Fancy Like: Exploring the Viral Success, Lyrics, and Everyday Luxury of Walker Hayes’ Hit

The Catchy Simplicity of “Fancy Like” Lyrics

When Walker Hayes released “Fancy Like” on 2 August 2021, he probably didn’t anticipate creating a cultural moment.

Yet, the song struck a chord with listeners through its grounded, relatable lyrics, quickly becoming a chart-topping sensation.

It struck a balance between humour and authenticity, resonating with anyone who prefers an affordable night out to extravagance.

With lines like “Yeah, we fancy like Applebee’s on a date night / Got that Bourbon Street steak with the Oreo shake,” Hayes created a mini-anthem for feel-good indulgence without the price tag.

Each lyric adds a touch of humour while capturing the kind of date night familiar to many.

Walker Hayes Country Stuff The Album artwork

What Do “Fancy Like” Lyrics Mean?

The “Fancy Like” lyrics capture a celebration of modest, relatable luxuries.

Walker Hayes has shared that “Fancy Like” is more than just a catchy tune; it’s a heartfelt snapshot of finding joy in life’s simpler moments.

Lyrics like “Bougie like Natty in the styrofoam / Squeak-squeakin’ in the truck bed all the way home” reflect small indulgences that feel just as meaningful as high-end experiences.

This down-to-earth theme particularly resonated at a time when people were rediscovering the joy of simpler pleasures.

As Hayes put it, “I have my first No. 1 on Billboard with a song that’s completely me, through and through. That’s the coolest part. It almost seems too easy because it was just me being me, in the song and with my family.”

That honest connection is why “Fancy Like” resonated with so many people, offering a sense of contentment in the everyday.

The Viral Power of TikTok: How “Fancy Like” Took Over Social Media

“Fancy Like” may have been born in an ordinary songwriting session, but it gained fame on TikTok, where Hayes and his daughter Lela posted a playful dance video.

@walkerhayesofficial #fancylike ♬ Fancy Like – Walker Hayes

Within days, the dance took off, with fans from all walks of life creating their own renditions.

The video’s simplicity, featuring a dad and daughter having a bit of fun, struck a nerve and carried the song from a simple father-daughter pastime to a full-blown social media phenomenon.

TikTok’s viral effect propelled “Fancy Like” beyond the platform, helping it trend on Spotify and YouTube, where it continued to gain traction.

The song’s success on social media paved the way for its journey up the music charts.

It eventually reached the top spot on Billboard’s Country Digital Song Sales chart, where it debuted at No. 1 on 26 June with 10,300 sold in its first week.

It also peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and soared to No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart, cementing its status as a viral, genre-crossing hit.

Why Did Applebee’s Jump on the “Fancy Like” Phenomenon?

One of the song’s more surprising impacts came from its shout-out to Applebee’s.

When Hayes mentioned the chain’s Bourbon Street steak and Oreo shake in the lyrics, it prompted Applebee’s to reintroduce the shake, which had been removed from the menu during the pandemic.

Applebee’s soon launched a commercial campaign featuring the song, tapping directly into its charm.

The popularity of “Fancy Like” led to a surge of interest in the brand, as fans delighted in seeing their go-to dining spot become the backdrop of a viral country tune.

Remix Fever: Why Kesha’s Collaboration with Walker Hayes Took “Fancy Like” Even Further

As “Fancy Like” continued to soar, pop star Kesha joined Hayes for a remix, adding her flair and expanding the song’s reach.

Known for her party anthems, Kesha fit the vibe seamlessly, bringing an energy and Nashville feel that complemented the song’s theme of no-frills good times.

The remix took “Fancy Like” to new heights on the charts, making it one of the year’s standout country-pop crossovers.

Kesha’s involvement helped the song attract pop fans, pushing it beyond its country roots and deepening its mainstream appeal.

Holiday Cheer with “Fancy Like Christmas”

Keeping the song’s momentum going, Hayes later released “Fancy Like Christmas,” a festive twist where the Applebee’s shout-outs were replaced with eggnog, candy canes, and other holiday favourites.

This seasonal version helped maintain the song’s relevance beyond its summer peak, allowing fans to celebrate their own “Fancy Like” moments during the holiday season.

By adapting the song for Christmas, Hayes kept “Fancy Like” fresh and in listeners’ playlists well beyond its original release date.

Why “Fancy Like” Remains Unstoppable

Ultimately, “Fancy Like” thrives because it’s more than just a song; it’s an anthem for those who embrace simplicity and find joy in life’s little luxuries.

From TikTok to Applebee’s commercials to holiday remixes, every facet of “Fancy Like” taps into something timeless—appreciating what we have and celebrating the small, everyday pleasures.

As Walker Hayes himself has shared, the song’s charm is its honesty.

It might not promise a glamorous lifestyle, but it does promise an Oreo shake and two straws, and for many, that’s the sweetest luxury of all.

“Fancy Like” has proven that in a world full of elaborate productions, sometimes it’s the songs about ordinary moments that make the most lasting impact.

In the end, this song is a testament to the beauty of simple pleasures, and Walker Hayes’ ode to the small joys of life has turned into a cultural moment worth singing along to.

Walker Hayes Fancy Like Lyrics

Verse 1
Ayy
My girl is bangin’, she’s so low maintenance
Don’t need no champagne-poppin’ entertainment
Take her to Wendy’s, can’t keep her off me
She wanna dip me like them fries in her Frosty

Pre-Chorus
But every now and then, when I get paid
I gotta spoil my baby with an upgrade (Yeah)
Ayy, ayy, ayy

Chorus
Yeah, we fancy like Applebee’s on a date night
Got some Bourbon Street steak with the Oreo shake
Get some whipped cream on the top, too
Two straws, one check, girl, I got you
Bougie like Natty in the styrofoam
Squeaky-squeakin’ in the truck bed all the way home
With some Alabama-jamma, she my Dixieland delight (Hey)
That’s how we do, how we do, fancy like

Post-Chorus
Ooh
Fancy like, ooh
Fancy like, ooh
Fancy like, ooh

Verse 2
Uh
Don’t need no Tesla to impress her (Don’t need no Tesla to impress her)
My girl is happy rollin’ on a Vespa (There she go)
Don’t need no mansion to get romancin’ (Ooh, woo)
She’s super fine, double wide, slow dancin’ (Slow dancin’)

Pre-Chorus
But every now and then, when I get paid
I gotta spoil my baby with an upgrade (Yeah)
Ayy, ayy, ayy

Chorus
Yeah, we fancy like Applebee’s on a date night (That’s right)
Got some Bourbon Street steak with the Oreo shake (Ayy)
Get some whipped cream on the top, too (Gotta add that whipped cream)
Two straws, one check, girl, I got you (Girl, I got you)
Bougie like Natty in the styrofoam (Styrofoam)
Squeaky-squeakin’ in the truck bed all the way home (All the way home)
With some Alabama-jamma, she my Dixieland delight (Hey)
That’s how we do, how we do, fancy like

Bridge
My new, clean blue jeans without the holes in ’em
Country kisses on my lips without the Skoal in ’em
Yeah, she probably gon’ be keepin’ some Victoria’s Secrets
Maybe a little Maybelline but she don’t need it
In the kitchen light, radio slows down
Boxed wine, then her up-do goes down

Chorus
Ayy
Yeah, we fancy like Applebee’s on a date night (That’s right)
Got some Bourbon Street steak with the Oreo shake (Ayy)
Get some whipped cream on the top, too (Gotta add that whipped cream)
Two straws, one check, girl, I got you
Bougie like Natty in the styrofoam (Styrofoam)
Squeaky-squeakin’ in the truck bed all the way home (All the way home)
With some Alabama-jamma, she my Dixieland delight (Hey)
That’s how we do, how we do, fancy like