The Original Government Hooker: Fancy, should Gaga cover or emulate?

[Voltaire 4,531]

"Fancy" is a song written and originally performed by Bobbie Gentry in 1969. The song depicts its heroine overcoming poverty to become a successful (prostitute). The song was a cross-over country and pop hit for Gentry in early 1970, and she received a Grammy nomination for best female pop vocal performance for it.

The best-known version of the song was recorded in 1990 by country music artist Reba McEntire for her Rumor Has It album.

 

 

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The Southern Gothic style-song is told from the perspective of a woman named Fancy, approximately thirty-three years old, looking back to the summer she was 18.

Fancy's family (consisting of Fancy, a baby sibling whose gender is not mentioned, and their mother; the father having abandoned them) lived in poverty — "a one room, rundown shack on the outskirts of New Orleans". Her mother is terminally ill and has no one to care for the baby.

In a last, desperate act to save Fancy from the vicious cycle, her mother spends her last penny to buy her a red "dancing dress", makeup and perfume, and a locket inscribed with the phrase "To thine own self be true", and sends her to a dance. She encourages Fancy to "be nice to the gentlemen, Fancy, and they'll be nice to you" (implying prostitution as a means to gain financial independence). Soon after, Fancy's mother dies and her baby sibling becomes a ward of the state.

Fancy recalls her mother's parting words: "Here's your one chance Fancy don't let me down" and "If you want out, well, it's up to you." Fancy ends up using sex and connections she makes to build a better life for herself (eventually owning a Georgia mansion and a New York townhouse flat), eventually making peace with her mother and acknowledging the complexity of the decision her mother was forced to make.

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Could Gaga be the current incarnation of Fancy-Rae Baker, the Government/High-class Hooker?

Should she COVER, CREATE HER OWN STORY STYLE MEGA EPIC BALLAD, or stay away from the likes of Speechless/You & I/Fancy all together?

[aquariumlust 115]

One of my favorite songs of all time. This was my jam as a young gay child.

[Rat Boy 43,581]

Yes! i luv dat igloo sing

Spoiler

In all seriousness, I could imagine Gaga doing something like this.

 

[Voltaire 4,531]

1 minute ago, Mer Boy said:

Yes! i luv dat igloo sing

Sigh...

Here ya go...

 

 

[FlopSlut 1,190]

omg i really like this

[ReidOne 12,427]

This is LYFE!!!!!! YAAAASS .... Despite being my favorite country song of all time, I never realized how perfect this song was for Gaga until you posted it earlier! ... One look at Reba in that opening shot of this video and it's obvious!! 

[ReidOne 12,427]

10 minutes ago, Voltaire said:

Sigh...

Here ya go...

 

 

 

Sorry you had to deal with this mess in your thread. Mods, intervention please! LOL.... 

[ReidOne 12,427]

"one week later I was pourin' his tea in a 5-room hotel suite..."

[ReidOne 12,427]

Just now, ReidOne said:

"one week later I was pourin' his tea in a 5-room hotel suite..."

BTW ---- for the unintiated, these lyrics are essentially the climax of the song!

[Kermit 15,807]

I hate Reba

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

no.

[ReidOne 12,427]

2 minutes ago, ReidOne said:

"one week later I was pourin' his tea in a 5-room hotel suite..."

"...I charmed a king, a Congressman, and the occasional aristocrat. And then I got me a Georgia mansion and an elegant New York townhouse flat... and I ain't been back." 

 

[ReidOne 12,427]

the immediate next lyrics are: 

"Now in this world there's a lot of self-righteous hypocrites that called me bad, that criticized **Mama** for turning me out, no matter how little we had. But, though I ain't had to worry 'bout nothing for neigh on 15 years, I can still hear the desperation of my poor Mama's voice ringin' in my ears: NOW HERE'S YOUR ONE CHANCE, Fancy, don't let me down!!!" 

OMG... I can't stop.... this is the ultimate song Gaga has yet to cover! 

....imagine "Born This Way"-era Gaga singing this song!!! Keeping in mind "Born This Way was the most played song in one day in the history of US radio!!! After The Fame/TFM she knew the next release was going to have the world's eyes upon her in an unprecedented way. This was Fancy's one chance to say something --- and she gave it to us!! The Bad Kids. The Little Monsters. The Fancy's. 

If she covered this song, the subtext would be off the charts... it is the plight of BTW defined. I see it! 

[Voltaire 4,531]

To thine own self be true

[Voltaire 4,531]

10 minutes ago, ReidOne said:

the immediate next lyrics are: 

"Now in this world there's a lot of self-righteous hypocrites that called me bad, that criticized **Mama** for turning me out, no matter how little we had. But, though I ain't had to worry 'bout nothing for neigh on 15 years, I can still hear the desperation of my poor Mama's voice ringin' in my ears: NOW HERE'S YOUR ONE CHANCE, Fancy, don't let me down!!!" 

OMG... I can't stop.... this is the ultimate song Gaga has yet to cover! 

....imagine "Born This Way"-era Gaga singing this song!!! Keeping in mind "Born This Way was the most played song in one day in the history of US radio!!! After The Fame/TFM she knew the next release was going to have the world's eyes upon her in an unprecedented way. This was Fancy's one chance to say something --- and she gave it to us!! The Bad Kids. The Little Monsters. The Fancy's. 

If she covered this song, the subtext would be off the charts... it is the plight of BTW defined. I see it! 

Reba redid it 21 years after the original, and it's been 26 since Reba's. It's been plenty of time!

I'd be good with a cover, a sample, or a song in the style of. I think the story-ballad could be great for her. Elton and Billy Joel both had some of their own so it's not a crazy thought for Gaga.

[Dark Anatomy 2,284]

36 minutes ago, DominicB said:

I hate Reba

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

no.

Let me educate you then. It's not Reba's song either. It's Bobby Jo Gentry's. She wrote and performed it, Reba covered it. 

Speaking of, everyone, can we appreciate the goddess who wrote this track?