Prefab Sprout with some “Hot dog, jumping frog, Albuquerque” on ttt 199
Hello music lovers and Hello hivers!
It's Tuesday and I am feel like jumping!!
Winter is back
Last night felt baltic and I see in the forecast it is going to be -2 degrees Celcius tonight. Well all I can say is fluffing brr!
The central heating is on full blast as I write this
My inspiration for the band highlighted in today's post came early this week!
*Lead Image made on Canva with an AI prompt from me the author.
It is Tuesday and that of course means that it's #ttt or #threetunetuesday and so it's time to share some tunes with you!
@ablaze started #ttt 199 weeks ago! Go check out what it is all about on his last post English Teacher for Three Tune Tuesday - Week 198 - win 5 HBI
Do go support @ablaze as without him we would not have this mental fun musical activity that you can win HSBI from! I am happy to be one of the FIVE sponsors and it is kinda fun checking out music from all over this global village of ours!
Long live #ttt 😁🎼 and #threetunetuesday
Where to start
Normally I find something that has triggered my tunes for today...
Today is no exception. It all came from a comment yesterday on my post from yesterday Auld Kirkcaldy Kirks in spring..
Yes @thebighigg said ...
You're title almost made me think of Albuquerque, they rhyme! But then again I don't pronounce the words quite as the same as you!
Whenever I hear Albuquerque, I always think of one thing and replied ....
haha I like it! And that reminds me of "Hot dog, jumping frog, Albuquerque!" the lyric from Prefab Sprout and their hit The King of Rock 'N' Roll!!
So yes let's have some Prefab Sprout tunes today. Which is appropriate for another reason.
Prefab Sprout are an English band hailing from the North East of England.
Well it just happens that Newcastle a city in the North East of England won their first domestic trophy at football on Sunday.
Serendipity? I fluffing think so!
So let's crack on with those jumping frogs!
Prefab Sprout are from County Durham in the North East of England. They had a unique blend of British pop music and were Led by the brilliant and a bit eccentric songwriter Paddy McAloon.
Their music has been described as a masterclass in literate, sophisticated pop, often laced with a wry, self-aware humour.
If you listen to the three songs that follow you will hear they are playful, profound and a bit fluffing nutty!
Prefab Sprout emerged in the early 1980s and had some cracking tunes without really ever going full mainstream, so let's hear three of them now.
Tune 1 Prefab Sprout - The King of Rock 'N' Roll
The King of Rock 'N' Roll is from the album "From Langley Park to Memphis" which was released in 1988!
It is also the tune that contains the lyrics from out post title...
Hot dog, jumping frog, Albuquerque
hehe there's todays earworm!
It does showcase the genius of Paddy McAloon songwriting skills and is a satirical take on the fleeting nature of pop stardom.
I am sure then that it comes as no surprise to you that this was their biggest hit. It got to the top ten in the UK.
Whenever I hear or even read Albuquerque then this is what pops into my head!
Tune 2 Prefab Sprout - When Love Breaks Down
When Love Breaks Down was released as a single from their second album "Steve McQueen". Interestingly this album was called "Two Wheels Good" in the US.
With the album cover featuring a motorbike and so as not to be sued etc from the estate of Steve McQueen they changed the name to Two Wheels Good.
Now knowing the wit of Paddy McAloon, this may well have been a play on the phrase "Four legs good, two legs bad". I wonder if any of you literate geniuses like @nancybriti1 recognise this from George Orwell's Animal Farm.
When Love Breaks Down was not initially a hit, but its reputation has grown over time, particular with the success of their second album three years later...
Speaking of the second album the third tune today is taken from that album ...
Tune 3 Prefab Sprout - Cars and Girls
Cars and Girls was released from the album From Langley Park to Memphis.
I am sure by now you will have instantly recognised their style that is Prefab Sprout!
The story is as relevant now as it was in 1988! It is a song that invites you to think about the stories we tell ourselves, and the narratives we consume.
McAloon is a self-confessed admirer of Springsteen and this song was a commentary on Bruce Springsteen's working-class narratives. It deconstructs the romanticised imagery of American rock. The song's sophisticated arrangement and insightful lyrics showcase Prefab Sprout's ability to blend intellectual depth with accessible pop.
This is what Gemini AI said about Cars and Girls! What do you think?
Which was your favourite Shots tune?
Note: The 3 YouTube videos that I have shared are not owned by me, I am simply spreading great music on Hive.
I wish that you all have a brilliant happy fun and terrific Tuesday until we meet again enjoy your tunes 🎶🎵🎶
Thanks for visiting!
Lead image generated with AI in canva and ramblings are from me, the mad Scotsman TengoLoTodo unless otherwise stated.
@tengolotodo March 18th 2025
When I think of Albuquerque I think of New Mexico. I've never been there before though. I'm actually listening to General Public right now and I really dig them.
Been there more times than I can count! General Public were an awesome band weren't they?
Yeah, they kind of remind me of a mixture of other bands from that time.
I have been to Taos in New Mexico but not Albuquerque
I've never been to New Mexico. I hope to make it there one day.
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Greetings bro! It's been a long time since I've had a chance to meet Prefab Sprout's music. It was never normal to listen to them at home, although I had a moment when I was obsessed with them, just when I met them and it was precisely The King Of Rock n' Roll the first one I loved... I love how inspiration for #ttt sometimes comes to us through other participants, and this is a good example. Thanks for sharing my friend ✌️
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Thank you so much bro for the curation @jesuslnrs for the liotes project. They are a great band and I loved their videos too. I did not know if people outside the UK knew them so it is great to know you liked them :)
Thanks for sharing Prefab Sprout's music. There are barely three of their big songs but without a doubt they are the best
Yeah they are a good band
George Orwell's great Animal Farm! I must confess with great embarrassment that I had never heard this group and if I had heard it, I don't remember it. I liked the rhythm and lyrics of “Cars and girls”. Very catchy tune!!! As always, great your selection, Ed!!!! Tuesday hug,
I don't think they were that big so you might not have heard of them. It is a shame they were fun bad and had crazy lyrics and videos!
I am glad you liked them Nancy :)
Tough call, I really love all three of those songs. I'm a big Prefab Sprout fan myself. I have a couple of their albums on vinyl still, Two Wheels Good is one of them! They were never huge in the US, but what a great band. Glad I inspired a great TTT!
!DUO
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Thank you, they were a great band, and for sure were something different. Especially if you listen to the lyrics :)
The lyrics are the best part of the songs, the melody is catchy. But the reason I've always come back to them is the lyrics!
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They were great songs and they rock. I don't know why I feel hungry while listening😂😆.
Hehehe the hot dog got to you Asia 🤣