About the song
“Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” is a timeless classic by the American rock band Looking Glass, released in 1972. The song, featured on their self-titled debut album “Looking Glass,” was penned by the band’s lead guitarist and co-vocalist, Elliot Lurie. This track became the defining hit for the band, capturing the hearts of listeners with its compelling narrative and catchy melody.
“Brandy” tells the poignant story of a barmaid named Brandy who works in a harbor town. Her beauty and kindness make her the object of affection for many sailors, but her heart belongs to one sailor who cannot stay because his life and love are the sea. The storytelling, enriched by Lurie’s emotive vocals and the band’s harmonies, paints a vivid picture of love and longing.
Upon its release, “Brandy” quickly rose to fame, reaching the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States, a testament to its widespread appeal and enduring charm. The song’s success was not just limited to the charts; it has been featured in various movies, television shows, and commercials over the years, solidifying its place in pop culture history.
Looking Glass, though often labeled as a one-hit wonder due to “Brandy’s” overwhelming success, has left a lasting legacy through this song. The track’s blend of rock, pop, and storytelling continues to resonate with audiences of all ages. For many, “Brandy” is more than just a song; it’s a nostalgic journey back to a simpler time, evoking memories of youth, love, and the bittersweet nature of unfulfilled romance.
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Lyrics
There’s a port on a western bay
And it serves a hundred ships a day
Lonely sailors pass the time away
And talk about their homes
And there’s a girl in this harbor town
And she works layin’ whiskey down
They say, “Brandy, fetch another round”
She serves them whiskey and wine
The sailors say, “Brandy, you’re a fine girl” (You’re a fine girl)
What a good wife you would be (Such a fine girl)
Yeah your eyes could steal a sailor from the sea”
Brandy wears a braided chain
Made of finest silver from the north of Spain
A locket that bears the name
Of a man that Brandy loves
He came on a summer’s day
Bringin’ gifts from far away
But he made it clear he couldn’t stay
No harbor was his home
The sailor said, “Brandy, you’re a fine girl (You’re a fine girl)
What a good wife you would be (Such a fine girl)
But my life, my love, and my lady is the sea”
Yeah, Brandy used to watch his eyes
When he told his sailor’s story
She could feel the ocean fall and rise
She saw its ragin’ glory
But he had always told the truth
Lord, he was an honest man
And Brandy does her best to understand
At night, when the bars close down
Brandy walks through a silent town
And loves a man who’s not around
She still can hear him say
She hears him say, “Brandy, you’re a fine girl (You’re a fine girl)
What a good wife you would be (Such a fine girl)
But my life, my love, and my lady is the sea”
“Brandy, you’re a fine girl (You’re a fine girl)
What a good wife you would be (Such a fine girl)
But my life, my love, and my lady is the sea”