Frankly, Mr. Shankly
| THE SMITHS song | |
|---|---|
| Name | Frankly, Mr. Shankly |
| Album/single | The Queen Is Dead |
| Length | 2:17 2:21 (Trumpet version) 2:26 (Studio outtake) |
| Writer/composer | Morrissey / Johnny Marr |
| Producer | Initially: Morrissey / Johnny Marr Stephen Street (Trumpet version) Then: Morrissey / Johnny Marr John Porter (Album version) |
| Recorded | Winter 1985 |
Information
- A Stephen Street produced version of this song with trumpet appears on The Smiths – Unreleased Demos & Instrumentals bootleg LP.
The demo of the song featured as an extra on the deluxe edition of The Queen Is Dead (2017).
Morrissey made a [statement] on June 8, 2021 which stated this song was not about Geoff Travis.
Lyrics
Frankly, Mr. Shankly
This position I've held:
It pays my way and it corrodes my soul
I want to leave, you will not miss me
I want to go down in musical history
Frankly, Mr. Shankly,
I'm a sickening wreck
I've got the 21st Century breathing down my neck
I must move fast, you understand me
I want to go down in celluloid history
Mr. Shankly
Fame, Fame, fatal Fame
It can play hideous tricks on the brain
But still I'd rather be Famous than righteous or holy
Any day, any day, any day
But sometimes I'd feel more fulfilled
Making Christmas cards with the mentally ill
I want to live and I want to love
I want to catch something that I might be ashamed of
Frankly, Mr. Shankly
This position I've held
It pays my way and it corrodes my soul
Oh, I didn't realize that you wrote poetry
- I didn't realize you wrote such bloody awful poetry -
Mr. Shankly
Frankly, Mr. Shankly, since you ask
You are a flatulent pain in the ass
I do not mean to be so rude
But still, I must speak frankly, Mr. Shankly
Oh, give us money
Live History
Play count (The Smiths concert): 43
The Smiths live history:
- Irvine, Scotland 1985-09-22 (The Smiths concert)
- Edinburgh, Scotland 1985-09-24 (The Smiths concert)
- Glasgow, Scotland 1985-09-25 (The Smiths concert)
- Dundee, Scotland 1985-09-26 (The Smiths concert)
- Lerwick, Scotland 1985-09-28 (The Smiths concert)
- Aberdeen, Scotland 1985-09-30 (The Smiths concert)
- Inverness, Scotland 1985-10-01 (The Smiths concert)
- Liverpool, England 1986-02-08 (The Smiths concert)
- Glasgow, Scotland 1986-07-16 (The Smiths concert)
- Newcastle upon Tyne, England 1986-07-17 (The Smiths concert)
Play count (Morrissey concert): 10
Morrissey live history:
- Killarney, Ireland 2022-09-24 (Morrissey concert)
- Blackpool, England 2022-09-28 (Morrissey concert)
- Doncaster, England 2022-09-30 (Morrissey concert)
- Glasgow, Scotland 2022-10-02 (Morrissey concert)
- Manchester, England 2022-10-04 (Morrissey concert)
- Birmingham, England 2022-10-05 (Morrissey concert)
- Stockton, England 2022-10-07 (Morrissey concert)
- London, England 2022-10-09 (Morrissey concert)
- London, England 2022-10-11 (Morrissey concert)
- Liverpool, England 2023-07-18 (Morrissey concert)
Appears On
Appears On Covers Compilation
- The Smiths Is Dead
- Godfathers Of Change Vol. 1: A Tribute To The Smiths
- How Soon Is Now? The Songs Of The Smiths By...
- The Queen Is 25
Cover Versions
Mentioned In
Related Forum Threads
- [Morrissey Central] "Wikipedia" (June 8, 2021) - Morrissey-solo (Jun 08, 2021)
- The Smiths A-Z: "Frankly, Mr Shankly" - Morrissey-solo (Jan 29, 2022)