The group, originally called "The Knowbody Else", was formed in 1965 in Black Oak, Arkansas, by Jim "Dandy" Mangrum (vocals), Rickie Reynolds (guitar), Stanley Knight (guitar), Harvey Jett (guitar), Pat Daugherty (bass), and Wayne Evans (drums). Their first PA system was stolen from a local high school. Members of the group were subsequently charged in absentia with grand larceny and sentenced to 26 years at the Tucker Prison Farm (this sentence was later suspended). This led to their retreat to the hills of rural northeast Arkansas where they lived off the land and refined their musical style. Some of their influences during this time were The Beatles and The Byrds.
The Knowbody Else moved to Memphis, Tennessee, in 1969 and signed a record deal with Stax Records. Their debut album (and only album with Stax), The Knowbody Else, was largely ignored by the populace. During this time the band became interested in psychedelia and Eastern spiritualism which, combined with their Southern Baptist upbringing, contributed to their sound.
After several trips to Los Angeles, California, in 1970, the band was signed by Atco Records and rechristened "Black Oak Arkansas". Their new debut album, Black Oak Arkansas, was released in 1971 while the band toured extensively, gaining a reputation as a live act. The twin album releases that followed in 1972, Keep The Faith and If An Angel Came To See You, Would You Make Her Feel At Home, expanded on the group’s eclectic musical style.
In 1973, Black Oak Arkansas released their fourth album, Raunch 'N' Roll Live and introduced a new drummer, Tommy Aldridge. It was their fifth album, High on the Hog, released later that year, that established solid commercial success by peaking at number 52 on the Billboard charts. Vocalist Ruby Starr also toured with the band during this period. Her raspy voice can be heard on the group's remake of LaVern Baker's 1957 hit "Jim Dandy," which reached number 25 on Billboard's Hot 100.
The 1974 release of Street Party may have failed to maintain the momentum. However, another 1974 release, entitled Early Times, an overlooked Stax recording, made up for lost time. In 1975, the original lineup of Black Oak Arkansas (minus Harvey Jett, who was replaced by Jimmy Henderson) released their last album, Ain't Life Grand. A new version of the band, called Black Oak, was formed in 1977 around Jim "Dandy" Mangrum and Jimmy Henderson. Greg Reding (guitar and keyboards), Jack Holder (guitar), Andy Tanas (bass), and Joel Williams (drums) participated on the two Capricorn albums which were recorded in 1977 (Race with the Devil) and 1978 (I'd Rather Be Sailing). In 1978, guitarist Shawn Lane joined the band at age 14 and toured with the band for four years.
Released in 1984, Ready as Hell debuted a heavier sound with pinch harmonics and keyboards featured throughout. The album also marked the return of Rickie Lee Reynolds on rhythm guitar. In 1986, The Black Attack Is Back continued the heavy style of the previous album and featured the particularly adventurous track "I Want A Woman With Big Titties". Despite that lack of subtlety, the album is widely regarded as the finest of the band's long career, with the greatest lineup to date. Still, it made no commercial headway.
James Mangrum has continued recording and touring with a series of different Black Oak lineups up to present day. Black Oak Arkansas currently enjoys a loyal fan following. However, the later lineups have yet to duplicate the level of album sales that the original lineup generated in the early-mid 1970s. Jim Dandy is credited with inspiring Van Halen front-man David Lee Roth's image and onstage persona as well.
In 2008, Boston newspaper 'The Phoenix' named them the All Time Best Band from Arkansas.
Band Members
* James L. "Jim Dandy" Mangrum - lead vocals, washboard (1965-present)
* Rickie Lee "Ricky" "Ricochet" Reynolds - twelve-string guitar, vocals (1965-1977, 1984-present)
* Hal McCormack - lead guitar (2003-present)
* Johnnie Bolin - drums ( -present)
* George Hughen - bass guitar ( -present)
* Stanley Knight - lead guitar, steel guitar, organ, vocals (1965-1976)
* Pat Daugherty - bass guitar, vocals (1965-1977, 2000-2002)
* Harvey Jett - lead guitar, banjo, piano, vocals (1965-1974)
* Wayne Evans - drums (1965-1973)
* Tommy Aldridge - drums (1973-1977)
* Paul Simmons - drums (1985-1986)
* James Henderson - guitar (1975-1979)
* Jack Holder - guitar (1977-1979)
* Greg Reding - guitar, keyboards (1977-1979)
* Andy Tanas - bass (1977-1980)
* Joel Williams - drums (1977-1978)
* Marius Penczner - keyboards (1975-1977)
* Shawn Lane - guitar (1977-1981)
* Chris Craig - drums (late 70's - early 80's)
* Jon "Thunder Paws" Wells - drums (Ready As Hell)
* Dave Wilson - Bass Guitar (1979-1981)
* William Lemuel - bass guitar (Ready As Hell)
* Steve "The Axe" Nuenmacher - lead guitar, rhythm guitar (Ready As Hell)
* Billy Batte - keyboards, violin (Ready As Hell)
* Michael "Narley Dude" Martin (R.I.P.) - Lead Guitar (The Black Attack Is Back)
* "Big" Mike Fowler - bass guitar (The Black Attack Is Back)
* Biff Bingham - 2nd lead guitarist (Ready as Hell, The Black Attack is Back)
* Jerry A. Williams - drums (Ready as Hell, The Black Attack is Back) (1985-1986)
* Darrell Miller - drums (1970's)
* Les John - drums (1979-1980)
* Cozy Johnson - drums (early 80's)
* James "Little Jim" Mangrum Jr. - drum technician
* Danny Leath - lead guitar
* Rocky Athas - lead guitar (1996-2001)
* John Roth - guitar (mid 80's)
Fancy Nancy
Black Oak Arkansas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Only woman that understood
Fancy Nancy, come with me
And we'll make a damn good love story
Give me good lovin', love me true
Oo-ooh, Nancy, turn me every way but loose
You come against me in a easy spin
Fancy Nancy, you could a' been
Be my momma, my naughty lady
Give me good lovin', love me true
Oh, Fancy Nancy, turn me every way but loose
AHHHHHHHH
Fancy Nancy, look just cool
Just you and me baby, ain't it the truth
Fancy Nancy, I'll love you right
And if your ever lonely, love you all night
Give me good lovin', love me true
Oo-ooh, Nancy, turn me every way but loose
The lyrics to Black Oak Arkansas's song "Fancy Nancy" are a straightforward celebration of a woman named Nancy who the singer finds alluring and understands him in a way that others do not. The singer tells Nancy that she looks good and is the only woman who understands him. He invites her to come with him, they will make a "damn good love story". The chorus expresses the singer's desire for good love and for Nancy to take him every way but loose. In the second verse, the singer urges Nancy to "come against him" and that she "could have been my momma, my naughty lady." The bridge repeats the chorus, with the singer enjoying Nancy's coolness and promising to love her right and be there for her whenever she is lonely.
Overall, the song is an ode to a sexual relationship with someone who understands the singer in a way no one else does. It portrays intimacy and sexual desire without objectifying or disrespecting the woman in question. The song's lyrics express the connection and affection between the singer and Nancy.
Line by Line Meaning
Fancy Nancy, you look so good
Black Oak Arkansas appreciates the physical appearance of Fancy Nancy.
Only woman that understood
Out of all the women in the world, Fancy Nancy is the only one who understands Black Oak Arkansas.
Fancy Nancy, come with me
Black Oak Arkansas wants Fancy Nancy to accompany him.
And we'll make a damn good love story
Black Oak Arkansas believes that the two of them will have a great romantic relationship.
Give me good lovin', love me true
Black Oak Arkansas wants Fancy Nancy to show him genuine affection.
Oo-ooh, Nancy, turn me every way but loose
Black Oak Arkansas wants Fancy Nancy to physically satisfy him in various ways.
Fancy Nancy, I know you can
Black Oak Arkansas believes that Fancy Nancy has the ability to meet his expectations.
You come against me in a easy spin
Fancy Nancy can easily distract Black Oak Arkansas from his original intentions.
Fancy Nancy, you could a' been
Black Oak Arkansas missed the opportunity to have a sexual relationship with Fancy Nancy.
Be my momma, my naughty lady
Black Oak Arkansas wants Fancy Nancy to take on both a caring and sexual role in his life.
Oh, Fancy Nancy, turn me every way but loose
Black Oak Arkansas wants Fancy Nancy to physically satisfy him in various ways.
AHHHHHHHH
An expression of pleasure or excitement.
Fancy Nancy, look just cool
Black Oak Arkansas thinks that Fancy Nancy has a nonchalant demeanor.
Just you and me baby, ain't it the truth
Black Oak Arkansas believes that the two of them are meant to be together.
Fancy Nancy, I'll love you right
Black Oak Arkansas promises to love Fancy Nancy properly.
And if your ever lonely, love you all night
Black Oak Arkansas will provide sexual pleasure to Fancy Nancy whenever she feels lonely.
Writer(s): Rickie Lee Reynolds, Norman Stone, Tommy Dork Aldridge, Ronnie Smith, Stanley Glen Knight, Patrick Dale Daugherty
Contributed by Colton G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.