The Last of the Famous International Playboys

"The Last of the Famous International Playboys"
Single by Morrissey
B-side	"Lucky Lisp" "Michaels Bones"
Released	30 January 1989
Genre	Alternative rock
Length	3:37
Label	HMV
Songwriter(s)	Morrissey Stephen Street
Producer(s)	Stephen Street
Morrissey singles chronology
"Everyday Is Like Sunday" (1988) "The Last of the Famous International Playboys" (1989) "Interesting Drug" (1989)

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Allmusic	[1]

"The Last of the Famous International Playboys" is a 1989 song by British vocalist Morrissey.

Co-written by Morrissey and producer Stephen Street, the song was Morrissey's third release after the 1987 breakup of his earlier group Smiths. Morrissey's lyrics were inspired by gangster brothers the Kray Twins, notorious in London's East End during the 1960s, whom he believed to be an example of the media glamourizing violent criminals. Street wrote the music, which took influence from the post-punk group the Fall and an introduction similar to that of "The Man Who Sold the World" by David Bowie. The single was the first Morrissey solo single to feature his former Smiths bandmates Andy Rourke, Mike Joyce, and Craig Gannon.

"The Last of the Famous International Playboys" was recorded and released following Morrissey's debut album Viva Hate. Upon release, the single became another commercial hit for Morrissey, reaching number six in the UK despite initially mixed reviews. The song later appeared on the 1990 compilation album Bona Drag.

The song was a commercial success upon its release and has since been praised as one of Morrissey's best songs.