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.
The Monopoly Song
Frank Sidebottom Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
ive got a hotel on Park Lane, the blue one
and Little Frank? He's not even got a house on the Old Kent Road!
oh ive got hotels on all the reds and the greens and all the yellow ones
he's not even got a light blue one and he's not been past the waterworks
TAKE IT AWAY, ME!
Oh! Hotel on Mayfair
I've got a hotel on Park Lane, the blue one!
oh ive got hotels on all the reds and the greens and all the yellow ones
he's not even got a light blue one and he's not been past the waterworks
like Jackie Charlton
some players are small
like Alan Ball
some players are very very very tall
tall as the little anties
estudiantes
stripe shirts and black panties
oh yeah, oh yeah
oooh yeah
you know they are - they are!
In Frank Sidebottom's quirky and humorous song "The Monopoly Song," the singer boasts about his success in the game of Monopoly, comparing himself to his opponent, Little Frank, who seems to be struggling. The lyrics are playful and satirical, weaving together references to the different properties on the board and the personalities of famous football players.
The song opens with the singer proclaiming that he has a "hotel on Mayfair," one of the most expensive and desirable properties on the board. In contrast, Little Frank doesn't even have a house on the lowly Old Kent Road. The singer goes on to list off his many other properties, including hotels on the reds, greens, and yellows. Meanwhile, Little Frank hasn't made it past the waterworks.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh! Hotel on Mayfair
I am proud to announce that I have a hotel on Mayfair board game square.
I've got a hotel on Park Lane, the blue one!
As a winner of the board game, I have acquired a hotel on Park Lane of the blue set.
And Little Frank? He's not even got a house on the Old Kent Road!
Frank Sidebottom's acquaintance, Little Frank has not even been able to secure a house on the Old Kent Road of the board game Monopoly.
Oh I've got hotels on all the reds and the greens and all the yellow ones
I am a Monopoly mogul, having acquired hotels on all the red, green and yellow sets of the board game.
He's not even got a light blue one and he's not been past the waterworks
Little Frank lacks properties of the light blue set in Monopoly and hasn't gone beyond the waterworks.
Like Jackie Charlton
I am an enthusiastic and skilled Monopoly player like the English footballer, Jackie Charlton.
Some players are small, like Alan Ball
Just like Alan Ball, some players are small, when it comes to playing Monopoly.
Some players are very very very tall, tall as the little anties estudiantes
Some Monopoly players may seem to be exceptionally tall, similar to the Little Anties Estudiantes, but that does not guarantee a win.
Stripe shirts and black panties, oh yeah, oh yeah, oooh yeah
Referring to the striped shirts and black boxers that the Little Anties Estudiantes are popularly known for, I am emphasizing that a player's attire or aesthetics do not affect their Monopoly skills.
You know they are - they are!
Reiterating the notion that possessing a specific quality or quantity of properties does not guarantee a victory in Monopoly.
Writer(s): charlie harper, nicky garratt
Contributed by Skyler T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
bill bailey
No autotune, just pure talent
Hard To Be A Lizard
RIP Frank. :-( A wonderfully British icon has departed.
Eli Carlson
Dang I didn’t know he died. 😢
ScrotusXL
I feel so privileged to have seen the genius of this great man live in London and in his home town of Manc Land. Oh yeahhh!
Tim Mantle / Psalm37patches
I can't stop watching this...he will remain eternal.
JellyBellyPeanutHead
Legend!!! I love this song
Zero Unknown
RIP FRANK XXXXX he's hilarious it was so funny seeing him in preston dressed as freddie mercury.. then little frank made an appearance and i got my picture with Frank and a signed album !!! you know its true... its really true !!!
Hacksaw Jim Duggan
Fantastic
drumgold23
It's Frank's Time. It has come just like he always knew it would.
cheeky mouse
Absolutely hilarious...what a Genius he was/is x