Bobbie Gentry - Fancy Lyrics






Well, I remember it all very well lookin' back
It was the summer that 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
When Momma spent every last penny we had
To buy me a dancin' dress

Well, Momma washed and combed and curled my hair
Then 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

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 girl it's up to you
Now get on out, you better start sleepin' uptown"

Momma dabbed a little bit of perfume
On my neck and she kissed my cheek
Then I saw the tears welling 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-healed shoe

It sounded like somebody else was talkin'
Askin', "Momma what do I do?"
She said, "Just be nice to the gentlemen, Fancy
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 get on out, girl, you better start movin' uptown"

Well, that was the last time I saw my momma
When I left that rickety shack
'Cause the welfare people came and took the baby
Momma died and I ain't been back

But the wheels of fate had started to turn
And for me there was no other way out
It wasn't very long till I knew exactly
What my momma was talkin' 'bout

I knew 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 that a benevolent man
Took me in off the streets
One week later I was pourin' his tea
In a five roomed penthouse suite

Since then 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

Now I ain't done bad

Now in this world there's a lot of self-righteous
Hypocrites that would call me bad
They criticize Momma for turning me out
No matter how little we had

And though I haven't had to worry 'bout nothin'
Now for nigh on fifteen years
I can still hear the desperation
In my poor mommas voice ringin' in my ears

"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 get on out, you better move uptown
And I guess she did"





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Bobbie Gentry Fancy Comments
  1. a.... ....

    I never really thought about how this is a song about a mom straight pimping out her kid. Kris Jenner's personal anthem.

  2. B.... O....

    I like Bobbie's version of "Fancy"
    because the dancing made Bobbie more believable than Reba as the
    woman in the song!

  3. C.... ....

    Total package

  4. j.... H....

    So Reba is a thief as well as a ball-buster. I didn't know.

  5. R.... R....

    OMG.....I LOVE HER OUTFIT! AND HER HAIR!

  6. M.... M....

    She was a beautiful woman. That body.

  7. s.... ....

    Sorry but Reba is 100% better!

  8. F.... ....

    Orville Peck brought me here, that was awesome

  9. K.... T....

    She's awesome.

  10. S.... D....

    What a genius songwriter!

  11. J.... L....

    Never have cared for her

  12. K.... S....

    So this my first time hearing original fancy . It was sung very beautifully I think Bobbie did amazing job. She wrote beautiful song and sang it her with soul. I think Reba expresses great value of respect to how perform her version. It opens door to beautiful story.

  13. R.... E....

    The song was composed and written by Bobbie Gentry. She actually produced most of her song but the company wrote a producer in to make it sell.

  14. k.... l....

    Watched CMA 2019 Reba sung it, I told my wife someone sung that 60's, here it is both are great !!!

    k.... l....

    Wouldn't it have been great if Bobbie had made a surprise appearance during Reba's CMA performance?! The audience would have gone crazy!

  15. N.... G....

    That first set appears to be on acid.

  16. C.... B....

    Her shape is INCREDIBLE

  17. M.... M....

    One of the most underrated unsung artists!!! This was my fav song of hers!!!

  18. H.... H....

    That is all woman, right there.

  19. C.... L....

    Bobbie fucking Gentry 🖤 Obsessed. That is all.

  20. T.... K....

    I like Reba, but she camped up her cover. This is better.

  21. R.... D....

    I cannot believe that one of Reba's biggest hits was a cover! I was a huge fan of Bobby Gentry's "Ode to Billy Joe" but I was a 1 year old when it came out so I learned about it from the 1976 film based on it. I didn't know how many songs Bobby Gentry that I loved were hers - especially this one! But, in the same token, I'm sure that being an age in the single digits when it was released probably meant I wasn't really exposed to the song too much!! I don't find a comparison between the two artists remotely necessary. Each performed it to perfection so what else can you ask for??

  22. 1.... ....

    If there is no God, then all things are permissible...if.

  23. D.... K....

    LOVED HOW SHE DID THAT THANK YOUUU ON THE END MANE I HATE SHE QUIT SINGING SHE IS STILL A TREASURE TODAY ❤️

  24. D.... K....

    SHIT I LOVE REBA BUT ITS NO COMPARISON OMG MS GENTRY WAS SMOOTH AND MORE LAID BACK WITH IT AND THE WAY SHE GLIDES ACROSS THE FLOOR😍

  25. N.... ....

    I loved her 'Ode To Billy Jo.' 'Fancy' was good too, but I had no clue the song was about a poor mother who bought a red dress for her pretty daughter, then kind of pimped her out to snag a wealthy man. 'Movin' On Up' alright. 😬 💋 🤔 👌

  26. B.... B....

    She is still alive, I wanna meet her. Such an Artist.

  27. 0.... ....

    She's fabulous!!!

  28. J.... B....

    They dont make these kind of women anymore she had it all beauty , talent , and class . She was also from Mississippi so she could probably hunt and fish too

  29. *.... ....

    Bobbie wrote it and sang it better just like Dolly wrote "I will always love you" and sang it better than Whitney Houston ever did. Hands down! 👐

  30. J.... J....

    Bobbie Gentry was cutting edge! This song was so provocative and ahead of it's time in 1969. Love her!

  31. M.... S....

    She sang as if she lived every song. I believe her.

  32. B.... R....

    I like both singers of that also Reba most love that song the singer was singing

  33. J.... H....

    Sexy af

  34. M.... W....

    Here is a lady who is as talented and smart as she is beautiful. She was a good businesswoman and knew when to quit. Fancy that!

  35. H.... E....

    Her moves remind me somewhatvof Mama Cass dancin, The Cake and Northern soul dancemoves.

  36. D.... c....

    She follows a story-telling mode which was so effective in Ode to Billie Joe.

  37. T.... ....

    Bobby simply oozes sex appeal..
    Even though I'm a straight woman we can't deny how sexy she is from her singing to the way she carries herself.

  38. D.... ....

    The beginning is a little like "Endless Sleep" by Jody Reynolds. She got her start with him.

  39. D.... S....

    She had a fantastic shape to her. She fills those cloths perfectly well. She was hot. She's still alive, I'd love to do an interview with her.

  40. J.... E....

    Damn,she rockin that skin tight suit! I just barely can remember seeing this episode.

  41. L.... R....

    Bobbie Gentry was an American original. Her song Ode to Billy Joe is one of my favorite songs ever and this one is darn fine too.

  42. S.... L....

    That’s some badass talent there

  43. H.... B....

    Grinding poverty , death and disease , coat hanger abortions , teen suicides and mothers hooring out their daughters , you gotta love the music of Bobby Gentry.

  44. M.... H....

    Lord have mercy, Bobbie was a fashion queen. 💕 So talented and a sexy, beautiful woman.

  45. C.... T....

    Here I go learnin' things! Love it!

  46. G.... J....

    Those cheek bones!

  47. R.... O....

    Love the storytelling

  48. N.... D....

    Well since Bobbie Gentry wrote this song and recorded comparing it to Reba's is not fair. Because Reba's version is a cover of the hit Bobbie Gentry put out in the 1970's.

  49. T.... H....

    If I could look like that in that red pantsuit, I'd be struttin', too! Bobbie was beautiful and talented. Never a better version than hers.

  50. D.... T....

    Good grief. Pathetic. Who would want to live like that? No honor at all.

    D.... T....

    It's not about wanting to live like that. It's real life.

  51. D.... B....

    I do like Reba's version at the end of her video. Great tribute.

  52. M.... H....

    The original skinny legend. Lord have mercy that girl is curvier than the Mississippi.

  53. D.... S....

    Pure class

  54. A.... K....

    So beautiful and amazing! <3 Love the big hair too x

  55. t.... ....

    All these years later im still in awe at all that beauty and God given talent in one woman .

  56. h.... r....

    Wow, she was sexy and talented.

  57. g.... p....

    Vegas training.

  58. J.... J....

    I just found out about Her today better late then never how wonderful is that voice beautiful lady in red with a great voice. 😎

    J.... J....

    Me too! I’ve always been a fan of classic country and I’m only 21. I only found this through Reba though, both are great artist in my opinion

  59. G.... R....

    Unbelievable. 11 on a 1-10 scale. Bobbie had it all. Thank you Reba for bringing this song back and making people aware of it. Hopefully Bobbie gets a good BMI/ASCAP royalty check these days.

  60. l.... ....

    marry me!

  61. K.... B....

    Dance gurl Dance!!!

  62. M.... s....

    why am i now in love with a dead woman. fuckin absoute queen!

    M.... s....

    Mr stokes not dead that I know of,hope not! : o

    M.... s....

    @Paul Dekle oh shit, then there is hope for me still!!

  63. O.... R....

    I only knew ode to Billy Joe, but this video from the Johnny Cash show is something else. I do not unterstand southern american so much, but I like it. Thanx !

  64. k.... b....

    My goodness.. she's got my attention

  65. C.... #....

    That's a southern woman. 😍

  66. M.... E....

    cant escape the bard his SPEARS lithe everywhere!!!!!!

  67. y.... ....

    What an incredible song.

  68. K.... B....

    Wow! I am dumbfounded at how many people didn't know Bobbie Gentry wrote and first performed this song! I'm not a fan of country music, but this is part of my childhood. I remember "Fancy" and "Ode to Billie Joe" playing on the radio when I was a child.

  69. B.... R....

    Where did she get the material for this song?

  70. R.... C....

    I just found her tonight and I'm OBSESSED!!! I wish more than anything I was a teenager back then.

  71. T.... A....

    Bobbie Gentry’s heyday was before my time but she still fascinates me and this clip sums that up. She was a born singer/songwriter and clearly a performer too, but one day she just said “that’s enough” and successfully disappeared. I keep hoping one day she’ll resurface and fill in the gaps to her story...but I doubt it. God bless you, Bobbie 😊 Thank you for making the world a richer place with your work.

  72. E.... H....

    wow just realized the song is about her momma selling her daughter into sex traffic-ing ...

  73. R.... M....

    classic Mississippi delta queen , the best bar none

  74. J.... M....

    I love Reba’s version as I’m sure Bobbie does as well. It’s made her very wealthy.
    The main difference to me is Reba’s version is more theatrical where you’re just out of reach of feeling the character. You’re just watching and listening. Bobbie’s version is more like what Grandma might tell you one day over a cup of coffee. It’s got that shameful, dirty family secret feel. The kind that leaves you slack jawed and also with a bit of smile at her cleverness. That’s what songwriters do. They put the nitty gritty of life to music. It’s always a treat to hear and see a talented songwriter interpret their music for us.

  75. M.... L....

    Reba & Bobby both kill this song! Love both!

  76. M.... A....

    Struttin’ like a peacock and singin’ like a canary!

  77. M.... A....

    Dang where was I at when she was around? Most likely I wasn't born just yet.

  78. J.... ....

    An American treasure. 🌻

  79. W.... B....

    I was a snot nosed kid when I first heard her sing and she made a great impression on me . I love her style of music .

  80. G.... P....

    This is Bobbie's song! She wrote it. She designed her stage costumes and sewed a lot of them herself.

  81. M.... ....

    I can not believe it's been 50 years since singer/songwriter Bobbie Gentry wrote this song, and first sang it. It was back in 1969 during the Woodstock year, and the last year of Rock & Rolls greatest decade "The 60's." What an awesome performance by Gentry... And in my opinion the best version of them all. Goodness gracious Bobbie sure look great in her red catsuit...
    I have to give a shout-out to Reba McEntire for reintroducing this song to todays audiences. She gave this song a fresh new take and popularity. Priceless!

  82. n.... ....

    I love Reba's version, but seeing the beautiful woman that wrote and sang the original is fantastic!  Wonder why Bobbie's career didn't last longer after "Ode to Billy Joe" and this song. One of the best story songwriters ever, she had the talent and looks!

  83. r.... ....

    Intelligent and educated; brilliant songwriter and storyteller; wonderful voice; great live performer; sexy dance moves and beauty to boot. This lady lacked nothing. Would have loved to have seen the differing looks on the faces of men vs. women at this performance. I imagine that June kept a close eye on Johnny....

  84. P.... k....

    I can see cardi b wearing this outfit and having a wig like that too.

  85. S.... D....

    Nobody sings this song like Bobby. She was clearly ahead of her time.

  86. f.... w....

    Great song...Love from Afrika...

  87. H.... G....

    I compare her to Kris Kristofferson. A SONGWRITER, STORYTELLER, singer last...Oh and they're both extraordinarily beautiful and sexy. Gentry's Ode To Billy Joe is a masterpiece.

  88. G.... A....

    Well said! Both beauties with BEAUTIFUL voices!

  89. j.... w....

    Bobby Gentry had her own variety show on CBS back in the 1970s. Her voice is so sexy.

  90. J.... S....

    I personally think Reba is better! When Reba sings she tells a story!

  91. T.... C....

    Awesome

  92. S.... S....

    I remember her what a pretty doll

  93. J.... S....

    I grew up on Bobbie Gentry. This song song reminds me of me. I am taking care of this ordeal with losing Rock Stars I just didn't know how until I got my main you tube channel.

  94. D.... R....

    Holy shit!!! This lady rocked. Damn she should have been beside Elvis during the town street medley ... and beautiful. Thank god Reba chose to do this song 20;years later.... timeless ... and due for another remake

  95. f.... ....

    Reba's was much much better

  96. s.... ....

    she reminded me of Joplin, only in a class her own

  97. H.... ....

    Not to mention, BOBBIE WROTE THE SONG!