Sugar Sugar
Paul and The Patients Lyrics

The lyrics of Paul and The Patients’ song Sugar Sugar are a playful and catchy reflection on the all-consuming nature of desire. The first few lines demonstrate the difficulty of trying to divide up a finite resource, in this case, candy. “One for you and one for me / But one and one and one / Pardon me - comes to three” highlights that no matter how we try to divide things up fairly, it never seems to work out perfectly. The saccharine sweet nature of the candy is a metaphor for the falseness or superficiality that can sometimes hide behind the smiles we see on people's faces. The singer acknowledges that they are a “go between,” perhaps suggesting that they are caught in the middle of a love triangle or some other conflicted situation.

As the chorus kicks in, the singer pleads to be “saved” by their lover, who they call “baby” repeatedly. They desperately want to be showered with attention and affection in the form of sugary delights. “Gotta get my candy free” shows that they feel entitled to receive this attention, even if it causes harm in the long run. The second verse focusses on the singer and their lover, declaring that nothing will do "more or less" than the two of them together. The sweet and harmonious nature of their relationship will “melt away the bitter memory”, perhaps suggesting that the relationship is a way to escape the harsh realities of the world. Overall, the song is upbeat but with a hint of melancholy, showcasing the conflicting emotions that often arise when we are consumed by desire.