Paddy McAloon's Career In His Own Words | Interviews | Prefab Sprout

[@tonywilson7468]

I live less than a mile from where Paddy's home address is, I have met hime on quite a few occasions whilst he is out walking, I have spoken to him on every occasion I have bumped into him, I love this man's music of which I have told him that he is a genius of our time and possibly the last 70 years, on a par with the greatest, Lennon and Macca etc of which he massively informs me of what a fool I am. This man is a genius, talking to him he is as pleasant as a very good next door neighbour . Paddy McAloon is a sweet loving family man who will play down his sheer genius to all media, what a wasted charisma and personality, he is still streets ahead of all of these so called wannabes out there today,

[@MrSchminky]

It's all very bittersweet when it comes to Paddy. There should be hours of interviews with him, documentaries about him. It saddens me so much to think of how unknown he is. I remember looking at some Rolling Stone list of "greatest songwriters" as I thought he'd surely be placed SOMEWHERE in a music magazine and was wondering what they thought. Nope, nowhere to be seen. I just don't get it. Thanks for telling him he's a genius and that he's loved and appreciated for who he is and what he's done, and I hope he accepts it.

[@bmitchell928]

Only man I loved his voice is like gold

[@benedictearlson9044]

It's very hard to take being called a genius no matter who you are, especially for a grounded person I'd imagine. Artists are usually very self-critical, so they actually feel far removed from genius and often feel they are never good enough! The not wanting to tour, especially through the 90's and noughties when that's where the money was made as record sales fell has likely had a big impact on his reputation as a writer. But reputation is odd, look at someone like Nick Drake, he was never recognised for his greatness while alive.

[@livechatlive390]

Hi @tonywilson7468 I've been dreaming all my life about meeting Paddy one day, talking to him and say thank you! for having all those beautiful songs.. I'm just wondering what town, village does he live? Obviously, I guess is not possible to get his home address but It would great meeting him walking down the street by the coffee shop! 😊 Thank you for posting!

[@richardcooke5415]

The posts above have resonated with me. I'm a latecomer to Paddy's music as I am to many genres. Catching up with his back-catalogue has given me much pleasure over the last month or two. There are many stand-out tracks musically and lyrically, and what I love is that they're interesting, clever and observant of the human condition. I too have imagined taking to Paddy, having a chat about some of my favourite records and even asking about certain chord changes etc and how much happiness his music gives me. 'I love music'! It won't happen of course, but I do hope that Paddy releases some more material, there must be so much treasure waiting to be revealed to the world.

[@philpowell6915]

This man's music inspired me to quit my job, go into further education, and eventually obtain my degree. Swoon, Steve McQueen, From Langley Park to Memphis, Protest Songs etc all provided the background music during this time. I'm eternally grateful to Paddy for this. A truly underrated singer/songwriter ❤

[@markdawson-smith1950]

I remember buying 'Don't Sing' during my last year at secondary school. It was like no other song I had ever heard before, and it put me on a life-long love for this local County Durham band. It is interesting to hear Paddy responding to comments about comparisons with those such as Lennon and McCartney. In my honest opinion, Paddy is the greatest lyricist post 1970. Love them to bits.

[@brufrog]

definitely one of the best. Right up there with Costello, Andy Partridge. I miss new music from Paddy so much :( I've been playing his America video over and over since the election.

[@jasonsyers3948]

An under exposed band because Paddy wouldn’t tour, but their songs are 24 ct gold, genius is a word over used but Paddy always walked to the beat of his own drum, all his songs crafted and clever, written and sung now with us forever! I remember being in HMV browsing, loving the look of the Steve McQueen album cover, which for me perfectly captures & evokes the charisma of the band & I’ve listened to that album a million times since along with all the others, their songs are peerless. Like a ring in a jewellers shop they stand out not because they big, brash & shiny but because they’re elegant, refined & sparkle in all the right places.

[@Dan.Chaytor]

Beautiful words 👏

[@mistlegigg]

And the Music Box interviewer has the nerve to ask him how he can call himself a great songwriter like Lennon and McCartney. Not cool.

[@darenreynolds8824]

Should be , Sir Paddy ,for services to our hearts .

[@darenreynolds8824]

Paddy’s a legend and the script writer of my heart , truly amazing mind !

[@eleanorratcliffe1697]

I saw paddy milling around our local metro center some months back ..I regret not plucking up my inner courage to speak to him .best songwriter ever

[@mrmeg01]

He would have been thrilled if you had simply shook his hand and said , your music has been the soundtrack of my life

[@analisathirwell7071]

He’s had so many cool looks! Love his speaking voice as well as his singing voice… soothing.

[@grahamwilde8605]

Very lucky to see Prefab Sprout twice, once at the International Club in Manchester with Hurrah supporting and secondly at Salford Uni when Wendy Smith was ill. For someone who didn't like touring, Paddy was a great performer. The one in Salford was memorable. He properly rocked the joint. It was almost as though Wendy's absence put a fire in his belly.

[@mikeLoft]

Thank you so much for this. I've been a diehard from the first Kitchenware single. Have done what I could here in the USA to spread the genius of Paddy, playing and programming his music on radio since 1984.

[@ianbruce892]

Paddy is just GENIUS!!🎉🎤🎶❤😎🥇

[@garymacdonald7165]

When i was working in Toronto in the 80s,the Canadian radio stations loved British music like Wham Bananarama,Swing out Sister,Simply Red and definetly PREFAB SPROUT! Well done Paddy!

[@Gothic55]

I have always loved Prefab and admired Paddy Mac. Is it time for another one? Happy new year Paddy.

[@stevem-h3562]

Nobody does lyrical imagery like Paddy McAloon. NOBODY. And I adore songwriters and how the best of them set out to tell a story. And, in all the brilliant lyricists that I've loved deeply over the decades - Gerry Goffin, Hal David, Dianne Warren, George Michael, Jason Isbell and dozens of others - nobody puts an image in my minds eye like Paddy does. I Trawl The Megahertz has me on the whole gamut of emotions and its not even a conventional song lyric... but one minute I can be purring like a contented kitten and the next minute weeping like a forlorn schoolkid. Paddy is an absolute world class songwriter and has touched so many people's lives with his wonderful works and has given them comfort, solace, strength, everything... I'm not sure he realises quite how much that means to the fanbase or just quite how deeply his music touches a lot of us. One of the true greats of the last 50 years and I honestly and truly believe that.

[@mistlegigg]

I hope he does realise how much his music means to the fan base. I’m grateful every day that I can hear his work.

[@mygicshow]

Brilliant artist… One of the best ever!

[@carmelo6227]

What a genius. His songs are part of the soundtrack of my life. And they will always be. God bless you Paddy!!! Thank you so much for uploading this👍

[@conwaynoel3715]

A fabulous song writer, love him. Who could write a song like " We let the stars go" one of the best ever. Genius.

[@TheMOOXTER]

When I was 14, I was stood in Pet Sounds in Old Eldon Square, Newcastle, leafing through vinyl records. To my right stood a man with the best hair I’d ever seen. He had a black donkey jacket on and I was mesmerised by his style. He then turned his head around and I realised it was Paddy. I was even more awestruck, but decided against playing it cool. I spoke with him over a pile of records. He was an absolute gentleman, and very humble. That was in ‘87. I’ve loved his music even more ever since that day. A true original, and an astronomical talent.

[@jazzchamaeleon]

wonderful, thanks for posting this great compilation of interviews!

[@maryfrance1187]

Thank you very much for sharing your video. 🙏 What an amazing group. Paddy is a genius 🎼🎶😊

[@davidmarcoval12500]

Please, never tire of awakening our senses with your compositions. Gracias!

[@kaivrock]

Hey Paddy Joe. I can figure out what Stevie Wonder is doing, or Lennon McCartney. But I can't figure out how you come up what you do. Prefab was a huge revelation to me in the early 80's and I still play you like I did then. Thanks for still being around.

[@isabellerosee1284]

Que de souvenirs !! ❤️❤️❤️🌸🌸🌸Perfect!! I love that!!.. thank you.

[@tommymcclymontmusic245]

I enjoyed this greatly. Thanks for putting it together!

[@marcopetermeloni1390]

Thank your for sharing.

[@kelvynification]

What Paddy is constantly articulating that seems to go over peoples heads is the fact that he is - rightfully - more interested in the creative process… YES THE PROCESS!!!! Not the other stuff that is not part of his idea of being in the ‘moment of constantly becoming…’ The huge dynamic that the empty page presents you with, that amazing moment between nothing and something, a place where anything, everything can happen. Recording becomes arduous and touring in his mind I would imagine when compared with the excitement that creating something new offers. Chasing the truth of a moment down the rabbit hole:) Most definitely one of the great songwriters.

[@garysze9231]

Wow, thank you so much for compiling this! I wish the eccentric genius good health and more output in the future.

[@neilmclaughlin4817]

Thanks very much for putting this together, there is so much in here I wasn’t aware of and Prefab Sprout are one of my favourite bands. Paddy is an erudite genius.

[@RakucERamICs2011]

'I couldn't bear to be special' was my first window into this amazing bloke's world and I bought 'Swoon' all those years ago, a phenomenally 'spare' arrangement full of space but also sentiment and power. I was given the 38 carat gold double album many years later and it,s never been off my ipod nano 5th generation playlist all these years. 'Crimson Red' joined it when I was gifted that and, just last week I was first exposed to the reissue of the 'I trawl the Megahertz' and purchased it straightaway - the first phrase of the title track knocked my Old Grey Whistle Test out the park. All hail the Macaloon (or ‘macaroon' if spellcheck has its evil way) a true poet of word and wave.👏👏👏

[@jeanettedevereux7664]

Crazy genius..... God bless him. Macca 2.

[@conwaynoel3715]

Have loved prefab since the early 80s, a real genius, love the guy.

[@analisathirwell7071]

Love love love this! I’m a huge Paddy fan and have all his records… I tell people about him all the time.

[@andrewcroft6855]

Wonderful, i remember buying Swoon back in 1984 having not heard any of the tracks. A truly stunning album from a very under-rated band. So glad that i grew up with such sublime music in the 80's and not the dross that youngsters put up with now.

[@slugoperator]

Thanks for putting this together.

[@prodigalsorcerer1415]

Low, Chris Rea, Kate Bush, The Pogues and many more have all made stunning alternative Christmas music. I'm sure Paddy could nail it, twice even!

[@rooftopcat1785]

"IF" he would put out another set of songs from that vault hes talked about, including glass slipper that would make happy. i love prefab sprout music.

[@RH1812]

I saw Prefab Sprout in I think 1981? Maybe 82..Supporting Elvis Costello. Birmingham Odeon. A great night.

[@rachelwilliams7077]

38 years ago, a high school friend put a bootlegged cassette of Two Wheels Good in my hands. I've purchased every album and been a huge fan ever since. ❤

[@qwj68boots]

Major props to Martin, Wendy & Neil + Thomas Dolby! Let's Hear it for them who all contributed to Prefab Sprout making PM the legend we fawn over, sugary hiccups and all. ☺🥰🤗

[@deepfocus888]

Wonderful! thank you for the upload

[@Xingqiwu387]

Fantastic interview! What a great person(ality). Just my type of person, and his music is tremendous too.

[@SANDSCORCHER]

Fascinating 😎👍🏻

[@chazzyoung9128]

I met paddy once in metro centre years ago what a lovely man

[@stephentoner2932]

Legend, and I mean Legend, my favourite band of all time, tks Paddy and the gang, brilliant 👏 👍 ❤

[@brianwhitfield8302]

Brilliant song writer brilliant band thanks paddy

[@benrigby1098]

Yo, thanks for compiling this, this is great

[@orlafenlon8048]

My loveliest band ever, dreamy ... listening on my little transistor in bed, late night, early morning, before putting on the uniform to 'visit' the nuns in school each day...

[@joedent3323]

"Visit" the nuns? Are you at a Catholic school? I had a couple of Nuns teach me at school when I was a bit younger 😇😈

[@bobbeland9220]

I completely get Paddy and touring. That’s why I stopped touring in 1990 after twenty plus years out there. I much prefer to write and record. 8 solo D.I.Y. albums later I feel I made the right decision.

[@brownson1970]

He is an absolute treasure and looks cool as ever!!!

[@kevinmoor8266]

An enjoyable watch, thanks.

[@TB-tv2re]

Thanks for the clips! Small correction, the gig in 1985 was in München not in Berlin.

[@Fatinha1966]

Um génio do som para sempre

[@Gerardjhughes]

Legend

[@michaelprice1216]

Love Paddy, but have to mention Martin. Incredible and terribly overlooked bass player. If all he'd ever done was the bass part to Cue Fanfare he'd still be a killer.

[@gagiman7273]

What a bloody nice down to eath chap

[@snorhyveln]

Wendy Smith's voice

[@superultramega77]

Such beauty!!!

[@giorgiorevolver8527]

I always loved him

[@SurvivingTheApocalypse]

I wonder if his career ever had him crossing paths with Mark Hollis from Talk Talk? Very similar mindset.

[@pommelhorsepommelhorse8731]

without mercy, where is goodness?

[@patriziapiva3201]

Un maestro del Pop, lo amo.

[@darkcnotion]

What's the first song? beautiful

[@muncho893khw]

That’s Cruel, off of Swoon

[@mrmeg01]

Tinnitus is such a debilitating illness

[@bryce4238]

CHEERS😘! Do not miss out - P R O M O S M .

[@carlobertone5587]

Il n'y a pas de français qui apprécient ? Dommage!

[@Dave-ko2pr]

He really has aged though hasn’t he , old Paddy…

[@vandolmatzis8146]

Bro is a Bard.c,mon.

[@captainfeedback1]

*lynchpin