While the band's early work blended noise rock with electropop, their later work incorporates Italo disco. The band is known for evolving through the years since their original collaboration, and experimenting with various musical genres.
They have released a number of albums since the early 2000s, their most recent being 2008's Deep Gems.
Glass Candy was formed by Ida No, from Vancouver, Washington and Johnny Jewel, from Austin, Texas, in 1996. The two began working together in Portland, Oregon, just across the Columbia River from No's hometown of Vancouver, Washington. No describes their early work as "droney and weird." Their first two singles, which they self-released under the name "Glass Candy & the Shattered Theatre", were "Metal Gods" (2001) and a cover of Josie Cotton's "Johnny Are You Queer" (2002). They toured with The Convocation Of... in 2001, and released a live album that year on Vermin Scum. Their first studio album, Love Love Love, was issued on Troubleman Unlimited in 2003. A second full-length followed on Troubleman the next year. Jewel founded Italians Do It Better with Mike Simonetti as a subsidiary of Troubleman. In 2007 Glass Candy released their third album B/E/A/T/B/O/X on this label to considerable critical praise. In late 2008, a rarities, b-sides and remix album was released under the name Deep Gems. In a review of Deep Gems, Spin Magazine referred to the band as "an eccentric Portland pair" that "spook the dance floor".
Glass Candy songs were used for a Chloe runway show, as well as used by Karl Lagerfeld for the Spring/Summer '08 Chanel Haute Couture fashion show and the Fall/Winter one of '08/'09.
Recently Glass Candy's "Digital Versicolour" was used in the soundtrack to Nicolas Winding Refn's feature length film Bronson.
Current members
Ida No - vocals
Johnny Jewel (formerly known as John David V.) - drums, programming
Former members
Avalon Kalin - drums
Jimi Hey - drums
Dusty Sparkles - saxophone and drums
Discography
Smashed Candy (Vermin Scum, 2001)
Love Love Love (Troubleman Unlimited, 2003)
Life After Sundown (Troubleman Unlimited 2004)
Iko (Troubleman Unlimited, 2005)
"I Always Say Yes (12" Main)" (Italians Do It Better, 2007)
B/E/A/T/B/O/X (Italians Do It Better, 2007)
Miss Broadway (Vinyl, 12")" (Italians Do It Better, 2008)
Deep Gems (Italians Do It Better, 2008)
Candy Castle
Glass Candy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let's behold ourselves & break this evil spell
I think that I'm good just because I behave
But I've reached stalemate / I'm a self made cage
They poked me with a stick because they wanted to see
If I was alive or just pretending to be
But my bones are in my body / Not in my grave
Yes the window still opens if the door is closed
Afraid to die free / Afraid to die alone
Yes the window still opens if the door is closed
Afraid to die free / Afraid to die alone
Like diamonds form from pieces of coal
Uh-huh / Uh-huh
Use your pressure / This is your magic tool
This is the way to form a precious jewel
Come on / Come on
Come on / Come on
Woo!
Let's take off our masks & be so naturelle
Let's behold ourselves & break this evil spell
Come on / Come on
Come on / Come on
Come on / Come on
Come on / Come on
Woo!
Not afraid to die free & not afraid to die alone
Come on / Come on
Not afraid to die free & not afraid to die alone
Come on / Come on
Woo!
The opening lines of Glass Candy’s “Candy Castle” symbolizes the need to shed one’s inhibitions and connect with the innermost self, stripped of pretence, and be “naturelle”. The mask represents the facade people put up, perhaps to fit into society, but the song challenges listeners to break free from this spell of conformity, take off their masks, and reveal their true selves. The lyrics criticize the tendency to be complacent and self-satisfied with one’s behaviour, even if it inhibits growth because of the fear of embracing the unknown. The metaphor of being “a self-made cage” and reaching a “stalemate” suggest being stuck in a rut and stagnation, leading to the critical realization of the need to break free from the comfort zone.
The allusion to the “sticks” used to poke and prod the persona’s body hints at the societal pressures people face to conform to a standard. The lines “My bones are in my body / Not in my grave / Turns out I am free & I pretend to be a slave” constitute a paradoxical statement, suggesting a person's perceived sense of bondage is self-inflicted. The metaphor of the window opening with the door closed highlights the need to look at a situation from a different perspective, despite fear and uncertainty, which can usher one into a space of growth and change. The chorus exclaims the willingness to face fears and potential loneliness to take the ultimate jump and embrace the freedom to live an authentic life.
Line by Line Meaning
Let's take off our masks & be so naturelle
Let's be our true selves and remove the masks we wear to hide our true natures
Let's behold ourselves & break this evil spell
Let's take a closer look at ourselves and break free of negative influences that hinder our growth
I think that I'm good just because I behave
I believe that following societal norms automatically makes me a good person
But I've reached stalemate / I'm a self made cage
I feel stuck and trapped by my own choices and actions
They poked me with a stick because they wanted to see / If I was alive or just pretending to be
Others tested my authenticity and wondered if I was truly living or just going through the motions
But my bones are in my body / Not in my grave
I'm still alive and have the opportunity to change and grow
Turns out I am free & I pretend to be a slave
I have the ability to make my own choices, but sometimes choose to conform to societal norms and expectations
Yes the window still opens if the door is closed
There are always opportunities and possibilities, even in challenging situations
Afraid to die free / Afraid to die alone
I'm scared to fully break free and live my life on my own terms, without conforming to others' expectations
Like diamonds form from pieces of coal / Use your pressure / This is your magic tool / This is the way to form a precious jewel
Hardship and pressure can lead to growth and transformation, just like diamonds are formed from coal
Not afraid to die free & not afraid to die alone
I'm ready to live my life on my own terms, without fear of being alone or standing out from the crowd
Contributed by Harper P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@rxcastillo
Let's take off our masks & be so naturelle
Let's behold ourselves & break this evil spell
I think that I'm good just because I behave
But I've reached stalemate / I'm a self made cage
They poked me with a stick because they wanted to see
If I was alive or just pretending to be
But my bones are in my body / Not in my grave
Turns out I am free & I pretend to be a slave
Yes the window still opens if the door is closed
Afraid to die free / Afraid to die alone
Yes the window still opens if the door is closed
Afraid to die free / Afraid to die alone
Like diamonds form from pieces of coal
Uh-huh / Uh-huh
Use your pressure / This is your magic tool
This is the way to form a precious jewel
Come on / Come on
Come on / Come on
Woo!
Let's take off our masks & be so naturelle
Let's behold ourselves & break this evil spell
Come on / Come on
Come on / Come on
Come on / Come on
Come on / Come on
Woo!
Not afraid to die free & not afraid to die alone
Come on / Come on
Not afraid to die free & not afraid to die alone
Come on / Come on
Woo!
@_Junkers
Man this is a good track, surprised it isn't more popular.
@djfardsmella
✊ BRO FIST
@joseivanopazobravo5996
esta es sin dudas la mejor cancion tecnogotica de la historia y es genial la parte de las trompetas de la muerte este es el necrotema mas vivo un gran abrazo a ida no que tiene un lejano ancestro chileno vendiciones linda
@Expliclt
What a sensational band. Found them due to Bronson, the film, really enjoying their stuff. 5\5
@pedrojorge1912
The song and lyrics are so good by themselves but also get perfectly in Westworld scene "Let's take off our masks/And be so naturelle/Let's behold ourselves/And break this evil spel", it fits so well not only for the sexual behavior from Destin but also for the "awakening" of Armistice and Hector.
@rxcastillo
Let's take off our masks & be so naturelle
Let's behold ourselves & break this evil spell
I think that I'm good just because I behave
But I've reached stalemate / I'm a self made cage
They poked me with a stick because they wanted to see
If I was alive or just pretending to be
But my bones are in my body / Not in my grave
Turns out I am free & I pretend to be a slave
Yes the window still opens if the door is closed
Afraid to die free / Afraid to die alone
Yes the window still opens if the door is closed
Afraid to die free / Afraid to die alone
Like diamonds form from pieces of coal
Uh-huh / Uh-huh
Use your pressure / This is your magic tool
This is the way to form a precious jewel
Come on / Come on
Come on / Come on
Woo!
Let's take off our masks & be so naturelle
Let's behold ourselves & break this evil spell
Come on / Come on
Come on / Come on
Come on / Come on
Come on / Come on
Woo!
Not afraid to die free & not afraid to die alone
Come on / Come on
Not afraid to die free & not afraid to die alone
Come on / Come on
Woo!
@kaia16
❤
@Sunnygrrl99
totally lost my mind when I heard this song on westworld!! have loved glass candy for years and this has always been one of my favorites. and what fitting lyrics, wow!
@cupie5799
trueeee
@lildebbie997
Sunnygrrl99 link me back some of your fav Glass Candy songs??