Frankly, Mr. Shankly

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Cover art
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

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:

... further results

Play count (Morrissey concert): 10

Morrissey live history:

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