About
Candy appears midway through XXV, offering a burst of brightness within the orchestral set. Originally released in 2012 on Take the Crown, the song’s cheeky energy and brass pop hooks remain central to this updated version, which was arranged by Steve Sidwell.
Retaining much of the structure and buoyant spirit of the original, the XXV edition simply exchanges studio polish for live orchestral flair. Horns and strings replace the programmed horns and guitars, while Williams’s voice, now lower and richer, adds warmth to its playfully irreverent lyrics. The result feels closer to a full stage performance than a pop record, trading sugar-coated exuberance for old-school swing charm.
Though the arrangement does not deviate dramatically from its 2012 predecessor, the live instrumentation lends Candy an added sense of theatre and sophistication. Its infectious rhythm and singalong chorus still carry the same mischievous joy that made it a crowd favourite, especially during Williams’s live shows.
“I’m not really that keen on it, but I like it for the reaction it gets. It’s a crowd pleaser at concerts.”Robbie Williams
Light-hearted and unabashedly fun, Candy provides a welcome change of pace on XXV. Its orchestral reworking keeps all the original sparkle while adding the grandeur of a live big-band performance.
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 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
A 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
Her 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
A 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
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
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
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
Got a hurricane in the back of her throat
She thinks she's made of candy
Credits
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Vocalist
Robbie Williams