Walker Hayes Thought "Fancy Like" Would Either Make Or Break His Career

At his home outside Nashville, it doesn't take long for country music artist Walker Hayes to state the obvious: "There ain't nothing fancy about my studio." And yet, in this room not even big enough for a bed, he laid down one of the biggest hits of the year.

"Yeah, we fancy like Applebee's on a date night
Got that Bourbon Street Steak with the Oreo Shake
Get some whipped cream on the top, too
Two straws, one check, girl, I got you…"

"Fancy Like" put Hayes at the top of the Country charts … and put Applebee's on the tip of almost everyone's tongue.

Hayes has said in various interviews, "I think we all thought, this is either going to end your career or just explode it, you know? But we didn't know."

It wasn't just the hook; it was the infectious dance that Walker's daughter invented to go along with it.

Hayes said it took him a long time to get the moves down. His daughter, Lela, confirmed: "Dad could not do this thing – just cross, middle, up!"

Watch The "Fancy Like" Dance On TikTok

@walkerhayesofficial#fancylike ooooooooo💪♬ Fancy Like - Walker Hayes

After he posted it on TikTok, the song – and the dance – blew up. People everywhere started doing it. And Applebee's was quick to catch the viral wave:

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The Oreo Shake was actually off the menu when the song hit big – but Applebee's has now been forced to put it back on.

Hayes said, "I can't wait to have grandkids and bring them here, and I'm just going to brag the whole time and be like, 'This is good, right? You know why it lives here? Because I brought it back!'"

"Fancy Like" wasn't written to be a jingle – it's more like a journal entry. Hayes is an Applebee's regular, and when you have six mouths to feed, fancy is relative. He doesn't live in a mansion in Nashville, but a sensible home in a sensible neighborhood out in the country. He and his wife, Laney, moved here from Alabama 17 years ago, and Walker got a record deal almost immediately.

Dustin Stephens, Steven Tyler - CBS News

Kesha Join Walker Hayes For A "fancy Like" Collab

Walker teamed up with Kesha to release a new version of the song. This new version has helped solidify "Fancy Like" as an absolute cross-over pop hit.

The new version includes Kesha harmonizing in the chorus' and also adding in a new verse. The new verse has the same vibe and message, but it's from the female perspective of Applebee's on a date night ... spoiler ... she digs it.

Catch the music video for this new version here:

How To Do The "Fancy Like" Dance

The "Fancy Like" dance has taken the world by storm. You can't scroll through TikTok or Reels without seeing the dance.

And luckily for you, it's not a hard one to learn! Anyone can do it.

Walker Hayes released a tutorial to teach you how to do it. It features the TN Titans Cheerleaders and mascot. Learn how to do the dance here >>>