Chris Smithers song "Love you like a man" from Smithers first album has been famously covered by Bonnie Raitt who has made it a signature song of hers under the title "Love me like a man" (published on her second Album "Give it up")- she has openly expressed admiration for Chris Smithers songwriting and guitarplaying. Later Raitt's version of the song has been covered by The Dixie Chicks and Diana Krall.
The protagonist of Linda Barnes's series of "Carlotta Carlyle" mysteries is a fan of Smither's music and several of her books mention it.
Candy Man
Chris Smither Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well all you ladies, gather ′round,
The good sweet candy man's in town,
He′s the candy man,
He's the candy man
He's got a stick o′ candy that′s 9 inch long
He's the candy man,
He′s the candy man.
CHORUS You and the candy man, you getting' mighty thick,
Uh huh, uh huh, I believe you stuck
On the candy man′s stick,
Uh huh, uh huh
His candy stick don't melt away,
It just gets better,
So the ladies say,
He′s the candy man,
He's the candy man
He sold some candy to sister bad,
The very next day she took all he had,
He's the candy man,
He′s the candy man
CHORUS
You all heard what sister Joan said,
She always takes the candy stick to bed,
He′s the candy man
He's the candy man
Don′t stand close to the candy man,
He'll ease a stick of candy in your hand,
He′s the candy man,
He's the candy man
CHORUS
So all you ladies, gather ′round,
The good sweet candy man's in town,
He's the candy man,
Sweet candy.
The lyrics to Chris Smither's song Candy Man, originally written by Mississippi John Hurt, tell the story of a candy man who sells a nine-inch long candy stick that is highly sought after by the ladies in town. The lyrics are suggestive, implying that the candy man has a certain sexual prowess that drives the ladies wild. The chorus, "you getting' mighty thick...I believe you stuck on the candy man's stick" further reinforces this sexual innuendo.
The lyrics also indicate that the candy man's stick of candy doesn't melt away, but rather gets better over time, which is an interesting way to describe candy. Sister Bad is a character in the song who took all the candy the candy man had after buying some from him. Sister Joan, another character in the song, is implied to have a sexual relationship with the candy man, as she "always takes the candy stick to bed."
The song is an interesting study of how much can be conveyed through innuendo and suggestion, and how a seemingly innocent subject like candy can be used to suggest something more taboo. It's unclear if the candy man is meant to be a real person or just a representation of desire and temptation. Overall, the song is a catchy, bluesy tune with a lot of layers to unpack.
Line by Line Meaning
Well all you ladies, gather ′round,
Attention all women, please gather here
The good sweet candy man's in town,
A man who makes and sells delicious candy is here
He′s the candy man,
He is the only candy maker and seller
He's got a stick o′ candy that′s 9 inch long
He makes a type of candy that is 9 inches long
That he sells as fast as hog chews his corn,
His candy is in high demand and sells quickly
He′s the candy man,
He is the only candy maker and seller
CHORUS You and the candy man, you getting' mighty thick,
You and the candy man are becoming close
Uh huh, uh huh, I believe you stuck
You may be addicted to his candy
On the candy man′s stick,
His candy is so good that you can't resist it
Uh huh, uh huh
Yes, that's right
His candy stick don't melt away,
His candy is not easily destroyed
It just gets better,
It only improves with time
So the ladies say,
The women affirm this fact
He′s the candy man,
He is the only candy maker and seller
He sold some candy to sister bad,
He made a sale to a woman named Sister Bad
The very next day she took all he had,
She bought all of his candy the next day
He's the candy man,
He is the only candy maker and seller
CHORUS
Refrain
You all heard what sister Joan said,
You all know what Sister Joan said about the candy man
She always takes the candy stick to bed,
She enjoys the candy so much that she takes it to bed with her
He′s the candy man
He is the only candy maker and seller
Don′t stand close to the candy man,
Do not get too close to the candy man
He'll ease a stick of candy in your hand,
He will give you a piece of his candy
He′s the candy man,
He is the only candy maker and seller
CHORUS
Refrain
So all you ladies, gather ′round,
Attention all women, please gather here
The good sweet candy man's in town,
A man who makes and sells delicious candy is here
He's the candy man,
He is the only candy maker and seller
Sweet candy.
His candy is sweet
Writer(s): John Hurt
Contributed by Riley W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.