The Last of the Famous International Playboys

Morrissey

About The Last of the Famous International Playboys

"The Last of the Famous International Playboys" was the third single released by Morrissey. It reached number 6 in the UK Singles Chart. The song was not featured on one of Morrissey's main studio albums but can be found on the compilation album Bona Drag along with the B-side "Lucky Lisp". The artwork for the single features Morrissey, aged 7, up a tree in Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester—literally a boy at play. "The Last of the Famous International Playboys" is notable for featuring three of Morrissey's former colleagues in The Smiths—Andy Rourke, Mike Joyce and one-time Smiths rhythm guitarist Craig Gannon—all of whom also appear on the B-side, "Lucky Lisp". The song mythologizes the notorious pair of vicious London gangsters known as the Kray twins (Ronnie and Reggie Kray), who held a tight rein on the East End of London during the 1960s. 


Year:
2008
3:36
32 
#1

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Dear hero imprisoned 
With all the new crimes that you are perfecting 
Oh, I can't help quoting you 
Because everything that you said rings true 
And now in my cell 
(well, I followed you) 
And here's a list of who I slew 

Reggie Kray - do you know my name? 
Oh, don't say you don't 
Please say you do, (oh) I am :

The last of the famous 
International playboys 
The last of the famous 
International playboys 

And in my cell 
(well, I loved you) 
And every man with a job to do 
Ronnie Kray - do you know my face?
Oh, don't say you don't 
Please say you do, (oh) I am : 

The last of the famous 
International playboys 
The last of the famous 
International playboys 

In our lifetime those who kill 
The news world hands them stardom 
And these are the ways 
On which I was raised 
These are the ways 
On which I was raised 

I never wanted to kill 
I am not naturally evil 
Such things I do 
Just to make myself 
More attractive to you 
Have I failed? 

Oh...

Oh, the last of the famous 
International playboys 
The last of the famous

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Morrissey

Steven Patrick Morrissey (born 22 May 1959), known as Morrissey, is an English singer and lyricist. He rose to prominence in the 1980s as the lyricist and vocalist of the band The Smiths. The band was highly successful in the United Kingdom but broke up in 1987, and Morrissey began a solo career, making the top ten of the UK Singles Chart on ten occasions. His first solo album, 1988's Viva Hate entered the UK albums chart at number one. Widely regarded as an important innovator in indie music, Morrissey has been described by music magazine NME as "one of the most influential artists ever", and The Independent has stated "most pop stars have to be dead before they reach the iconic status he has reached in his lifetime".Pitchfork Media has called him "one of th… more »

3 fans

Written by: Stephen Brian Street, Steven Morrissey

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Release
The song "The Last of the Famous International Playboys" was released by Morissey in 1989.
Performance
It was regarded as one of Morrissey's first solo performances after the breaking up of his band, The Smiths.
Chart Performance
Despite not being included on any of Morrissey's original studio albums, the song hit No. 6 on UK Singles Chart.
Song Inspiration
The song was said to be inspired by the infamous London gangsters, the Kray twins.
Music Video
The music video of the song was directed by Tim Broad and it shows Morrissey and his band escaping from the back of a police van.
Reissue
It was reissued in 2010 and reached number 9 on the UK Singles chart, including a new artwork showing an image of actor James Dean.
Band Members
For the recording of this song, Morrissey reunited the musicians who had played on The Smiths' final studio album, "Strangeways, Here We Come".
Live Performance
Morrissey performed "The Last of the Famous International Playboys" on an episode of "Top of the Pops" in 1989.
Song Themes
The lyrics of the song reflect Morrissey's fascination with fame, crime, and loneliness - frequently recurring themes in his music.
Cover Versions
Despite its popularity, the song has not been widely covered by other artists, maintaining it as a uniquely Morrissey composition.

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