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
Genre	Synthpop, New Wave
Length	4:26
Label	Kitchenware
Writer(s)	Paddy McAloon
Producer(s)	Thomas Dolby
Prefab Sprout singles chronology
"Cars and Girls" (1988) "The King of Rock 'n' Roll" (1988) "Hey Manhattan!" (1988)

"The King of Rock 'n' Roll" is a single by the English pop band Prefab Sprout, released 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 1950s star who is only remembered for his one-hit novelty song, which is sung in the chorus. It remains as the band's biggest success in their native UK, where it reached #7 on the UK Singles Chart, and spent 10 weeks in the listings.^[1] Producer Thomas Dolby added a synth bass in the verses to mimic the sound of a bullfrog, tying them into the chorus.^[2] The song was featured in the 2nd episode of the 1st season of Spaced as well as an advert for Boots that premiered in October 2014.

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 one

1. "The King of Rock 'n' Roll"

Side two

1. "Moving the River"

12" vinyl single

Side one

1. "The King of Rock 'n' Roll"
2. "Moving the River"

Side two

1. "Dandy of the Danube"
2. "Tin Can Pot"

CD single

1. "The King of Rock 'n' Roll"
2. "Moving the River"
3. "Dandy of the Danube"
4. "He'll Have To Go"

References

1. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 433. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
2. Allmusic discography critique