The King of Rock 'n' Roll
| "The King of Rock 'n' Roll" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Prefab Sprout | ||||
| from the album From Langley Park to Memphis | ||||
| B-side | "Moving the River" | |||
| Released | April 1988 | |||
| Format |
7" vinyl 12" vinyl CD single | |||
| Recorded | 1988 | |||
| Genre | Synth-pop, new wave | |||
| Length | 4:26 | |||
| Label | Kitchenware | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Paddy McAloon | |||
| Producer(s) | Thomas Dolby | |||
| Prefab Sprout singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"The King of Rock 'n' Roll" is a single by English pop band Prefab Sprout, released by Kitchenware Records in April 1988. It was the second single taken from their album of that year, From Langley Park to Memphis, and referenced a washed-up 1950s star who is only remembered for his one-hit novelty song, which is sung in the chorus. It remains the band's biggest success in their native UK, reaching No. 7 on the UK Singles Chart, where it spent 10 weeks.[1] Producer Thomas Dolby added a synth bass in the verses to mimic the sound of a bullfrog, tying them to the chorus.[2]
Music video
The single had an unusual music video, featuring the band lying beside a pool and attended by a frog butler, a diver who is reluctant to jump into the pool until the end, and dancing human-size hot dogs.
Track listings
7" vinyl single
Side 1
- "The King of Rock 'n' Roll"
Side 2
- "Moving the River"
12" vinyl single
Side 1
- "The King of Rock 'n' Roll"
- "Moving the River"
Side 2
- "Dandy of the Danube"
- "Tin Can Pot"
CD single
- "The King of Rock 'n' Roll"
- "Moving the River"
- "Dandy of the Danube"
- "He'll Have to Go"
References
- ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 433. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ↑ AllMusic discography critique