Paddy McAloon originally wrote the song in April 1990 for a proposed biographical album about Michael Jackson, who he was fascinated by. The verses originally listed unhappy things that had happened to Jackson, while the original lyrics of the chorus were "Only the boogie music / Will never, ever let you down".
The song's final form has been described by McAloon as "a “Why does God allow this?” song". The lyrics concern the plights of people around the world, and ask why they cannot be helped. This was prompted by George H. W. Bush's references to a new world order, as McAloon felt that "no matter how well-regulated you make the world, no matter how well-regulated our affairs are, disasters are kind of there".
The song received significant airplay on BBC Radio 1, and became Prefab Sprout's first top 30 hit on the UK singles chart since "The King of Rock 'n' Roll" reached No. 7 four years earlier. It peaked at No. 23, and remains the band's second highest-charting single to date. A music video featuring the band was produced and was included on the VHS release "A Life of Surprises: The Video Collection".
The song was well received, with Jim Lawn of the Lennox Herald calling it "Paddy McAloon's best chance of a hit single in ages". The Times' Alan Jackson commented that the song's "lush production and glorious melody" were used "to sneak one of the oldest debates in Christendom before millions of Radio 1 listeners". Similarly, David Cavanagh of Select praised how the song "manages to include ice-cool phraseology like “the music of the spheres” while still being catchy enough to be this week’s third most played single on Radio 1"
Produced by Steve Lipson
The Sound Of Crying
Prefab Sprout Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Start singing now a song to greet the joyful day
Just when we thought the time was right for celebrating
with music of the spheres
What's this, another boat of fleeing refugees on a
sea of children's tears
Once more the sound of crying
We're only men and women doing what we can
Sometimes I think that God is working to a plan
then other times I swear that he is improvising -
discordant and remote
Another orphan baby in failed uprising
another real bum note
Once more the sound of crying
Is number one across the earth
And if you're listening up there
you could consider this a prayer
Well who am I to tell you how to run your business
Man, you could strike me blind
What kind of noise we gotta make down here
Before we disturb your peace of mind
Once more the sound of crying
Is number one across the earth
The lyrics of Prefab Sprout's "The Sound Of Crying" present a sense of frustration and disillusionment with the world's state of affairs. The song opens with a call for celebrating a "new world order," but this is quickly juxtaposed with the harsh reality of the "fleeing refugees" and "children's tears." The song suggests that despite humanity's attempts to create a better world, there will always be suffering and injustice, and this fact is reinforced by the repetition of the phrase "once more the sound of crying is number one across the earth."
The second verse introduces a theological element, with the singer questioning whether God is working to a plan or simply improvising. This ambiguity is further reinforced by the image of an "orphan baby in failed uprising," suggesting that the forces of chaos and tragedy are beyond human understanding. The chorus repeats again, underscoring the idea that despite our best efforts, the world seems to be stuck in a cycle of pain and suffering.
The final verse addresses God directly, with the singer acknowledging their own limitations in understanding the divine plan. The plea to "consider this a prayer" suggests a sense of hope that the world can be a better place, but the final line is deliberately ambiguous, leaving it open whether God will hear the cry of humanity, or whether their "peace of mind" is more important. Overall, the song presents a complex and nuanced meditation on man's relationship with the divine and the harsh realities of life on earth.
Line by Line Meaning
Hang out the flags a new world order's on the way
A call to celebrate for the new world order that promises to bring a better future
Start singing now a song to greet the joyful day
An invitation to commemorate the advent of a new era with a song of happiness
Just when we thought the time was right for celebrating with music of the spheres
An expression of surprise and disappointment as world peace seems to be eluding them
What's this, another boat of fleeing refugees on a sea of children's tears
A poignant depiction of the continuing crisis of war, displacement and suffering of innocent children
Once more the sound of crying
The pervasive sound of grief and sorrow triggered by the ceaseless violence and trauma across the world
Is number one across the earth
A sad reminder of how sorrow has become a global phenomenon affecting everyone in equal measure
We're only men and women doing what we can
A humble realization of the limited power of humans to solve the overwhelming problems of the world
Sometimes I think that God is working to a plan
A contemplation on the role of divine intervention in shaping the fate of humanity
then other times I swear that he is improvising - discordant and remote
A reflection on how the different interpretations of God's designs can result in confusion, disillusionment and despair
Another orphan baby in failed uprising
A specific example of the tragic outcomes of political unrest and rebellion on the vulnerable members of society
another real bum note
A musical metaphor to suggest that the recurring tragedies and failures of human civilization are dissonant with the ideal of harmony and beauty
And if you're listening up there you could consider this a prayer
An earnest appeal to God for guidance, mercy and compassion towards human suffering
Well who am I to tell you how to run your business
A sincere acknowledgement of the limit of human knowledge and wisdom in understanding the ways of God
Man, you could strike me blind
A humorous expression of humility and awe in the face of divine power
What kind of noise we gotta make down here Before we disturb your peace of mind
A rhetorical question that challenges the idea that human action must conform to an elusive divine plan or whim
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@musicnerd9100
Every song Prefab Sprout has released is beautiful. Paddy McAloon is one of the most gifted songwriters in the history of pop music.
@albertotamburini9908
The most underrated group on earth
@deceiver444
Not a single doubt about it
@marcdavison6937
I second that 1000 times over
@V8AmericanMuscleCar
I was just thinking about this.
@perryhailey6715
Greatest
@perryhailey6715
Paddy was an amazing writer
@nik_elektrik
The most intelligent lyrics meet the most beautiful melodies.
@francishughes2016
Paddy Macloon is a brilliant songwriter, his songs are Beautiful, sensitive, & deep. They have always been one of my favourite bands.
@jean-erictateia3273
I couldn' t say Better ,francis .There are GROUPS like that which are MAGIC and the passage of Time has no effect on their existence even if they no longer exist because they are separated or for any other reason But one fact remains, the GREAT QUALITY of the SONGS, MUSIC, the TALENT of the Performers and the RARITY of what is offered, absolutely nothing to do with all the flood of what we are thrown on the Airwaves, TODAY and it is an ABSOLUTE INJUSTICE that they are ignored by the current generation only by ignorance of these talents which are only known to the previous generation, at a time when Social Networks did not exist and which do not appear on the programming of the charts or emissions intended for the musical Media current. It's really terrible for all these RARE and TALENTED GROUPS. For us, it's a TOTAL HAPPINESS to listen to these INSPIRED MELODIOUS COMPOSITIONS and these CREATIVE VIDEOS which bring us back, the space of a song with a strong taste of regrets and nostalgia. When we admire WENDY, twirling, magnificent to the sound of the Melody and the superb voice of Paddy McAloon, we can only feel a strong attraction and a great admiration for their BRILLIANT COMPOSITIONS especially with hindsight when they are compared "necessarily" to everything that is produced musically today... What an immense Loss!