In the early days of their career their dark, heavy, oppressively slow sound made them innovators of genres like sludge, grunge, and doom metal. The Melvins' music is influenced by Flipper, Black Flag's My War-era hardcore punk and Black Sabbath-style heavy metal, but their idiosyncratic approach, bizarre sense of humor, and experimentation make neat categorization difficult. Singer/guitarist Buzz Osborne (aka "King Buzzo") and drummer Dale Crover are constant members while several bass guitarists have cycled through the group. The Melvins usually performed as a trio until 2006 when two members of Big Business became permanent members of the band.
The band was named after a grocery clerk at the Thriftway in Montesano, Washington where Osborne was employed. Melvin was the most-hated fellow employee and the band felt it to be an appropriate name. Like SF noisenik predecessors Flipper, their love of slow tempos and sludgy sound were a strong influence on grunge music, especially Nirvana and many other bands from Seattle. Their protegés, however, tended to use more conventional musical structures with this sound.
Though the group has received mostly positive critical notice, Crover's drumming has been especially praised; Patrick Kennedy describes his work as "astonishing, powerful, and daring."
While never finding and most likely never even seeking great mainstream success, the Melvins maintain an impressive schedule of new albums and tours, including a collaboration with Fantômas in The Fantômas Melvins Big Band, two releases with former Dead Kennedys frontman Jello Biafra, and in 2004 the Melvins collaborated with ambient artist Lustmord for Pigs of the Roman Empire. In appreciation of their devoted fans, the Melvins have released various collectables through the years that have included two-headed dolls, an eight-track tape, and a plastic fetus in a jar.
Fellow Aberdeen resident Kurt Cobain (a good friend of Crover) was a huge Melvins fan and helped them transport their equipment to a few shows. Cobain also auditioned to join the band on bass, but he didn't make it, reportedly because he was so nervous that he forgot all the songs. Cobain maintained his relation with the band. Later he produced and played on some songs (guitar on "Sky Pup", percussion on "Spread Eagle Beagle") on the band's major label debut, Houdini. Dale Crover is also attributed as playing on the Nirvana debut album, Bleach, and on "Incesticide". In addition, Dave Grohl (ex-drummer for Nirvana) co-wrote and played drums for Isabella on Buzzo's Melvins solo album, King Buzzo.
Candy
Melvins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sunday dress, ruby rings
Candy-O, I need you so
Could you help me in?
Purple hum, assorted cards
Razor lights, you bring
And all to prove you're on the move
Candy-O, I need you so
Candy-O, I need you so
The Melvins' song "Candy" is a cryptic and seductive ode to a mysterious figure known as Candy-O. The lyrics appear to express a yearning for this elusive person, perhaps as a figure of salvation or redemption. The opening lines set the tone with a poignant plea: "Candy-O, I need you / Sunday dress, ruby rings / Candy-O, I need you so / Could you help me in?"
The references to "assorted cards" and "razor lights" suggest a surreal, almost hallucinogenic atmosphere, in which the singer is seeking escape from the mundane world. The repeated refrain "Candy-O, I need you so" conveys a sense of obsession or addiction, with the object of desire serving as a kind of drug or fixation.
Overall, the lyrics to "Candy" are enigmatic and open to multiple interpretations, but they evoke a powerful sense of longing and desire that is both alluring and unsettling.
Line by Line Meaning
Candy-O, I need you
I crave your presence and can't survive without you
Sunday dress, ruby rings
I see you as a perfect, elegant, and high-standard entity
Candy-O, I need you so
I can't emphasize enough how much I require your love, care, and attention
Could you help me in?
I'm requesting for your support, assistance, and companionship
Purple hum, assorted cards
I experience a mesmerizing, almost mystical feeling in the presence of your beauty and mystery
Razor lights, you bring
Your sharpness, brilliance, and power attract and fascinate me
And all to prove you're on the move
You use your energy and skills to show that you're always pushing forward and exploring new possibilities
And vanishing
Despite all your efforts and strengths, you still face the inevitable reality of fading away or disappearing
Candy-O, I need you so
I still can't stress enough how much I yearn for your presence, attention, and love
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Ric Ocasek
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind