Sugar Man
(Sixto) Rodriguez Lyrics
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Cause I'm tired of these scenes
For a blue coin won't you bring back
All those colors to my dreams
Silver magic ships you carry
Jumpers, coke, sweet Mary Jane
On a lonely dusty road
Lost my heart when i found it
It had turned to dead black coal
Silver magic ships you carry
Jumpers, coke, sweet Mary Jane
Sugar man you're the answer
That makes my questions disappear
Sugar man cause I'm weary
Of those double games l hear
Sugar man
Sugar man, won't you hurry
Cause I'm tired of these scenes
For a blue coin won't you bring back
All those colors to my dreams
Silver magic ships you carry
Jumpers, coke, sweet Mary Jane
Sugar man met a false friend
On a lonely dusty road
Lost my heart when i found it
It had turned to dead black coal
Silver magic ships you carry
Jumpers, coke, sweet Mary Jane
Sugar man you're the answer
That makes my questions disappear
The song "Sugar Man" by Sixto Rodriguez is a melancholic ballad that speaks about the desperation of the singer to find the eponymous "Sugar Man," a mythological figure who allegedly has the power to restore lost dreams and happiness. Rodriguez pleads with the Sugar Man to reappear and use his magical powers to bring back the colors that have faded from his life. He is tired of the dull scenes and seeks a change, but he knows that only the Sugar Man can provide the answers he is looking for.
The second stanza of the song describes a tragic event that happened to the singer. The Sugar Man met a false friend on a dusty road, and his heart turned into black coal. The silver magic ships and the other substances the Sugar Man carries are implied to be drugs, and this could be interpreted as a warning about the dangers of addiction. The Sugar Man is not a savior, but rather a symbol of escapism, which is what the singer desires.
The song has a dreamy, folk-rock sound that complements the bittersweet tone of the lyrics. Rodriguez's vocals are soulful and emotive, enhancing the poignancy of the song's message. "Sugar Man" is a timeless classic that has resonated with generations of listeners since its release in 1970, and its power lies in its enigmatic lyrics and haunting melody.
Line by Line Meaning
Sugar man, won't you hurry
The singer is requesting the Sugar Man to come quickly.
Cause I'm tired of these scenes
The singer is exhausted from their current situation.
For a blue coin won't you bring back
The singer is willing to pay the Sugar Man to help them.
All those colors to my dreams
The singer wants the Sugar Man to bring back the happiness that they have lost.
Silver magic ships you carry
The singer believes that the Sugar Man has the power to make things happen.
Jumpers, coke, sweet Mary Jane
The singer is referring to drugs, which they believe the Sugar Man can provide.
Sugar man met a false friend
The Sugar Man was betrayed by a person he thought was a friend.
On a lonely dusty road
The Sugar Man was alone when this betrayal happened.
Lost my heart when I found it
The Sugar Man was heartbroken by the betrayal.
It had turned to dead black coal
The Sugar Man's heart has turned cold and dark.
Sugar man you're the answer
The singer believes that the Sugar Man has the solution to their problems.
That makes my questions disappear
The Sugar Man is the key to answering the singer's problems.
Sugar man cause I'm weary
The singer is tired and wants the Sugar Man to help make things better.
Of those double games I hear
The singer is frustrated with people being manipulative and dishonest.
Sugar man
The repeated use of 'Sugar man' is an expression of the singer's longing for the help of the Sugar Man.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SIXTO DIAZ RODRIGUEZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BrianCarnevaleB26
Rodriguez, the child of Mexican immigrant parents, recorded two acclaimed albums, 1970’s Cold Fact and 1971’s Coming From Reality, featuring music existing at the four-corner intersection of folk, soul, funk, and acid rock. After both albums sold poorly, he wound up leaving the music industry, focusing rather on blue-collar work in demolition and auto production.
Meanwhile, during his dormancy, Rodriguez’s music had found a big following in such countries as South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. His popularity overseas, where he’d see his songs transform into anti-apartheid protest hymns inside the sowetos of Johannesburg, transformed him into a global star almost overnight. With premature rumors of his death prevalent, Sixto emerged from retirement to embark on a successful tour of South Africa in 1998.
He would eventually find success here in the States when Seattle archival imprint Light in the Attic re-released both Cold Fact and Coming From Reality in 2008 and 2009. Searching for Sugar Man, meanwhile, was a genuine labor of love for its director, Swedish filmmaker Malik Bendjelloul, who quit his job and financed production himself in order to get the doc made. Bendjelloul would pass away in 2014 by suicide a year after winning the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature.
Beneath the announcement of Rodriguez’s death on the official Sugarman website are the words “Maybe today, I’ll slip away…,” lyrics are taken from a bonus track featured on the 2009 edition of Coming to Reality called “I’ll Slip Away.” While his physical vessel might be gone, chances are slim that the memory of this beloved cult hero will ever be forgotten.
RIP!
@thevibeguide
Rest in peace Sixto! ❤️
@Edwin-pq6dg
He's become immortal in south Africa .
@colombecolombe8869
Un génie a l âme si belle
Merci à L Afrique du Sud de lui avoir donné la gloire qu il meritait❤
@tyn_joueurswitch1505
Toujours un étrange sentiment qui s’échappe de cette musique..
@nuffzed2001
Also Malik bendjelloul 😢
Director of the film searching for sugar man
@MrJucun
@@nuffzed2001 Well, Malik passed away but about 9 years ago. Maybe they have seen each other again...?
@Purplefishish
I am 61, grew up in apartheid South Africa, and his album was my anthem, my inspiration, my constant companion. He inspired me to break free from conformity and go against the tide. I owe him so much. When I saw the film and realised he was alive, I had to see him live. I was so lucky to see him in Denmark and I cried from the moment he walked onto the stage. It is not often you get to see your hero come back from the dead. Thank you for everything Mr. Sixto Rodriguez
@robertnewell9238
This is wonderful! Very moving.
@blenzus8059
Truly inspiring !
@jacquelinemiller5823
Also was born and grew up in South Africa and oh the memories of his songs never forgotten