About The Song
In the realm of country music, few names resonate with the power and grace of Reba McEntire. Renowned for her captivating vocals, heartfelt storytelling, and unwavering stage presence, McEntire has carved an indelible mark on the genre, earning her the title of “The Queen of Country Music.” Among her vast repertoire of chart-topping hits, “Fancy” stands as a beacon of self-empowerment, transformation, and the unwavering pursuit of dreams.
Released in 1990 as part of McEntire’s album Rumor Has It, “Fancy” is a captivating narrative driven by a spirited melody and poignant lyrics. The song opens with a vivid depiction of a young woman named Fancy, raised amidst poverty and hardship in the outskirts of New Orleans. Despite their struggles, Fancy’s mother, driven by unwavering love and hope for her daughter’s future, invests their last remaining pennies in a beautiful red velvet dancing dress.
As Fancy dons the dress, a transformation takes place. She stands before the mirror, no longer a “half-grown kid” but a woman exuding confidence and newfound self-belief. Her mother’s words echo in her mind, “Here’s your one chance, Fancy, don’t let me down,” serving as a powerful motivator to embrace her potential and seize the opportunities that lie ahead.
The song’s chorus bursts forth with an empowering message, urging Fancy to step out into the world and embrace her dreams. “Fancy, you gotta get out there and make things happen,” the lyrics proclaim, emphasizing the importance of taking action and pursuing one’s aspirations with unwavering determination.
“Fancy” transcends the boundaries of a mere country song; it is an anthem for anyone who has ever felt marginalized, underestimated, or lacking in confidence. McEntire’s powerful vocals and heartfelt delivery instill a sense of hope and determination, reminding listeners that they possess the strength and resilience to overcome obstacles and achieve their dreams.
The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its universal message of self-empowerment and transformation. “Fancy” has become a staple in McEntire’s live performances, captivating audiences with its infectious energy and inspiring lyrics. It has also been covered by numerous artists across genres, further solidifying its status as a timeless classic.
In conclusion, Reba McEntire’s “Fancy” stands as a beacon of hope, resilience, and the unwavering pursuit of dreams. Its powerful message of self-empowerment continues to resonate with listeners worldwide, reminding us that within each of us lies the potential to transform our lives and achieve our wildest aspirations.
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Lyric
I remember it all very well lookin’ backIt was the summer I turned eighteenWe lived in a one-room, run-down shackOn the outskirts of New OrleansWe didn’t have money for food or rentTo say the least we were hard-pressedThen mama spent every last penny we hadTo buy me a dancin’ dressMama washed and combed and curled my hairAnd she painted my eyes and lipsThen I stepped into a satin dancin’ dressThat had a split on the side clean up to my hipsIt was red velvet trim and it fit me goodStandin’ back from the lookin’ glassThere stood a woman where a half-grown kid had stoodShe said, “Here’s your one chance, Fancy, don’t let me downHere’s your one chance, Fancy, don’t let me down”Mama dabbed a little bit of perfume on my neck, then she kissed my cheekAnd then I saw the tears wellin’ up in her troubled eyes when she started to speakShe looked at her pitiful shackAnd then she looked at me and took a ragged breathShe said, “Your pa’s runned off, I’m real sickAnd 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 acrossThe toe of my high-heeled shoeIt sounded like somebody else that was talkin’Askin’, “Mama, what do I do?”She said, “Just be nice to the gentlemen, FancyAnd they’ll be nice to you.”She said, “Here’s your one chance, Fancy, don’t let me downHere’s your one chance, Fancy, don’t let me downLord, forgive me for what I doBut if you want out, well, it’s up to youNow don’t let me downNow your mama’s gonna move you uptown”Well, that was the last time I saw my maThe night I left that rickety shackThe welfare people came and took the babyMama died and I ain’t been backBut the wheels of fate had started to turnAnd for me there was no way outIt wasn’t very long ’til I knew exactlyWhat my mama’d been talkin’ aboutI knew what I had to do and I made myself this solemn vowThat I’s gonna be a lady somedayThough I didn’t know when or howBut I couldn’t see spending the rest of my lifeWith my head hung down in shameYou know I might have been born just plain white trashBut Fancy was my nameShe 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 streetAnd 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 aristocratAnd then I got me a Georgia mansion and an elegant New York townhouse flatAnd I ain’t done bad (she ain’t been bad)Now in this world, there’s a lot of self-righteous hypocritesThat would call me badThey criticize my mama for turning me outNo matter how little we hadBut though I ain’t had to worry ’bout nothin’ for now on fifteen yearsWell, 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 downLord, forgive me for what I doBut if you want out, well, it’s up to youNow don’t let me downNow your Mama’s gonna move you uptown”Well, I guess she did