About the song
Bobbie Gentry’s “Fancy” is a compelling narrative song that showcases her talent for storytelling and her deep, soulful voice. Released in 1969 as the title track of her album “Fancy,” this song quickly became one of Gentry’s signature pieces. Written by Gentry herself, “Fancy” tells the story of a young girl who overcomes poverty and adversity to find success, embodying themes of resilience, empowerment, and survival.
The song’s narrative follows Fancy, a girl from a destitute background whose mother, in a desperate bid to give her daughter a better life, encourages her to use her beauty and charm to escape their dire circumstances. With its vivid lyrics and dramatic storyline, “Fancy” paints a picture of hardship and hope, making it a powerful anthem of self-determination. Gentry’s performance is both poignant and powerful, capturing the emotional depth of the story.
“Fancy” was well-received by critics and fans alike, earning praise for its bold and unapologetic narrative. Though it did not climb as high on the charts as some of Gentry’s other hits, it reached a respectable position on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a staple in her live performances. The song’s unique blend of country, soul, and pop elements showcases Gentry’s versatility and her ability to transcend genre boundaries.
The album “Fancy,” which includes this standout track, further solidified Gentry’s reputation as a talented singer-songwriter. Known primarily for her 1967 hit “Ode to Billie Joe,” Gentry used the “Fancy” album to explore new themes and sounds, demonstrating her artistic growth and her commitment to storytelling through music.
“Fancy” has had a lasting impact and continues to resonate with audiences. It has been covered by several artists, most notably by Reba McEntire in 1990, whose version brought the song to a new generation of listeners and solidified its place in the country music canon. McEntire’s rendition reached the top 10 on the Billboard Country charts, further highlighting the song’s enduring appeal.
For many, “Fancy” is more than just a song; it’s a narrative of empowerment and resilience, reflecting Bobbie Gentry’s unique ability to tell stories that are both deeply personal and universally relatable. Her performance on this track remains a testament to her talent and her place in the pantheon of great American singer-songwriters.
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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