The Classic Folk Story of Frankie and Johnny
Frankie and Johnny has been covered and recorded for a hundred years. While the music for Frankie and Johnny was copyrighted to Hughie Cannon in 1904, there have been various claims regarding the authorship of the lyrics. Some claim that the song goes back to the 1820s. The story may be based on a true murder, or on one of a pair of women named Frankie who were wronged and sought revenge, or even include the details of a third nefarious lovers' spat in St. Louis, Missouri. You can find an exploration of all three of these sources at Bluegrass Messengers. You'll also find an enormous list of recorded bluegrass cover versions of Frankie and Johnny and a different version of the lyrics than the one I've posted here (apparently a later version, as it mentions the electric chair).
Here, you'll find clips and music videos of some of those versions. Hundreds of people, including such luminaries as Bill Bill Broonzy, Lena Horne, the Kingston Trio, Johnny Cash, Tah Mahal, and Louis Armstrong.
Here, you'll find clips and music videos of some of those versions. Hundreds of people, including such luminaries as Bill Bill Broonzy, Lena Horne, the Kingston Trio, Johnny Cash, Tah Mahal, and Louis Armstrong.
Muisic Videos of Frankie and Johnny
I know the Cid Charisse video title doesn't say it, but she's dancing to a great big-band version of Frankie and Johnny. The Lindsay Lohan video includes both Frankie and Johnny and Red River Valley, a little two-for-one bonus for you.
curated content from YouTube
Traditional Lyrics for Frankie and Johnny
Frankie and Johnny were loversO Lordy, how they could love
They swore to be true to each other
Just as true as the stars above
He was her man but he done her wrong
Frankie and Johnny went walking
Johnny had a brand new suit
Frankie paid a hundred dollars
Just to make her man look cute
He was her man but he done her wrong
Johnny said, "I've got to leave you, But I won't be very long
Don't you wait up for me, honey, Nor worry while I'm gone."
He was her man but he done her wrong
Frankie went down to the corner, Stopped in to buy her some beer
Says to the fat bartender, "Has my Johnny man been here?"
He was her man but he done her wrong
Well, I ain't going to tell you no story, Ain't going to tell you no lie
Johnny went by 'bout an hour ago, With a girl named Nellie Bly
He is your man but he's doing you wrong
Frankie went home in a hurry, She didn't go there for fun
She hurried home to get ahold, Of Johnny's shootin' gun
He was her men but he's doing her wrong
Frankie took a cab, at the corner, Says, driver step on this cab
She was just a desperate woman, Gettin' two-timed by her man
He was her man but he's doin' her wrong
Frankie got out at south Clark Street, Looked in a window, so high
Saw Johnny, man, a lovin' up, That high-brow Nellie Bly
He was her man but he done her wrong
Johnny saw Frankie a-comin', Out the back door he did scoot
But Frankie took aim with her pistol, And the gun went roota-toot-toot
He was her man but he done her wrong
O, roll me over so easy, Roll me over so slow
Roll me over easy boys, Cause my wounds they hurt me so
I was her man but I done her wrong
Bring out your long black coffin, Bring out your funeral clothes
Johnny's gone an' cashed his checks, To the graveyard, Johnny goes
He was her man but he done her wrong
Drive out your rubber tired carriage, Drive out your rubber tired hack
There's twelve men going to the graveyard, But eleven comin' back
He was her man but he done her wrong
The sheriff arrested poor Frankie, He took her to jail the same day
He locked her up in the dungeon cell, And he threw th key away
He was her man but he done her wrong
Preview Cover Versions of Frankie and Johnny
Here are some of the many, many different takes on this traditional blues song. There are literally hundreds of different versions available, so run a search for "Frankie and Johnny" to find even more!
Guitar Tabs for Frankie and Johnny
The Johnny Cash Cover Version
I've only included the first verse because the song has no chorus or bridge and all of the verses follow the same pattern. It's an incredibly adaptable song, and you can make up verses, adding as many or as few as you like to tell the story. Perhaps that's why it's been a folk music standard for so long.
Frankie and Johhny Movies
The original Elvis Presley movie from 1966 and 1991's verions with Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Nathan Lane.
She Done Him Wrong (Universal Cinema Classics)
Amazon Price: $13.49 (as of 01/05/2010) 
Frankie and Johnny
Amazon Price: $13.49 (as of 01/05/2010)
Frankie & Johnny
Amazon Price: (as of 01/05/2010)
What Are Others Saying About Frankie and Johnny?
- "Frankie" - Mississippi John Hurt
- It was republished in 1912 under the title "Frankie and Johnny." Exactly when and how Albert (Al Britt) morphed into "Johnny" is unknown. It was in the 1912 version by the Leighton brothers, however, that Alice Frye turned into "Nellie ...
- StageVU Frankie and Johnny (1966) - The Flick Zone - Free Online ...
- Frankie and Johnny (1966) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060429/ Elvis turns the Land of Blues Red Hot with 11 Great Songs! Hear them on RCA Records!
- Contentyogitest's Blog
- This ballet is on the lines of Michael Smuin's 'Frankie and Johnny' and Trey McIntyre's 'Second Before the Ground'. This 'Nine Sinatra Songs' will be performed from February 11th to 14th, with a special program to mark the end of ...
- Frank Crumit with the Paul Biese Trio – Frankie and Johnny (1921)
- Author: edmundusrex Keywords: Frank Crumit Paul Biese 1921 20s Added: December 27, 2009.
Who Performs Your Favorite Version of Frankie and Johnny?
Which is your favorite movie?
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- grannysage grannysage Aug 1, 2009 @ 12:08 pm
- My memories you stirred up here. I had to play the Chet Atkins version as my dad was a huge fan of his. I love the guitar chords too. I used to play that song on my guitar! I didn't realize it had such a history. I learn so much reading other people's lenses.
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- rms rms Aug 1, 2009 @ 10:16 am
- This is wonderful!
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- 2FriendsTreasures 2FriendsTreasures May 2, 2009 @ 4:19 pm
- Informative lens - 5 stars - Elvis is the only Frankie & Johnny I know.
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- mysticmama mysticmama Mar 21, 2009 @ 10:15 pm
- Very cool lens...love that you included the guitar chords...5*
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- Not-Pop Not-Pop Mar 3, 2009 @ 8:06 am
- Thanks so much, to both of you. I though I'd included an Elvis video, so I fixed that oversight. Levi, I couldn't find a video of Dean Martin performing the song, but I did spend an hour watching Colgate Comedy Hour clips with him and Jerry Lewis, so thanks for turning me on to that source of fun. I may have to do a lens on the pair's performances on that show.
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- Levi Levi Mar 2, 2009 @ 5:14 pm
- dean martin did a version on the colgate comedy hour. there are so many versions its hard to find the one you want tohough
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- Spook Spook Jan 31, 2009 @ 7:56 am
- Elvis but it's been a long time for me without following music. Great lens by the way.
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