About
Candy was released on 29 October 2012 as the lead single from Take the Crown. Written by Robbie Williams, Gary Barlow and Norwegian producer Todd Terje, it marked Williams’s return to the top of the UK Singles Chart, becoming his first number one in eight years. The song sold 137,000 copies in its first week, making it the fastest-selling male artist single of the year, and remained at number one for two weeks. It also topped charts across Europe and was certified platinum in multiple countries.
The track was conceived as a bright, unabashed pop anthem following Williams’s reunion with Take That. Its bouncy brass-led arrangement and catchy chorus were crafted by producer Jacknife Lee to evoke the energy of his earlier hits such as Rock DJ. Williams described Candy as “a summer song very much in a similar vein to Rock DJ,” and admitted that he chose it for its immediate, radio-friendly appeal. “I needed a hit,” he said. “This sounds like what hits sound like.”
Lyrically, the song tells the story of a vain young woman who believes the world revolves around her. Williams later joked that the line “She thinks she’s made of candy” reflected “every person who’s a bit too pleased with themselves.” The accompanying video, directed by Joseph Kahn and filmed in East London, features Williams as a guardian angel protecting a woman from harm while repeatedly injuring himself in the process. The pink suit and chainmail he wore in the video became among his most recognisable visual motifs of the era.
“It’s the story of a girl who thinks she’s the business. Her name is Candy, and I’ve slept with her. Some songs just fall out of your mouth completely formed, and that was one of them.”Robbie Williams
Candy received mixed critical reviews but was universally recognised as an infectious pop comeback. Its commercial success re-established Williams as a chart-topping solo artist and provided the platform for the strong performance of Take the Crown, confirming his continued ability to dominate British pop more than a decade into his solo career.
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
Now 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 is 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
Low 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
Got a hurricane at the back of her throat
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 will she'll be the whole of the law
And if it don't feel good
What are you doing it for
Now tell me
Hey, ho, here she goes
Either a little too high or a little too low
Low 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
Got a hurricane in the back of her throat
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 will she'll be the whole of the law
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
Low 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
Got a hurricane in the back of her throat
She thinks she's made of candy
Hey, ho, here she goes
Either a little too high or a little too low
Low 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
Got a hurricane in the back of her throat
She thinks she's made of candy
Credits
-
Vocalist
Robbie Williams -
Songwriter
Robbie Williams, Gary Barlow, Terie Olsen