My Last Cigarette

Album: single release only (1963)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Not to be confused with any song of a similar title, "My Last Cigarette" was written by Sydney Carter (1915-2004). Carter was a poet and folk singer in his own right, but this delightful if worrying little ditty was recorded by the actress Sheila Hancock fairly early on in her career. Although strictly speaking a novelty song, "My Last Cigarette" could have been written by an anti-smoking activist, and it is somewhat surprising that it hasn't been adopted by some anti-smoking pressure group as its anthem. Performed with an acoustic guitar accompaniment, it was released on the Decca label produced by Transatlantic Records in March 1963. There is a short dialogue introduction, and some coughing throughout the song until at the end, well, let's just say it really was her last cigarette. The song has a delightful hook: "When I've had just one more cigarette."
  • This appears to be the only single Sheila Hancock ever released, although she has appeared in the occasional musical both before and since. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

Rob Halford of Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford dives into some of his Judas Priest lyrics, talking about his most personal songs and the message behind "You've Got Another Thing Comin'."

Classic Metal

Classic MetalFact or Fiction

Ozzy, Guns N' Roses, Judas Priest and even Michael Bolton show up in this Classic Metal quiz.

Artis the Spoonman

Artis the SpoonmanSong Writing

Even before Soundgarden wrote a song about him, Artis was the most famous spoon player of all time. So why has he always been broke?

Emilio Castillo from Tower of Power

Emilio Castillo from Tower of PowerSongwriter Interviews

Emilio talks about what it's like to write and perform with the Tower of Power horns, and why every struggling band should have a friend like Huey Lewis.

Rufus Wainwright

Rufus WainwrightSongwriter Interviews

Rufus Wainwright on "Hallelujah," his album Unfollow The Rules, and getting into his "lyric trance" on 12-hour walks.