They became popular with their first single High Voltage which was used in the Soundtrack of the movie "Password: Swordfish".
In 2003 their hit Hip Teens Don't Wear Blue Jeans was a big breakthrough as it remained 19 weeks in German top 20 charts and was featured in a Coca-Cola tv ad.
Their members are:
- Frank Popp - Voice
- Sam Leigh-Brown - Voice
- Philip Hoha - Sax
- Lele Lugosi - Guitar
- Jürgen Dahmen - Piano
- Tino Stoschek - Bass
- Marcus Scheltinga - Trombone
They released two Albums:
- Ride On!, 2001
- Touch and Go, 2005
And the Singles:
- High Voltage
- Hip Teens Don't Wear Blue Jeans
- Breakaway
Breakaway
The Frank Popp Ensemble Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nothing but weeds ever grow here.
And I've been getting sucked down more and more each day,
For a long time now, I've known it's time to leave
But it's not easy baby, (it's not easy baby)
No it's never easy (yes I know it's hard)
Just gotta leave you baby.
But you know it's time to
Breakaway,
Before I fade away,
I gotta breakaway before it's too late
Why don't you ever listen to me baby?
It's like you're sleeping and I can't get through.
Don't you see we're falling apart more and more each day.
We gotta get out before it's too late.
I know it aint easy baby,
Oh, it's not easy for me (it's not easy baby)
I don't know how to leave you baby,(yes I know it's hard)
Cos I know you'll never go, you'll never go and I got to
Breakaway,
Before I fade away
It's time to Breakaway
The lyrics of The Frank Popp Ensemble's song Breakaway talk about the need to leave an unhealthy environment, whether it be a physical place or a toxic relationship. The town or situation is described as a "great big swamp" where nothing good can grow, and the singer feels like they are being "sucked down more and more each day". They know it's time to leave, but it's not an easy decision. The use of the phrase "breakaway" implies that there is something holding the singer back, whether it be fear, attachment or hopelessness. The repetition of "it's not easy baby" and "yes I know it's hard" emphasizes the difficulty of making this break, but also suggests a sense of empathy for the other person involved, who is equally struggling to let go. The chorus is a reminder that it's important to breakaway before it's too late, in order to avoid fading away or falling apart completely.
Line by Line Meaning
This town is a great big swamp,
The place I am in is unpleasant and tiring.
Nothing but weeds ever grow here.
There is nothing good or beneficial that comes out of being here.
And I've been getting sucked down more and more each day,
I feel like I am being dragged down and held back by my surroundings, causing me to feel worse and worse over time.
For a long time now, I've known it's time to leave
I have been aware for quite some time that I need to move away and start anew, but have not made any actions towards it.
But it's not easy baby, (it's not easy baby)
This is not a simple decision to make, it's something that takes a lot of thought and effort.
No it's never easy (yes I know it's hard)
Making a big move and leaving everything behind is always difficult and challenging.
Just gotta leave you baby.
I will have to say goodbye to someone who is important to me, but it's something I must do for myself.
I know you'll never go,
I understand that whoever I leave behind won't be making the move with me.
But you know it's time to
They are aware that I have to go and seek my own happiness.
Breakaway,
I need to detach myself from this current situation and move on.
Before I fade away,
If I don't take action soon, I will continue to feel tired and unhappy with my current situation.
I gotta breakaway before it's too late
I need to make a change before it's too late and I become more stuck in my unhappy state.
Why don't you ever listen to me baby?
I feel like I am not being heard, and I am not getting through to the person who is important to me.
It's like you're sleeping and I can't get through.
I am not sure if the person I am talking to understands the severity of the situation and the impact staying in this place will have on me.
Don't you see we're falling apart more and more each day.
Our relationship is deteriorating as time goes on and our situation worsens.
We gotta get out before it's too late.
We both need to take action and leave before things get worse than they already are.
I know it aint easy baby,
I understand that what I am asking for is difficult and not something anyone wants to do.
Oh, it's not easy for me (it's not easy baby)
Leaving is not easy for me either, and it's something that is causing me a lot of pain and discomfort.
I don't know how to leave you baby,(yes I know it's hard)
I am not exactly sure how to go about leaving and saying goodbye, but I know it's something I have to do.
Cos I know you'll never go, you'll never go and I got to
I understand that whoever I am leaving behind won't be coming with me, but I have to do what is best for me.
Breakaway,
I need to detach myself from this current situation and move on.
Before I fade away
If I don't take action soon, I will continue to feel tired and unhappy with my current situation.
It's time to Breakaway
I need to make a change before it's too late and I become more stuck in my unhappy state.
Writer(s): Frank Mills
Contributed by Levi O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Julie Brownless
Totally underrated outstanding 🤘✌️😎
andrew jones
bought this album years back cos of the 60's /northern soul vibe ,still playin it ,a lot
Lionboy2930
Went to a Northern do over the weekend... dancefloor full to this...
Marc Eibel
Great song. Heard it for the first time now.
Leo Appeal
Brilliant modern northern soul !!!👍
Shirley Stevenson
Loving Frank Popp and Ensemble stuff at the moment, particularly this; which sounds very much like Stafford era and Hip teens ...... got the 60s sound off to a tee .....
The Soul Food
Soul Music down here ! We love it.
wekzone
Just amazing! Thanks for sharing! :)
renn koop
outstanding !!
Antony Gilbey
Wish they would play this a bit more on the northern circuits