| Prefab Sprout – Hallelujah Lyrics | 7 years ago |
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Another song that could be adopted as a Sensitive Man's Anthem... A very cleverly constructed lyric in which McAloon describes to perfection how the ' bad boy ' comes across as so convincing, using such terms as ' posing place ' and ' draining the mystery from your face ' , whilst comparing the sensitive type as clumsy and inept with words by use of the superb metaphor of ' walking on wheels ' . and the failure to sweet talk in favour of being honest and straight up. As with ' Appetite ' , another warning appears as to the consequences of being so fooled ( move in close till you see, he only wants what he can't have, but when he gets it he's as good as bad ) , spiced with a lament how the entire male gender pays the price ( You make him suffer for all he's gone done.. ). Coupled with the enchanting melody, a brilliant track. |
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| Prefab Sprout – Moving The River Lyrics | 7 years ago |
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As with most tracks on the Steve McQueen LP, and several on ' From Langley Park To Memphis', this song has a very deep personal association for me in terms of life experience. The main message I believe is about living under the weight of expectation, and seeking approval., which has its' roots in childhood with overcritical ( father ) and overprotective ( mother ) parents, and then reflects in later life with references to moving forward - (new girlfriend, how's the wife taking it ) , and achieving success ( moving the river bucket by spoon - but do you think they'll like me.. ) The interlaced message is one of a frustrated individual yearning to prove his worth and having to do it by stealth against others' wishes - ( the force of will, sleight of hand ) and holding resentment against childhood learning ( I can't breakdance on your knee ). Also acknowledging it is a simple thing to go on pleasing everyone by being the same, but it's not really what he wants to be ( money for jam....) Yet another example of McAloon's superb use of metaphor to describe the inner frustrations of life. As I have said before, this bloke is an out and out genius. |
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| Prefab Sprout – Hey Manhattan! Lyrics | 7 years ago |
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Ouch. How this song stings. Quite obviously, you get what you wished for, only to realise that it's not really what you want after all, and how you've been fooled by your own errors of judgement. These myths we can't undo, they lie in wait for you... These myths belong to you, we live them till they're true... Ouch. |
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| Prefab Sprout – Appetite Lyrics | 7 years ago |
| Not sure I'd agree with the comments about this song being a sexual metaphor or having overtly sexual overtones. In keeping with several other tracks on the ' Steve McQueen ' LP ( Hallelujah being a classic example ) - it is more of an insight into the writer's sensitivity. McAloon describes perfectly how it is a weakness of the female gender to fall for the ' bad boy ' - the charmer who says all the right things and elicits excitement ( he talks so well, what can you do....it's pretty plain, he means it too... ), and a warning to the consequences of this weakness in the opening lines of each verse. He then goes on to describe how a more sensitive man has all the same urges in the chorus lines, and issues a plea to be respectful ( if you take, then put back good...) in the reprise. A brilliantly constructed song by the best writer in the history of popular music, bar none and a hugely underrated band. Got decent airplay in Australia but wasn't a major hit, more's the pity. | |
| Prefab Sprout – Bonny Lyrics | 11 years ago |
| Without doubt a song all about self recrimination. The subject matter could be any one of several things. A very moving song. | |
| Prefab Sprout – Faron Young Lyrics | 11 years ago |
| Very clever lyric - McAloon's penchant for using the names of famous people cleverly disguises the meaning of this song as a tale of feeling a guilt trip for breaking from a destructive relationship. Look up the lyric of Faron Young's ' It's Four In The Morning " and see the parallels. You give me things of no substance, going nowhere....but I feel bad for leaving.... | |
| Prefab Sprout – Cars And Girls Lyrics | 11 years ago |
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I've heard this was a subtle dig at Springsteen, but I really think it goes a lot deeper than that. Basically, it's a story of ' life's a bitch ' . A story of how the fun things in life are far too often overshadowed by the bad. The writer tells how he is a realist, looking at life in terms of grim realities and harsh truths, and ends by suggesting that there are those who will ignore these regardless and hopefully they'll never see the truth ( Pretty streamers - guess this world needs its' dreamers, may they never wake up! ) Never fai to be moved to tears by the haunting last verse - Little boy got a hot rod.. etc. So close to the truth it's not funny. Young and indestructible, but ignorant to that harsh reality of life. Perhaps the greatest lyric ever in the history of popular music, by the greatest ever lyricist. Paddy McAloon is a genius. |
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