That’s one busy afternoon.
It’s one of the songs that we played in pep band in the 1970’s, and now in 2024 my granddaughter said it’s in the rotation of their pep band too. Talk about long lasting!
It got a big boost a couple years ago when it featured prominently in the second Guardians of the Galaxy movie.
Yeah, I’ve been pondering this the last couple days. You know, the “what about this, what about that” nonsense.
I have decided to eschew the “unreliable narrator” or whatever aspect. That’s a long dark rabbit hole. If you go down it enough Brandy is really a dude and some pronouns have been changed. Not going there.
So as you note it does seem that Brandy is naïve about some basic aspects of the ocean. The opposite of what I had thought. The port is somewhat enclosed or far from the ocean. Maybe Lewiston, Idaho? 
I am 66 and have always had a similar vision of an 18th or 19th century location in Europe.
This thread has certainly been an interesting and enjoyable education on artistic perspective and interpretation.
I don’t assert that at all.
I merely assert that the lines I quoted were about Brandy experiencing the ocean via his fine storytelling. As such those lines tell us zero about the ocean or harbor where Brandy lives, they tell us nothing about whether she’s an avid weekend sailor or has never touched a toe into salt water in her life. The lyrics are simply irrelevant to all questions like those.
But my life my love and my lady is the sea
Agree with others who place it in the 17-19th centuries.
The port is obviously Chicago, on the east side. Brandy needed the ocean described because she’s only seen the western side of Lake Michigan.
(Most of the hundred ships a day are pleasure craft)
But when they pass the time of day talking about their home, do you think everyone is interested in hearing about Chicago? “yeah I live in Cicero”. “I’m from the South side.” “So am I”. “Well, I’m from the east side.” (all) “THERE IS NO EAST SIDE OF CHICAGO!”
My good person, there is nothing the people of Chicago like MORE than talking about Chicago.
Especially when giving directions. They love giving directions
As long as the directions are landmarked by things that no longer exist, it’s all good. Cheating with cardinal directions or addresses just ain’t right.
One thing that will always exist in Chicago is the numbering system. I think Midway is the only major airport in the U.S. where people actually locate it by saying, “Oh, 59th and Cicero.”
As Mark Twain wrote:
Satan (impatiently) to Newcomer: The trouble with you Chicago people is, that you think you are the best people down here; whereas you are merely the most numerous.
I can’t believe there’s a thread of this magnitude about this song. I’m not complaining, I just didn’t think this song could inspire so much discussion.
Never says only. Obviously he met her before , went sailing, and came back with the locket. There is no hint he doesnt come back every once in a while.
Brandy, it’s a fine song
What a good album it may be
By my life my love my lady
Is MTV
You don’t have to. The Kinks already did.
They say Brandy fetch another round
She serves them whisky and wine
And it tastes just like cherry cola
C-O-L-A cola
Well it is like the gold dress thing? The fact that others perceive something so different than you? Whether or not there was even an image the artist had in mind at all.