Sproutmash… The Ultimate Prefab Sprout Song Ranking

The very first use of Facebook was to do what Mark Zuckerberg called “FaceMash” – he harvested pictures from his users and allowed people to rank how “hot” they were by comparing one against another.

And we still trust him with our data.

In a slightly less controversial mode, Sproutology proudly presents “SproutMash”, allowing comparison of songs one at a time to determine which are the best. Every released or public domain Prefab Sprout/Paddy McAloon song is in the list. Click on the one you prefer below, and do as many as you can. It’s surprisingly addictive.

The current rankings are here (there will be a more flashy interface soon).

 

 

16 thoughts

  1. Great work from yourself. Your knowledge and workrate on the Prefab legacy is second to none. The gems you have uncovered! (esp the stuff from my loft) I doubt theres ANYONE out there who has ever put more into researching and chronicling any rock bands history. More power to your elbow. Roy

  2. awesome work. you’re the best. good to hear that some fan is doing to keep the legacy of this band alive.

  3. God, I love this site.

    My first album was “Two Wheels Good”(I live in Hawaii).

    I bought it after reading a review in Stereo Review.

    I have been a fan ever since.

    The album got me through my grandfather’s death.

    I love that the Paddy McAloon songbook is so rich that you can rank “Appetite” at #35.

  4. Let’s not take the poll seriously though… (‘Basketball’ third from the bottom! Wha’!? Plus tracks made long past PS’s halcyon days being so high up! Nah.) Good fun, but this makes YouGov look competent!

  5. It would be good if we could hear a short sample from each song before voting. Otherwise a very clever way to rank the songs.

  6. Great fun – unsurprising that Steve McQueen dominates the top placings, but I’m disappointed at the lack of love for Crimson/Red. Perhaps if C/R had been recorded with the original band, it might be up there alongside Steve McQueen…?

  7. Thanks for what you do to keep this wonderful music alive.
    I consider myself lucky to have lived in the time of Paddy and Prefab Sprout and to have seen/heard them.
    A Sprout tale from family life: my kids grew up with PS. Around the time my wife and I had a rare evening out to see the Two Wheels Good tour at Salford Uni (Oct. ’85), Steve McQueen was on regularly. My wife told our 3-year old son about the gig the following day. “The lady wasn’t there”, she said, pointing to Wendy on the front of the SMcQ CD. “She was sick and had to go home”. “Did she go on the motorbike?” asked 3 y-o.
    NB he grew up to be our fellow music-nut….bought Let’s Change The World for us, too.

  8. Thanks for doing this! I just discovered this band and wonder how they eluded me for so long! Maybe it’s because I’m American. This will be a good guide to discovering songs I haven’t heard yet! <3

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