Frankly, Mr. Shankly
The Smiths * Track #2 On The Queen is Dead
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Album The Queen is Dead
- #1
The Queen is DeadThe Smiths
- #2Frankly, Mr. Shankly
The Smiths
- #3I Know It’s Over
The Smiths
- #4Never Had No One Ever
The Smiths
- #5Cemetry Gates
The Smiths
- #6
Bigmouth Strikes AgainThe Smiths
- #7
The Boy with the Thorn in His SideThe Smiths
- #8Vicar in a Tutu
The Smiths
- #9
There Is a Light That Never Goes OutThe Smiths
- #10
Some Girls Are Bigger Than OthersThe Smiths
Frankly, Mr. Shankly by The Smiths
Release Date
Performed by
The SmithsProduced by
Morrissey & Johnny MarrWrited by
Morrissey & Johnny MarrAbout
“Frankly, Mr. Shankly” is a lark, an ambitious gofer’s resignation set to a light melody reminiscent of the Kinks. While referencing a real-life disagreement, this also calls back to a consistent theme throughout the album: resentment and emptiness caused by fulfillment of desire and success. It co...
Frankly, Mr. Shankly Lyrics
[Verse 1]
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 twenty-first century breathing down my neck
I must move fast, you understand me
I want to go down in celluloid history, Mr. Shankly
[Instrumental Break]
[Bridge]
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
[Verse 2]
Frankly, Mr. Shankly, this position I've held
It pays my way, and it corrodes my soul
Oh, I didn't realise that you wrote poetry
I didn't realise you wrote such bloody awful poetry, Mr. Shankly
Frankly, Mr. Shankly, since you ask
You are a flatulent pain in the arse
I do not mean to be so rude
Still, I must speak frankly, Mr. Shankly
Oh, give us your money!
Frankly, Mr. Shankly Q&A
Who wrote Frankly, Mr. Shankly's ?
Frankly, Mr. Shankly was written by Morrissey & Johnny Marr.
Who produced Frankly, Mr. Shankly's ?
Frankly, Mr. Shankly was produced by Morrissey & Johnny Marr.
When did The Smiths release Frankly, Mr. Shankly?
The Smiths released Frankly, Mr. Shankly on Mon Jun 16 1986.
What did The Smiths say about "Frankly, Mr. Shankly"?
Guitarist Johnny Marr said to NME that Morrissey sent a postcard to Linda McCartney asking that she played the piano on this track. However, she politely declined the offer.
How was this wrote?
The track was written by Morrissey and Marr in a ‘marathon’ writing session in 1985 at Marr’s home. The same marathon which produced, “I Know It’s Over” and, “There Is A Light That Never Goes Out.”
What have the artists said about the song?
Geoff Travis said to Mojo:
It’s a funny lyric and the music’s galloping rhythm makes me smile too. I love music hall and the whole breezy Max Miller feel was great. I saw the lyric as part of Morrissey’s desire to be somewhere else, so it’s not completely silly. It was The Smiths' prerogative to le...
Was this song aimed at Geoff Travis?
It is reputed that the song does, although this was never confirmed.
Geoff referred to the song as “bloody awful poetry"—the reaction would suggest this also.