The project first began in 1979 as a solo project for Joanne McDuffy, backup vocalist for singer and producer Rick James, whom she had supported on several tours. James developed tracks with McDuffy and session vocalists the Water Sisters, creating the "Mary Jane Girls" sound. Motown offered James a contract for what it believed was the girl group he wanted to produce; not wanting to lose the deal, James lied and told Motown that the Mary Jane Girls were a group and not McDuffy's solo project. Rick got whoever he could to provide photographs to Motown. McDuffy continued to sing lead and background with the Water Sisters for all Mary Jane Girl recordings and the band sang for the group with McDuffy on tour. It is commonly believed, though not confirmed, that the group was so named due to Rick James' affinity for marijuana; a common alternate term for the substance is "Mary Jane."
Their self-titled debut album, Mary Jane Girls was released in 1983, reaching #56 on the Billboard 200, and #6 in the Top Hip-Hop/R&B charts. The album's four singles, "Candy Man", "All Night Long", "Boys" and "Jealousy" all charted. In 1985, their sophomore effort, Only Four You, was released; the single "In My House" became the group's biggest single, reaching #7 on the Billboard 200. Shortly before the release of the album, Bailey left the group and was replaced by Marine.
The only song recorded by the Mary Jane Girls not composed by Rick James was "Walk Like a Man". A cover version of the famous song by The Four Seasons featured on the soundtrack for the film A Fine Mess, this turned out to be the Mary Jane Girls' last single, reaching #41 on the Billboard 2000. In the meantime, Rick James had a falling out with Motown, eventually resulting in the dissolution of the Mary Jane Girls in 1987.
Candy Man
Mary Jane Girls Lyrics
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You bring me breakfast in my bed
And when I need a little sugar
That's when you go to my head
You're the sweetest (Candy man) man I know
And I'll never let you go
Just say you'll stay (Candy Man) with me forever
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
You can be my candy man
Oh...oh...oh...oh...oh...
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
'Cause I really know you can
Hey...hey...
Candy man
Candy man
Ooh...hoo...
When you wake up in the mornin'
And affection's on your mind
You just call me up now, baby
And I'll always find the time
You're the sweetest (Candy man) man I know
And I thought I'd tell you so
Just say you'll stay (Candy Man) with me forever
And our love will surely grow, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
You can be my candy man
Oh...oh...oh...oh...oh...
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
'Cause I really know you can
Oh...oh...oh...oh...oh...
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Yeah, yeah, be my, be my candy man
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
'Cause I, oh, I know you can
I know, I know you can
Let me be, let me be (Let me be, let me be)
The one that you come home to
Let me be, let me be (Let me be, let me be)
You're one and only love (Love, love)
Be my sugar daddy, baby
Candy man
Ooh...
Candy man
Oh...oh...oh...oh...oh...
Candy man
Candy man
Ooh...ooh...ooh...ooh...
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
You can be my candy man, oh, oh, oh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
'Cause I really know you can
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, yeah, oh, oh
Be my candy man
Ooh...ooh...ooh...ooh...ooh...ooh...oh...
'Cause I really know you can
I want you to be
Be my sugar
Be my sugar daddy, baby
I'll be your sugar
Sugar sweet as honey, baby
Be my candy
Be my sweetie, baby (Candy man)
Be my sugar
Be my sugar daddy, baby
Ooh...ooh...ooh...ooh...ooh...
The Mary Jane Girls' song "Candy Man" is a sweet, seductive ode to a lover who brings his partner breakfast in bed and sets her mind and body on fire. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Candy Man," a reference to the sweetness of the couple's love and the way it affects the singer. The verses are filled with images of affection, like a partner calling at any time, and the assurance that the singer will never let go of the Candy Man. The song's melody is catchy, with a bubble-gum sound that reflects the sugary, feel-good nature of the lyrics.
Overall, "Candy Man" is a classic pop song about a couple in love, with a playful and joyful tone. It celebrates sweetness and romance, and the upbeat sound and memorable chorus have made it a beloved hit.
Line by Line Meaning
When I wake up in the mornin'
As soon as I wake up from my sleep
You bring me breakfast in my bed
You bring me breakfast while I'm still in bed
And when I need a little sugar
And when I need a little bit of affection
That's when you go to my head
That's when your love really affects me
You're the sweetest (Candy man) man I know
You are the most affectionate person I have ever met
And I'll never let you go
And I'll always keep you close to me
Just say you'll stay (Candy Man) with me forever
Just promise me you'll be with me forever
And our love will surely grow, ooh, ooh
And our love will definitely become stronger
You can be my candy man
You can be the one who fills my life with love and affection
Cause I really know you can
Because I know that you have the ability to love me endlessly
When you wake up in the mornin'
When you wake up from your sleep
And affection's on your mind
And you're thinking about how much you love me
You just call me up now, baby
Just give me a call, my love
And I'll always find the time
And I'll always make time for you
And I thought I'd tell you so
And I thought I'd let you know
You can be my candy man
You can be the one I lean on for love and support
'Cause I really know you can
Because I really believe in your love for me
Let me be, let me be (Let me be, let me be)
Let me be the one you turn to for love (repeated for emphasis)
The one that you come home to
The one you return to for love and affection
You're one and only love (Love, love)
You're the only one I love (repeated for emphasis)
Be my sugar daddy, baby
Be the one who showers me with love and affection
Candy man
The one who fills my life with sweetness
You can be my candy man, oh, oh, oh
You can be the one who makes my life sweeter
I want you to be
I want you to be
Be my sugar
Be the one who gives me love and affection
Sugar sweet as honey, baby
As sweet as honey, my love
Be my candy
Be the one who fills my life with sweetness
Be my sweetie, baby (Candy man)
Be the one I love and need (repeated for emphasis)
Be my sugar
Be the one who gives me love and affection
Be my sugar daddy, baby
Be the one who showers me with love and affection
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: James A Johnson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind