He was born in Gretna, Louisiana, as Vincent Francis Guzzo, across the Mississippi River from New Orleans, and was the adopted son of Vincent and Anna Guzzo, who named him Vincent Francis Guzzo, Jr. He learned to sing and dance at an early age, and when at high school joined a group, the Syncopators, as singer and pianist. He was spotted by manager Joe Caronna, who took him to Johnny Vincent of Ace Records. Taking the stage name Frankie Ford, he made his first recordings for Ace in 1958. He toured locally in Louisiana, before recording a vocal overdub on the song "Sea Cruise", a song written and originally recorded by Huey "Piano" Smith with his group, the Clowns, and featuring overdubbed bells and ships' horns.. As Smith already had a record in the charts, and was away touring, the record label decided to release Ford's version, and it rose to #14 on the US pop chart and #11 on the R&B chart, selling over one million copies, and gaining gold disc status.
Ford toured widely around the US, but his later records were less successful, with his versions of "Alimony" and "Time After Time" only reaching the lower reaches of the national charts. He also recorded a novelty record in praise of a local TV presenter, "Morgus the Magnificent", with musicians including Mac Rebennack and Jerry Byrne, but it failed to sell. Ace released an LP by Ford, Let's Take A Sea Cruise With Frankie Ford, before the singer moved to Imperial Records in late 1960. He recorded with producer Dave Bartholomew, and released a version of "You Talk Too Much", but Ford's recording missed out in competition with one by Joe Jones which was issued almost simultaneously. In 1961, his version of Boyd Bennett's 1955 hit "Seventeen" was Ford's last chart entry.
Ford was drafted in 1962, and performed for troops in Japan, Vietnam and Korea. He later recorded occasionally for small labels, but mainly performed in clubs in and around New Orleans. He appeared in the 1978 movie American Hot Wax, and toured in Britain and Europe, recording the album New Orleans Dynamo in London in 1984. He continued to record and perform through the 1990s. Ford co-owned the Briarmeade record label, which issued several singles and albums by him from the 1970s to the 2000s. On May 16, 2010, at the Louisiana Music Homecoming in Erwinville, Ford was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.
Ford died in Gretna at the age of 76 on September 28, 2015, following a long illness.
Alimony
Frankie Ford Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He sent for his attorney Mister Billy Goat
He said Billy oh Billy go and wash your face
I want you looking good when you plead my case
She want him under alimony
She want him under alimony
Don't set no bail
She want him under alimony
The monkey walked in court looking at the judge
He rolled his eyes just like he had a grudge
Man I say it was an awful shame
When Miss Monkey took the stand
She want him under alimony
She want him under alimony
Don't set no bail
Give him sixty days in jail
She want him under alimony
She looked at the jury right dead in the eye
Even the judge began to cry
Around her head she had tied a rag of silk
She said my daughter needs shoes and my baby needs milk
She want him under alimony
She want him under alimony
Don't set no bail
Give him ninety days in jail
She want him under alimony
Billy jumped up and began to shout
Man let me tell you what it's all about
You could fix this man and it's plain to see
You've got to save your time and you can't get free
She want him under alimony
She want him under alimony
Don't set no bail
Give him lifetime in jail
She want him under alimony
She want him under alimony
Yeah yeah
She want him under alimony
Oh oh
She want him under alimony
Hey hey
She want him under alimony
The song "Alimony" by Frankie Ford is a comical narrative about a monkey who is in trouble for not supporting his family. The monkey enlists the help of his attorney, Mr. Billy Goat, to plead his case in court. However, the monkey's wife is determined to get him under alimony and demands that he be incarcerated for a lengthy period of time. The monkey's wife explains to the judge and jury that she needs financial support for their children, which evokes sympathy and emotion from all those present.
The lyrics use the concept of animals to add a comedic element to the song. Despite the silly nature of the lyrics, the song highlights a serious concern that is relevant in today's society - financial irresponsibility leading to broken families. The monkey's situation represents the consequences of not prioritizing one's family and taking care of them. The song also reflects the complex and emotional nature of court proceedings, and how one person's actions can have far-reaching effects on others.
In conclusion, "Alimony" is a humorous song that tells a serious story. It highlights the importance of financial responsibility and provides a comical touch to the experiences that families have to go through without the necessary financial support. The song also emphasizes the gravity of court proceedings and how they can deeply impact entire families.
Line by Line Meaning
The monkey was arrested for the nonsupport
The monkey was arrested for failing to provide financial support to his ex-partner.
He sent for his attorney Mister Billy Goat
He requested his attorney Mister Billy Goat to represent him in court.
He said Billy oh Billy go and wash your face
He told Billy Goat to freshen up his appearance before pleading his case in court.
I want you looking good when you plead my case
He wanted Billy Goat to look presentable and professional when representing him in court.
She want him under alimony
She wants him to pay alimony (financial support) to her.
Don't set no bail
Don't release him on bail before his sentencing.
Give him thirty days in jail
Give him a 30-day jail sentence.
The monkey walked in court looking at the judge
The monkey entered the courtroom and made eye contact with the judge.
He rolled his eyes just like he had a grudge
He rolled his eyes in a way that made it seem like he was holding a grudge.
Man I say it was an awful shame
It was really unfortunate to see what was happening to the monkey.
When Miss Monkey took the stand
When the monkey's ex-partner took the witness stand.
She looked at the jury right dead in the eye
She made direct eye contact with the members of the jury.
Even the judge began to cry
The judge was moved to tears by her testimony.
Around her head she had tied a rag of silk
She had tied a silk rag around her head, perhaps as a symbol of her poverty.
She said my daughter needs shoes and my baby needs milk
She explained that she needed financial support to take care of her children's basic needs.
Give him sixty days in jail
Increase his jail sentence to 60 days.
Give him ninety days in jail
Increase his jail sentence to 90 days.
Billy jumped up and began to shout
Billy Goat stood up and began to yell.
Man let me tell you what it's all about
Billy Goat wanted to explain the monkey's side of the story.
You could fix this man and it's plain to see
You could help this man out of his situation if you wanted to.
You've got to save your time and you can't get free
You should guarantee your own future by ensuring the financial stability of your family.
Give him lifetime in jail
Increase his jail sentence to a lifetime, which would leave him unable to provide alimony.
She want him under alimony
She still wants him to pay alimony, despite his jail sentence.
Writer(s): Huey Smith, Joe Caronna, Frankie Ford
Contributed by Oliver C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@darrellminx5459
Best alimony song of all time!$$$
@pab1941
Another great NOLA singer from the fifties.
@patrickwilson978
Good 50s music
@alain59200
love it james thank
@cindys1819
Actually, she wants him under the courthouse. Or somewhere else under a headstone
@srercrcr
Is that what Cassius Clay pays?
@MrJberkin
What is the word he sings before "alimony"? It sounds like "under"--but that makes no sense.
@roverdog713
jeffrey, this was one of my FAVORITE songs growing up during the 60's. i was really young, but i sang this song constantly. what he's saying is: She wanted him UNDER ALIMONY! she wanted him to pay. i am laughing because i used to say the same thing. what is 'under alimony?' then i found out she wanted him to pay!!!! great song
@DS-uo5ie
She want him under alimony!
@cindys1819
Actually, she wants him under the courthouse..... or under at least somewhere under a headstone.....