Prefab Sprout - When Love Breaks Down (Whistle Test)

[StevJame]

The 80's according to some apathetic music critics was a low point. One only look at the individual and see what(for the most part) kind of T-Shirt they are donning. Most people stay in their groupings and identify with like minded peoples(close minded souls), never ever experimenting beyond their scope of interest. That is a sad way to live a sad little life, people have a voice and maybe its time to use it. Enjoy the words, sounds and find some solace internally.

[jakufication]

Paddy`s "oh my oh my" verse reminds me similiar verse of Brian Eno`s Golden hours ;)

[airbagabe]

The guy has an incredible voice. Live, or studio.

[fl3162]

1985 was a fine year for me - half way through secondary school, summers that seemed not to end and a 13 year old girlfriend.

[1938alan]

brilliant,made when i was already middle aged

[MolloyVids]

Love it! Always loved it! Always will love it!

We had this ... today's youth have Simon Cowell's karaoke singing x-factor fucking puke-fest! God help them!

[fl3162]

Takes me back to my teen years - good times.

[TheRobertsharp]

the sprouts are really the nuts and as it's crimbo they fit like hand/glove/sock/foot/dick/harr­y

[WINGUS111]

wat a great tune . back to when music was  music

[messibw]

a wee belter x

[bunnyhop3211]

Lovely. They were a good band.

[killineybaystarlight]

Steve McQueen on tape, now chewed to bits, used to listen to this late at night many years ago.  Only recently seen the video, excellent music :)

[1001buildings]

Yes - perfect pop song and a good performance - nice to see them live (they were brilliant at hammersmith in 1990 - Generally speaking, the videos didn't do their wondeful, intelligent, cool records justice. As well as McQueen, Jordan was/is also a glorious album. Luv em.

[neonvioletpanda]

My secret obsession, perfect rock and roll.

[CaltonBhoy1967]

Sheer Genius at Work - Gaun yerself Paddy.

[Jenjenilou]

Totally shocked that these guys did nothing in the States? I would have thought the would have gone down a storm over there - but nothing. Such a shame. Great band, superb songwriters. Just love this.

[Lakespear]

Clean cut and hitting the sweet spot, never to be forgotten!

[agdigitalizacoesrj]

isso ficou na memoria, conheci esses caras na globo fm do RJ 92,5 mhz

[mariedimapilis]

Love the song. All-time fave.

[glencruitt]

Poingant so much it hurts,...where did the days go...So glad to have this kind of music to bring it all back. Classic stuff.

[roccosky1]

è da morire questa

[roasthunter]

Great live performance, where was the autotune, oh they didn't need it, cool band

[walkandskank]

The Bible are reforming for their 25th Anniversary at the Clapham Grand on Fri 30 Sept 2011 - tickets on sale now

[alfiegeorgie]

=)

[ainonosaint]

It must have been cold in the studio. The poor lass is wearing gloves and a shawl.

[berlinmitte10117]

I am sure Wendy is giggling after about 3.00 as the cameraman desperately tries to scuttle out of shot!

[cbrr600f]

The 80's.....hands down the best musical decade ever...

[ainonosaint]

@cbrr600f definitely the best decade after the 60s, and the 70s, oh, and the 50s. Mind you the noughties have been pretty good too. I think the 90s may have been slightly better. Apart from that, I agree with you.

[DAVEYBOND007]

@ainonosaint WTF you talking about dude riddles? Merchant banker !

[ainonosaint]

@DAVEYBOND007 my, my, touchy aren't we?

[TheFallToRise]

@cbrr600f no doubt about it

[eeyk1993]

GTA IV :D

[clic2droit]

one of the best song of the 80 90 's

[carbonbodyworker]

I always wanted to knob the bird out of prefab.

Wonder what shes doin now?

[johelijo]

@carbonbodyworker probs claiming benefits!!!!!!!!!!! ;~)



[jonnyl666]

@carbonbodyworker Avoiding you no doubt.........how is your cudgel...?

[carbonbodyworker]

@jonnyl666 Shut up ya prick!

Bet even your family ignore you ya asshole!

[jonnyl666]

@carbonbodyworker Tell your mummy to up your medication.........

[carbonbodyworker]

@jonnyl666 Ah fuckoff ya knobhead!

Dickheads like you need knocking out.

[jonnyl666]

@carbonbodyworker Does Miles know his daddy is a violent thug...?



[carbonbodyworker]

@jonnyl666 violent thug? bit unfair fella , after all you came at me with the bullshit ! if you waltzed in my local pub and sais something rude to me i would take you outside in the car park and teach you a lesson,i wouldnt say that was thuggish,im just trying to even out a situation! seems a bit unfair you can pop but i cant?? come on soldier!!

[ursulafinallyhastits]

@carbonbodyworker

Think she's a university lecturer. Can't remember where though.

[IStehSHIT]

durutti coulmn called, he want s his guitarsound back

[keith8880]

These guys are beyond under rated

There awesome I love this and we let the stars go

[Mrlebricabrac]

HEY !!! WATCH "JELLY PLANE" on YOUTUBE !!!

[fransam1961]

was this really almost 30 years ago???30 years?????! where have all those days gone..........brilliant band.

[markirish37]

keep playing this over and over,,, amazing,, really love it,,, Real music,,, beats the crap out of what simon cowel, louise walsh is producing so called music,, lady gaga, byonce, american rap shite,,, This is what music is about,,, exellent.

[jonkheere1]

@markirish37

Totally agree My Friend.

Paddy Macaloon,One of the most underrated songwriters of our time.

Yes this does beat the crap out of anything those pair have festooned upon Us over the Years.

But then again,My old Granny,singing at a Scottish New Year party,40 Years ago sounded better than anything that we have had the misfortune to listen to from Simon(I am not a Megalomaniac) Cowell and his Minions.

[Sassylassie54]

Just one word Fantastic

[TheCathare6]

No words enough to describe...

i takes me every time i hear it. Mc Queen 's one of best pop album.A sound of the past which could so new if it appears today.(sorry my bad english)

[maggotbunna66]

Greater than the Beatles. The Prefabs are one of the greatest bands every to grace the UK.

[AdvancedGuitar]

When love breaks down

The things you do to stop the truth from hurting you

[SuperDubnut]

Beautiful song. Strange how it takes you right back to a crystal clear day in the 1980's.

Todays music just cant compete.

[hoodsxl]

pongo you are so lucky - I dont know why i didn't make a bigger effort to go and see them. Paddy sings great minus Wendy - but he looks to have turned into a recluse. What a shame.

Sorry for your loss - I so hope that there is a heaven. A lot of good people I know have committed suicide they were all good people too!

[pongo1128]

class band, class tune, saw them loads back in the day. this song always reminds me of an old friend, sadly no longer with us :( xx

[accadoza]

getting old ,reminds me of old girlfriend

[TheTwilightalehouse]

@accadoza hey me too......played while we made out...good memories

[TheClaptonisgod]

Wonderfull

[arekusu1furansujin]

goosebumps.........

[Picornia]

Great! They are fantastics!

[flavy1977]

Stupenda.



[jsbx5]

Never have seen them play live until now...they sound really good live. Thanks for posting this!

[wildnutria]

ahh, 80's music i miss that time, it was such nice times.

[hoodsxl]

gothos - Why dont we like quiet and unassuming people like Paddy? I think that if you have a choice of say Oasis who are always so opinionated and mouthy (yeah they are talented but why are they so aggressive?) Prefab are just as talented and so into their music and are just as interesting. I think that the whole pop industry has got very macho.

[hoodsxl]

Why do people like arrogant and pretentious persons such as Morrissey it is beyond me.

Prefab were really unique excellent and will also be eternal.

God when you are talented as Paddy Macloon you don't need to be pretentious. or look down or talk down (just check out his interviews he is super intelligent and very quietly spoken genius) to people.

[gothos1000]

@hoodsxl ..because if all art were driven by the humble and unassuming, there wouldn't be much left to read, look at or listen to in the end. Still, talent shouldn't give you licence to be an asshole.

[tnabais]

@hoodsxl Why is the pretentious smiths featured on the same page as the genius that is Paddy Macaloon? Pretentious The Smiths? Excuse me? The Smiths had ALL the reasons in the world to be pretentious. They were really unique, excellent, and will always be eternal.

[hoodsxl]

Why is the pretentious smiths and style council featured on the same page as the genius that is Paddy Macaloon? Paddy has actually complained in interviews that PAul Weller makes a living out of complaining that he came from a miserable council estate. Whilst Paddy thinks that the small village that he came from was inspirational.

[19fugazi71]

all time classic

[hoodsxl]

Love this in its raw state.

[wblyth83]

magical arrangement. pure and unabused by tech. awesome!!!!

[dixiedean10]

This song brings back summer days and sunshine good times good people many moons ago always a classic to me.

[drumgold23]

My eyes are offended by a pop-up ad for "Arcade Fire" who sound like a hysterical Salvation Army band at best when compared to the sublime beauty of the 'fabs. This is possibly one of the most beautiful, heartbreaking songs ever written. The later, acoustic solo Paddy version is touching beyond belief and may even (just about) top this...

[killineybaystarlight]

Gosh, amazed by how many people are liking this song. Amazing album too, this song in particular, has sad memories for me. But PFS had amazing vocals and music x

[Dezorno]

Rudimentary creatures of blood and flesh. You touch my mind, fumbling in ignorance, incapable of understanding.

[dcnicholas]

Wow. Brilliant performance!

[dsim200000]

8 people don't know how love breaks down like if u agree with me!!!

Btw i LOVE this song! GTA Ballad of Gay Tony rocks :DDD

[MYBLUES74]

top top tune, never tire of this. bought the greatest hits and out of the 16, 14 are great tunes, especilally cars nand girls and life of surprises

[LedSexton]

Never knew Dirk Kuyt played bass

[PBL187]

@LedSexton Looks nothing like Dirk Kuyt....

[bricktrainsoulja]

@LedSexton He played bass in the La's as well!!

[darren1naudi]

One of those classic cases where art is appreciated long after the artist is dead. One band that was good at their time and even better at this day and time.

[lbarsch70]

OMG, one of the finest pieces of music ever made. 'McQueen is perhaps the best pop album of all times. But I also adore Thomas Dolby as producer, I think the Sprouts wouldn't have sounded that unbelievable and totally unique without him. Their music will NEVER die (until the end of our civilisation, electric power supply and our technical facilities opening the gates to this musical miracle)!!! 7 people can't control their fingers or mistake right for left;) (Please excuse my bad English)

[quogequox]

@lbarsch70 It better be I just bought it on ebay based on your call ;)

[lbarsch70]

@quogequox Think You will enjoy it!

[quogequox]

@lbarsch70 alas i was disapppointed with it

[srursomau]

@lbarsch70 I agree, and i have a vinyl and a cd . Long live the garage parties.

[lbarsch70]

@srursomau If you want to sell your vinyl, I won't say no;-)))))))

[coloneldecker]

@lbarsch70

There's nothing wrong with your English.

[1fiolex]

Fantastic band, timeless!

[THEBONEENGINE]

martin mcaloon is one ugly motherfucker!!!

[cofpaddy]

This band was so underrated.

[limeywestlake]

@cofpaddy

Hardly! Paddy is considered on of the best songwriters of the 20th century. Steve McQueen, likewise, highly-rated, critically.

Why are they underrated? Because they are not in the charts now? If so, that has more to do with TIME than TALENT.

I remember, personally, 20 years ago, almost everyone in Britain humming the King of Rock and Roll.

[olliespike2]

I understand what ur saying the monster75...but fear not..this band are not under-rated...they are adored by many millions of people around the world...who hear the wonderful music they make and realise how special it is.

M.

[unclerickie1]

If anyone listened to Style Council (Paul Weller) they are very similar. Better, more meaningful lyrics though. just a thought.....

[mantra3000]

Hum... They had a bunch of top twenty or near top twenty hits, they played worldwide, their music is still discussed on forums, how exactly can it be "underrated"?

[jml2621]

@mantra3000 Sprout had 0 charting singles in the US. Only one album charted in the US, Steve McQueen as Two Wheels Good. I think I've heard Nightingales once on American radio and saw If You Don't Love Me a time or two on VH1 ages ago...

[ddeus25]

I love the 80s. Brit pop and 'new wave' were at their apogee and metal was intelligible and theatrical. Ah to be in that sea of melody.

[ratatatboom]

Prefab sprout is definitely one of the most brilliant yet underrated bands. I remember listening to prefab while I was still a student in Manila. New wave music dominated the airwaves then while the country, particularly the nation's capital, was experiencing political unrest. Many student activists were listening to new wave music which was then considered as anti-establishment. Although prefab's music is far from that t it has gained some modest following among student activists.

[MartiW]

You break my heart Paddy

[Ballyhook]

I stand corrected. The are english. Still good band lol

[Ballyhook]

Fantastic irish band. Makes me proud

[thecoldnapoleons]

@themonster75

@mayraharket

Same from a 17 year old! My favorite group, hands down. Wanna start a band?? :P

[jackhillty1]

listen to Jordan over and over

[liquidgee13]

flowing

[Solrac20092009]

Excelente cancion......como todas las de Prefab

[kevrs2]

brings back fantastic memories::))

[beltanesmith]

this is what great music is all about.delightful pure class

[PLAYERSPECIAL]

...we join the rest

[JulioCarlos69]

buena cancion recien la escucho

[plapper1]

Album was 1st released as Steve Mcqueen .... They had to change the name due to copyright issues with the actor!!!!!1

[jansuch]

Album also released with name "Two Wheels Good"

[SiriosIX]

Steve McQueen is one of my favourite albums of all time. Prefab Sprout really were under-rated. Why I will never know. I love them

[bimbopovero]

Uno dei più bei dischi anni '80 STEVE Mc QUEEN dei PREFAB SPROUT

[Jim7711154]

@mtaylor848

"hits" mean sales. "Hits" doesn't mean bad or good. I think they produced great music.

[polishecstasy]

Linked from todays Guardian website on an Annie Nightingale feature. Nice memories, but seeing them at Hammersmith Palais was fairly boring... not much stage presence.

[TheNuwaver]

Six people gave it thumbs down.  Why?

[beltanesmith]

@TheNuwaver because they have got cauliflowers for ears

[Jonathankydd]

wonderful

[SuzLa1]

Is there a video for cars and girls on the whistle test?

[goonercrew08]

@mtaylor848 "Two real hits";but several great albums.

[Jamok1324]

Genius song. Love the Sprouts

[Tort01ses]

Stangely, this song reminds me of when I first fell in love. And I did, big time.Greatest song.

[Vibez1989]

brings back so many memorys love it.

[jared1971]

I love this. I totally agree they probably are the most underrated band of the 1980's into the 90's.

[jonkheere1]

@jared1971

Well said my Friend.

Paddy Macaloon is one of the greatest underrated songwriters of our time!

[cyprixx]

Happy 25th Paddy....

[Renegade4love]

This is so good, that I can hardly believe it truly exists.

[BitsBobsThisAndThat]

If there ever was a superb album then 'Steve McQueen' is it. A great clip from back in the day. Thanks for sharing. Liked & Faved :)

[Pinky39559]

Okay Paul , you got me going on a 80s musical nostalgic trip here , this is absolutely one of my favourite songs and band of that era .

[33pets]

great music...very understated group

[Chloeclover1997]

It's really awesome, great music!

But you should check out Selena Gomez, she rules :)

[Robert9751]

So young - so lovely - this was the soundtrack to my love life...still ove it although all the lovers are long gone. Ah well, happy memories...

[tristezatrece]

Que elegancia.

[djstella22]

i♥ it !!!

[suburbansoftrocker]

One of the best ballads ever. Yeah.

[uglysob]

I timeless classic...

[jacett]

love love love....remember this song from my childhood and i still LOVE it! the whole album is awesomeness :)

[aripar1970]

A very fine and sophisticated pop song. Incredible that a band like this has a low profile. One of the best Pop-Jazz bands of the U.K. Art in the more pure essence.

[belconnen]

Thanks GTA for introducing this song to me.

[banjgoboy24]

Nice to see the words of 15 year old music loving, with an ear for good taste enjoying this amazingly under rated classic sound. The sound surrounds you with a .....?. Thats for you to say.

[jerste]

Shame Paddy did his latest album without Wendy.

[aaroncerezo]

where the can I find this artist???? anyone knows???

[craterscar]

@aaroncerezo Go to any music shop around the globe, ask for a COMPACT DISC OF PREFAB SPROUT CALLED "STEVE MCQUEEN" - it should be extremely cheap, around 5/6 euros. Cheers.

[cjenkins73]

Amazing group - i do think they were so underated. Prefab, you deserved better and we are sorry! Get back to the 80s - happy times.................

[EngelElvis]

nice somg

[rupert1124]

these guys are so COOL...........

[alibootboy]

fuck off sony music

[MrSunnyfriday]

@alibootboy , ,hey man , you are right...allmost every song out of two goes blocked because of these clowns claiming rights on it

[alibootboy]

@MrSunnyfriday heya Sunny, we'll just have to write more of our own, I guess!

[joolsziggy]

beautiful words.....

[alibootboy]

@joolsziggy thanks ziggy



[laminarwing]

wow 1985... one of my favourite songs in this wonderfull year as I was secondary student .... my best memories.

[stephenkelsey]

I REMEMBER THAT BEST BAND EVER .

[Sophiem972]

What a great song and fantastic band! From a great fan of Holland

[miserablemutante]

i miss you babe...

[ee45exx]

And these guys are performing live WOW AMAZING BAND

[Sangor]

This just goes to show that 80's bands were and still are the best

[MrSunnyfriday]

@Sangor ..true words...

[666lenn]

@Sangor that's sooo right

[grint34]

@Sangor I dont think so man, the seventies were way better, so were the nineties

[may15cal]

@Sangor ALL YOU SAID IS SO TRUE, THANKS,

[foxfac007]

Blissful, melodic songs from a real class act. The tingles confirm the passion. Are they still touring ?

[graemeedwards1970]

The greatest songwriter after Lennon / McCartney.

[doire1962]

I remember this song fondly.

[snapshotsid]

Great song. So many memories. So much sadness.

[kaka3178]

Love this song was only a kid when i heard this song first and think was on a old cassette tape I had

[queentantrumofficial]

Beautiful song.

[acs1978aus]

they're even better live!

[mfactor88]

turning up early for a first date and playing this in the car as we drove to dinner (early 85 summers eve with the windows down). great memories....never worked out ....still single. i still play the song in the car sometimes though m48

[franknwalters]

* * * * *

[scoey5765]

never forget

[simasgar]

Nice playback...

[fafinane]

toujours aussi excellent a entendre!!!!!

[Zarathoustran]

Still amazingly good, my god, it makes me remember a few years ago...It makes me cry. I'm so stupid. Time's running out so quickly. Awesome band anyway. Great stuff.