
Davis, Jr. was born in Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, New York, to Elvera Sanchez, a dancer, and Sammy Davis, Sr., an African-American entertainer. The couple were both dancers in vaudeville. As an infant, he was raised by his paternal grandmother. When he was three years old, his parents split up. His father, not wanting to lose custody of his son, took him on tour. Sammy Davis Jr. claimed that his mother was Puerto Rican, however the 2003 biography In Black and White alleges that he made this claim due to the political sensitivities of the 1960s (during the Cuban Missile Crisis), and that his mother was born in New York of Cuban descent rather than in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
As a child he learned how to dance from his father, Sammy Davis, Sr., and his "uncle" Will Mastin, who led the dance troupe his father worked for. Davis joined the act as a young child in 1928 and they became the Will Mastin Trio. Throughout his long career, Davis included the Will Mastin Trio in his billing.
Mastin and his father had shielded him from racism. Snubs were explained as jealousy. But during World War II, Davis served in the United States Army, where he was first confronted by strong racial prejudice. As he said later, "Overnight the world looked different. It wasn't one color anymore. I could see the protection I'd gotten all my life from my father and Will. I appreciated their loving hope that I'd never need to know about prejudice and hate, but they were wrong. It was as if I'd walked through a swinging door for eighteen years, a door which they had always secretly held open.
The Candy Man
Sammy Davis Jr. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Hey, Candy Man)
Alright everybody gather 'round
The Candy Man is here
What kind of candy do you want?
Sweet chocolate? Chocolate malted candy?
Gum drops, anything you want
Because I'm the Candy Man
Who can take a sunrise? (Who can take a sunrise?)
Sprinkle it with dew (sprinkle it with dew)
Cover it with chocolate and a miracle or two
The Candy Man (the Candy Man)
Ooh, the Candy Man can (the Candy Man can)
The Candy Man can 'cause he mixes it with love
And makes the world taste good (makes the world taste good)
Who can take a rainbow? (Who can take a rainbow?)
Wrap it in a sigh (wrap it in a sigh)
Soak it in the sun and make a groovy lemon pie
The Candy Man (the Candy Man)
The Candy Man can (the Candy Man can)
The Candy Man can 'cause he mixes it with love
And makes the world taste good (makes the world taste good)
(The Candy Man makes everything he bakes
Satisfying and delicious)
Now you talk about your childhood wishes
You can even eat the dishes
Oh, who can take tomorrow? (Who can take tomorrow?)
Dip it in a dream (dip it in a dream)
Separate the sorrow and collect up all the cream
The Candy Man (the Candy Man)
Oh, the Candy Man can (the Candy Man can)
The Candy Man can 'cause he mixes it with love
And makes the world taste good (makes the world taste good)
(The Candy Man makes everything he bakes
Satisfying and delicious)
Talk about your childhood wishes
You can even eat the dishes
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Who can take tomorrow? (Who can take tomorrow?)
Dip it in a dream (dip it in a dream)
Separate the sorrow and collect up all the cream
The Candy Man (the Candy Man)
The Candy Man can (the Candy Man can)
The Candy Man can 'cause he mixes it with love
And makes the world taste good (makes the world taste good)
Yes, the Candy Man can
'Cause he mixes it with love
And makes the world taste good (makes the world taste good)
A-Candy Man, a-Candy Man, a-Candy Man
(Makes the world taste good)
A-Candy Man, a-Candy Man, a-Candy Man
(Makes the world taste good)
A-Candy Man, a-Candy Man
"The Candy Man" by Sammy Davis Jr. is a fun and upbeat song that celebrates the power of candy and the man who makes it. The song starts with the Candy Man inviting people to come and see him, announcing that he has all kinds of candy available. He then goes on to describe how he makes his candy, using love to mix together all the different flavors and create something truly special. The song includes several catchy phrases and a bit of wordplay, such as "Who can take a sunrise, Sprinkle it with dew, Cover it with choc'late and a miracle or two."
Interpreting the lyrics, the song portrays a sense of joy and wonder that can be found in the simple pleasures of life, especially candy. The Candy Man himself is a symbol of this joy and generosity, spreading happiness through his treats. The song invites listeners to join in this celebration of sweetness and to recognize the power of small pleasures to bring happiness and joy.
Line by Line Meaning
(Hey, Candy Man)
An enthusiastic greeting to the Candy Man
Alright everybody gather 'round
Everyone is invited to come closer
The Candy Man is here
Announcing the arrival of the Candy Man
What kind of candy do you want
The Candy Man offers a variety of candy choices
Sweet chocolate
One of the candy options available
Chocolate malted candy
One of the candy options available
Gum drops
One of the candy options available
Anything you want
The Candy Man can provide any type of candy
You've come to the right man
The Candy Man is the ideal person to satisfy your candy cravings
Because I'm the Candy Man
The Candy Man is confident in his ability to provide delicious candy
Who can take a sunrise (who can take a sunrise)
Rhetorical question to emphasize the Candy Man's skill
Sprinkle it with dew (sprinkle it with dew)
Adding a touch of freshness to the sunrise to make it even better
Cover it with choc'late and a miracle or two
Taking something great and making it even more magical by adding chocolate and a little bit of wonder
The Candy Man (the Candy Man)
Reinforcing that the Candy Man is the one doing all of this
Oh, the Candy Man can (the Candy Man can)
Everyone acknowledges how good the Candy Man is at what he does
The Candy Man can
The Candy Man has the ability to make everything better
'Cause he mixes it with love
The Candy Man puts his heart into his work
And makes the world taste good (makes the world taste good)
The impact of the Candy Man's work on the world is profound and positive
Who can take a rainbow (who can take a rainbow)
Rhetorical question to emphasize the Candy Man's skill
Wrap it in a sigh (wrap it in a sigh)
Adding a dream-like quality to the rainbow to make it even better
Soak it in the sun and make a groovy lemon pie
Taking something great and making it even more amazing by creating a delicious dessert
The Candy Man (the Candy Man)
Reinforcing that the Candy Man is the one doing all of this
Yes, the Candy Man can
The Candy Man is indeed able to create incredible things
Now you talk about your childhood wishes
The Candy Man's creations have the power to evoke memories of joy and nostalgia
You can even eat the dishes
The Candy Man's creations are so delicious that even the containers can be eaten
Dip it in a dream (dip it in a dream)
Adding a touch of fantasy to something practical to make it even better
Separate the sorrow and collect up all the cream
Turning something negative into something positive by focusing on the good things
A-Candy Man, a-Candy Man, a-Candy Man
Repeating the Candy Man's name to emphasize his importance
(Makes the world taste good)
The Candy Man is responsible for making the world a tastier place
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, TARADAM MUSIC, INC., Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Anthony Newley, Leslie Bricusse
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lynnminzghor5143
A little white girl in '71 just 5 yrs old...walked up to stage and received Sammy's autograph at the Circle Star Theatre...still have the booklet he signed. Someone out there has a pic of myself and Sammy. No bar, best memory of my childhood!!!
@JoanneBrown-qe4vd
How neat that must of been for you!
@baumcollcsame7871
Circle Star Theater in San Carlos, California was the best place to see all those fantastic performers!!!
And best you were up close to them while they were performers!
I sure miss those days back in the 80s and 90s. They were the best!!😊
@robbob5302
Awesome!!
@forrest2457
Had a sense of humor, a great voice, a great dancer, just a great person and funny
RIP Sammy Davis JR.
@jimrhodes3487
He was a heck of a drummer too....
@emeraldcityentertainment
Boy did he have a sense of humor. Perfect comedic timing. The talent in this one was remarkable. One of he Greats!
@amyclarke41
He is on bbc sounds app in a interview with David Frost v kool!🥰
@javiersalas6727
He's an angel
@jerrylewisthekid5479
With all my love for Frank Sinatra, I have to admit that Sammy Davis was arguably the best of the whole Rat Pack, the most complete. He knew how to do everything! And he knew how to do it splendidly