The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Frankie and Johnny were sweethearts
Lordy how they did love
They swore to be true to each other
As true as the stars above
He was her man
He wouldn't do her wrong
Frankie went down to the corner
Just to get a bucket of beer
She said Mr. bartender
Has my lovin' Johnny been here?
He's my man, he wouldn't do me wrong
I ain't gonna tell you no story
I ain't gonna tell you no lie
Johnny left here 'bout an hour ago
With a gal named Nellie Bly
If he's your man, he's doin' you wrong
Frankie looked over the transom
And much to her surprise
There on a cot sat Johnny
Making love to Nellie Bly
She said, "He's my man
But he's doin' me wrong"
Frankie pulled back her komono
Pulled out her old .44
Root-a-toot-toot that gal did shoot
Right through that hardwood door
She shot her man
Because he was doin' her wrong
Roll out your rubber tired buggy
Roll out your rubber tired hack
She's taking her man to the graveyard
But she ain't gonna' bring him back
She shot her man
Because he was doin' her wrong
This story has no moral
This story has no end
This story goes to show
That you can't put your trust in men
She shot her man
Because he was doin' her wrong
Lordy how they did love
They swore to be true to each other
As true as the stars above
He was her man
He wouldn't do her wrong
Frankie went down to the corner
Just to get a bucket of beer
She said Mr. bartender
Has my lovin' Johnny been here?
He's my man, he wouldn't do me wrong
I ain't gonna tell you no story
I ain't gonna tell you no lie
Johnny left here 'bout an hour ago
With a gal named Nellie Bly
If he's your man, he's doin' you wrong
Frankie looked over the transom
And much to her surprise
There on a cot sat Johnny
Making love to Nellie Bly
She said, "He's my man
But he's doin' me wrong"
Frankie pulled back her komono
Pulled out her old .44
Root-a-toot-toot that gal did shoot
Right through that hardwood door
She shot her man
Because he was doin' her wrong
Roll out your rubber tired buggy
Roll out your rubber tired hack
She's taking her man to the graveyard
But she ain't gonna' bring him back
She shot her man
Because he was doin' her wrong
This story has no moral
This story has no end
This story goes to show
That you can't put your trust in men
She shot her man
Because he was doin' her wrong
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Frankie and Johnny Lyrics as written by Sammy Cahn John Waldo Green
Lyrics © DOWNTOWN MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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