The Lyrically Enhanced Persona

Whose baggage are you carrying around?

Thanks to Krystal Mossbarger for the invite! I’m excited to participate in this prompt and contribute to Songstories for the very first time! Thank you, Will Hull!

Hello? (Hello? Hello? Hello?) Is there anybody in there? Just nod if you can hear me

Comfortably Numb, Pink Floyd

A random roll call seemed fitting to start things off! If you know me or have read some of my other articles, you might recall that I’m a huge Floyd fan! But, that’s not what this article is about. Although, if your a Pink Floyd fan or if your name is Vera, we have at least one thing in common!

Does anybody here remember Vera Lynn? Remember how she said that We would meet again Some sunny day?

Vera, Pink Floyd

In 1972 Looking Glass released the hit song Brandy! The song was written by Elliot Lurie, the lead guitarist and vocalist. If you’re interested in his writing process, here’s a recent interview! Spoiler alert: It’s fiction.

As luck would have it, I was given the name Brandy because my mother liked the song and she says that it wasn’t a name she heard often. Really? Maybe it wasn’t heard under the rock she was apparently living under, because a year after the song was released the name Brandy jumped to the top 100 names for girls and stayed there for 15 consecutive years. Popularity peaked in 1978 at #37 — the year I was born, no doubt! Another spoiler alert: I’m not the only Brandy…

Brandy by Looking Glass

My relationship with this song is complicated. As far back as I can remember, this song has been referenced and/or sang to me (more times than I can count) by random strangers searching for a conversation starter or they bellowed it out after having a few drinks. The connection is often followed up with their sommelier opinion of the alcoholic beverage, Brandy. I always ask if they’ve ever actually listened to lyrics, the story. It’s a sad story and I kind of feel sorry for that Brandy. I’m just sayin’…

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 works a lot! She probably puts up with more catcalls, vomit, and piss than she ever intended to, simply trying to make a dime in her (what appears to be) depressing little harbor town. Plus, as we will find out sooner than later that line “Yeah, your eyes could steal a sailor from the sea” is false… Elliot Lurie starts off telling lies! Why Elliot, why?

Brandy wears a braided chain Made of finest silver from the North of Spain A locket that bears the name Of the man that Brandy loved

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 sailors 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 lover, my lady is the sea”

She watches the door, waiting for the one guy to return who seemed to be different than all of the others. Will he ever come back? It doesn’t really matter because he’s not going to commit to her. But, hey! At least he gave her that locket from the north of Spain with his name on it before he left!

Yeah, Brandy used to watch his eyes When he told his sailor stories 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

Oh my word — Girl! Stop it. I’ll agree, it’s a shame! We all love a good storyteller, and an honest one at that! But here is my advice: a) You shouldn’t walk alone at night unarmed. b) MOVE ON!

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 lover, my lady is the sea” It is, yes it is

He 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 lover, my lady is the sea”

On the flip side, he has been honest with her about what matters most to him and it isn’t her. Is there a missing lyric? Fine, he doesn’t want to stay in the harbor town, but couldn’t she leave with him? Maybe he’s not being as honest as he claims! A wife and six kids on the other side of the sea, perhaps?

So, in the end, Brandy (bless her heart) is left depleted of her self-esteem and the honest sailor goes on about his life— His lover, his lady, as he has claimed, is the sea… This is not a sweet song!

“What a good wife she’d be… to someone else — Uh, huh… after a year or two of ther-a-py!” — Brandy Niremburk

Perhaps your name is Roxanne, Sara, or Angie and you’ve had a similar experience? If your name is (darling) Nikki, or if you happen to be Stacey’s mom, I’m going to admit you might have it worse!

Not to leave anyone out, there are songs directed at a more masculine crowd too, like Jerry was a Race Car Driver or A Boy Named Sue! I can only assume that if you’re a boy named Sue, you are frequently reminded that song exists!

Just for fun, I’ve complied (name) songs on a Spotify playlist to share with you! Maybe your name song is there! If not, let me know in the comments and I’ll add it!

I’m sure some of you have already been tagged to participate in this prompt by now, but if not — now you have! :) Terry Barr, Nicole Brown, David Acaster, Penelope Mayfield, Pierce McIntyre, Alexander Briseño, Jessica Lee McMillan, Chris Zappa, Zsófia Vera, Kathy Gerstorff, Jill (Conquering Cognitions), Paul Combs, Aimée Gramblin, Kathryn Dillon, and anyone else that wants to play along!

I appreciate the reads I receive, each follow, every single clap and comment! You all are the best! Thank you!