The King of Rock 'N' Roll

Infobox Single
Name = The King of Rock 'N' Roll


Artist = Prefab Sprout
Recorded = 1988
Genre = Pop music/Rock music
B-side = Moving The River
Length = 4' 26"
Record label = Kitchenware Records
Writer = Paddy McAloon
Producer = Thomas Dolby
Chart position =

• #7 United Kingdom

"The King of Rock 'N' Roll" is a single by the British rock group Prefab Sprout in 1988. It was the second single taken from their album of that year, "From Langley Park to Memphis" and makes reference to a washed-up '50s star who is only remembered for his one hit novelty song, which is sung in the chorus. Ironically, it remains as the band's biggest success in their native UK, where it reached #7 on the UK Singles Chart.cite book
first= David
last= Roberts
year= 2006
title= British Hit Singles & Albums
edition= 19th
publisher= Guinness World Records Limited
location= London
pages= p. 433
id= ISBN 1-904994-10-5]

The single featured a slightly odd music video, which featured the band all lying along a pool side, as they are tended to by a frog waiter; a diver who is reluctant to jump into the pool until the end; and life-size hot dogs appeared by the pool side, dancing during the chorus.

Thomas Dolby's suitably gimmicky production had the synth bass burping in the verses to subtly mimic the sound of a bullfrog, tying them into the chorus. [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=33:3zfpxqlrldae All Music Guide discography critique] ] The song's chorus, "Hot dog/Jumping frog/Albuquerque!" is supposed to be the song's character's sole claim to fame.

The single was Prefab Sprout's sixth such release to feature in the UK Singles Chart, and spent 10 weeks in the listings.

References