The group formed in 1958 as Brian Poole and the Tremoloes (the name soon being changed thanks to the spelling mistake of a local newspaper), and were initially cast in the Buddy Holly and the Crickets mould. Decca notoriously chose them over The Beatles, whom they had auditioned on the same day. They first charted with a version of “Twist and Shout” (1963), which owed much to the Beatles' version, followed by a chart topping cover of The Contours' U.S. million-seller “Do You Love Me” in the same year. Before they parted company with Brian Poole in 1966, their covers of Roy Orbison's B-side, "Candy Man" and The Crickets' B-side ballad, "Someone Someone" (both 1964) entered the UK Singles Chart Top Ten, with the latter peaking at number two.
Once Poole had left, and after a couple of near misses, rhythm guitarist and keyboard player Alan Blakely took over leadership of the group, and Len 'Chip' Hawkes (father of 1990s hitmaker Chesney Hawkes) replaced bassist Alan Howard. As the Tremeloes, the band started an even more successful hit run from 1967 onwards with Cat Stevens' “Here Comes My Baby”; “Suddenly You Love Me”, “Hello World”, and “My Little Lady”, and their Number one recording of an old Four Seasons' B-side “Silence Is Golden”. Both this latter single and “Here Comes My Baby” also entered the Top Twenty of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
In September 2006 Brian Poole, Chip Hawkes and The Tremeloes toured the UK as part of their 40th anniversary reunion.
I Want Candy
Brian Poole & The Tremeloes Lyrics
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I'm never a loser and I'm never a quitter yet, oh, no
'Cause I take what I want, baby, I want you, yeah, you
I've been watchin' you walk by and I haven't said a word, one word
But now I'm ready to get you and I'm gonna make you my girl, my lovin' girl
'Cause I take what I want, baby, I want you, yes, you
So you better pack up now, baby, pack a bag today
Here I come, just a big bad man
When I walk away, baby, you'll be holdin' my hand
I take what I want, I'm a bad go-getter, yeah, yes, I am
I'm never a loser and I'm never a quitter yet, oh, no
'Cause I take what I want, baby, I want you, yeah, you
'Cause I take what I want, baby, I want you, yeah, you
Nobody but you, baby, nobody but you, baby
To be by my side, nobody but you, baby
Tell you what I want, girl, I want you
I'm your lovin' man
I'm your lovin' man
I'm your lovin' man
I'm your lovin' man
The lyrics of Brian Poole and The Tremeloes' "I Want Candy" are about a man who knows what he wants and goes for it. He describes himself as a "bad go-getter" who is never a "loser" or "quitter." The object of his desire is a woman who he's been watching but hasn't spoken to until now. He plans to pick her up and carry her away, and urges her to pack a bag. He declares that he takes what he wants and what he wants is her. He promises her that nobody else will do – it's only her he wants by his side.
On the surface, the lyrics appear straightforward, but the song has been interpreted in different ways, some with sexual undertones. The phrase "I take what I want" could be seen as aggressive or predatory, particularly in the context of a man pursuing a woman. However, others suggest that the song is simply about confidence and assertiveness. The singer states what he wants, but he doesn't force himself upon anyone. He's confident in his abilities and isn't afraid to go after what he desires.
Brian Poole and The Tremeloes' "I Want Candy" was a hit in the 1960s, but it has since been covered by many artists, including Bow Wow Wow, who released a version in 1982 that reached the top ten in several countries. The song has been used in numerous films, TV shows, and commercials.
Line by Line Meaning
I take what I want, I'm a bad go-getter, yeah, yes, I am
I am a confident person who will take what I want without hesitation
I'm never a loser and I'm never a quitter yet, oh, no
I never give up and always strive to win
'Cause I take what I want, baby, I want you, yeah, you
I am determined to make you mine and I won't stop until I do
I've been watchin' you walk by and I haven't said a word, one word
I have been silently observing you without letting you know
But now I'm ready to get you and I'm gonna make you my girl, my lovin' girl
I have made up my mind to pursue you and make you my girlfriend
Gonna pick you up now, carry you away
I will sweep you off your feet and take you away with me
So you better pack up now, baby, pack a bag today
You should be prepared to leave with me at a moment's notice
Here I come, just a big bad man
I am a confident and assertive man
When I walk away, baby, you'll be holdin' my hand
By the time I leave, you will be completely attached to me
Nobody but you, baby, nobody but you, baby
There is nobody else but you that I want to be with
To be by my side, nobody but you, baby
I want you to be by my side and nobody else
Tell you what I want, girl, I want you
I am making it clear that what I want is you
I'm your lovin' man
I will love and care for you
I'm your lovin' man
I am saying again that I will love and care for you
I'm your lovin' man
Once more, I am emphasizing that I will love and care for you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Isaac Hayes, David Porter, Mabon Hodges
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind