Meaning of “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” by Looking Glass
“Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” is a song by the American pop band Looking Glass. The lyrics of the song are about a very lonely barmaid named Brandy who works and lives in a very busy port town, which receives scores of ships on a daily basis. Many of the sailors who pass through the town often flirt with Brandy, however she ignores them because her heart longs for a particular sailor who abandoned her and never returned because he was more in love with the sea than he was with her. Owing to the similarity of the song’s story to the story of the famed American spinster Mary Ellis who lived between 1750 and 1828, many speculated that the lyrics of the song are inspired Mary Ellis’ story. However, according to the song’s writer Elliot Lurie, the lyrics aren’t about Ellis.
Facts about “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)”
- The song was written by Elliot Lurie of the Looking Glass.
- Shortly after the song was released and became a success, stories began spreading that Lurie wasn’t the actual writer of the song and that it was written by an unknown songwriter named Stephen Homner who later sold it to Lurie. Lurie has since rubbished those stories, claiming he never bought the song from Homner or anyone else and that he wrote the song all by himself.
- In 1974, singer Barry Manilow released one of the biggest hits of his career titled “Mandy”. The song “Mandy” was originally titled “Brandy”. However, Manilow was forced to change the title to “Mandy” because he didn’t want people to confuse it with this song by the Looking Glass.
- “Brandy” peaked at number 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and number 51 in UK, making it one of the most successful songs ever released by the band.
- The song’s massive success in the early 1970s led to a surge in American parents naming their daughters “Brandy”.
Frequently Asked Questions about the song “Brandy”
Q: Who was Mary Ellis?
A: Marry Ellis was a spinster who lived in New Jersey, United States. It is believed that Ellis was in a romantic relationship with a sailor who promised to marry her. One day, the sailor went to sea and never came back to her. Broken hearted, Ellis spent every day of the rest of her life looking for his ship. Unfortunately for Ellis she died without ever seeing the sailor again. Her gravestone currently stands at the spot in New Brunswick, New Jersey, where she always stood to look for the sailor’s ship. Despite the lyrics of “Brandy” being very similar to the legend of Mary Ellis, the song’s writer claims the song’s lyrics aren’t inspired by Ellis’ story.
Q: Which films and TV series has the song “Brandy” appeared in?
A: The song has been used in many films and TV shows, including The Simpsons, The King of Queens, The Wire, Charlie’s Angels, and the Lords of Dogtown.
Q: Which artists have covered “Brandy”?
A: Following Brandy’s release in 1972, scores of bands and artists have released or performed cover versions. Some of them include Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kenny Chesney and Washboard Jungle.
Stephen Homner wrote “Brandy.”
Elliot Lurie purchased it from him.
Elliot now owns the song… he did not write the song.
Hi TruthBeTold, thanks for your comments and thoughts on this song. However, it should be noted that Lurie himself has come out to refute the suggestions/rumors that the song was penned by Stephen Homner. According to Lurie, Homner never wrote this song and he (Lurie) never bought this song from Homner. Till date, there’s no evidence to support the suggestion that Homner wrote this song.
The song was more than likely written by Stephen Homner. if you listen to the garbage Looking Glass (Lurie) wrote previous to Brandy, their whole sound was different, not even close or any resemblance to the band’s previous sound, so much that even their loyal fans didn’t like the change and claimed the band “all of a sudden changed it’s style and music and sold out to MOR” Lurie released another song after Brandy, but it sounded the same, and only met with moderate success. I believe Elliot Lurie stole the song
If he bought it and the seller willingly sold it and cashed the check then by definition the buyer didn’t “steal” it.
Lol lay off the crack rocks dude
What does Stephen Homner say about it?
That’s what I would like to know as well.
Homner wrote it. I know him – from Indiana. Sold it for $10,000. Take that to the bank
This song is about me and my tinder profile 😁
Really weak reply
Brandy, I’m sure that you’re a fine girl!
Love the song since grade school…still do 50 years later. Great simple romantic escape…especially in today’s insane world. Right up there with TCM classics. There are some things that only come once. One can only only hope that the art of good story telling returns…
You’re 100% right!!
Stephen Homner is my cousin… Really he is… and he has told me that the story that he really wrote Brandy is not true… He did not write it nor does he know how the rumor got started that he really wrote it
He passed away and I guarantee you aren’t related.
He did write it, but he also sold it. Something like $2k. I lived in the same neighborhood as him.
Lurie is trash – listen to any other song by Looking Glass it’s pretty obvious they didn’t write it.
So can we say I guarantee you didn’t live in the same neighborhood
Ok truth be told, keep changing your name🤡
😂😂😂
I was engaged to a man who was a commercial fisherman. I understand Brandy, I wear a necklace with his name since he died. I would like to write a book about Brandy and her waiting. My fisherman told me about life on the Bering Sea and how they love it with all of its variety out there. It’s not for the weak of heart.
Great song
Why isn’t my comments going thru
Your comment has been successfully published under the name “Herman is a Vermin”.
Steven Homner passed away at the age of 67 in August 2017:
https://chestertontribune.com/previous-articles/Obituaries%202017/8_18_funeral_service_for_stephen.htm