Uploaded February 2015 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Frankie and Johnny
Words and music by Frank and Bert Leighton, and Ren Shields
Paul Biese Trio, vocal by Frank Crumit
June 10, 1921
Columbia A3459
Based on the 1899 murder of Allen Britt by Frankie Baker in St. Louis, the first version was titled "Frankie and Albert". The first known published version of a "Frankie and Johnny" melody appeared in 1904 in the song "He Done Me Wrong (The Death Of Bill Bailey)", written by Hughie Cannon. A variation on the melody, with words and music by Frank and Bert Leighton, appeared in 1908 under the title "Bill, You Done Me Wrong". It was republished in 1912, credited to the Leighton Brothers and Ren Shields, as the more commonly recognizable "Frankie and Johnny".
The first known recording of Frankie and Johnny was in 1912, a vocal by Gene Greene accompanied by Charlie Straight on a very rare British Pathé 78 rpm disk. The Leighton brothers recorded it for Victor in 1916 but it was never issued. Al Bernard made the first American recording for Brunswick in May of 1921, followed a month later by this recording by Frank Crumit with the Biese Trio. In 1927, Crumit recorded it again for Victor Records using different lyrics.
Frankie and Johnny
Words and music by Frank and Bert Leighton, and Ren Shields
Paul Biese Trio, vocal by Frank Crumit
June 10, 1921
Columbia A3459
Based on the 1899 murder of Allen Britt by Frankie Baker in St. Louis, the first version was titled "Frankie and Albert". The first known published version of a "Frankie and Johnny" melody appeared in 1904 in the song "He Done Me Wrong (The Death Of Bill Bailey)", written by Hughie Cannon. A variation on the melody, with words and music by Frank and Bert Leighton, appeared in 1908 under the title "Bill, You Done Me Wrong". It was republished in 1912, credited to the Leighton Brothers and Ren Shields, as the more commonly recognizable "Frankie and Johnny".
The first known recording of Frankie and Johnny was in 1912, a vocal by Gene Greene accompanied by Charlie Straight on a very rare British Pathé 78 rpm disk. The Leighton brothers recorded it for Victor in 1916 but it was never issued. Al Bernard made the first American recording for Brunswick in May of 1921, followed a month later by this recording by Frank Crumit with the Biese Trio. In 1927, Crumit recorded it again for Victor Records using different lyrics.
