The fans of the Grateful Dead, some of whom followed the band from concert to concert for years, are known as "Deadheads"; they are renowned for their dedication to the band's music. Many fans referred to the band simply as "the Dead". As of 2003, the remaining band members who had been touring under the name "The Other Ones" changed their official group name to "The Dead". Deadheads continue to use that nickname to refer to all versions of the band.
The Grateful Dead's musical influences varied widely; in concert recordings or on record albums one can hear psychedelic rock, blues, rock and roll, country-western, bluegrass, country-rock, and improvisational jazz. These various influences were distilled into a diverse and psychedelic whole that made the Grateful Dead "the pioneering Godfathers of the jam band world."
Candyman
The Grateful Dead Lyrics
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Open up your windows 'cause the Candyman's in town
Come on boys and gamble roll those laughing bones
Seven come eleven boys I'll take your money home
Look out look out the Candyman
Here he comes and he's gone again
Pretty lady ain't got no friend 'till
I come from Memphis where I learned to talk the jive
When I get back to Memphis be one less man alive
Good morning Mr Benson I see you're doing well
If I had me a shotgun I'd blow you straight to hell
Look out look out the Candyman
Here he comes and he's gone again
Pretty lady ain't got no friend 'till
Candyman comes around again
Come on boys and wager if you have got the mind
If you've got a dollar boys lay it on the line
Hand me my old guitar pass the whiskey round
Won't you tell everybody you meet that the Candyman's in town
Look out look out the Candyman
Here he comes and he's gone again
Pretty lady ain't got no friend 'till
Candyman comes around again
Look out look out the Candyman
Here he comes and he's gone again
Look out look out the Candyman
The Grateful Dead's song Candyman is a playful and upbeat tune that tells the story of a gambler and womanizer known as the Candyman. The opening lines of the song invite pretty women to open their windows and welcome him into their lives. The Candyman is a smooth-talking character who travels from town to town, using his charm and charisma to win over people's hearts and wallets. The chorus warns of his fleeting presence, reminding listeners to be on guard because he comes and goes at will, leaving a trail of broken hearts and empty pockets in his wake.
The song shifts to describe the Candyman's Memphis roots, where he honed his skills in the art of persuasion. He has a distrustful nature, as evidenced by his reference to Mr. Benson and his shotgun. The Candyman is a complex character, at once charming and dangerous, and the song captures his essence perfectly. The final verse calls on all of the Candyman's fans to lay down their bets and sing his praises as he moves on to the next town.
Overall, Candyman is a fun and lighthearted tune, but it also hints at the darker side of human nature, where greed and lust can lead even the most charming of characters astray.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on all you pretty women with your hair a hanging down
Addressing all the beautiful ladies with their flowing hair, inviting them to open their windows as the Candyman is in town.
Open up your windows 'cause the Candyman's in town
Urging the ladies to open their windows as it's time for the Candyman's arrival.
Come on boys and gamble roll those laughing bones
Encouraging the boys to indulge in some lighthearted gambling by rolling the dice.
Seven come eleven boys I'll take your money home
The Candyman boasts that he's so lucky that he will win their money, and they will have to go home empty-handed.
Look out look out the Candyman
A warning that the Candyman is on his way or is already here.
Here he comes and he's gone again
The Candyman is known for his fleeting appearances, and once he's gone, he may not be back for a while.
Pretty lady ain't got no friend 'till Candyman comes around again
No matter how pretty a lady is, she doesn't have a true companion until the Candyman shows up again.
I come from Memphis where I learned to talk the jive
The Candyman is from Memphis, where he picked up the skill of talking jive or slang.
When I get back to Memphis be one less man alive
Suggesting that when he returns to Memphis, someone will be in trouble and won't make it out alive.
Good morning Mr Benson I see you're doing well
A greeting to Mr Benson, acknowledging that he seems to be doing fine.
If I had me a shotgun I'd blow you straight to hell
A threat to Mr Benson that if the Candyman had a shotgun, he would not hesitate to use it on him.
Come on boys and wager if you have got the mind
Encouraging the boys to bet some money if they feel lucky enough.
If you've got a dollar boys lay it on the line
Suggesting that if the boys have a dollar, they should bet it and risk it all.
Hand me my old guitar pass the whiskey round
Asking for his guitar so that he can serenade the crowd, and for some whiskey to be passed around for everyone to enjoy.
Won't you tell everybody you meet that the Candyman's in town
Asking people to spread the word that the Candyman is in town, so that everyone can come and join in the fun.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JEROME J. GARCIA, ROBERT C. HUNTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@williamkerr3350
Garcia's pedal steel solo is totally timeless and ethereal, I still marvel at the simple beauty of it.
@ariplatt8192
Every note works. Think about it. Sigh
@shane508
agreed. the guitar solo takes this good chill song and puts it on another level.
@Ru55ianman
that pedal steel guitar solo makes makes life worth living
@musicmavenpublishing2265
And Jerry was the master at it. 😘❤⚡⚡⚡
@tomsawyer5736
Truer words never seen in print.
@erinkelleher714
Thank you I agree a decade later
@patodonnell5359
Incredibly pedal player!
@Halcyon156
when I was a kid and got turned on to the grateful dead I'd listen to that slide solo and enter a whole different realm of existence. absolute perfection.
@EnoVarma
One of the truly great guitar solos in the canon of rock music.