Hello boyz and gurls... I'm a lurker, reading and listening to people discussing B&S. However, as a Smiths fan let me say that Frankly Mr. Shankly has generally been regarded as an attack on Geoff Travis (I think that's his name), who was the head of Rough Trade when the Smiths were on the label. A nasty fight had insued over contractual obligations and Morrissey took it out on him in a song, which, ironically enough, Travis fought to have the right to put out. Of course I'm sure there's some Billy Liar in there too.... Just a short note introducing myself. Age: 26. Country of origin: Canada; Occupation: Journalist. Regular listens: Nick Drake, Elvis Costello, David Bowie, Sloan, Teenage Fanclub, Lincoln. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Robert Robert poetry place2 wrote:

A number of points:

1) Frankly Mr Shankly - I always thought that the whole song was a reference to every right thinking person's favourite film, Billy Liar, in particular the scene where Billy tells his boss, Mr Shadrack, that he's packing his job in to move to London ("a man could lose himself in London!"). Unfortunately, Frankly Mr Shadrack didn't rhyme. While I'm on the subject, there's a fantastic essay on Billy Liar as the founding myth of Brit pop culture in Jon Savage's book Time Travel. And Stephen Duffy's "Julie Christie" is the greatest song ever written, and would sound just dandy in a B&S 'stylee'.

2) Consistency - May I just say that a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds?

3) Laurel's contraceptives – It's quite clear that she doesn't need to use any, as HoneyPaul is having all her babies.

4) Let's have a party!

5) Duke, you are not alone in feeling old and weird. Prompted by your remarks on the Woodentops, I dug out my copy of Giant, and yes, it sounds fantastic!

Stephen xxxxxx ------ ---------------------------------------------------------------------

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