The name comes from the bouffant wigs that are part of the band's distinctive look, worn by singers Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson. Along with Wilson and Pierson, fellow vocalist Fred Schneider, drummer (and later guitarist) Keith Strickland, and guitarist Ricky Wilson (Cindy's older brother) formed the band after a drunken night at a Chinese restaurant. They shared a passion for mixing and matching older styles with a partying, good-time public image, which set them apart from many staid 70s contemporaries.
Their sound is particularly marked by the vocals of Wilson and Pierson, with Kate singing in a slightly deeper voice, along with the generally monotone or spoken-word vocals of Schneider. Aside from their vocals, the band also had a unique New Wave sound that was a combination of 50s and 60s dance music and surf rock, and the unusual guitar-string tunings utilized by Ricky Wilson. Although a clear part of said movement, their music was more experimental than most new wave groups, indulging in all manner of odd vocal and synthesizer effects. The B-52's created a quirky dance vibe that became very popular and their tours have been successful for decades.
Website= http://theb52s.com/
Candy
The B-52's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
the big city geez it been 20
years-candy-you were so fine
beautiful beautiful
girl from the north
you burned my heart
with a flickering torch
i had a dream that no one else
chorus: candy
candy
candy i can't let you go
all my life you're haunting me
i loved you so
candy
candy
candy i can't let you go
life is crazy
candy baby
Kate: yeah, well it hurt me real bad
when you left
i'm glad you got out
but i miss you
i've had a hole in my heart for
so long
i've learned to fake it and just
smile along
down on the street
those men are all the same
i need a love
not games
not games
Chorus x2
Chorus to fade
The song Candy by The B-52's is a nostalgic ballad about a woman named Candy who the singer, Kate, had a romantic relationship with 20 years prior. The lyrics begin with a description of a rainy afternoon in 1990, setting the mood for a reflective and sentimental song. Kate recalls Candy as a "beautiful, beautiful girl from the north" who had a profound impact on her life. Candy "burned [her] heart with a flickering torch" and gave her "love for free." The chorus is a repetition of the word "candy," emphasizing the lasting effect that this woman had on Kate's life. Despite the passage of time, Kate is haunted by memories of Candy and cannot "let [her] go."
Kate's verse describes how Candy's departure from her life caused her great pain, but deep down, she still misses her. She admits to having a "hole in [her] heart for so long" since Candy left. Kate feels isolated and alone, surrounded by men who only want to play games and are "all the same." She longs for genuine love and connection, something that Candy gave her once.
Overall, the song is a poignant and wistful reflection on lost love and the painful memories that come with it. The repetition of Candy's name in the chorus symbolizes her lingering presence in Kate's mind and heart.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a rainy afternoon in 1990
The song is about a nostalgic memory that takes place in 1990 on a rainy day.
the big city geez it been 20 years
The singer is in a big city after 20 years, perhaps this is where they met Candy for the first time.
candy-you were so fine
Candy is presented as an attractive person who caught the singer's attention.
beautiful beautiful
Repeated use of the word 'beautiful' makes clear that Candy was not only attractive but perhaps also had a beautiful personality.
girl from the north
Candy was originally from the northern region of the country.
you burned my heart with a flickering torch
Candy caused the singer to have strong feelings for her that endured for a long time after.
i had a dream that no one else could see you gave me love for free
The singer has a pleasant dream about Candy in which she gives them affection without any expectations in return.
candy candy candy i can't let you go all my life you're haunting me i loved you so
The chorus reveals that Candy left a deep impression on the artist and they cannot forget her or their feelings for her, despite the passage of time.
life is crazy candy baby
The artist is reflecting on the unpredictable paths that their life and relationship with Candy have taken.
Kate: yeah, well it hurt me real bad when you left i'm glad you got out but i miss you i've had a hole in my heart for so long i've learned to fake it and just smile along
Kate, presumably a friend of the artist, expresses empathy for their heartbreak but also reveals how the artist has coped with the pain - by pretending everything is okay.
down on the street those men are all the same i need a love not games not games
The singer is tired of superficial, game-playing relationships and desires something genuine and heartfelt.
Contributed by Adeline N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@moisesmagno1785
Candy
Iggy Pop
It's a rainy afternoon in 1990
The big city, geez, it's been 20 years!
Candy
You were so fine
Beautiful, beautiful girl from the north
You burned my heart with a flickering torch
I had a dream that no one else could see
You gave me love for free
Candy Candy Candy
I can't let you go
All my life you're haunting me
I loved you so
Candy Candy Candy
I can't let you go
Life is crazy
Candy baby
Yeah, well it hurt me real bad when you left
I'm glad you got out
But I miss you
I've had a hole in my heart
For so long
I've learned to fake it
And just smile along
Down on the street
Those men are all the same
I need a love
Not games
Not games
Candy Candy Candy
I can't let you go
All my life you're haunting me
I loved you so
Candy Candy Candy
I can't let you go
Life is crazy
I know baby
Candy baby
Candy candy candy
I can't let you go
All my life you're haunting me
I loved you so
Candy Candy Candy
Life is crazy
Candy baby
Candy baby
Candy Candy
Candy Candy Candy
I can't let you go
All my life waiting for you
Love you so
@Alucarddraconis
Every time I hear this song it hits me right in my heart and makes it skip a beat. I wish they still made music like this.
@melosel6793
Loney in m'y Time IS juste true beleive Heart IS juste n'ont true beleive in true Heart IS sentiments liké your in true not kill me
@melosel6793
Poor trie beleive poor Heart since true beleive in your hearth
@LanguedocProvenceGascogneMIDI
First time I heard this song in '90 it hit me like a sledgehammer. It is one of the most iconic songs from the begining 90's! Never gets old.
@Modatwisted
Same!
@michaelmendel230
I totally get you. I was driving by an old girlfriends house the first time I heard this song. I get it. And in 2009 I reconnected with that girl!
@garyhighley9022
I was a 14 yr old metal fan....but I loved this song.
@leer670
same here I love how they are in sync but just a bit off! Makes me yell sing
@Eysenbeiss
Actually, 1990 is part of the 80s ;-)
@rosswilliams7900
An absolute classic!
Kate's voice has so much clarity
and Iggy, well what a musician.
Pure genius