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)
Feeling Without Touching
Glass Candy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, feel us, we're all laughing
With the angel clowns
Oh see me, see me laugh
Laugh, laugh myself away
Away, away from doubt
My crown is tipped up
That's how I'm sane and sound
With touchable ornaments placed around
Like eyes, and teeth
We shine like gold and diamonds, oh
We smile, we smile
We smile, we can't be ruined, no
Feeling without touching
Oh, feel us, we're all laughing
With the angel clowns
My crown is tipped up
My world is zipped up tight
That's how I'm sane and sound
With touchable ornaments place around
Like eyes, and teeth
We shine like gold and diamonds, oh
We smile, we smile
We smile, we can't be ruined, no
Feeling without touching
Oh oh, oh oh
Feeling without touching
Oh oh, oh oh
Feeling without touching
Oh oh
The song "Feeling Without Touching" by Glass Candy explores the idea of finding joy in a world where physical touch is absent. The repetitive phrase "feeling without touching" conveys a sense of longing for connection, while the line "we're all laughing with the angel clowns" suggests that the singer and their companions have found a way to be happy despite their circumstances. The use of playful imagery, like "crown is tipped up" and "touchable ornaments," creates a fantastical atmosphere where anything is possible, even in a world where touch is impossible.
The lyrics also describe a sense of self-preservation, as the singer talks about keeping their "world zipped up tight" and using the touchable ornaments as a way to stay "sane and sound." The repetition of the line "we can't be ruined, no" reinforces this theme of protection and resilience. Overall, "Feeling Without Touching" is a bittersweet, dreamlike exploration of finding happiness in a world where physical connection is lacking.
Line by Line Meaning
Feeling without touching
Experiencing emotions or sensations without physical contact
Oh, feel us, we're all laughing
Connect with us emotionally, we're all enjoying ourselves
With the angel clowns
In the company of innocent, carefree beings
Oh see me, see me laugh
Witness my joy and happiness
Laugh, laugh myself away
Laugh uncontrollably, losing oneself in the moment
Away, away from doubt
Free from uncertainty and worry
My crown is tipped up
My head is held high with confidence
My world is zipped up tight
My life is secure and guarded
That's how I'm sane and sound
This is how I maintain my mental stability
With touchable ornaments placed around
Surrounded by tangible objects that bring comfort and pleasure
Like eyes, and teeth
Such as features that add to the beauty and uniqueness of a person
We shine like gold and diamonds, oh
We radiate beauty and value
We smile, we smile
We express happiness and joy
We smile, we can't be ruined, no
Our happiness cannot be destroyed or taken away
Feeling without touching
Experiencing life without solely relying on physical senses
Oh oh, oh oh
Expressing excitement and anticipation
Feeling without touching
Experiencing life without solely relying on physical senses
Oh oh, oh oh
Expressing excitement and anticipation
Feeling without touching
Experiencing life without solely relying on physical senses
Oh oh
Expressing excitement and anticipation
Contributed by Muhammad B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jeremy Galjour
I'd dig this track without the video, but Ida's dancing is mesmerizing in its kookiness. I can't stop watching!
rr
Está canción escuchaba cuando era joven :3 sigue siendo mi favorita
Christina
I think her voice goes great with this sound of music. Keep it up.
CrunchyMunchie
This video was released in 2010 but it has such a 90's feel
Randy Rudolph
Being born in 1980 this makes me feel like I did watching the early mtv.... this is really nostalgic to me.. I can’t explain it but those who know...know
Jackie
Los chicos y sus ocurrencias en aquellos tiempos 😭💜
Enrique Jaramillo
Glass candy always has feel good music!!!!👍love it
lucas cain
Haven’t listen to this in forever saw these guys with The Chromatics many years ago. Got a couple of records that night was more impressed with the Chromatics but very killer music. Both of them.
Xxxx xxx
Love it
Patrick Olivier
just love this song out loud while driving