Their first album was recorded live at Berkeley in 1969. They continued their work with Jefferson Airplane during this project, and even though Jefferson Airplane dissolved, Hot Tuna has continued to tour to this day. Casady is considered by many to be one of the most advanced and innovative in his style.
Their official website is http://hottuna.com and http://hottunatunes.com has music downloads of some of their recent live dates and a few older dates which really capture the spirit of these two very talented musicians.
Joey Covington, a self-taught drummer since the age of 10, (also know in his childhood as Joey Michno) helped found Blues-rock group Hot Tuna in 1969, alongside Jefferson Airplane members Jack Casady and Jorma Kaukonen, while the latter band was still in its beginnings.
However, the recordings he did for Tuna were unreleased and eventually rejoined Casady and Kaukonen at the Airplane and featured on three studio albums, the first being Volunteers, as he replaced Spencer Dryden midway through the recording process. He wrote and sang the last hit for Jefferson Airplane 1971's "Pretty As You Feel" featured on the Bark Album.
Covington left Jefferson Airplane in mid-1972 to pursue a solo career, starting with Fat Fandango.[3] He subsequently faded from view, only resurfacing sporadically, like in 1976's Spitfire by Jefferson Starship, where he co-wrote the hit single "With Your Love".
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s he toured with various configurations as The San Francisco Allstars.
Covington was well-known around the Palm Springs area as a talented musician who delighted his audience by playing free gigs whenever possible. His last performance was for a Marilyn Monroe celebration in Palm Springs June 1, 2013. Covington thrilled his audience and signed autographs following the performance.[4]
Covington was killed in an automobile accident in Palm Springs, California on June 4, 2013. Covington slammed into a wall and was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the collison. He was 67.[5]
See also: Hot Tuna at Wikipedia
Candy Man
Hot Tuna Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well candyman, I said been here and gone
Well, candyman I said been here and gone
Wish I was in New Orleans just sittin' on a candy stand
Well now candyman I said salty dog
Well candyman I cried salty dog
Well candyman I said salty dog
Well now run to the corner get the baby some beer
I said run a to the corner get the baby some beer
Well run a to the corner get the baby some beer, said
Run to the corner get the baby some beer
Now run a to the corner get the baby some beer
Said wish I was in New Orleans I was sittin' on a candy stand
Well now candyman I said been here and gone
Candyman I said been here and gone
Well candyman he been here and gone
Wish I was in New Orleans yeah sittin' on a candy stand
The lyrics to Hot Tuna’s song “Candy Man” depict a man yearning to be in a place where he can relax and enjoy life. The repeating lines “Well candyman, I said been here and gone” symbolize the fleeting nature of the good times in life. The “candyman” may represent the embodiment of these good times, either in the form of the sugary treat or a person who brings joy and pleasure. The singer wishes to be in New Orleans, where he can sit on a candy stand and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Perhaps the candy stand represents a place where life is sweet and full of enjoyment.
The lyrics then take a turn, with the singer rejecting the advances of someone who wishes to make him their “salty dog” or “candyman”. The singer asserts his agency and refuses to be defined by someone else’s expectations or desires. The calling for the baby to be given beer may be an indictment of society’s acceptance of harmful habits or the singer’s desire for a break from the responsibilities of adulthood.
Overall, the song’s lyrics are open to interpretation, but it can be said that they convey a desire for a simple and carefree life, free of societal expectations and pressures.
Line by Line Meaning
Well now candyman, I said been here and gone
I have encountered the candyman before and he has since left my presence.
Well candyman, I said been here and gone
I have expressed to others that I have encountered the candyman before, but he has left their presence as well.
Well, candyman I said been here and gone
Once again, I express that I have met the candyman, but he has already left my presence.
Wish I was in New Orleans just sittin' on a candy stand
I desire to be in New Orleans, where candy and treats are abundant, so that I may sit and enjoy them.
Well now candyman I said salty dog
I address the candyman as a 'salty dog,' which could be interpreted as a term of endearment or a way to express that I find him untrustworthy.
Well candyman I cried salty dog
I repeat my previous address, this time with emphasis and an emotional tone.
Well candyman I said salty dog
Once again, I address the candyman with the term 'salty dog.'
I can't be your salty dog and I won't be your candyman
I decline the candyman's request for me to be his 'salty dog' or 'candyman,' indicating that I won't be his follower or supporter.
Well now run to the corner get the baby some beer
I instruct someone to go to the corner and obtain beer for a baby, which may be seen as inappropriate or irresponsible behavior.
I said run a to the corner get the baby some beer
I repeat my previous instruction with the same intent.
Well run a to the corner get the baby some beer, said
Once again, I instruct someone to go to the corner and get beer for a baby.
Run to the corner get the baby some beer
I issue the same instruction as before.
Now run a to the corner get the baby some beer
I repeat my instruction again, this time with emphasis on the urgency and importance of obtaining beer for the baby.
Said wish I was in New Orleans I was sittin' on a candy stand
Once again, I express my longing to be in New Orleans, specifically sitting on a candy stand and enjoying the treats available there.
Well candyman I said been here and gone
I reiterate that I have met the candyman before, and he has already left my presence.
Candyman I said been here and gone
I repeat my previous statement about encountering the candyman, emphasizing his absence.
Well candyman he been here and gone
I change the wording slightly, but maintain the same meaning: the candyman has come and gone.
Wish I was in New Orleans yeah sittin' on a candy stand
Once again, I express my desire to be in New Orleans, specifically enjoying treats while sitting on a candy stand.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: REV. GARY DAVIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
David Lobato
on Half/Time Saturation
I believe it is, "And life's ain't gonna be the way it was before." You can clearly hear him say "ain't", and it sounds like "life". I always hated it there were no lyrics to this inside the record sleeve.