☝️ Key Points
- 'Candy' is an emotional ballad about an apparently one-sided relationship, in which the singer expresses a deep longing and dependency on his partner.
- The singer shows effort and desperation to obtain the love or attention of his beloved, symbolized by 'sailing', which could refer to a difficult path.
- There are indications that the singer has difficulty expressing himself in the relationship and has made mistakes, but he is still willing to take care of her and spoil her.
- The singer's willingness to wait for his partner is emphasized by the repeated chorus 'I'll be there waiting for you', indicating his patience and perseverance despite difficulties.
- The last lines of the song could refer to challenges and temptations that the singer encounters while waiting for his beloved, and underline his frustration and impatience.
Interpretation
The song 'Candy' by
Paolo Nutini is an emotional ballad about an unequal relationship in which the singer feels vulnerable and unsure. The lyricist seems to have a kind of dependency or deep longing for his partner, which is symbolized through the lines 'Just give me some candy before I go' and 'Just give me some candy after my hug'. Here, 'Candy' could be a metaphor for love, affection, or even recognition.
In the first verse, Nutini describes how he tries to 'sail' to his beloved, although it's not the most honest way to travel, showing his desperation and effort to gain her attention or love.
In the following verses, he confesses that he often misinterprets and feels defeated, which could indicate that he has difficulty expressing his feelings or that he has made mistakes in the relationship. However, he is willing to take care of her and pamper her, as depicted in the lines 'Darling, I'll bathe your skin, I'll even wash your clothes'.
The repeated refrain 'I'll be there waiting for you' underscores his patience and willingness to wait for her, despite the difficulties and apparent one-sidedness of the relationship.
In the last lines of the song, Nutini mentions 'cutthroats and their jagged ends', 'cheap and sugary philosophies', and 'angels and their halos', which alludes to the challenges and temptations he encounters while waiting for his beloved. These lines could also express his frustration and impatience of being 'made to wait and wait'.
Overall, 'Candy' is a song about unrequited love, longing, and the willingness to wait for a loved one despite difficulties and challenges.