Sugar 'N Spikes
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band Lyrics

And sugar and spikes and neon nights
The exciting and dangerous aspects of city life, represented by sugar and spikes, come alive at night under the bright neon lights.

Walks in lights, in chains coughin' smoke-whoopin' hope
People move through the city streets, bound by the chains of daily life, surrounded by the smoke of industry, but still hopeful for a brighter future.

Cardinal sky rush by
The sky above, colored like a cardinal bird, moves quickly by as people go about their lives below.

Falls bark in dark, all back in dark
The trees and their bark blend together in the darkness of night, making it difficult to distinguish one from the other.

Lies steam stale shoes move broom in pale
Steam rises from dirty, worn shoes as they shuffle along, while someone sweeps the streets in the dim light of a streetlamp.

Moon in a dime store sale
The moon, an ethereal and beautiful object, is being sold cheaply, suggesting that nature and its beauty are being cheapened and ignored in the hustle and bustle of city life.

Sugar and spikes and everything nice and everything nice and crazy
The excitement and danger of the city is both thrilling and overwhelming, with its many aspects - both pleasant and strange.

That's what little worlds are made of, lady
These small moments and experiences make up the world that people inhabit, and they are both beautiful and complex.

I'm paid up in home in my new Friday's house
The artist has achieved a sense of stability and security in their new home, possibly referring to a more suburban setting away from the chaos of the city.

There's no H on my faucet, there's no bed for my mouse
The artist's new home has some minor inconveniences or lacks certain amenities, but it is still a place of comfort and sanctuary.

My punch and grow mind is in diamond back time
The singer's mind is sharp and growing, developing like the intricate patterns of a diamondback snake's skin.

Now it's king for a day with my lady look fine
The artist feels powerful and important in this moment, joining with their partner who also looks beautiful and elegant. This is their time to shine.

Got my peakin' up hat and my caramel mask
The singer is wearing a unique hat and mask, suggesting that they are in a costume or taking on a new persona temporarily. It's a form of escapism.

Tremelo car, got my speidel wrist round my honey
The singer is driving a fast car with a tremolo effect (a musical vibrato), and has their arm around their lover's wrist while they go for a ride.

Goin' to see the navy-blue Vicar
The singer is on their way to see a religious figure dressed in a navy-blue robe (the Vicar). The purpose of this visit is unclear.

Paul, Peter and missus Wray flicker
These are likely people that the artist knows or is familiar with, who are just briefly mentioned as they appear in and out of view (flicker).