Paddy McAloon interview on BBC Newsnight (4 February 2019)

I Trawl the Megahertz reissue interview with Stephen Smith on Newsnight, BBC Two, Monday 4 February 2019.

[@shadygroves8252]

When Love Breaks Down, Johnny Johnny & Bonny are such amazing songs - dude is an incredible songwriter with an amazing voice

[@davidcopson5800]

I have an appetite for all their songs.

[@alexsaynor6717]

Have a listen to Crimson Red - superb album.

[@bernardbaker6803]

Johnny/Bonny had to be turned off when put on at EVERY DJ event requested. Bloody awful...

[@hotelmario510]

The greatest songwriter and composer of his generation. The 80s' answer to Brian Wilson.

[@nzyt1]

Thank you for so many great songs, Paddy. I'm 22 years old and I don't know the era when Prefab Sprout was active. I'm a Japanese and I can't understand the lyrics well. But I'm so happy that I meet you. So beautiful pop songs. I love you.

[@annramsbottom2112]

The 80's

[@vinnienudd8901]

@@50milliondownthedraintonym16 1988 king of rock and roll came out

[@robbieclark2263]

Nozomi what a wonderful post. I'm so glad Paddy and Prefab's music touches you. My parents used to play Prefab Sprout all the time. My dad is from where Paddy is from, North East of England. But love and music are international. Irish in Spain sending love to Japan

[@in3rcia218]

you should listen fishmans from Japan!

[@kiri101]

If you study the lyrics to King of Rock 'n' Roll you will understand a truth about America, it is hidden between the lines.

[@RahmanRahman-qx4nu]

love u paddy...from malaysia.im ur fans for 30years....god bless u

[@modehead101]

33 years ago, I saw Prefab live at the Aston Villa Leisure Centre during The Comeback Tour and they were superb live. For me, their albums on vinyl are timeless and unique and one of the most creative bands of that era.

[@simongarrettmusic]

I just love people that love Music

[@FJBx100]

Binge- listening in 2021. I'm 56 and their music is dope.

[@seanie002]

I’m a year older than you, 35 years ahead of you (Sprout wise) but we’re equals when it comes to taste 👍

[@jonylawson73]

I'm not sure you can use the word dope once over 24

[@ianbruce892]

Omg... Paddy has changed so much in appearance 😥 he's still a genius and great human ❤👏🤘😎👀 I had many happy moments listening to his music

[@DavidBridger1]

Gentle genius. :)

[@alancooper7497]

I saw them at Sheffield Uni or was it the Poly, anyway it was when they toured Swoon.They blew my doors off.They were fantastic live.One of the best gigs I have ever seen.

[@bernardbaker6803]

Most punters who saw them soon realised they were limited. Sioux hated them.........

[@BroonParker]

Lancaster Uni, same tour. One of my best gigs too.

[@pulsingpulsing7675]

Oh my! As long as I know you're out there, obsessed and seeking inspirations, I'll know I'm blessed to be alive at this moment. Carry on..

[@alexpiva9672]

I love Paddy; he's a genius, a talented, sensitive artist and a nice, profound person. Glad to see him around after the challenges he had to face in his life; It would have been nice to see the whole interview, which doesn't seem to be that good though; anyway, thanks for posting.

[@normanday7675]

I can't believe it's so long ago LM 82 but I could listen to them all day

[@briandoig4488]

sheer genius!

[@edwinflores5986]

Gracias por todo Paddy Saludos desde Perú!!🤩

[@nonsuchandy]

An absolute songwriting genius.

[@jmcmondego]

Cars and Girls female vocals are pure magic

[@jjimywoods1363]

Part of my youth... Love it

[@jjda8395]

A great and unusual man

[@PaulSmith-rt4cz]

The man is a living genius.

[@nickywilks7928]

What a lovely unpretentious man.

[@markdawson-smith1950]

An absolutely fantastic song writer and performer. County Durham's greatest ever (with apologies to Bobby Robson).

[@welshlad6427]

Legend 👏👏

[@chiliman52]

Love this man

[@amandaa5104]

It Would Be Great To See Prefab Sprout Perfore Live Again.

[@andy-tm4xr]

Paddy is just a proper canny lad from just down the road. Made music performed. Made a few quid and is still humble about it. Still got his roots doesn't forget em. Good Durham' (ish) lad. Big love paddy😊

[@kawavulcan8411]

This man is a giant of composition like McCartney

[@modmadom7592]

Phenomenal Phenemena Prefab Sprout.

[@leonskum.5682]

Great stuff.

[@makhines431]

still soft spoken..hes still young and if he gets into shape they could still tour though i dont think his vocals could hit the keys of Bonny. .i mean daryl hall and kenny loggins are 71!!! Grace to you paddy...i got six things on my mind and youre always one of them,

[@chiliman52]

Best band ever

[@fnutboy]

Thomas Dolby did such a wonderful job with PS.

[@dougreed2257]

He's looking like Richard Attenborough nowadays lol, genius songwriter!

[@ajmoore2201]

😂😂I'd say more like Richard Harris tbh

[@nervo6321]

Paddy Macaloon , had everything a successful songwriter needs ...talent...wit...melody...but at the end of the day he could take or leave the fame..and that is his perogative...

[@MrGordonGartrelle]

Waiting for Paddy is like Waiting for Neil (you know if you know) to "come out of retirement" and deliver the magical something you're waiting for. It's never going to happen. Go figure the rest of it out yourself. I'm trying to now.

[@UkuleleBobbyKemp]

🙏 🥰

[@WorldTurningPodcast]

I dunno. I can see a Royal Albert Hall triumphant return at some point, as Brian Wilson, Roger Hodgson and otters did. He deserves it

[@bernardbaker6803]

Doing what? Jumping Frog?! Imagine 'An evening with Mcaloon' a la Bacharach/Lennon,Mccartney/Gershwin and then this clown!

[@BroonParker]

I know it's just a typo, but I love the idea of filling the RAH with otters.

[@claudiogonzalez4339]

alguien que subtitule esto, x Dios !!!!!

[@bumberClart1000]

Rock on son 💚🎧

[@jonathanwelchfizz]

Love this man - But can’t he just not overthink everything? X

[@thierryantoniolli1987]

Mais qui était sa fiancée de LIMOGES ? 🤐😐

[@deematty46]

I will never understand how "when love breaks down" wasn't a massive hit . Beautiful song .

[@bernardbaker6803]

They released it 4 times to get attention (not enough other songs) until the British press thought it was wet - but passable tune. (It copies Wilson/McCartney bassline) soon forgotten 'band'

[@Boby373]

For us , it was...😍😍

[@markofsaltburn]

@@bernardbaker6803 It was NME’s Single of the week on its first release in 1984. It got great reviews.

[@QFIhawkman]

God it was wonderful wasn't it!

[@corporeidad]

🤔 But do you understand why didn't PS develop into a massive band ...? Not me

[@MegaNugent]

What a legend, he may look like a wizard now. But his magic touched the hearts and souls of so many and left a feeling that when you hear it. It all comes back # I remember that.

[@davidhefner2010]

Sweet stuff

[@suttree3233]

A musician and songwriter of the same calibre as Brian Wilson and John Lennon. I Trawl The Megahertz is just such a fine piece of work.

[@srimaddukuri]

I wouldn’t go that far…

[@Djfabajaccio2a]

"Steve Mc Queen" LP is just a wonderful masterpiece.

[@camilomendozaloayza832]

Historic and modelic

[@dagostinoification]

yes ! mais les autres albums sont magnifiques aussi ! un génie mélodiste et arrangeur + textes ! ce PADDY ! un fan inconditionnel (batteur-compositeur pro.ex Rhoda Scott, Etienne M'abappe , Guy N'Sangué , Thierry Mineau (bassiste avec Billy Cobham et bien d'autres ) PADDY est au dessus de beaucoup d'artistes ...

[@Djfabajaccio2a]

@@dagostinoification j'aime beaucoup les autres aussi mais Steve Mc Queen est pour moi devant les autres ;)

[@dagostinoification]

@@Djfabajaccio2a le plus original ! d'ailleur ce n'est pas pour rien qu'i a sorti le remix avec le cd contenant des titres acoustiques ...sur , le meilleur , apr_ès les autres ont de superbes climats aussi "memphis" etc... jordan est très beau aussi , maisoui moi aussi je classerais steve mcqueen en premier !

[@daleywhaley]

Have you heard his Steve McQueen Acoustic LP version of it - I didn't think it could get any better but it does!

[@julos71]

At 18, I was listening to Pixies or Led Zep with my buddies, and Prefab Sprout with my girlfriend ;) 30 years later, i listen to these 3 bands with everybody ;)

[@lema7030]

An out of this world songwriter! Still blown away by the lyrics of “The Sound of Crying.”

[@jeanettedevereux7664]

Paddy Macca and Paul Macca Mmm ...2 wonderful musicians...?? Even faces are similar.

[@lindsayrogers6690]

Even more relevant in the light of what happened at the Supernova festival and subsequent actions in Gaza.

[@SEABLUEFILMS]

Paddy is a musical genius

[@nozyspy4967]

He looks like a very snazzy version of Santa!

[@kenpudsey6435]

It's incredible how underrated these guys were..Padddy seemed to have shunned the limelight..they could have been massive..still the music speaks for itself,a great band💯

[@bernardbaker6803]

He shunned his non existent limelight coz it didn't exist to start with.Brilliant pastiche though - similar to Brian Pern or David Brent.........

[@neilrobinson5115]

Unbelievable,I have all the albums paddy penned,I saw he’s worth 13 million dollars,all the years he’s been at it,then a singer like Robbie Williams who hasn’t got a tenth of the intelligence and songwriting ability of paddy gets £80 million from Sony,unbelievable,some of paddy’s intelligent lyrics get you reaching for a thesaurus!!!!,Robbie would think it came from the Jurassic period!!!!!

[@chelseapoet3664]

I've got a theory that having a really silly name might have held them back a tiny bit. Ok The Beatles was a silly name too but they were on another level musically to all their peers. Prefab Sprout had a few worthy contemporaries with catchier/cooler names. I also apply my theory to Limp Bizkit!

[@kenpudsey6435]

@@chelseapoet3664 Well look at 'Inspiral Carpets'..that was a weird name that was plucked out of hat with different words written on bits of paper..none the less they were are great band💯

[@chelseapoet3664]

@@kenpudsey6435 oh I am definitely not saying a name relates to how great a band is. I am talking about the small influence it may have on their level of success. Even I.C might have had a little bit more with another name, though I prefer their name to P.S. Anyway like I said, just a theory, I cannot in any way prove it!

[@AlexMooreLunchroom]

Thank you Paddy - please don’t stop writing

[@geraldthesaint5457]

Thank you Paddy. Your music lives in my life for good. 🙌🙌🙌

[@Timothy3010]

I love everything about this man.

[@davidcopson5800]

The once and future king!

[@eamonnquigley2125]

with the name mc aloon i think theres a irish connection somewhere i think he said it once...but yes hes a national tresure

[@Eleventhearlofmars]

@@eamonnquigley2125 you think there’s an Irish connection lol, his name is PADDY McALOON !! You couldn’t get a more Irish name. 😂

[@alancooper7497]

Swoon as and still is an absolutely brilliant album.

[@seanie002]

Their absolute peak, imho.

[@M2Mil7er]

@@seanie002 it's probably the one I've listened to most, followed by Steve McQueen.

[@dennyg1053]

Absolutely love Prefab Sprout !

[@edcool77]

Paddy is a legend

[@elmsyrup]

His music hits me right in the tear ducts. It's so vulnerable and humane. Nothing else has quite the same effect on me.

[@gaw67]

Where have all those years gone? Paddy, your a genius. Easily my favourite group, just ahead of Talk talk. Down to the sheer volume of endless brilliant tracks. 👏

[@aimeef3559]

I love Talk Talk! One of my favorite bands

[@ElvarMasson]

😂 Do you think Paddy will look up your comment? 😂 Plus, it's "you're", not "your" (basic grammar)

[@spacetweek]

@@ElvarMasson well done, you’ve won the award for the biggest pedant!

[@pixelfrenzy]

The brilliant album "Swoon" was one of the soundtracks to my undergrad years in Manchester in the mid-80s. Working late into the night in a freezing cold terraced house in Rusholme, sitting in a sleeping bag at my desk and listening to it on cassette. "Her husband works at Jodrell Bank, gets home late in the morning" still sticks in my mind. Those harmonies and melodies felt strange but somehow accomplished to my ears. Thank you Paddy and the other Prefabs, I hope you're all prospering.

[@eightiesmusic1984]

Listening to Prefab Sprout yesterday I was reminded how Swoon was one of my Xmas presents in 1986 as I was catching up with their music, having bought Steve McQueen earlier in the year. I know they were released in 1984 and 1985 respectively. Swoon was a revelation as it was quite different to Steve McQueen. Elegance is a great song, probably my favourite. It is the sort of album that gets under your skin and draws you in the more you listen to it, not unlike many others, of course! I really think they evolved their sound to hit the heights of perfection with the three albums that followed, especially Steve McQueen and From Langley Park To Memphis.

[@SD_is_interesting]

You nailed it. Swoon is the deepest for me and I don't think that is the case for many people.* The strange was the most interesting. When Bobby Fischer's plane (PLANE PLANE) touches the ground (PLANE PLANE). Paddy said he wanted to get away from the cleverness and that's fine, I love the others, but the capacity and the inclination to be eerie was a very special moment. * OK OK, Swoon and "Cars and Girls" and "Prisoner of the Past" and...

[@RoofLight00]

I owe you a few beers Paddy for the many moments of pure unadulterated bloody joy you've given me over many years through my youth and into the creaking joints years. I love you man.

[@patrikgrannas138]

Jordan: the comeback - the greatest album ever!

[@MattyGHerring]

I wish they talked more about the actual album. So unique compared to everything else he has done and I really wanna know more about its creation

[@sharpvidtube]

You probably saw this but if you missed it kzbin.info?redir_token=iI05lFsdG3gqxomWL3YTkkT_UGd8MTU2NDE3NDg4MEAxNTY0MDg4NDgw&v=E2hdS5v1kwU&q=http%3A%2F%2Fsmarturl.it%2FPFS_YTPTBT%3FIQid%3DYT.TBT1&event=video_description

[@helder3951]

It’s MAGNIFICENT

[@GregKeaton]

Check out the podcast “Sodajerker”, available on Spotify… I believe he’s the only guest they’ve invited back. And they’ve interviewed McCartney!

[@MooreLeather]

Paddy is a musical genius - timeless music & lyrics - not the throwaway dross forced onto the listeners by the radio stations today. Would have loved to see him sing live once - never had the chance!

[@karlatkinson4397]

Thank you Paddy for all the great songs.

[@Millennial_Mike]

Paddy Mcaloon used to pop into the music shop I worked in years ago. I remember him buying a manuscript book of Joni Mitchell's anthology.

[@KD-oi9sk]

The 80s for me were just basically Power Corruption and Lies, The Stone Roses, The Queen is Dead, Soul Mining and Steve McQueen...didn't know how lucky i was!

[@MJ1805]

Been a fan since I heard "Appetite" which to this day is still one of my favourite songs. Just adore this band, we'll never see their like again.

[@bernardbaker6803]

Hopefully not. This is a like a David Brent pastiche........

[@raydanielz9408]

Music out of this world. No creative pressure, everything so relaxed and free flowing. Greatest fan. 🙏

[@anthonyplunkett1131]

Nightingales favourite song of all time, totally timeless

[@ThomGeigenschrey]

i had the privilege and big luck to see and interview Prefab Sprout (Paddy) live in Berlin after the Swoon release at the peak of their talent..

[@Charlezworth]

I trawl the megahertz is probably one of the best pieces of music ever written

[@drzazgi666]

I love this guy so much. He just looked like Colonel Sanders and now he's a Santa. It's been 7 years since last Prefab record and I still have hope for the next one

[@clivewilliams916]

I went to see Prefab Sprout in 1986 the lady singer (sorry can't remember her name!)was ill with a bad sore throat & Paddy seamlessly sung his parts and then sung her parts in a higher voice much to the amusement of the audience he did a great job 💖 wonderful band up there (on their own unique way)with the smiths x

[@scritti]

Her name is Wendy Smith.

[@NattydreadOldSchool]

Great video! love Prefab Sprout and I believe under appreciated Paddy McAloon.

[@SMSJ223]

Wow This hits you hard! When you still listen to these incredible tunes of Pf S its like a time machine it makes you feel young again which only seem like yesterday. Then Paddy's appearance only confirms there is no escaping time we really do get older. Crazy this may sound but nostalgia is virtually keeping me alive!!

[@QHiguchi]

Pure spirit at work. Even the studio lights are moved to embellish his talk.

[@JJørgensen]

35 years ago I heard PS for the first time on radio and was immediately hooked. I feel like it was yesterday.

[@robk181]

I recall at the time Simpy Red getting more publicity when clearly Paddy was a songwriter at the level of Difford/Tilbrook and those Beatles chaps

[@J1gtbfanpage]

Best band in the world to me 👍🇨🇭

[@alexhuxley4399]

My girlfriend brought me Steve McQueen back from England in 85. Still one of my favourite albums. Thanks Carolyn!

[@JonnyRollin]

Songwriting wizard

[@alainyap193]

Thank you from Manila! Prefab and Paddy forever!

[@davidcopson5800]

I'm glad that Paddy was a thriller in Manila.

[@HittingImage]

I found "I Trawl the Megahertz" by accident through "unofficial" channels many years ago. It has been a work I have returned to from time to time. It is a great piece of music. It is great that it is now available on Spotify (and other official places) so that it is only a mouse click away from my ears.

[@WESSERPARAQUAT]

lol

[@pellenordwall1906]

The best man in music of the 80's and 90's

[@nickking9353]

He's a genius!

[@lukesters7234]

If you do ever see this Paddy take heart in the fact that you changed my life. Not just then but today and every day after. Absolute genius.

[@prodigalsorcerer1415]

"Folks in the valley will look up and say "You've finally built it can we come and stay ?"

[@citecarcassonne1294]

I like him SO much

[@corribnews2219]

I can remember making out to the cassette of 'Steve McQueen' with my then girlfriend many, many years ago now. Oh those nights of tenderness and love and what an album!. 'Appetite' was my favourite from the album.--Kevin Whelan

[@msgretrogamer]

Not just a great songwriter but seems a nice genuine guy too

[@RB-qe7ni]

A great human being, truly

[@M2Mil7er]

I feel lucky to love too much music from many artists, but Paddy and Prefab are in certainly in the pantheon of greats for me.

[@tramlad2]

He will always be up there with Lennon McCartney, Neil Finn as a song writer love the band got all their albums, good to hear from him, man he was a handsome sod, looks strange to see him now all beard and long grey hair, a truly lovely man

[@biggusdiggus3337]

In 1987 I had quite a heavy discussion with the producer or manager of prefab sprout. I was working on the King's Rd Chelsea for a car stereo shop. Installing radios and alarms. This man was sitting next to me while I was installing a cd tuner in he's car. We got on the subject of music. I said all I listen to is Springsteen. The man turned to me and said " he does nothing for me" I said to him what do you like. He said I'm with prefab sprout. My answer to him was. The river. Thunder rd. Badlands the list goes on I then said what does hotdogs jumping frogs mean? He said its a fun song. That's all. He said all bruce sings about is cars and girls being out of work. My answer to that was. That's all that was around in new Jersey at that time. Shortly after that song was released. Coincidence?

[@bernardbaker6803]

The manager was deluded - Springsteen couldn't give a sxxt........

[@_arkadal8910]

A simple thought about Swoon on a warm summer day and the depth of you then that is still me outside of time bought me here. And so. I'm off to listen to Swoon. I'm still in love with Haley Mills.

[@mitchellsteele3878]

Great to listen to prefab sprouts music after so many yrs , I lived in Witton Gilbert and had a house just up the road from McAloons garage where they practiced, great days before life got serious , all the best to paddy and the band , cheer Mitch 👍

[@JasonShinks]

What a talent. Prefab are always the band I return to after I've grown tired of the latest music phase I'm in.

[@pengiegooners]

Paddy rocks,, ure fantastic

[@fairdose]

Fan from Montreal, Canada - Loved, loved, loved "Two Wheels Good", just a lush masterpiece . So sad you guys never came to this side of the pond.

[@littlenige]

Appetite and Bonny!!! Oh my those two tunes are utterly gorgeous.

[@garymacmillan6401]

They say never meet you heroes. I have met Paddy. A top top guy.

[@j.k4984]

Not sure if i'm watching Paddy Mcloon or Santa Claus.