Protest Songs is the fourth studio album by English pop band Prefab Sprout. Recorded quickly and self-produced, the album features a minimal production style at odds with most of the band's work. Originally planned to be released in December 1985 as a quickfire follow-up to the band's critically acclaimed second album Steve McQueen, it was put on hold for commercial reasons and the band moved on to record 1988's From Langley Park to Memphis. The album was finally released by Kitchenware Records and CBS on 19 June 1989. Despite the band undertaking no promotional activities, the album peaked at number 18 on the UK Albums Chart. Background and recording After the critical and commercial success of Prefab Sprout's Thomas Dolby-produced second album, 1985's Steve McQueen, Paddy McAloon felt under pressure to deliver a worthy follow-up. McAloon resolved to quickly record a new album using limited production values and to release it in late 1985, diffusing fans' expectations for a follow-up. McAloon liked the idea of a sparsely produced album to act as a balance to the polished production of Steve McQueen. Described by McAloon as "very down-to-earth" and a "black and white picture", the album was titled Protest Songs. Protest Songs was self-produced, and recorded over 12 days in September at Lynx Studios, Newcastle upon Tyne. The sessions were relaxed, with drummer Neil Conti later recalling "we just basically had fun messing around with Paddy’s wonderful songs. Old school". Protest Songs was initially intended to have a limited release for concert-goers during the band's Winter 1985 UK tour. During the tour in October and November, flyers were distributed advertising the upcoming release, reading "Strictly LTD edition / For one week only / release date December 2nd 1985". The album's planned 1985 tracklisting, as rendered on promotional copies, was: SIDE A "World Awake" "Wicked Things" "Horse Chimes" "Dublin" SIDE B "Tiffanys" "Diana" "Talking Scarlet" "Till The Cows Come Home" "Pearly Gates" "When Love Breaks Down", a single from Steve McQueen, became a transatlantic hit in October 1985. This caused the release of Protest Songs to be put on indefinite hold by CBS, who felt a new album would confuse new fans and stunt sales of Steve McQueen. As the album stayed in limbo, McAloon felt fans expectations for it heightened. The album was being extensively bootlegged across Europe at this time, a box of white label pressings of the original version