The B-side to the 12-inch and CD versions of Morrissey’s ‘Our Frank’ single, 'Tony The Pony' was released February 11, 1991.
This song was one of the first ones to come out of Morrissey's collaboration with Mark E. Nevin, who wrote the music during the summer of 1990. It was recorded during the sessions for the Kill Uncle album at Hook End Manor in the autumn of 1990, with producers Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley. The musicians on this recording were Mark E Nevin (guitar), Mark 'Bedders' Bedford (bass), Andrew Paresi (drums), and perhaps Nawazish Ali Khan (violin) and Steve Heart and/or Seamus Beaghen (harmonium).
The song has been derided by many fans of Morrissey as being 'average' or even sub-par, with one unverified Morrissey quote that it is "...the worst song in the history of music", which, frankly, is difficult to believe. However, it is notable that Morrissey has never performed this song live.
This writer notes that while it may not be in the same league as the bulk of Morrissey's oeuvre, the arrangement is quite catchy and the piece has a touch of a maudlin flavor to it. The song sort of grows on one in a rather pleasant way. The lyrics apparently speak of a naïve, dissolute individual in some manner of arrested development, “Still [drinking and standing] on the corner”. “Drunker quicker” and “sicker even quicker”, Tony the Pony is a pathetic individual immune to the advice and admonitions of the singer.
'Tony The Pony' also appeared on some US and all Canadian CD formats of the Kill Uncle studio album. The song was included on the HMV/Parlophone Singles '88-'95 compilation album.
Still drinking on the corner
Just don't say I didn't warn you
Always nagging big brother
He's only looking out for you
Tony the pony
Tony the pony
You're still standing on the corner
Just don't say I didn't warn you
Old and jealous big brother
You had your time and you spent it crying
Now, Tony the pony
Tony the pony
So that's what they call you now
When you're free outside
So cold and hard and in control
And...
There's a free ride on
Tony the pony
Why do you always wanna stop me
From doing the things in life that make me happy
And when I'm outside with friends laughing loudly
Why do you always wanna stop me
Oh I would never
I would never
But you will carry the can for anyone
And there's a free ride on gullible Tony
You're drunker quicker
And you're sicker even quicker
For something heavy is gonna fall on you
And what do they call you now
When you're free outside
So cold and hard and in control
And oh... been a lark
There's a free ride on
Tony the pony
I'll never say "I told you so"
Or how I knew that something bad would happen to you
I don't wanna say "I told you so"
Oh but Tony, I told you so
I told you so