The Last of the Famous International Playboys
Morrissey Lyrics

Dear hero imprisoned
Acknowledging the person who became famous through his actions, but who has now been jailed for committing crimes.

With all the new crimes that you are perfecting
Commenting on the new crimes the famous person is alleged to have committed, taking a negative tone towards them.

Oh, I can't help quoting you
Despite the former fame of the person, he is still being talked about even in his absence.

Because everything that you said rings true
Although the person is now in jail, his reputation has not suffered significantly, and many people still believe in what he said.

And now in my cell (well, I followed you)
The singer is alluding to the idea that he followed the person's story closely, perhaps even admired him at some point.

And here's a list of who I slew
The singer takes the focus off the jailed person and switches it to himself; he is boasting about his accomplishments.

Reggie Kray, do you know my name?
The singer is now referring to himself as among the greats, asking if his name is one that also rings true.

Oh, don't say you don't
The singer is desperate for validation, wanting Reggie Kray to acknowledge his notoriety.

Please say you do, (oh, oh)
Continuing on with his desperation for approval, the singer wants to be recognized.

I am
The singer is affirming that he is indeed one of the greats, alongside Reggie Kray.

The last of the famous
Although the singer is boasting about his fame, he acknowledges that he is in fact the last of a dying breed of notorious figures.

International playboys
Expanding on his boast, the singer highlights his notoriety around the world as a playboy figure.

And in my cell (well, I loved you)
Returning to the jailed figure, the singer admits to admiring him even more, almost as if he's trying to emulate him.

And every man with a job to do
The singer acknowledges that not everyone is made for a life of crime, and that some people have more positive jobs.

Ronnie Kray - do you know my face?
The singer is now referencing Ronnie Kray to compare him to Reggie Kray, and to ask if his face is as recognizable as Reggie's.

Oh, don't say you don't
Continuing on with his desperation for fame, the singer wants Ronnie Kray to recognize him if he truly is famous.

Please say you do, (oh, oh)
Ending with a similar sentiment, the singer is asking for validation from Ronnie Kray as well.

In our lifetime those who kill
The singer is reflecting on the fact that in his lifetime, those who kill are granted fame and notoriety by the media.

The news world hands them stardom
Expanding on the previous line, the singer blames the media for highlighting those who commit crimes for the sake of entertaining the masses.

And these are the ways
The singer is offering an explanation for why he turned to a life of crime.

On which I was raised
The singer is suggesting that the social landscape he grew up in forced him to adopt criminal behavior if he wanted to be famous.

I never wanted to kill
The singer is trying to disassociate himself from the murders he previously mentioned, and claims that he never wanted to kill anyone.

I am not naturally evil
Continuing on with the previous line, the singer is trying to paint himself as a victim of circumstance, rather than someone who is naturally inclined towards violence.

Such things I do
Despite his previous statements, the singer is acknowledging that he has done questionable things in the past.

Just to make myself
The singer is admitting that he is primarily driven by a desire for fame and notoriety, rather than being content with his own life.

More attractive to you
Expanding on the previous line, the singer is suggesting that he's doing all of these things to appeal to the public, rather than for his own satisfaction.

Have I failed?
Ending with a note of uncertainty, the singer is questioning whether his path to fame and fortune was worth it.

Oh
A short interlude before the final stanza.

Oooh, oooh, yeaah, nooo, nooo (pa ramp-amp-amp)
A musical interlude, possibly meant to showcase the singer's range of emotion.

Nooo, nooo, yeaah, yeaah, nooo (pa ramp-amp-amp)
Continuing with the interlude.

Nooo, nooo, yeaah, nooo, yeaah (pa ramp-amp-amp)
Another note of uncertainty from the singer, intercut with more musical interlude.

Nooo, nooo, yeaah, nooo, yeaah
Final note of the musical interlude, setting up the final stanza.

The last of the famous
Starting with a repetition of an earlier line, the singer is ending the song on a somber note.

International playboys
Finalizing his previous boast, the singer is acknowledging that he is the last of a dying breed of notorious figures, and that the world is changing around him.