# Brandy, you’re a fine girl. But when did you live? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [July 15, 2024, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brandy-you-re-a-fine-girl-but-when-did-you-live/1004235 "2024-07-15T00:42:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brandy-you-re-a-fine-girl-but-when-did-you-live/1004235/141 "2024-07-16T15:30:41Z")
Is ‘Yacht Rock’ so named because of the Christopher Cross hit song _Sailing_? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brandy-you-re-a-fine-girl-but-when-did-you-live/1004235/142 "2024-07-16T15:32:51Z")
Brandy has long been the most requested song on popular music radio stations. Probably for it’s entire 50+ year history. It could be the most played song on radio ever. It’s on at least once a day on any major market popular music radio station in the US. That is easily hundreds of times a day. ---
**Author:** ![2\_More\_Bits](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2_more_bits/32/4148_2.png) [@2\_More\_Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2_More_Bits)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brandy-you-re-a-fine-girl-but-when-did-you-live/1004235/143 "2024-07-16T16:08:02Z")
Who carries around a locket with their own name on it? It was probably stolen and Brandy likely never knew his actual name. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brandy-you-re-a-fine-girl-but-when-did-you-live/1004235/144 "2024-07-16T16:24:57Z")
It’s also possible Brandy was running her own game and had a chest full of lockets and chains. We don’t know how many times the narrator met her. His story could be based on what Brandy told him. Interesting how she didn’t say the name of her love, probably didn’t even open the locket for him. As for the time period, who has a girl like Brandy madly in love with him and doesn’t give her an engagement ring? I think that’s a clear sign this happened pre-20th century when a silver chain and locket was a sufficient token of engagement. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brandy-you-re-a-fine-girl-but-when-did-you-live/1004235/145 "2024-07-16T16:40:00Z")
[quote=“LSLGuy, post:116, topic:1004235”] She could feel the ocean fall and rise She saw its ragin’ glory [/quote]` It’s not the size of the boat, but the motion of the ocean. See? Every rock song is about sex. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > And yet the lyrics are poetic and flowery in ways that read very 19th Century, if not earlier. Why? Because poetry is prose with the emotion turned up to 11, if not to eleventy. That makes for moving lyrics. Take Queen’s '39. It is written and sung as if it is a 16th century minstrel tune but it is about interstellar relativistic space travel. And takes place over 100 years. It’s incredibly poetic. And sad. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brandy-you-re-a-fine-girl-but-when-did-you-live/1004235/146 "2024-07-16T16:53:43Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > As for the time period, who has a girl like Brandy madly in love with him and doesn’t give her an engagement ring? Someone who has no plans to marry her, and is completely upfront about it? > [@TriPolar](#): > > I think that’s a clear sign this happened pre-20th century when a silver chain and locket was a sufficient token of engagement. The practice of giving engagement rings dates back to the Roman Empire. Unless maybe Brandy is a Minoan, and her sailor love is one of the Sea Peoples? ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brandy-you-re-a-fine-girl-but-when-did-you-live/1004235/147 "2024-07-16T17:02:49Z")
This thread got me wondering about the “when” of [The Year Of The Cat](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyLq_40dqHc). Although it takes place in _“a country where they turn back time”_, Al helps us nail it down a little by name dropping Bogart and Peter Lorre. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brandy-you-re-a-fine-girl-but-when-did-you-live/1004235/148 "2024-07-16T17:17:06Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > about the “when” of [The Year Of The Cat](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyLq_40dqHc). The same year it was written - '75-'76. I mean, the clue is in the title. The Bogart and Lorre references set the atmosphere, not the date. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brandy-you-re-a-fine-girl-but-when-did-you-live/1004235/149 "2024-07-16T17:26:12Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > The same year it was written - '75-'76. I mean, the clue is in the title. Though I do think On The Border is set during the pre WWII Spanish revolution. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brandy-you-re-a-fine-girl-but-when-did-you-live/1004235/150 "2024-07-16T17:40:15Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > probably didn’t even open the locket for him Euphemism? ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brandy-you-re-a-fine-girl-but-when-did-you-live/1004235/151 "2024-07-16T17:48:01Z")
During the lockdown Elliot Lurie put this out if anyone is interested. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Acywr3k9lck/maxresdefault.jpg "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl) Acappella") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Acywr3k9lck) ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brandy-you-re-a-fine-girl-but-when-did-you-live/1004235/152 "2024-07-16T18:15:23Z")
I have a great fondness for “Brandy” because it was the first song that came on the radio as I was driving on the Interstate right after I’d gotten my license. It was a sunny spring day, and I remember tapping on the steering wheel in time with the music as I cruised along. It was a “top o’ the world” moment! ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brandy-you-re-a-fine-girl-but-when-did-you-live/1004235/153 "2024-07-16T18:21:04Z")
It’s a love ballad. Almost every word has some other meaning. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brandy-you-re-a-fine-girl-but-when-did-you-live/1004235/154 "2024-07-16T18:26:55Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > > [@TriPolar](#): > > > > I think that’s a clear sign this happened pre-20th century when a silver chain and locket was a sufficient token of engagement. > > The practice of giving engagement rings dates back to the Roman Empire. Unless maybe Brandy is a Minoan, and her sailor love is one of the Sea Peoples? You are correct on this part. So why is she pining for him? He’s not committing to her in any way, she may never see him again, he won’t even give her a ring as an excuse to swipe left on other guys interested in her. Was it really like that night back in '63? That doesn’t make sense to me. There’s much more to this story that we are free to speculate on, or just make up out of whole cloth. If the writer didn’t want that to happen he should have included more verses explaining the backstory better. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brandy-you-re-a-fine-girl-but-when-did-you-live/1004235/155 "2024-07-16T18:50:03Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > So why is she pining for him? He’s not committing to her in any way, she may never see him again, he won’t even give her a ring as an excuse to swipe left on other guys interested in her. Hope springs eternal, as they say. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brandy-you-re-a-fine-girl-but-when-did-you-live/1004235/156 "2024-07-16T18:50:50Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > So why is she pining for him? She in love? Unrequited love is a pretty common theme in popular music. Doesn’t seem like something that really needs an explanation. ---
**Author:** ![Author\_Balk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Author\_Balk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Author_Balk)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brandy-you-re-a-fine-girl-but-when-did-you-live/1004235/157 "2024-07-16T19:19:08Z")
I listened to a half hour long interview with the writer (it is my 22nd favorite song). It included information about the origin. I was hoping for an answer to this question, but he didn’t say. He mentioned storytelling. And my opinion, based on the context, if it was set in the past he probably would have said it. But, I could be wrong. I think it’s in the present with imagery of the past. ---
**Author:** ![Jay\_Z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Jay\_Z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jay_Z)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brandy-you-re-a-fine-girl-but-when-did-you-live/1004235/158 "2024-07-16T19:22:59Z")
> [@Author\_Balk](#): > > I listened to a half hour long interview with the writer (it is my 22nd favorite song). It included information about the origin. I was hoping for an answer to this question, but he didn’t say. He mentioned storytelling. And my opinion, based on the context, if it was set in the past he probably would have said it. But, I could be wrong. I think it’s in the present with imagery of the past The last verse is set in the present tense. So it is trying to evoke unrequited love. You met someone, in the past, there were feelings but life got in the way. Now, in the present, you can’t get over it. Doesn’t mean that a Brandy wouldn’t eventually move on. But that’s not the point of the song. The point is to capture that moment of longing. ---
**Author:** ![carlb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carlb/32/5930_2.png) [@carlb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlb)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brandy-you-re-a-fine-girl-but-when-did-you-live/1004235/159 "2024-07-16T20:16:11Z")
Just one more “data point” but I had always pictured a town on the west coast of England, in the days of sail-powered merchant ships. I love this thread, because y’all have caused me to realize that I have absolutely no compelling reason to have this particular setting in mind, but there you go. And, I’m sorry, but I’m nearing 60 and I am far to old to change my mental image of this song. 😁 ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brandy-you-re-a-fine-girl-but-when-did-you-live/1004235/160 "2024-07-16T23:01:12Z")
The sailor died somehow — swept overboard, scurvy, syphilis, Aquaman botched an arrest. He may have died on shore from cirrhosis or something equally invasive. Maybe a mermaid pulled him down like his buddy Lindemann. Doesn’t change the storyline all that much. Forget I brought it up. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brandy-you-re-a-fine-girl-but-when-did-you-live/1004235.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brandy-you-re-a-fine-girl-but-when-did-you-live/1004235.md?page=9)