Fancy Like

"Fancy Like" is a celebration of finding joy and luxury in the simple, everyday aspects of life, particularly in a loving relationship. The song's central message is that one doesn't need extravagant wealth or high-end experiences to feel 'fancy' or special. Instead, it redefines luxury through the lens of a relatable, blue-collar American lifestyle. The lyrics contrast typical symbols of wealth (champagne, mansions, Teslas) with the narrator's own sources of happiness: date nights at Applebee's, sharing an Oreo shake, and enjoying fast food like Wendy's.

The song was written in response to fans on social media who assumed that because Walker Hayes was a recording artist, he lived a glamorous lifestyle. Hayes wanted to debunk this misconception and show that his family life is very normal and unpretentious. He emphasizes that true happiness and romance are found in authentic moments and shared experiences, not in material possessions. By name-dropping brands like Applebee's, Wendy's, and Natural Light beer, the song grounds itself in a familiar, middle-class reality, making the concept of being 'fancy' accessible and celebratory for a wider audience. Ultimately, "Fancy Like" is an ode to appreciating what you have and finding contentment and fun in a life that is rich in love, even if it's not rich in money.

The song's narrative centers on a man who adores his partner, describing her as wonderful and low-maintenance. He illustrates their simple, yet deeply affectionate, relationship through everyday scenarios. For them, a special date doesn't require extravagant displays of wealth like popping champagne; a trip to Wendy's is just as exciting. He humorously notes how affectionate she is, wanting to 'dip him like them fries in her Frosty.' This establishes the core theme: their happiness isn't tied to material luxury.

However, the narrator acknowledges that when he gets paid, he loves to treat his partner to something a little more special, an 'upgrade.' This is where the central concept of being 'fancy' is defined on their own terms. Their idea of a lavish night out is a date at Applebee's, a popular American casual dining restaurant. He paints a vivid picture of this date: ordering a Bourbon Street Steak and an Oreo Shake to share, complete with two straws and whipped cream on top. This act, for them, is the pinnacle of feeling sophisticated and indulgent. He playfully describes this feeling as 'bougie like Natty in the styrofoam,' juxtaposing a high-class adjective with a very common, inexpensive beer (Natural Light), further emphasizing their grounded and unpretentious version of luxury.

The song continues to build on this idea by contrasting their lifestyle with conventional symbols of wealth. He doesn't need a high-end Tesla to impress his partner; she's perfectly happy riding on the back of his Vespa scooter. Their idea of romance and entertainment isn't a mansion but rather slow dancing in their modest 'double wide' home. The lyrics repeatedly return to the chorus, reinforcing that their unique brand of 'fancy' is found in these shared, simple moments. The imagery of the truck's squeaky suspension on the way home and referencing Alabama adds a layer of authentic, relatable country life. The song is a celebration of finding joy and feeling luxurious within one's own means, championing the idea that genuine connection and simple pleasures are more valuable than conventional wealth or status.

"Fancy Like" was written by Walker Hayes along with co-writers Cameron Bartolini, Josh Jenkins, and Shane Stevens. The song was co-produced by Hayes, Joe Thibodeau, and Shane McAnally. The idea for the song emerged during a writing session where the writers discussed the misconception that music artists live lavish lifestyles. Jenkins coined the phrase "fancy like," which sparked the central theme of the song: celebrating a more humble and relatable version of luxury. Hayes was inspired by his own life and his family's experiences, aiming to write an honest song that debunked any pretension about his lifestyle.

The song came together quickly, with Hayes noting it "just poured out." The bridge was even written via text message between Hayes and Josh Jenkins after the initial session. Released on June 4, 2021, as part of the EP Country Stuff, the song's trajectory changed dramatically due to a viral TikTok video. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Hayes and his 15-year-old daughter, Lela, began creating dances for his songs as a fun family activity. They choreographed and filmed a simple dance to "Fancy Like" on their porch, which unexpectedly exploded in popularity, receiving millions of views and inspiring a massive trend. This viral moment was organic and unplanned, born from a father-daughter bonding activity, which is largely credited for the song's massive success.

The rhyme and rhythm of "Fancy Like" are central to its infectious, earworm quality. The song largely deviates from traditional, perfect rhyme schemes, instead favoring a more fluid and modern approach.

Rhyme: The song predominantly uses slant rhymes and assonance, which contributes to its conversational, rap-like flow. For example, in the first verse, "bangin'" is paired with "maintenance," and "off me" with "Frosty." These are not perfect rhymes but share similar vowel or consonant sounds, giving the lyrics a cohesive feel without sounding forced. The chorus features a more direct rhyme with "steak" and "shake," creating a memorable and satisfying hook.

Rhythm: The song's rhythm is built on a steady, mid-tempo 808 beat characteristic of hip-hop, which drives the track forward. Over this beat, Walker Hayes delivers his lyrics with a distinct, syncopated vocal cadence that falls somewhere between singing and rapping. This "twangy, hip-hop patter" is a defining feature of the song's style. The interplay between the laid-back vocal rhythm and the steady electronic beat creates a groove that is both relaxed and danceable, a key factor in its viral success on TikTok. The tempo is consistent and upbeat, making it perfect for the simple, repetitive dance that accompanied its rise to fame.

"Fancy Like" employs a unique blend of musical and literary techniques that contribute to its catchy and distinctive style.

Literary Techniques:

• Brand-Name Dropping: The lyrics are filled with specific brand names like Applebee's, Wendy's, Oreo, Natty Light, Tesla, and Maybelline. Hayes refers to these as "furniture in a song," using them as concrete, factual details to build an honest and relatable world for the listener.
• Colloquial Language: The song uses casual, conversational language and slang (e.g., "bangin'," "bougie," "ayy") which creates an informal and authentic tone, making the lyrics feel like a real person talking.
• Slant Rhymes: The song often favors near rhymes or slant rhymes over perfect rhymes, such as "off me" with "Frosty" or "impress her" with "Vespa." This contributes to its relaxed, talk-singing lyrical flow.

Musical Techniques:

• Genre Blending: The track is a prime example of country-pop with strong elements of country-rap. It combines a twangy guitar lick with a prominent, low-slung 808 bass beat, a characteristic of hip-hop production.
• Vocal Delivery: Hayes employs a talk-singing, rhythmic patter throughout the verses, which gives the song a hip-hop cadence. This delivery style makes the lyrics feel conversational and enhances the storytelling aspect.
• Minimalist Production: The arrangement is relatively sparse, focusing on the beat, a simple guitar line, and Hayes' vocals. This minimalist approach makes the track feel uncluttered and allows the catchy chorus and lyrics to be the central focus.

The cultural impact of "Fancy Like" was monumental and largely driven by social media. The song became a viral phenomenon on TikTok after Hayes and his daughter Lela posted a video of a simple, choreographed dance they created on their porch. This video sparked a massive trend, with millions of users, including celebrities like Shaquille O'Neal and Ciara, creating their own versions of the dance.

This viral success translated into massive commercial success. The song topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for 17 weeks and peaked at number three on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, becoming Hayes' biggest hit. Its popularity had a tangible real-world effect on the restaurant chain Applebee's, which was prominently featured in the chorus. The chain reported a significant increase in sales and, due to popular demand generated by the song, brought back the Oreo Shake, which had previously been discontinued. Applebee's capitalized on the moment by featuring the song and the TikTok dance in a nationwide commercial campaign.

"Fancy Like" challenged the traditional path to country music stardom, demonstrating the power of platforms like TikTok to create a hit outside of the established country radio system. The song earned Hayes a Grammy nomination and cemented his place as a major artist after years of struggle in Nashville. It also spawned a popular remix featuring pop star Kesha, further broadening its audience.

The primary literary device in "Fancy Like" is the re-contextualization of everyday brands and items as symbols of luxury and romance. The song is built on a central metaphor where common, affordable experiences are elevated to the status of high-end indulgence.

• Applebee's and Wendy's: These fast-casual and fast-food chains are used as stand-ins for five-star restaurants. A "date night" at Applebee's, complete with a "Bourbon Street Steak with the Oreo shake," is framed as the ultimate romantic splurge, symbolizing that the quality of the experience is defined by the company, not the cost.
• 'Bougie like Natty in the styrofoam': This is a key line that encapsulates the song's theme. It's a simile that creates a humorous and ironic juxtaposition. "Bougie" (a slang term for luxurious or aspiring to be upper-class) is paired with "Natty" (Natural Light, an inexpensive beer) served in a styrofoam cup. This symbolizes a self-aware, unpretentious embrace of a blue-collar version of feeling fancy.
• Vespa vs. Tesla: The song explicitly contrasts a Tesla, a modern symbol of wealth and status, with a Vespa scooter. By stating his girl is happy "ridin' on the back of my Vespa," it symbolizes that their connection and happiness are not dependent on material possessions or impressing others.
• Double Wide vs. Mansion: The line "Don't need no mansion to get romancin' / She's super fine, double wide slow dancin'" uses the 'double wide' (a type of manufactured home) as a symbol of their humble living situation. It directly contrasts it with a 'mansion' to assert that true romance and intimacy can be found anywhere, regardless of the grandeur of the setting.

The most significant recurring element in "Fancy Like" is its chorus, which serves as the song's central thesis and most memorable hook.

• The Chorus Hook: The lines, "Yeah, we fancy like Applebee's on a date night / Got that Bourbon Street Steak with the Oreo Shake," are repeated multiple times throughout the song. This repetition drills the core concept—defining 'fancy' on one's own terms—into the listener's mind. It's the lyrical anchor that the entire song is built around, and its catchiness was a major factor in the song's viral success.
• The Phrase "Fancy Like": The title phrase itself is a recurring motif. It's used to introduce the song's central idea in the chorus and serves as a catchy, declarative statement of the song's theme. Its repetition makes it easy to remember and sing along to.
• The "Ayy" Ad-lib: The informal, celebratory ad-lib "Ayy" is used to punctuate phrases and build energy, particularly leading into the chorus. This small recurring sound adds to the song's fun, laid-back, and party-like atmosphere.
• The Motif of Simple Upgrades: The line, "But every now and then when I get paid / I gotta spoil my baby with an upgrade," appears in both verses. This recurring idea reinforces the narrative: the couple lives a modest life, but they find special ways to celebrate each other with small, affordable luxuries, which is the song's core message.