Candy by Robbie Williams Lyrics Meaning – Unwrapping the Sweet Illusions of Life
Lyrics
Candice’s inner business
She wants the boys to notice
Her rainbows, and her ponies
She was educated
But could not count to ten
How she got lots of different horses
By lots of different men
And I say
Liberate your sons and daughters
The bush is high
But in the hole there’s water
You can get some, when they give it
Nothing sacred, but it’s a living
Hey ho here she goes
Either a little too high or a little too low
Got no self-esteem and vertigo
‘Cause she thinks she’s made of candy
Hey ho here she goes
Either a little too loud or a little too close
There’s a hurricane in the back of her throat
And she thinks she’s made of candy
Ring a ring of roses
Whoever gets the closest
She comes and she goes
As the war of the roses
Mother was a victim
Father beat the system
By moving bricks to Brixton
And learning how to fix them
Liberate your sons and daughters
The bush is high
But in the hole there’s water
As you win
She’ll be the Hollywood love
And if it don’t feel good
What are you doing this for
Now tell me
Hey ho here she goes
Either a little too high or a little too low
Got no self-esteem and vertigo
‘Cause she thinks she’s made of candy
Hey ho here she goes
Either a little too loud or a little too close
There’s a hurricane in the back of her throat
And she thinks she’s made of candy
Liberate your sons and daughters
The bush is high
But in the hole there’s water
As you win
She’ll be the Hollywood love
And if you don’t feel good
What are you doing it for
What are you doing it for
What are you doing it for
What are you doing it for
What are you doing it for
What are you doing it for
What are you doing it for
What are you doing it for
What are you doing it for
Hey ho here she goes
Either a little too high or a little too low
Got no self-esteem and vertigo
‘Cause she thinks she’s made of candy
Hey ho here she goes
Either a little too loud or a little too close
There’s a hurricane in the back of her throat
And she thinks she’s made of candy
Hey ho here she goes
Either a little too high or a little too low
Got no self-esteem and vertigo
‘Cause she thinks she’s made of candy
Hey ho here she goes
Either a little too loud or a little too close
There’s a hurricane in the back of her throat
And she thinks she’s made of candy
Beneath the catchy hooks and the seemingly lighthearted tune lies a profoundly layered narrative in Robbie Williams’s ‘Candy.’ The 2012 hit single goes beyond its sugary surface to delve into a tale of tainted innocence, societal commentary, and the pursuit of validation, all wrapped up in the bubblegum packaging of pop.
Transcending the pop genre’s constraints, Williams crafts a nuanced storyline that paints a vivid image of the central character, Candice, whose life reflects more than just a craving for the sweetness of attention. It’s a story we’re enticed to explore, measure by measure, lyric by lyric.
A Candy-Coated Critique of Modern Validation
At the heart of ‘Candy’ lies a juxtaposition of childlike innocence against a backdrop of adult themes. Candice’s ‘rainbows and ponies’ stand in stark contrast to the verse’s revelation that she has developed questionable ways to garner attention from men — a direct jab at how society distorts self-worth and validation.
Williams uses ‘Candy’ to call out the superficial game of seeking approval, where ‘the boys’ only notice the external while the internal remains unexplored. In this pop parable, Candice’s desire to be noticed, and associated behaviors, serve as a mirror to our own culture’s glamorization of visibility at the cost of personal integrity.
Dissecting the Chorus: An Anthem of Imbalance
The earworm of a chorus in ‘Candy’ encapsulates Candice’s inner turmoil— oscillating between extremes. ‘A little too high or a little too low’ signifies her volatile self-esteem, influenced by how others perceive her.
Through phrases like ‘got no self-esteem and vertigo’ and the recurring ‘she thinks she’s made of candy,’ Williams poignantly emphasizes the dizzying effects of living for others’ tastes and the resulting fragility of self-identity.
The Hidden Truth in Watering the Roots of Youth
The line ‘Liberate your sons and daughters’ is a clarion call for emancipation from societal constraints that erode one’s true self. The ‘bush is high but in the hole, there’s water’ can be seen as a metaphorical instruction for nurturing the authentic self despite the challenges and distractions presented by the ‘bush’ of societal norms.
By proposing the existence of water, symbolizing life and growth, Williams insinuates a hope for rejuvenation against the systemic forces that, much like Candice, have influenced us in succumbing to external judgments rather than cultivating our natures.
The Infamous Line: Made of Candy
The memorable line, ‘she thinks she’s made of candy,’ extends beyond Candice herself and evokes an uncomfortable familiarity. It touches on a universal susceptibility to believe that our outer shells define us and that if we can just sweeten our facades enough, maybe then we’ll be palatable, desirable, and loved.
In this sticky metaphor, Williams critiques a culture that often confuses genuine self-worth with the pursuit of an appetizing exterior — a sugary shell that could crack with just a touch.
An Unsettling Narrative of Family and Societal System
The reference to Candice’s parents provides a deeper dive into her psyche. Her mother’s victimhood and her father’s defeating of ‘the system’ by adapting to his surroundings suggest a narrative that’s all too human: we often inherit the defense mechanisms and survival strategies of our predecessors, whether they serve us in the long run or not.
‘Candy’ becomes more than just the portrait of a girl seeking attention; it evolves into a snapshot of intergenerational dynamics and societal pressures, asking us to reconsider the path we’re paving for the ‘sons and daughters’ we are meant to liberate.
