Looking Glass - Brandy

LOOKING GLASS - BRANDY (1972)

On the surface, Looking Glass were one of the luckiest bands to emerge in the early ‘70s when their song “Brandy” topped the charts. However, the group was never fully satisfied with the hit or the success it brought them, as it did not represent their true sound.

“Brandy” tells the tale of its titular barmaid protagonist, who works in a bustling harbor town “where a hundred ships a day” pass through. Though she draws the fleeting admiration of lonely sailors, Brandy pines for a absent lover who left to pursue life at sea. With its lyrical metaphor and memorable chorus, the song struck a chord with listeners.

The track was written by Looking Glass guitarist/singer/songwriter Elliot Lurie. Originally a hard rock group with abundant musical prowess, Looking Glass came together when Lurie united with several former college bandmates from Rutgers University, including bassist Pieter Sweval, pianist Larry Gonsky, and drummer Jeffrey Grob.

After years of playing regional venues, the group caught the attention of Clive Davis at Columbia Records, who signed them in the early 70s. Despite several failed recording attempts, success finally came when Lurie penned “Brandy” and the band took a more pop-oriented direction at Davis’ urging. Producer Bob Liftin added strings and horns overdubs to temper the guitar-driven rock sound. Released as the B-side to “Don’t It Make You Feel Good,” “Brandy” initially went unnoticed until a Washington D.C. DJ flipped the record. The song took off rapidly, hitting #1 six months after release.

The runaway hit enabled Looking Glass to tour nationally, but they struggled to replicate its success. Neither the band’s stage show nor their self-titled debut LP reflected the lush soft rock ambience of “Brandy.” Frustrated over the disconnect, Lurie departed Looking Glass in 1974 for an unsuccessful solo stint. The group dissolved soon after.

In an ironic twist, “Brandy” found renewed relevance in the 2010s when its lyrical metaphor was used by Michael Rooker’s character in explaining his life choices to his son Peter Quill in the film Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Decades later, the song continues to endure as a 70s soft rock staple.