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Prefab Sprout — Faron
Album: Two Wheels Good
Avg rating:
6.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1588









Released: 1985
Length: 3:37
Plays (last 30 days): 2
Antiques !
Every other sentiments an antique
As obsolete as warships in the baltic
I'm driving on a straight road it never alters
And the radio serenades but doesn't falter

You offer infrared instead of sun
You offer paper spoons and bubble gum

Late sky
Like an all night radio station
Without morning
Like stumbling on pearl harbour
Without warning

You offer infrared instead of sun
You offer bubble gum

You give me faron young four in the morning
You give me faron young four in the morning
Every mother's son's romantic
Every mother's son's frantic !

The sunset makes a fence out of the forest
But here I am with head inside the bonnet
I've lost just what it takes to be honest

You offer infrared instead of sun
You offer bubble gum

You give me faron young four in the morning
You give me faron young four in the morning
Forgive me faron young four in the morning
Forgive me faron young four in the morning
Comments (192)add comment
Really needs to followed by 4 in the morning?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXWV15YtEcQ
This one of the finest productions on CD.
A rare combination of intriguing lyrics, great musicians, terrific sound quality and it rocks!
I don’t hear this enough for my taste
How I loved this band…takes me back to college days. Although it’s a timeless sound, isn’t it.
 john24 wrote:

produced by Thomas Dolby, genius. Perhaps Segway into Screen kiss one day


That would be sweet.
Saw this fantastic band at Salford University Student's Union (in the UK) in 1985 and they were so good, despite that Wendy had a virus and was not on stage that night,  so Paddy had to do all the vocals alone.
Poor Paddy has not had the best of health over the years.. Take it easy big man.
who don't just love Sprouts! Classic!
 john24 wrote:

produced by Thomas Dolby, genius. Perhaps Segway into Screen kiss one day



perhaps
Everyone has a certain album that stands out to bring back memories of another time in one's life, in the very best way. This is mine; I absolutely love this album.
 moss wrote:

My own "The Boys" story:  This track  always brings on the smell of old beaten-up Ford Transits and  warm milk in the rain. As a student  in ´85 I  had to travel for 6 or 7  hours  to Hull "up North" from London for a winter seminar. That's the old Ford Transit  in the rain taken care off. We only had one cassette, Prefab Sprout,  and negativity in the air as thick as fog.  Milk?  One of the Guys had brought along his girlfriend and newborn baby so not to leave them alone at home.  As newbies to babies, things were a little stressed and obviously had been for a while. He was cold and distant, which is hard to do in a van full of teenage boys on a road trip! She was filling up tiny milk churns and things were not going well.  She then, suddenly, bleated out  "he won't even taste it!" and passed me a small warm bottle  "try it and tell him it is not that bad"  I did and  it was....... That's the warm milk part.



ha ha !
and suddenly warships in the Baltic may not be so obsolete. Sigh.
produced by Thomas Dolby, genius. Perhaps Segway into Screen kiss one day
 jpfueler wrote:

I got stopped once in Giddings while on my way to Winchester for lunch at the Steak House (and Post Office).  Coming into town, I stood up on the pegs to stretch my legs (arthritic knees) and give my butt a break, and someone called the cops on "Someone standing on the seat and wheelieing" and they got me after I turned off US77 onto FM448. Cop took one look at the bike and asked "How much does this thing weight?" 730lbs full of gas "Lemme guess, you stretched your legs as you came into town, right?" Yep 
He shook his head, has an underling do the call in (two cars stopped me) asked where I was off to and said have a steak for him too. Seems a Karen lives on the north side of town. 

Ha!
Giddings has always been an (in)famous speed trap. College students driving to/from Houston learned quickly to take the speed limit signs seriously.

Winchester is about 1/2-hour from us, we go for a steak once in awhile - although I've heard their burgers are very good too. Very old-school - it ain't Ruth's Chris.

Also nearby is the Wendish enclave of Serbin - they have a big Wendish Festival every year. Serbin is home to one of the 'Painted Churches', elaborately decorated inside. Worth a stop. The Wends made quite an impact in CenTex, including founding Concordia University.
c.
I had to check the lyrics.

I was pretty sure he couldn't be singing "as obsolete as washrooms in the Baltic"
 WonderLizard wrote:

Of course this fear was well founded. McQueen had only been dead for five years. For a great flick, try "On Any Sunday" with McQueen showing off on his Triumph, Malcolm Smith, and Mert Lawwill simply flying on anything on two wheels. Produced by Bruce Brown, the same guy who did "The Endless Summer."


Odd trivia but Steve McQueen himself 
was fine with the Stones taking his name in vain on their track "Star Star".
Not enough PS on RP 

Insider tip: Crimson/Red!
Wondered which Smiths album I missed at first.  I dig it!
 nicknt wrote:

In Europe the title of the album is Steve McQueen and the song is Faron Young.



I know, I am from Europe and I own this record since 1986.  
love that
name

music is good
 cc_rider wrote:
 
 Our uber-local country station* plays Faron Young sometimes. Great talent, great tragedy.
c.

*KGID.FM - the noon stock report is not to be missed!




I got stopped once in Giddings while on my way to Winchester for lunch at the Steak House (and Post Office).  Coming into town, I stood up on the pegs to stretch my legs (arthritic knees) and give my butt a break, and someone called the cops on "Someone standing on the seat and wheelieing" and they got me after I turned off US77 onto FM448. Cop took one look at the bike and asked "How much does this thing weight?" 730lbs full of gas "Lemme guess, you stretched your legs as you came into town, right?" Yep 
He shook his head, has an underling do the call in (two cars stopped me) asked where I was off to and said have a steak for him too. Seems a Karen lives on the north side of town. 
Haven't heard this in YEARS !!!! Thank you Bill 
His voice sounds a bit like one of the Finn brothers.
My own "The Boys" story:  This track  always brings on the smell of old beaten-up Ford Transits and  warm milk in the rain. As a student  in ´85 I  had to travel for 6 or 7  hours  to Hull "up North" from London for a winter seminar. That's the old Ford Transit  in the rain taken care off. We only had one cassette, Prefab Sprout,  and negativity in the air as thick as fog.  Milk?  One of the Guys had brought along his girlfriend and newborn baby so not to leave them alone at home.  As newbies to babies, things were a little stressed and obviously had been for a while. He was cold and distant, which is hard to do in a van full of teenage boys on a road trip! She was filling up tiny milk churns and things were not going well.  She then, suddenly, bleated out  "he won't even taste it!" and passed me a small warm bottle  "try it and tell him it is not that bad"  I did and  it was....... That's the warm milk part.
 AliGator wrote:

Thanks for this, C. I would not have known otherwise!
 Our uber-local country station* plays Faron Young sometimes. Great talent, great tragedy.
c.

*KGID.FM - the noon stock report is not to be missed!


In Europe the title of the album is Steve McQueen and the song is Faron Young.
 cc_rider wrote: 
Thanks for this, C. I would not have known otherwise!
Decent.  My head was buried elsewhere in the mid-1980s.

A vocal riff had me thinking Mick Jagger, the guitar sounds like Johnny Cash in a couple of places, throw in the harmonica, and....  what the hell, it really doesn't sound like anything else I know.  :-)  
such a wonderful song from a great album, filled with beautiful crafted popsongs. 
Prefab Sprout was my discovery on the way to the Persian Gulf in 1990 and those guys put a whole other color on my time over there.
The best part about growing older is looking back on memories such as seeing this band live in a cinema in Mannheim, Germany in 1985.
Obsolete warship in the baltic lyric always made me wonder as that time I was serving in an obsolete warship in the Baltic ! 
 floydpink wrote:
I hear Neil Finn
 
Oh man, I always assumed I was hearing one of Neil Finn's bands until Bill G said something today after this song played.
 ddog wrote:

Sounds like lots of mid 80's music to me. Squeeze in particular.
 
It's from 1985 - I guess that could qualify as "mid-'80s".
What's going on here ...sonically ?
Not sure, but I think me likes it ; >
The album always reminds me of rainy fall days, since it was the soundtrack to a long PNW road trip. And, today, it's pouring rain. Nice.
Really liking the arcade video game sound of this track....1985 for sure....8 for me and Long Live RP!!
I hear Neil Finn
 LPCity wrote:

This deserves a bump just due to your knowledge of that wonderful movie.  If you were a kid in the 70's who lived and breathed motorcycles, On Any Sunday was something to behold.  Somewhere at home I have a VHS copy signed by Malcolm Smith that Bruce Brown added a directors commentary onto the end of.  Glory Days!
 

I was that “lived and breathed motorcycles” guy and my other favourite biking VHS was the original Mad Max. As you can see my tastes went from the sublime to the ridiculous in these days. 

Too long ago I listen to PS. Time to get undust all the albums again and spent a nice listening evening.
 TerryS wrote:
My Auntie Madge lived in a prefab and yes, grew sprouts on her little patch of a back garden. What's the big deal?
 
I hope she got some royalties for the band name.  ; )
My Auntie Madge lived in a prefab and yes, grew sprouts on her little patch of a back garden. What's the big deal?
 Stingray wrote:
nothing but a "10'"

If the world were a fair place,
this would possible be accepted as one
of the BEST SONGS

ever written
and played!

a "10" ...

who does not agree,
has no clue!

An IDIOT in other words!
 
I agree !! One of the best BRITISH albums ever, too much class for the neighbourhood (and for yankee ears)
 ddog wrote:

Sounds like lots of mid 80's music to me. Squeeze in particular.

 

Reminds me more of "Driving Away From Home" by It's Immaterial...



Far-out man {#Bananajam}
 ScottFromWyoming wrote:

The US release was always Two Wheels Good. 

I know the stated reason was trouble from the estate objecting to the name, but I always had more of a suspicion that the US label was afraid people would think Steve had put out a record.  

 
Well, it was 1985.  Fogerty had a huge hit album with "Centerfield".
PUT ME IN, COACH!
 pankman wrote:
"Walk like an egyptian"  rip off ... or vice versa? Hmmm, both songs were released 1985.

 
{#Yes}
 WonderLizard wrote:

Of course this fear was well founded. McQueen had only been dead for five years. For a great flick, try "On Any Sunday" with McQueen showing off on his Triumph, Malcolm Smith, and Mert Lawwill simply flying on anything on two wheels. Produced by Bruce Brown, the same guy who did "The Endless Summer."

 
This deserves a bump just due to your knowledge of that wonderful movie.  If you were a kid in the 70's who lived and breathed motorcycles, On Any Sunday was something to behold.  Somewhere at home I have a VHS copy signed by Malcolm Smith that Bruce Brown added a directors commentary onto the end of.  Glory Days!
 Proclivities wrote:

"Walk Like An Egyptian", really?  I guess everyone hears different things.

 
Sounds like lots of mid 80's music to me. Squeeze in particular.
 pankman wrote:
"Walk like an egyptian"  rip off ... or vice versa? Hmmm, both songs were released 1985.

 
"Walk Like An Egyptian", really?  I guess everyone hears different things, but hundreds of songs have similar rhythm and bass line to this song.
"Walk like an egyptian"  rip off ... or vice versa? Hmmm, both songs were released 1985.
 ScottFromWyoming wrote:

I just went to reply to your comment. But when I hit reply it disappeared... and to direct your attention wayyyy down the page where a certain dmax posted the same comment but had the good sense to simply say "...of the decade." 

 
Proof he's smarter than I'll ever be.
 eveliko wrote:
Gosh, my favorite guitar sound.

 
First time I've heard this...reminds me of It's Immaterial's "Driving Away From Home"...
A mid sixties Triumph Trophy on the album cover.  I had one, in ancient ages past.
 Steely_D wrote:

dangit - typo - 80s

And as much as I agree that Paddy wrote some great tunes - half the genius of this album is Dolby's production. This whole thing just sounds so perfect.

 
I just went to reply to your comment. But when I hit reply it disappeared... and to direct your attention wayyyy down the page where a certain dmax posted the same comment but had the good sense to simply say "...of the decade." 
 On_The_Beach wrote:

The 70s?
The best album of the 70s??

 
dangit - typo - 80s

And as much as I agree that Paddy wrote some great tunes - half the genius of this album is Dolby's production. This whole thing just sounds so perfect.
 Steely_D wrote:
The worst song off the best album of the 70s.
 
The 70s?
The best album of the 70s??
One of my alltime fave bands, saw them many times. The McAloons were the best.
Gosh, my favorite guitar sound.
Bill,

Thanks for filling in the blanks on the album title change after 30 years.  I was managing a record store in '85, and wondered what the deal was. 

In the end, it really didn't matter, because you really couldn't sell a Prefab Sprout album in Minnestoa no matter how many CBS promo posters they sent out.  Much like The Jam five years earlier, they were "far too British" to crossover commercially in fly-over USA.   
10+  The genius-level song writing is essentially Paddy McAloon - who now suffers from partial sightedness and profound tinnitus - a cruel blow if there ever was one.

More sprouts please ... even the more recent stuff ..
 ScottFromWyoming wrote:

The US release was always Two Wheels Good. 

I know the stated reason was trouble from the estate objecting to the name, but I always had more of a suspicion that the US label was afraid people would think Steve had put out a record.  

 
Of course this fear was well founded. McQueen had only been dead for five years. For a great flick, try "On Any Sunday" with McQueen showing off on his Triumph, Malcolm Smith, and Mert Lawwill simply flying on anything on two wheels. Produced by Bruce Brown, the same guy who did "The Endless Summer."
 ScottFromWyoming wrote:

The US release was always Two Wheels Good. 

I know the stated reason was trouble from the estate objecting to the name, but I always had more of a suspicion that the US label was afraid people would think Steve had put out a record.  
 

Your post made me laugh ScottFromWyomig, thanks. I do love being in the company of cynics. 


Bubble and squeak.




THOMAS DOLBY IS NOW A MUSIC PROFESSOR!
10 - all (their) album(s)!

PS
Fantastic COVER-SHOT! 
CFNY was the leader in North America.  They could have even better if they didn't have to play 33% Canadian crap.
 


kaybee wrote:

Toronto's CFNY station played a lot of British New Wave in the 80's including some Prefab Sprout.  They were definitely a good listen.
 


Same here !
 

Hogtownmike wrote:
Loved this in high school—and haven't heard in eons! thanks RP.

 


The Steve McQueen connection: look at the Triumph on the cover. Steve rode Triumphs.  
 ScottishWillie wrote:

Loved this album when it came out but it was called Steve McQueen so I take it that this “Two Wheels Good” thing is either an Americanism or a rerelease?

 
The US release was always Two Wheels Good. 

I know the stated reason was trouble from the estate objecting to the name, but I always had more of a suspicion that the US label was afraid people would think Steve had put out a record.  

Loved this album when it came out but it was called Steve McQueen so I take it that this “Two Wheels Good” thing is either an Americanism or a rerelease?


{#Heartkiss}  God, this is soooooooooo good 9
 citizenkeith wrote:
Radio Paradise needs more Prefab Sprout songs. May I suggest "Looking for Atlantis," "Wild Horses" or "Carnival 2000" from Jordan, "Cowboy Dreams" from The Gunman and Other Stories, "Life of Surprises" from Protest Songs or many of the classics on Two Wheels Good/Steve McQueen: "Bonny," "Appetite" or "Desire As." 

  upload....


Radio Paradise needs more Prefab Sprout songs. May I suggest "Looking for Atlantis," "Wild Horses" or "Carnival 2000" from Jordan, "Cowboy Dreams" from The Gunman and Other Stories, "Life of Surprises" from Protest Songs or many of the classics on Two Wheels Good/Steve McQueen: "Bonny," "Appetite" or "Desire As." 
Loved this in high school--and haven't heard in eons! thanks RP.
Fun and funny little blast from the days of Thomas Dolby and madly cool musical art that was struggling to find its expression through doldrums of vacuum and apathy at the time... Thanks, RP, for playing The Soundtrack to LIFE!
 laozilover wrote:
Was the odd sound a Didgeridoo? Anybody know?
 
Definitely not a didgeridoo.  Sounded like tuned electronic static — moog or other synthsizer maybe, but could really be anything sequenced "properly."
just beatiful but if keep tuning on RP i'll have a middle life crisis....
 On_The_Beach wrote:
This album is packed full of radio-friendly catchy-as-hell pop tunes. It's a shame they're virtually unknown in North America. The CD version adds 3 "bonus tracks" that aren't up to the level of the original 11 on the album, but worth a listen nonetheless.

 
Toronto's CFNY station played a lot of British New Wave in the 80's including some Prefab Sprout.  They were definitely a good listen.

Two Wheels Good, Four Wheels Bad? *snort*

(I know, I know! This album is called "Steve McQueen" outside the US.)

This album is packed full of radio-friendly catchy-as-hell pop tunes. It's a shame they're virtually unknown in North America. The CD version adds 3 "bonus tracks" that aren't up to the level of the original 11 on the album, but worth a listen nonetheless.

This song is a blast of fresh air. I forgot about this record. Thanks RP!
 Stingray wrote:
ScottFromWyoming wrote:

I think it's all electronics. Album produced by Thomas Dolby...

 

I think it's all electronics ....
tzzzzzzzzz!!!!

Scott from Wyoming - you are a true mountainman!


 


ScottFromWyoming wrote:

I think it's all electronics. Album produced by Thomas Dolby...

 

I think it's all electronics ....
tzzzzzzzzz!!!!

Scott from Wyoming - you are a true mountainman!


nothing but a "10'"

If the world were a fair place,
this would possible be accepted as one
of the BEST SONGS

ever written
and played!

a "10" ...

who does not agree,
has no clue!

An IDIOT in other words!

 laozilover wrote:
Was the odd sound a Didgeridoo? Anybody know?
 
I think it's all electronics. Album produced by Thomas Dolby...

 FredInShanghai wrote:
 lmic wrote:
They Might Be Giants + Crowded House
 The guitar work reminded me more of the Smiths (J. Marr) actually . . .
 
Ya, the last minute could have been a lost recording of the Smiths..

Wow, I haven't heard this in years. These guys were great.

10 10 10 10


All their albums - and there are
quite a few - and most of their songs
are 10!

PS
COVER-ART a "10" as well!


alcohol is your yoga bayyybeeeeeeeee-ehhhhh
gonna call at your name, then i'm gonna rain
all over youuuuu, all over youuuuuuu
 lmic wrote:
They Might Be Giants + Crowded House
 The guitar work reminded me more of the Smiths (J. Marr) actually . . .


They Might Be Giants + Crowded House
Guitar riff reminds me of Johny Cash on Gonna Break this Rusty Chain and Run
More Sprouts, please.

"You offer infrared instead of sun
You offer paper spoons and bubble gum"
Was the odd sound a Didgeridoo? Anybody know?


 handyrae wrote:
Where does one get the name Prefab Sprout?
 
Surely not at the food co-op, where we expect everything to be organic.

 handyrae wrote:
Where does one get the name Prefab Sprout? It does have a nice ring to it, but when you think about the words, it's really silly.
 
Right about where you can rate this song there are various web links.. one of them is Wikipedia. All will be reveled unto whomsoever seeks true knowledge.
 SparkyMarky wrote:
From the album 'Two Wheels Good'?? Unworthy Radio Paradise. it was called Steve McQueen. Shape up!
 

...and Two Wheels Good in the US, really... the heirs of Steve McQueen weren't amused
From the album 'Two Wheels Good'?? Unworthy Radio Paradise. it was called Steve McQueen. Shape up!
Cheesy? HIGHLY intelligent lyrics, gorgeous music!
ercasul wrote:
I remember leaving the 80s with the feeling that Prefab Sprout were a bit cheesy, and that I wouldn't miss them very much. But this track is lots of toe tapping fun. Yay for nearly 20 years' worth of perspective (aka '20 years of intervening crap making cheese seem pretty good by comparison')

I was thinking the same thing (or near enough). Too bad I never heard this one from them on the radio back in the day.

I remember leaving the 80s with the feeling that Prefab Sprout were a bit cheesy, and that I wouldn't miss them very much.  But this track is lots of toe tapping fun.   Yay for nearly 20 years' worth of perspective (aka '20 years of intervening crap making cheese seem pretty good by comparison')


Where does one get the name Prefab Sprout? It does have a nice ring to it, but when you think about the words, it's really silly.
Man, I'd love to have that Triumph on the album cover.
It is bouncy...
fissmoll wrote:
So this is the only Prefab song at RP.

Thank God for that.


WORLDCLASS!!!!
(Thomas Dolby produced the album
with at least 5 more songs rating "10")

10+


C'mon Bill, there's plenty wonderful stuff in this album you could play, like: "When Love Breaks Down", "Goodbye Lucille #2", "Appettite","Desire As", I mean, for me, you could as well play the whole disc!!
This album is called "Steve McQueen" in the UK
fabtastic under rated band, check out some of their others you'll be pleasantly surprised
love them!
Wasn't Swoon released in the previous century? I bought in the NL and moved 1979 to Switzerland so it must be older than 2004...
That was scary, Was just looking up if Prefab Sprout was listed at all on RP, and it got played ! Thanks William!
So this is the only Prefab song at RP. Hmmm...
Great stuff! Somehow KROQ missed offering this to us listeners back in it's heyday in the 80's. Thanks to BillG for introducing it to me retro!
oh my god! i LOVED prefab sprout...they were one of my faves in high school 20 years ago (yikes). and i never hear them on the radio...so cool!
10! Nothing to say more.....
Thanks mate dmax wrote:
video...
Tessiepops wrote:
"Steve McQueen" is up there with "Sgt Pepper" & "Solid Air" in the top five best ever albums. So there.
Agreed. Great song, great album. Think I wore out my vinyl and the cassette in my car. Hope we can hear more of the album on RP.
"Steve McQueen" is up there with "Sgt Pepper" & "Solid Air" in the top five best ever albums. So there.