Some things hurt more...

than Cars and Girls... or so Paddy wrote and sang in "Cars and Girls".

Paddy is Paddy McAloon of the superb 80's British band Prefab Sprout and thanks to YouTube.com, I've been seeing a lot of them lately these days. And like all honest to goodness music, which PS plays superbly (which is something greatly missed these days), it is healing and lifting my spirit.

Hearing Paddy sing again and seeing their rare videos brought good memories of growing up in a music-filled atmosphere. I discovered Prefab Sprout at about the same time I joined two choirs in the 80's - one in high school and the other in church. Suffice it to say I had a bit of formal training as a tenor in both choirs; I learned how to read notes, blend voices as well as sing solo. I remember having good times with my fellow choir members going as far as Baguio City to sing for churches there. We also took part in church Cantatas and university music festivals.

It's no wonder that music is among my passions. If there was one arena I would have wanted to succeed, it would have been in it; deep inside, I've always been a frustrated musician or rockstar if you will. Now, I only get to sing in the occassional videoke sessions either with my ACFJ classmates or with other good friends (because only good friends tolerate one's less than professional singing hahaha).

But I digress now - see how Prefab Sprout brought up good memories through their music? There is really nothing like to listening to good music - it just triggers a flood of good memories. In this case, I was in double heaven, for I was seeing music videos of again this little known band; I remembered complaining before that their videos rarely received considerable play on MTV.

Now, lo and behold, there they were in YouTube.com in all their 80's glory...

In my book, Prefab Sprout is one of the greatest yet underrated British bands to come out that from glorious musical decade of the 80's (many say THE musical decade and I agree). But while PS was critically acclaimed they only received moderate commercial success. But as Paddy sang, some things hurt more than cars and girls, like too much fame and fortune. Just look at Boy George and George Michael - all 80's icons too (what's with the name George and the slide from fame?).

I couldn't forget the band's line-up. While frontman Paddy McAloon wrote puzzling lyrics, for me he is a great songwriter, singer and guitar and keyboard player. His brother Marty McAloon played bass while childhood buddy Nick Conti played drums. Another friend Wendy Smith provided backup and I must say, hauntingly ephemeral vocals. In some of these YouTube videos, only Paddy and Marty sing, especially in the music festival that they joined in Ireland in 2000; I learned later that Wendy was giving birth hence her absence. Nick reportedly plays with them from time to time. Paddy looked a far cry from his movie star looks these days but his voice remains absolutely youthful and powerful.

The good news is, PS is still performing; I heard they have a new reunion album in the works. Judging from the comments in the youTube videos, I am not alone in wanting the group to come back to perform regularly again and I hope they do.

My all time favorite song by the band, which I consider to be their greatest song is When Love Breaks Down ; this was also their highest rating song which went to number two in the US charts. Paddy's lyrics in this song really hit a homer for me when I first heard it way back:

"...When love breaks down

The lies we tell,
They only serve to fool ourselves,
When love breaks down
The things you do
To stop the truth from hurting you
When love breaks down
You join the wrecks
Who leave their hearts for easy sex..."

There are several other immortal Prefab Sound songs; the following are my favorites:
- The Sound of Crying (haunting and gets better each time you hear it)
- The King of Rock and Roll (with PS' scarcely seen video)
- Appetite (the first PS song that got me hooked to the group)
- Cars and Girls (featuring Wendy's haunting back-up vocals)
- Goodbye Lucille (with Paddy's signature singing)
- Life of Surprises (great video; even greater lyrics = ..."never let your conscience be harmful to your health...")

Actually, all PS songs are classics. Rediscovering Prefab Sprout this time was absolutely providential. Now I'm consumed by the need to store these immortal songs in my walkman phone soon. You know, when the blues hits you, you just tune in to Prefab Sprout and everything turns out fine somehow.

For now, thank you YouTube for having these music videos, I am truly grateful.

To Prefab Sprout - thank you for the music. I am indebted forever.