About the song
“Fancy” by Bobbie Gentry is a song that resonates deeply with listeners, offering a compelling narrative wrapped in a captivating melody. Written and originally recorded by Bobbie Gentry in 1969, “Fancy” tells the powerful story of a young girl whose mother encourages her to escape poverty through any means necessary, symbolized by a red dress.
The song was featured on Gentry’s 1970 album, also titled “Fancy,” which showcased her storytelling abilities and versatility as a musician. The album combined elements of country, soul, and pop, highlighting Gentry’s unique style. “Fancy” stands out as one of the most memorable tracks on the album, illustrating Gentry’s talent for creating vivid, emotionally charged stories through her music.
“Fancy” did not achieve massive commercial success upon its release, but it has since become one of Gentry’s most iconic songs. The narrative of a young woman rising above her circumstances through resilience and determination has struck a chord with many listeners over the years. The song’s refrain, “Here’s your one chance, Fancy, don’t let me down,” underscores the urgency and hope that drive the protagonist’s journey.
Reba McEntire famously covered “Fancy” in 1990, bringing the song to a broader audience and securing its place in the country music canon. McEntire’s version reached number 8 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and has become one of her signature songs. Her cover introduced “Fancy” to a new generation and solidified its status as a classic.
Bobbie Gentry’s original “Fancy” remains a testament to her songwriting prowess and ability to convey complex emotions and stories through her music. The song’s blend of narrative depth and musicality makes it a standout track in her discography. Gentry, a pioneering artist in her own right, used “Fancy” to explore themes of poverty, empowerment, and transformation, creating a song that continues to resonate with audiences today.
In summary, “Fancy” by Bobbie Gentry is a powerful narrative song that showcases her exceptional talent as a songwriter and storyteller. Though it may not have topped the charts initially, its enduring impact and subsequent success through Reba McEntire’s cover demonstrate its timeless appeal. Gentry’s ability to craft a compelling story with a strong emotional core ensures that “Fancy” remains a beloved piece of music history.
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Lyrics
I remember it all very well lookin’ back
It was the summer I turned eighteen
We lived in a one-room, run down shack
On the outskirts of New Orleans
We didn’t have money for food or rent
To say the least we were hard-pressed
Then Momma spent every last penny we had
To buy me a dancin’ dress
Momma washed and combed and curled my hair
And she painted my eyes and lips
Then I stepped into the satin dancin’ dress
It was split in the side clean up to my hips
It was red, velvet-trimmed
And it fit me good
And starin’ back from the lookin’ glass
Was a woman where a half-grown kid had stood
“Here’s your one chance, Fancy, don’t let me down
Here’s your one chance, Fancy, don’t let me down
Lord, forgive me for what I do (Please)
But if you want out, well it’s up to you
Now, don’t let me down
Your Momma’s gonna help you move uptown”
(Don’t let me down, don’t let me down)
Momma dabbed a little bit of perfume on my neck
And she kissed my cheek
Then, I saw the tears well up in her troubled eyes
When she started to speak
She looked at our pitiful shack and then
She looked at me and took a ragged breath
“Your Pa’s runned off, and I’m real sick
And the baby’s gonna starve to death”
She handed me a heart-shaped locket that said
“To thine own self be true”
And I shivered as I watched a roach crawl across
The toe of my high-heel shoe
It sounded like somebody else that was talking
Askin’ “Momma what do I do?”
“Just be nice to the gentlemen, Fancy
And they’ll be nice to you”
“Here’s your one chance, Fancy, don’t let me down
Here’s your one chance, Fancy, don’t let me down
Lord, forgive me for what I do (please)
But if you want out, well it’s up to you
Now get on out, girl, you better start movin’ uptown”
Well, that was the last time I saw my Ma
The night I left that rickety shack
‘Cause welfare people came and took the baby
Mom died and I ain’t been back
But the wheels of fate had started to turn
And for me there was no way out
And it wasn’t very long ’til I knew exactly
What my Momma been talkin’ about
I did what I had to do
But I made myself this solemn vow
That I was gonna to be a lady someday
Though I didn’t know when or how
I couldn’t see spendin’ the rest of my life
With my head hung down in shame
I mighta been born just plain white trash
But Fancy was my name
“Here’s your one chance, Fancy, don’t let me down
Here’s your one chance, Fancy, don’t let me down”
Wasn’t long after a benevolent man
Took me in off the street
And one week later I was pourin’ his tea
In a five-room hotel suite (yes, she was)
Well, I’ve charmed a king, a congressman
And an occasional aristocrat
And I got me a Georgia mansion
And an elegant New York townhouse flat
And I ain’t done bad (she ain’t done bad)
Now, in this world there’s a lot of self-righteous hypocrites
That would call me bad
And criticize my Momma for turnin’ me out
No matter how little we had
And though I ain’t had to worry about nothin’
But now on fifteen years
I can still hear the desperation
In my poor Momma’s voice ringin’ in my ear
“Here’s your one chance, Fancy, don’t let me down
Here’s your one chance, Fancy, don’t let me down
Lord, forgive me for what I do (please)
But if you want out, well it’s up to you
Now, don’t let me down
Your Momma’s gonna help you move uptown”
And I guess she did