Paddy McAloon on this song:
"I wrote it in 20 minutes. I got off the bus one day, picked the guitar up and wrote it. I thought it was so funny I couldn't play it to anyone. It was so ridiculous that I thought we couldn't record it..." (magazine source unknown)
The King of Rock 'N' Roll
Prefab Sprout Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
All my lazy teenage boasts
Are now high precision ghosts
And they're coming 'round the track to haunt me
When she looks at me and laughs I remind her of the facts
I'm the king of rock 'n' roll completely
Hot dog, jumping frog, Albuquerque
Hot dog, jumping frog, Albuquerque
The dream helps you forget you ain't never danced a step
You were never fleet of foot, hippy
All the pathos you can keep for the children in the street
For the vision I have had is sweeping
New broom, this room, sweep it clean
(Hot dog)
Hot dog, jumping frog, Albuquerque
Hot dog, jumping frog, Albuquerque
High kickin' dandy, fine figure fine cut a fine figure fine, oh yeah
Long legged candy, fine figure fine cut a fine figure fine, oh yeah
Now my rhythm ain't so hot, but it's the only friend I've got
I'm the king of rock 'n' roll completely
All the pretty birds have flown, now I'm dancing on my own
I'm the king of rock 'n' roll completely
And I'm up from suede shoes to my baby blues
(Hot dog)
Hot dog, jumping frog, Albuquerque
Hot dog, jumping frog, Albuquerque
(Now you're lonesome)
High kickin' dandy, fine figure fine cut a fine figure fine, oh yeah
Long legged candy, fine figure fine cut a fine figure fine, oh yeah
Hot dog, jumping frog, Albuquerque
Hot dog, jumping frog, Albuquerque (la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la)
Hot dog, jumping frog, Albuquerque (the king of rock 'n' roll)
Hot dog, jumping frog, Albuquerque (la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la)
Hot dog, jumping frog, Albuquerque (the king of rock 'n' roll)
Hot dog, jumping frog, Albuquerque
"The King of Rock 'N' Roll" by Prefab Sprout is a song that explores the idea of nostalgia and reflects on the singer's past teenage boasts that have become nothing but high precision ghosts. The singer appears to be living in a present of disappointments, unsatisfied with his current state in life. He compares himself to the "king of rock 'n' roll", showing his perception that he was once a spectacular and successful figure, but with the fall of his teenage boast, his claim to royalty becomes somewhat questionable. He seems desperate to hold on to his memory and to retain his reputation despite appearing to have lost everything, as he sings, "All the pretty birds have flown, now I'm dancing on my own, I'm the king of rock 'n' roll completely."
The chorus of the song, "Hot dog, jumping frog, Albuquerque", is repeated throughout the song and is likely meant to represent the singer's longing for the past and his inability to let go of his dreams. He is still holding onto his aspirations, hoping that something will happen to change his current state. He is hanging on to the glimmer of hope that he will be able to redeem himself and become the king of rock 'n' roll again. Overall, the song describes a bittersweet feeling of nostalgia mixed with the harsh reality of a shattered dream.
Line by Line Meaning
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
Refrain
All my lazy teenage boasts
I used to brag a lot when I was young
Are now high precision ghosts
But now those boasts are just memories that haunt me
And they're coming 'round the track to haunt me
My past mistakes are catching up to me
When she looks at me and laughs I remind her of the facts
When someone notices me struggling, they can't help but remember my past arrogance
I'm the king of rock 'n' roll completely
Despite my failures, I still consider myself the best in my field
Up from suede shoes to my baby blues
From my choice of shoes to the color of my eyes, I embody the iconic rock star image
Hot dog, jumping frog, Albuquerque
Refrain
The dream helps you forget you ain't never danced a step
Sometimes it's easier to dream about success than to actually achieve it
You were never fleet of foot, hippy
I wasn't always the most talented, but with hard work and determination, I made it
All the pathos you can keep for the children in the street
I don't want sympathy, save it for those who truly need it
For the vision I have had is sweeping
I have a big dream that extends beyond my own personal success
New broom, this room, sweep it clean
I want to start fresh and forget about my past mistakes
(Hot dog)
Refrain
High kickin' dandy, fine figure fine cut a fine figure fine, oh yeah
I still have the image of being a stylish, attractive rock star
Long legged candy, fine figure fine cut a fine figure fine, oh yeah
People still find me attractive and charismatic
Now my rhythm ain't so hot, but it's the only friend I've got
Even though I'm not as successful as I once was, I still rely on music to get me through tough times
All the pretty birds have flown, now I'm dancing on my own
My former colleagues and competitors have moved on, leaving me to struggle on my own
And I'm up from suede shoes to my baby blues
But I still have my confidence and image, from my shoes to my eyes
(Now you're lonesome)
Refrain
Hot dog, jumping frog, Albuquerque
Refrain
(the king of rock 'n' roll)
Refrain
(la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la)
Refrain
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Paddy McAloon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@butternutcrunch
Some observations after coming across this for my first time moments ago:
1. Where has this been my whole life?
2. This is just the right amount of kooky.
3. I want to live inside this music video.
4. I think this song just saved my life.
5. There is the exact right amount of Albuquerque in this video.
6. I freaking LOVE everything about all of this.
7. I seriously thought I was hallucinating when I first watched it.
8. I am so glad these wonderful people had the audacity to make this fine art.
9. This song/video is sheer genius.
10. A novelty song about a fictional novelty song performer that doesn't sound like a novelty song. Brilliant.
11. This seems like someones fever dream that magically got caught on camera.
12. I really wish I'd seen this back in the day so I could have gone years without knowing anything further and just enjoyed the mystery because I'm about to go down the rabbit hole deep on this.
@sharononeil3354
Who in 2024 is listening to this classic ?😉😉
@stoneymcmechan3210
Saul Goodman does
@Pureblood32
❤❤
@erikleinonen3501
me for sure. classic shit
sshit meaning good stuff...I had a few drinks
@somersetflower
Me x
@markdkberry
aye. could have sworn it was out in 1987 though, not 88, it reminds of that year in Bristol and the summer I had there.
@iseeolly9959
Best pop song ever made...when I was 20 I worked in a petrol station in Suffolk, UK.....I had a Prefab Sprout album playing in the back-office......in walks Martin.....I asked him for his autograph and he said "Nobody's ever asked me for that before..."...we both laughed....lovely man....I've kept it in my bedside draw , tucked in the CD case, all my life...right by me now.
@Eduardo-pc6gq
That’s so cool. He seems a down to earth fella. I’ve loved this song since it came out in 88 I was a kid and loved singing Hot dog jumping frog Albuquerque again and again.
Still do tbh
@pdizzle8646
What petrol station dude ?
@thetommonator2991
Thetford lad here, well I live in Bangkok. Hi t the enemy.