The Last of the Famous International Playboys Lyrics
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, oh)
I am
[Chorus]
The last of the famous
International playboys
The last of the famous
International playboys
[Verse 2]
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, oh)
I am
The last of the famous
International playboys
The last of the famous
International playboys
[Verse 3]
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, 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...
Oooh, oooh, yeaah, nooo, nooo (pa ramp-amp-amp)
Nooo, nooo, yeaah, yeaah, nooo (pa ramp-amp-amp)
Nooo, nooo, yeaah, nooo, yeaah (pa ramp-amp-amp)
Nooo, nooo, yeaah, nooo, yeaah
Oooh
About
This track was the third single released by Morrissey, but never featured on any of his studio albums.
Although Morrissey is well-known for toeing the line between playing ‘playboy’ and playing ‘celibate’, he’s not talking about himself in this song—he’s admiring a famous pair of gangster twins in London, Ronnie and Reggie Kray, and acknowledging the fame and judgment we place upon those in the spotlight.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
Morrissey on the song, to NME in 1989:
’The Last Of Famous International Playboys’, is the first record that I feel hysterical about, and I’m very pleased to feel that way. I compare it to ‘Shoplifters Of The World Unite’. I heard ‘Shoplifters Of The World Unite’ once on the radio, a chart rundown. It was a new entry. They had to play it. They had no choice. And I laughed hysterically as it listened to it. I felt a great sense of victory. And that’s the same way I feel about ‘The Last Of The Famous International Playboys’.
- 6.The Last of the Famous International Playboys
- 11.Yes, I Am Blind
- 12.Lucky Lisp
- 13.Suedehead
- 14.Disappointed
- 18.Oh Phoney
