on every corner of every avenue

the word's been passed all around

better watch out, lock up your daughters

'cause that bad frankie lee is back in town

all the ladies fall for frankie

sayin, frankie lee, how can it be

of all the men here, you're the only one

who's got the key, to set us free

oh, frankie lee



now there's a woman, in this neighborhood

who's loving frankie in her mind

but in fear of bein' discovered

she keeps her secret locked up inside

just then a stone's thrown up at the window

and she looks below, what does she see

there's a man there, standing 'neath the streetlight

it looks to be

like frankie lee

you'd best believe



well, old frankie steals through the back door

while her old man is leavin' by the hall

but before she hears his footsteps

frankie's standing at the bedroom door

so she holds him, then she begs him

oh frankie lee, don't 'cha ever leave

and he tells her, she's the only one

he's got the key

that frankie lee

to set her free



then as the moon fades, into the night sky

frankie leaves while she's asleep

then he's up and out on the street again

he's got the key that'll set you free

that frankie lee



every kid in this ol' gangtown

they'd want to be like frankie lee

please the ladies, like a vagabond

he's got the key

that frankie lee

to set them free



yeah, every kid in this ol' gangtown

yeah, they'd want to be like frankie lee

cassanova and valentino

they'd like to be as good as frankie lee



every kid in this ol' gangtown

they'd like to be like frankie lee -acapo