The character was instantly recognisable by his spherical head, styled like an early Max Fleischer cartoon. This was initially made from papier-mâché, but later rebuilt out of fibreglass.
Frank, usually dressed in a 1950s-style sharp suit, was portrayed as an aspiring pop star from the village of Timperley near Altrincham, Greater Manchester. His character was optimistic, enthusiastic, and seemingly unaware of his failings. Although seemingly middle-aged, he still lived at home with his mother, to whom he made frequent references. His mother was apparently unaware of her son's popularity. Frank sometimes had a sidekick in the form of "Little Frank", a hand puppet who was otherwise a perfect copy of Frank.
Comedy character Mrs Merton started out as Frank's sidekick on his radio show "Radio Timperley", and the similarity of the characters is evident, exuding a sense of great ambition which belies a domestic lifestyle in the north of England. Sidebottom's former "Oh Blimey Big Band" members include Mark Radcliffe and Jon Ronson, and his driver was Chris Evans.
Guess Who's Been on Match of the Day
Frank Sidebottom Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
...I've been on Match of the Day
Because I've got very big shorts.
Ohh, guess who's been on Match of the Day?
(you have, in your big shorts)
And guess who can play top football?
(you can, in your big shorts)
Yes, I can play top football
Because I've been on Match of the Day
And I'm better at football than Jimmy Greaves!
(oooh!)
Guess who's been on Match of the Day...
(Meanwhile you're listening to Radio Timperley
so let's get on with some fantastic proper music)
The lyrics to Frank Sidebottom's song "Guess Who's Been on Match of the Day" are humorous and satirical in nature. The song is a parody of popular football chants which are often sung by supporters at football matches. The repeated chant of "The Alty! The Alty! The Alty! The Alty!" refers to Altrincham Football Club, which is a non-league football club based in the town of Altrincham, Greater Manchester, England. The lyrics go on to state that the singer has been on Match of the Day because of their "very big shorts", leading to the implication that it is not their footballing ability that has earned them the appearance on the show.
The lyrics continue with the singer stating that they are better at football than Jimmy Greaves, a retired English professional footballer who is considered one of the greatest goal scorers of all time. This assertion is clearly not meant to be taken seriously and is another example of the song's humorous tone. In the final line, the singer encourages the listener to enjoy "fantastic proper music" on Radio Timperley, a nod to the Frank Sidebottom persona's (played by Chris Sievey) long-running fictional radio show on the local station.
Overall, the lyrics to "Guess Who's Been on Match of the Day" are a playful and lighthearted skewering of football chants and the footballing culture more broadly. They use humor and absurdity to poke fun at the idea of fame and success being based on superficial qualities such as shorts size rather than on actual talent.
Line by Line Meaning
The Alty! The Alty! The Alty! The Alty!
I am giving a shoutout to Altrincham Football Club, which is located in Altrincham, England.
I've been on Match of the Day
I have appeared on the popular TV show 'Match of the Day', which covers football games and highlights in the United Kingdom.
Because I've got very big shorts.
My shorts are notably large in size, which is apparently a reason for my appearance on Match of the Day.
Ohh, guess who's been on Match of the Day?
Can you believe I have actually been on Match of the Day? It's quite impressive, don't you think?
(you have, in your big shorts)
Yes, me! And it's all thanks to my attention-grabbing oversized shorts!
And guess who can play top football?
Who do you think is skilled at playing football to a high standard?
(you can, in your big shorts)
It's me! And I'm still wearing my big shorts while playing, apparently.
Yes, I can play top football
I can indeed play football to a high level of skill and technique.
Because I've been on Match of the Day
Being featured on Match of the Day has somehow enhanced my abilities as a football player, according to me.
And I'm better at football than Jimmy Greaves!
In my opinion, I am even superior as a football player to Jimmy Greaves, who is considered one of the best English footballers of all time. Wow!
Guess who's been on Match of the Day...
Just a reminder, I have in fact been on Match of the Day, which is a pretty big deal!
(Meanwhile you're listening to Radio Timperley
While you are listening to Radio Timperley,
so let's get on with some fantastic proper music)
let's move on to playing some great music!
Contributed by Chloe P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.