About the song
Reba McEntire’s “Fancy” is a remarkable rendition of a song that has become an anthem of empowerment and resilience. Originally written and performed by Bobbie Gentry in 1969, “Fancy” found new life when McEntire released her version in 1990 on her album “Rumor Has It.” McEntire’s powerful interpretation and emotive storytelling breathed new life into the song, making it one of her most iconic performances.
“Fancy” tells the story of a young girl from a poor family who is transformed into a glamorous woman through her mother’s desperate efforts to ensure a better future for her daughter. With lines like “Here’s your one chance, Fancy, don’t let me down,” the song captures the themes of hope, survival, and transformation. The narrative follows Fancy as she navigates a difficult path to escape poverty, ultimately finding success and empowerment.
McEntire’s version of “Fancy” was both a critical and commercial success. Her dynamic vocal performance and dramatic presentation of the song resonated deeply with audiences. The single peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, showcasing its popularity and McEntire’s ability to connect with listeners through her heartfelt delivery.
The music video for “Fancy” further enhanced the song’s impact, featuring McEntire in a series of visually striking and emotional scenes that underscore the song’s narrative. This visual storytelling added another layer to the song’s already powerful message, helping it to become a staple in McEntire’s live performances.
“Fancy” is often seen as a symbol of McEntire’s own journey in the music industry, reflecting her resilience and determination to succeed. Her ability to reinterpret and breathe new life into a song originally by Bobbie Gentry demonstrates McEntire’s versatility and deep connection to the material.
The album “Rumor Has It,” which features “Fancy,” also enjoyed considerable success, further cementing McEntire’s status as a leading figure in country music. The album was certified multi-platinum, underscoring the enduring appeal of both the album and McEntire’s artistry.
For many fans, “Fancy” is more than just a song; it is a story of overcoming adversity and finding one’s strength. Reba McEntire’s rendition has ensured that “Fancy” remains a beloved classic, continuing to inspire listeners with its powerful narrative and emotional depth. Her performance stands as a testament to her remarkable talent and the lasting impact of her contributions to country music.
Video
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 mama spent every last penny we had
To buy me a dancin’ dress
Mama washed and combed and curled my hair
And she painted my eyes and lips
Then I stepped into a satin dancin’ dress
That had a split on the side clean up to my hips
It was red velvet trim and it fit me good
Standin’ back from the lookin’ glass
There stood a woman where a half-grown kid had stood
She said, “Here’s your one chance, Fancy, don’t let me down
Here’s your one chance, Fancy, don’t let me down”
Mama dabbed a little bit of perfume on my neck, then she kissed my cheek
And then I saw the tears wellin’ up in her troubled eyes when she started to speak
She looked at her pitiful shack
And then she looked at me and took a ragged breath
She said, “Your pa’s runned off, 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-heeled shoe
It sounded like somebody else that was talkin’
Askin’, “Mama, what do I do?”
She said, “Just be nice to the gentlemen, Fancy
And they’ll be nice to you.”
She said, “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
But if you want out, well, it’s up to you
Now don’t let me down
Now your mama’s gonna move you uptown”
Well, that was the last time I saw my ma
The night I left that rickety shack
The welfare people came and took the baby
Mama died and I ain’t been back
But the wheels of fate had started to turn
And for me there was no way out
It wasn’t very long ’til I knew exactly
What my mama’d been talkin’ about
I knew what I had to do and I made myself this solemn vow
That I’s gonna be a lady someday
Though I didn’t know when or how
But I couldn’t see spending the rest of my life
With my head hung down in shame
You know I might have been born just plain white trash
But Fancy was my name
She said, “Here’s your one chance, Fancy, don’t let me down”
She said, “Here’s your one chance, Fancy, don’t let me down”
It wasn’t long after that 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)
I charmed a king, a congressman and an occasional aristocrat
And then I got me a Georgia mansion and an elegant New York townhouse flat
And I ain’t done bad (she ain’t been bad)
Now in this world, there’s a lot of self-righteous hypocrites
That would call me bad
They criticize my mama for turning me out
No matter how little we had
But though I ain’t had to worry ’bout nothin’ for now on fifteen years
Well, I can still hear the desperation in my poor mama’s voice ringin’ in my ears
“Here’s your one chance, Fancy, don’t let me down”
She said, “Here’s your one chance, Fancy, don’t let me down
Lord, forgive me for what I do
But if you want out, well, it’s up to you
Now don’t let me down
Now your Mama’s gonna move you uptown”
Well, I guess she did