Frankie and Johnny
Raymond Scott And His Orchestra Lyrics


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This the story of Frankie and Johnny
They were sweethearts forever, and ever, and ever
Ah, yeah, ah, yeah

Frankie and Johnny were sweethearts
At least that's the way the story goes
Frankie bought everything for Johnny
From his sports car to his Ivy League clothes

Oh, he was a man alright
Oh, but he was doing her wrong
Let me tell you what's happened

A friend came running to Frankie
She said I wouldn't tell you no lie
I saw that man of yours in a Jaguar
With a chick named Nellie Blye

Oh, if he was your man, honey
Let me tell you he was doing you wrong
Now let me tell the rest of the story

Frankie ran around to the corner
And peeked in a swinging place
And there she saw Johnny with a woman
He had his arms around her waist

Oh, he was a man alright
Oh, but Frankie could see that he was doing her wrong

Frankie reached down in her pocketbook
And up with a forty-four
She shot once, twice, three times
And Johnny fell on the hard wood floor

Oh, he was a man alright
But she shot him because he was doing her wrong

She shot him, oh, yeah
She shot him, oh, yeah
Once, twice, three times
And Johnny fell on the hardwood floor
He was doing her wrong, oh, yeah

And Johnny said
Frankie, you know I love you
Frankie, you know very well that I love you
Frankie, I wouldn't do you no wrong
Frankie, good God almighty, I love you, Frankie

Oh, yeah, and that's the story of Frankie and Johnny
Ah, yeah

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Frankie and Johnny" by Raymond Scott And His Orchestra tell the classic tale of a tumultuous romantic relationship between the characters Frankie and Johnny. The song opens with an introduction to the couple as long-time sweethearts, emphasizing the enduring nature of their love. The repetition of "forever, and ever, and ever" underscores the deep connection between Frankie and Johnny, setting the stage for the emotional journey that unfolds throughout the song.


As the lyrics progress, we learn that Frankie is devoted to Johnny, going to great lengths to provide for him and cater to his needs. However, despite her loyalty and generosity, Johnny is described as a man who is unfaithful and deceitful. The revelation that Johnny has been seen with another woman named Nellie Blye serves as a turning point in the narrative, exposing his betrayal and prompting Frankie to take action.


Frankie's response to the betrayal is one of fury and heartbreak. She confronts Johnny in a public setting, witnessing his infidelity firsthand as he embraces another woman. The imagery of Johnny with his arms around another woman's waist highlights the emotional pain and betrayal Frankie experiences in that moment, leading her to take drastic action.


The climax of the story unfolds as Frankie reaches for a gun in her pocketbook and shoots Johnny multiple times, ultimately leading to his demise. The act of violence serves as a tragic culmination of the betrayal and hurt Frankie endured at the hands of her unfaithful lover. Despite Johnny's desperate pleas and declarations of love, the irreversible consequences of his actions lead to a tragic end for both characters.


In conclusion, "Frankie and Johnny" is a poignant tale of love, betrayal, and revenge. The lyrics delve into the complexities of human emotions and relationships, portraying the destructive consequences of infidelity and deceit. Through the story of Frankie and Johnny, the song explores themes of loyalty, trust, and the devastating impact of betrayal on a romantic partnership.


Line by Line Meaning

This the story of Frankie and Johnny
Here unfolds the narrative of two individuals named Frankie and Johnny, whose lives are intertwined in a dramatic tale.


They were sweethearts forever, and ever, and ever
Their relationship was characterized by enduring affection, seemingly lasting for all time.


Ah, yeah, ah, yeah
An exclamatory affirmation often used to express enthusiasm or agreement with the preceding statement.


Frankie and Johnny were sweethearts
Frankie and Johnny shared a romantic bond, celebrated as lovers by those around them.


At least that's the way the story goes
This reputation of their relationship is based on popular belief or hearsay, hinting at possible hidden truths.


Frankie bought everything for Johnny
Frankie demonstrated her love and support by providing materially for Johnny, showcasing her generosity.


From his sports car to his Ivy League clothes
She invested in his lifestyle, purchasing luxurious items ranging from expensive vehicles to elite clothing.


Oh, he was a man alright
He possessed the traits of masculinity, embodying something traditionally admired.


Oh, but he was doing her wrong
Despite his masculine qualities, he was betraying her trust and treating her unjustly.


Let me tell you what's happened
Allow me to recount the significant events that have transpired in this unfolding drama.


A friend came running to Frankie
An acquaintance hurriedly delivered urgent news to Frankie, suggesting a looming crisis.


She said I wouldn't tell you no lie
The friend assured Frankie of the truth of the revelation about to be shared, emphasizing honesty.


I saw that man of yours in a Jaguar
She reported witnessing Frankie’s partner, Johnny, in an expensive car, hinting at his material excess.


With a chick named Nellie Blye
Johnny was seen in the company of another woman, identified as Nellie Blye, indicating infidelity.


Oh, if he was your man, honey
If Johnny truly belonged to Frankie as her partner, his actions are a grave betrayal.


Let me tell you he was doing you wrong
The friend emphasized the wrongdoing committed by Johnny, reinforcing the seriousness of his betrayal.


Now let me tell the rest of the story
I will continue to narrate the events that will further illuminate the situation.


Frankie ran around to the corner
In a burst of determination, Frankie hastened to investigate the truth for herself.


And peeked in a swinging place
She looked into a lively venue, filled with activity, filled with social interaction.


And there she saw Johnny with a woman
Her suspicions were confirmed as she spotted Johnny in an affectionate embrace with another female.


He had his arms around her waist
Johnny was intimately holding the woman close, signifying a deep emotional or physical connection.


Oh, he was a man alright
He exuded masculinity and charm, but it was now tainted by his disloyal actions.


Oh, but Frankie could see that he was doing her wrong
Frankie recognized, with painful clarity, that Johnny's betrayal confirmed the friend's warning.


Frankie reached down in her pocketbook
In a moment of desperation and resolve, Frankie retrieved a firearm from her handbag.


And up with a forty-four
She brandished a .44 caliber revolver, symbolizing her shift from emotional pain to violent action.


She shot once, twice, three times
In a fit of rage and heartache, she fired three bullets, an act of tragic desperation.


And Johnny fell on the hard wood floor
The consequence of her action resulted in Johnny collapsing lifelessly onto the floor, a grim outcome.


Oh, he was a man alright
Regardless of his attributes and charm, they could not absolve him of the consequences of his betrayal.


But she shot him because he was doing her wrong
Her act of violence was borne out of the emotional agony he caused through his infidelity.


She shot him, oh, yeah
The gravity and finality of her action reverberate through her lament.


She shot him, oh, yeah
Echoing the previous line, it emphasizes the severity of her deed and its impulsive nature.


Once, twice, three times
The repetition of gunfire highlights the escalating emotional turmoil and irrevocability of her actions.


And Johnny fell on the hardwood floor
The striking image of Johnny's fall conveys the devastating outcome of betrayal and violence.


He was doing her wrong, oh, yeah
This serves as a poignant reminder of the motivations behind her drastic actions, rooted in his disloyalty.


And Johnny said
In his final moments, Johnny attempts to plead his case, seeking forgiveness amidst the chaos.


Frankie, you know I love you
Johnny professes his affection for Frankie, trying to convince her of his devotion.


Frankie, you know very well that I love you
He insists that his love for her is genuine, hoping to evoke sentiment in light of his betrayal.


Frankie, I wouldn't do you no wrong
He claims innocence in his actions, pleading with her to understand that he didn’t intend to hurt her.


Frankie, good God almighty, I love you, Frankie
His frantic appeal underscores human emotions intermingled with desperation, highlighting love's complexity.


Oh, yeah, and that's the story of Frankie and Johnny
In conclusion, this is the tragic tale of Frankie and Johnny, marked by love and betrayal.


Ah, yeah
A final expression of recognition, capturing the weight of the tragic events just recounted.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Brook Benton

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@NeitouSama

Do you know there’s a neat invention that we all learned in grade school called paragraphs, right?

It would make it a lot easier to read this gigantic block of text that you decided not to do that.

Not only that, there’s no punctuation in here. If you want people to read and take you seriously, you may have to open a first grade English book and learn a little.

I’m sure you have a great message to send, but it falls on deaf ears when you don’t use proper paragraphs and punctuation.

At least a teensy tiny little bit.



@djraythefurry0420

Exactly😂 and entirely agreed . knowing that my knowledge in psychology is decent I can defend that with an extra paragraph or a few,

let's say the person's psychological state is not in the best condition even after they have managed to come clean and you made the video and they happen to see it

You yourself as the person who made the video could have caused a relapse with that person or probably did due to the fact that the main reason why people use drugs in the first place is to have fun or most of the time and I'm talking a little over 55% of the time it's to help psychological disorders or sometimes physical pain of any kind

Meaning that if they have that psychological disability they're still kind of sensitive even with emotions and if they see that they might have an overreaction and or just react that way kind of regardless .




The internet is a powerful place but you need to keep in mind that is the case when you are a person with a decently large viewer base that could misinterpret anything that you say and parrot it on other platforms as if that misinterpreted version of the information is entirely true causing a domino effect with finding true information in the first place

Good luck to you dude I hope you have a good day and same thing to anybody else reading this lel



All comments from YouTube:

@Dawudtru

Keep up the good work glad you posted 📫 this video so people can see why not to take drug's.

@kristinesquires9257

Ya, but cancer has made her face like that.

@sigsin1

You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about. And “drug’s” is the possessive case.

@mrjuanderfuI

Also shamed a complete stranger

@rylinxcuh

@@kristinesquires9257good

@rylinxcuh

@@mrjuanderfuIcry

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@kristinesquires9257

Wow! If I didn't read the comments I would have never known that this poor lady has cancer... take this video down!

@Starwinarwin

Why?? The addiction might have caused the cancer. And why everything needs to be canceled?

@MrPetepeeters101

@@Starwinarwin she had bone cancer or something. That is why she looks like this. Not because of drugs

@michaelscottspapercompany6373

@@MrPetepeeters101You do realize that meth can cause bone cancer right.. omg shocking.

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