

I'll say after you
You'll say I don't mind the wait

Overall Meaning

In "Pearly Gates," Prefab Sprout juxtaposes lighthearted melodies with introspective and profound lyrics. The chorus repeats the notion that there will be "no stampede on the Pearly Gates," calling to mind the common religious concept of the afterlife as a gate that one must pass through to enter heaven. However, the lyrics that precede and follow the chorus offer a more nuanced perspective on life, death, and spirituality.

The opening lines suggest that there is something valuable that one possesses - "the sun upon your back" - that someone else wants to steal. The singer urges the listener to pray for protection from this thief, but notes that he still manages to take what he desires. This sets up a theme of loss and vulnerability throughout the song. The second verse shifts focus to a young girl whose smile is eventually erased by the realities of life. The singer wonders what makes her cry, but also acknowledges his own fear.

The chorus, then, brings these ideas into sharper focus. The idea of a stampede on the Pearly Gates suggests a desperation to enter heaven and escape earthly suffering. However, the singer seems to reject this sentiment, saying that he doesn't mind waiting. The final image of "cowering we crawl on all fours" suggests that there is a humbleness or humility required to approach the afterlife - one cannot simply rush in or demand entry.

Overall, "Pearly Gates" paints a picture of the struggle to find meaning and purpose in life, while acknowledging the inevitability of loss and death. The melody and instrumentation throughout the song remain bright and upbeat, creating a stark contrast with the weighty subject matter of the lyrics.

Line by Line Meaning

Feel the sun upon your back
Enjoy the comfort and warmth of life

Someone somewhere wants to steal it
There are always those who yearn to snatch away one's happiness

Pray each night you'll catch the thief
Hope and strive to prevent anyone from interfering with your joy

But while you sleep he comes and takes it
Despite your efforts, your happiness can still be taken away when you least expect it

Does that make you think little girl?
Consider the fleeting nature of happiness, young one

Doesn't it just little boy
Indeed, it is a harsh reality to face

There'll be no stampede on the Pearly Gates
There won't be a rush to get into heaven

I'll say after you
You may go before me

You'll say I don't mind the wait
I am patient and can endure the wait

Naked and afraid,
Vulnerable and frightened

Cowering we crawl on all fours
We are reduced to a pitiful state