Candyman (Grateful Dead song)
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| "Candyman" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Grateful Dead | |
| from the album American Beauty | |
| Released | November 1, 1970 |
| Studio | Wally Heider Studios, San Francisco |
| Genre | |
| Length | 6:14 |
| Label | Warner Bros. |
| Songwriter(s) | |
| Producer(s) |
|
"Candyman" is a song by the American folk rock band Grateful Dead from their 1970 album American Beauty, written by Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter.
Multiple different songs with the title "Candyman" existed before the Grateful Dead's song, most of them having very sexual themes in their lyrics.[3]
Composition and lyrics
The lyrics of "Candyman" describe rural gambling and the dark side of country social circles.[1]
Recording
According to Ned Lagin, who played the piano on the track, he played "exactly what was required" for his piano part, while claiming he "never thought he should do any more than that".[4]
Reception
David Gans recounted an interview in his book Conversations with the Dead: The Grateful Dead Interview Book where Garcia called "Candyman" "pretty blatant".[5] Matthew Greenwald called it a "mournful, slow blues with country shading", while noting that the harmonies were inspired by Crosby Stills & Nash.[1]
Personnel
Grateful Dead
- Jerry Garcia – lead vocals, electric guitar
- Bill Kreutzmann – drums
- Bob Weir – rhythm guitar
- Phil Lesh – bass[1]
- Mickey Hart – percussion
Other musicians
- Ned Lagin – piano[4]
- Howard Wales – organ
