On October 24, 1995, Spacehog released their debut album Resident Alien, which spawned the singles "In the Meantime" and "Cruel to be Kind". The band's second album, The Chinese Album, was released on March 10, 1998. Though it did not sell as well as Resident Alien, the band's popularity was increasing as Spacehog opened for popular acts like Pearl Jam and Supergrass. The Chinese Album featured a more "artsy" sound, with Pink Floyd-like piano on the opening track and Michael Stipe of R.E.M contributing vocals to the song "Almond Kisses".
In 2001, Spacehog released their final album, The Hogessy.
In 2002, Spacehog quietly broke up and the band members went their separate ways, but reformed in 2008.
Candyman
Spacehog Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Incline your tiny minds to me
It's time to kiss the candyman
It's high time you were here instead of
Fighting, I don't want to fight
But if by chance the cold wind blows I've
Got the drugs to keep it up
Well I know which way the money goes
Up and down the city road
In and out we reap and sow
Rewards I've lost and never known
Which way the money goes
CHORUS
Candyman, candyman, candyman
The candyman took it
Candyman, candyman, candyman
The money go round
So up and down the city roads
In and out we reap and sow
The rewards I've lost and never known
Which way the money grows
Money grows on money trees
Pay the price for liberties and then
All we've lost is all we need
To feed those wilting seedlings
There's more than stones and sticks at stake
If you pull a rope tight it will create
A tension like a brick will break
If thrown against the road
CHORUS
Now the air is stinking breath
Like those who piss on thirsty men
I'll raise my glass to all of them
In come the assholes who can smell the money
As they chase the blood and flesh as though they
Only ever had enough to keep their withered spirits up
There's more than stones and sticks at stake
If you pull a rope tight it will create
A tension like a brick will break
If thrown against the road
CHORUS
The lyrics of "Candy Man" by Spacehog are an observation on the greed and materialism that rules our society. The song begins with a cry to the people to open their minds and kiss the "candy man" - the metaphor for the sweet pleasures of life. However, it is high time they stop fighting and instead indulge in the riches of the world without constraint. The singer is aware that he knows which way the money goes and he has drugs to keep the good times going.
In the second part, the song highlights the cyclical nature of our existence where we reap and sow, yet never know the rewards we might get. Money grows on trees, and we pay the price to enjoy our liberties. The singer turns philosophical and opines that we have lost everything we need to feed the wilting seedlings, and there is more than stones and sticks at stake. A tight rope creates tension like a brick that can break if thrown against the road.
In the final part, the song talks about how the air stinks of breath and those who piss on thirsty men, possibly referencing the rich who hoard wealth while people starve. The singer raises his glass to all of them, including the assholes who can smell the money and chase the blood and flesh, feeding their withered spirits. The singer leaves us with a lingering, thought-provoking message about the materialistic world we live in, and how we need to look beyond the superficial and the greedy to find true happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh hear my prayer you people please
Listen to my plea, people
Incline your tiny minds to me
Pay attention, use your small minds to understand
It's time to kiss the candyman
It's time to indulge in pleasure and luxury
It's high time you were here instead of fighting
It's better to be together and peaceful than to be in conflict
I don't want to fight
Conflict and violence are undesirable
But if by chance the cold wind blows I've
But in case of difficulties or hardships
Got the drugs to keep it up
I have the means to cope
Well I know which way the money goes
I understand how money works
Up and down the city road
Moving around the city
In and out we reap and sow
Working and gaining rewards
Rewards I've lost and never known
I've missed out on rewards that were never given
Which way the money goes
Understanding the flow of money
Candyman, candyman, candyman
Indulging in pleasure and luxury
The candyman took it
The pleasure and luxury were enjoyed
The money go round
Money is always circulating
Money grows on money trees
Money can multiply easily
Pay the price for liberties and then
Sacrifices must be made for freedom
All we've lost is all we need
What we've given up is necessary
To feed those wilting seedlings
To nurture and support those in need
There's more than stones and sticks at stake
There are important things on the line
If you pull a rope tight it will create
Tension will arise from a tight situation
A tension like a brick will break
Tension can be destructive
If thrown against the road
In a harsh environment
Now the air is stinking breath
The atmosphere is unpleasant
Like those who piss on thirsty men
Like those who take advantage of others' needs
I'll raise my glass to all of them
Acknowledging those who are benefiting
In come the assholes who can smell the money
Opportunists arrive who see potential profit
As they chase the blood and flesh as though they
As they pursue their goals ruthlessly
Only ever had enough to keep their withered spirits up
Only caring about themselves and their own needs
Contributed by David J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Brooke Gabbert
Space Hog should be very famous by now, but they aren't because they DONT suck!!
Norman Hopper
Saw them live at the 9:30 Club in DC, was fucking AMAZING. Managed to get a band autographed poster from Johnny a few years back that he had just laying around. So underrated...
rodolfo suarez
Todavia me acuerdo cuando se estrenaba este video en mtv. Las criticas decian que la voz y la musica eran una mezcla de axl rose con david bowie, lo cual no estaba nada mal. Lo otro que recuerdo es que habia una pelicula de horror llamada candyman sobre un mito urbano ficticio que decia que si frente a un espejo repetias 5 veces candyman aparecia un fantasma y te mataba. En esa epoca me daba miedo cantar esta canción, por las dudas, jajaja.
Martin De Zeeuw
Such a Devine groove to this song.. love the feels.
Patrick Shutt
I so love this song waaaaaaayyyyyyyy better than “in the meantime”.
Wyatt M
Met Spacehog on the Chinese Album Tour in Cincinnati OH. Stood by the bus and got their autographs when they came back from lunch. I wish I would've known Royston was gonna hook up with Liv. I would've made friends and got my ass on the Lord of the Rings movie set. I mean, I would have done it at all costs!
amangogna68
Great song !
amangogna68
Thank you I wish I could understand your language!
Hir Tac
懐かしい感じの気怠さが日本の残暑に丁度イイ!
Spicie95
I hope this song is on the soundtrack for Jordan Peele´s reboot of the Candyman horror movies