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Reinterpreting the Lyrics to Mandy Moore's "Candy"

-- To keep all the skills I acquired as an English major as sharp as possible, I've decided to do an analysis of one of the greatest poems ever written. Of course, I'm talking about "Candy" by Mandy Moore. Enjoy. --

"Candy"

I'm so addicted
To the lovin that you're feeding to me

-- Right away we get that the speaker is very vague, but also, obese. She can't stop eating the "love" that her partner is giving her. What is this love? At this point, we're not sure. We have the title to go by, but could she really be talking about an addiction to Skittles? Let's press on. --

Can't do without it
This feeling's got me weak in the knees

-- The speaker is physically ill as a result of her addiction. At this point, we might ask ourselves: Could candy be a code word for something more sinister? La cocaina, perhaps? Baby powder? Sweet meat? Casper's Cookie? Within four lines, we're aware that the speaker's got it bad, and there might not be a cure. --

Body's in withdrawal
Everytime you take it away

-- Yup, it's coke alright. --

Can't you hear me callin'
Begging you to come out and play?

-- But wait, what's this? A curveball. Maybe the speaker's not talking to her dealer, begging for another taste of that sweet milky talcum touch. Maybe the speaker in a white van looking to score a little innocence before heading back home to clear out the home computer's browsing history. Have we been duped into feeling sorry for this sicko? --

So baby come to me

-- Are we talking about an actual baby here? Are we vomiting yet? We might be. --

Show me who you are

-- Okay, maybe not a baby. But just what does "show me who you are" mean? Is the speaker addicted to something a stranger's giving her? What do strangers give you? ...Candy, perhaps? --

Sweet to me
Like sugar to my heart

-- A stranger being sweet--maybe the song is about a kid-toucher after all, except the SPEAKER IS THE KID! God, this song is f**ked up. --

I'm cravin' for you
I'm missin' you like candy

-- But wait, there's a simile. The speaker is missing her beloved LIKE candy. We still haven't had the physical presence of candy yet. Perhaps the song is about a guy named Scott who hangs out outside supermarkets and gives smack to high school girls who then mistake their addiction as love for him...and maybe somehow Twix are involved. --

Sweet, sweet lovin'
Got me going to the extreme

-- The extreme? What is our speaker talking about? Has she started turning tricks for Scott? Has she mugged old ladies? Did she sell her mother's VCR? Why does her mother still have a VCR? Who has VCR's anymore? Is it really such a tragedy if she sells it? Shouldn't her mother have upgraded to DVD's by now? --

Won't go without it
This vibe has got a hold on me

-- Vibe...interesting word choice. Let's consult the dictionary to see if there could be a hidden meaning here.

Vibe: (noun) the atmosphere or aura of a person or place as communicated to and felt by others.

Well that didn't help at all. Thanks, dictionary. You've failed me again. --

Satisfying, baby
Let me show you what I'm made of

-- Yup, she's definitely hooking. --

No doubt about it boy

-- Okay, so we know she's a girl--or a gay guy. A gay drug addict turning it out on the streets to keep that "vibe" going. Maybe his name is Rafael. --

Got me feeling crazy
Can't get enough

-- Rafael is slowly losing his mind. Descending into the depths of Hell to try and keep a hold on Scott not realizing that Scott is the one holding all the puppet strings in his twisted hands. --

Baby, baby, baby, won't you come to me
Show me who you are

-- Rafael wants to love Scott, but Scott's heart is made of stone because as a child his father beat him with wooden utensils. Rafeal has to say "baby" over and over again to get his dealer pimp's attention because Scott is blinded by his abusive past. --

Sweet to me
Like sugar to my heart

-- The sweetness Rafael is tasting is his own blood as it trickles down his chin after a particularly nasty incident with a John outside a TGIFriday's. He's scared to tell Scott about...as he should be. --

I'm cravin' for you
I'm missin' you like candy

-- This time "candy" means bandages for his physical wounds, and a great big hug. --

You know who you are

-- Now Rafeal is addressing us directly. Saying--"You know who you are. You people of Society, who refuse to help poor little gay coke addicts like me! Don't turn away! I'm here! Acknowledge me! Don't judge me because of my 'candy' addiction!" It's gone from sad to devastating. --

Your love's as sweet as candy
I'll be forever yours
Love always, Mandy

-- Okay, here's where it gets really sick. Rafael has developed an alternative personality to deal with all that's happening with him. He's named it Mandy, and sometimes he rocks back and forth repeating his message of devotion and licking a Snickers bar. --

Boy I'm cravin'
Missin' you like candy

-- From here on in, it just gets really disturbing. --

So there you have it.

An in-depth look at one of America's most underrated American tragedies in the form of an epic poem detailing the gritty underbelly of addiction and desire.

Whew, that took a lot out of me.

I think I'm going to need some Peanut M&M's.

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