Everything's Swinging: Sammy Davis Jr.'s First 35 Years | Vanity Fair

About the Song

Sammy Davis Jr.’s rendition of “The Candy Man” isn’t just a song, it’s a full-blown injection of joy. This upbeat tune, originally written for the 1971 film “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” became a signature piece for Davis Jr., showcasing his unparalleled charisma and smooth vocals.

A Song of Pure Fun: Forget the brooding ballads and introspective lyrics. “The Candy Man” is a celebration of life’s simple pleasures. The whimsical melody, punctuated by brassy flourishes and playful percussion, instantly creates a feel-good atmosphere. Davis Jr. attacks the song with infectious enthusiasm, his voice a smooth cascade of notes that perfectly captures the song’s lighthearted spirit.

Beyond the Lyrics: The lyrics themselves are a delightful confection. They paint a picture of a mysterious yet benevolent figure, the Candy Man, who brings sweetness and delight wherever he goes. Lines like “He mixes it with love and makes the world taste good” are pure silliness, but delivered with such conviction by Davis Jr. that they become undeniably charming.

A Masterful Performance: While the song’s inherent joy is undeniable, it’s Davis Jr.’s performance that elevates it to another level. His ability to scat, improvise, and infuse the melody with his own playful spirit is a masterclass in showmanship. He doesn’t just sing the song, he embodies it, becoming the life of the party and inviting the listener to join in the celebration.

A Timeless Classic: “The Candy Man” may have originated in a children’s film, but its appeal transcends age groups. It’s a song that reminds us to find joy in the little things, to savor life’s simple pleasures, and to approach the world with a sense of wonder and delight. In the hands of Sammy Davis Jr., it becomes an irresistible anthem for good moods and positive vibes. So, put on your dancing shoes, crank up the volume, and let the Candy Man take you on a journey to pure musical enjoyment.

Sammy Davis Jr, 1960s Photograph by Everett - Fine Art America

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Prepare to be transported to a world of sweetness, as Sammy Davis Jr.’s enchanting vocals and charismatic performance take center stage in this timeless masterpiece.

Whether you’re revisiting this classic or discovering it for the first time, “The Candy Man” is a song that continues to bring joy and smiles to people of all generations. Enjoy the music, and let it brighten your day! 🎶🍭

Lyrics: The Candy Man

Candy Man, hey Candy Man
Alright everybody, gather around
The Candy Man is here
What kind of candy do you want?
Sweet chocolate? Chocolate walnut candy?
Gum drops? Anything you want
You’ve come to the right man because
I’m the Candy Man

Who can take a sunrise?
(Who can take a sunrise?)
Sprinkle it with dew
(Sprinkle it with dew)
Cover it with chocolate and a miracle or two

The Candy Man (the candy man)
The Candy Man can (the candy man can)
The Candy Man can ’cause he mixes it with love
And makes the world taste good
(Makes the world taste good)

Who can take the rainbow?
(Who can take the rainbow?)
Wrap it in a sigh
(Wrap it in a sigh)
Soak it in the sun and make a groovy lemon pie

The Candy Man (the candy man)
The Candy Man can (the candy man can)
The Candy Man can ’cause he mixes it with love
And makes the world taste good
(Makes the world taste good)

The Candy Man makes everything he bakes
Satisfying and delicious
Now, you talk about your childhood wishes
You can even eat the dishes

Oh, who can take tomorrow?
(Who can take tomorrow?)
Dip it in a dream
(Dip it in a dream)
Separate the sorrow and collect up all the cream

The Candy Man (the candy man)
The Candy Man can (the candy man can)
The Candy Man can ’cause he mixes it with love
And makes the world taste good
(Makes the world taste good)

The Candy Man makes everything he bakes
Satisfying and delicious
Talk about your childhood wishes
You can even eat the dishes

Yeah, yeah, yeah, who can take tomorrow?
(Who can take tomorrow?)
Dip it in a dream
(Dip it in a dream)
Separate the sorrow and collect up all the cream

The Candy Man (the candy man)
The Candy Man can (the candy man can)
The Candy Man can ’cause he mixes it with love
And makes the world taste good
(Makes the world taste good)

Yes, the Candy Man can ’cause he mixes it with love
And makes the world taste good
(Makes the world taste good)

A candy man, a candy man, a candy man
Makes the world taste good
A candy man, a candy man, a candy man
Makes the world taste good
A candy man, a candy man

You Missed

TOBY KEITH CALLED IT THE STUPIDEST SONG HE EVER HEARD, YET A SILLY PLASTIC CUP BECAME HIS MOST UNFORGETTABLE FAREWELL. The “Red Solo Cup” was dismissed by critics as one of the worst country songs ever to become a hit. Toby Keith beat them to it—he called it the stupidest song he’d ever heard. He wasn’t being modest. It’s a spoken-word ode to a disposable plastic cup. It’s the only single on the whole album he didn’t have a hand in writing. Business Insider put it on a worst-of-the-decade list. He knew all of it, and he cut it anyway. Here’s why that’s not the own-goal it looks like. Keith wrote or co-wrote nearly everything he ever released. He heard this one—two sets of brothers goofing around under a fake band name—laughed until he couldn’t breathe, and grabbed it before anyone else could. Then he did something a vain man never would: he brought all four writers into the studio to sing and play on it, so the record would sound like them, not him. That’s the part people miss when they sneer at it. The song was never pretending to be art. It knew exactly what it was—a dumb, happy thing built to make a room full of strangers grin at the same time. Country has always been allowed that. Toby just never needed the song to make him look serious. Then February 2024 came, and stomach cancer took him at 62. At the CMT Awards that April, they handed red cups to the whole audience, his family in the crowd, and lifted them together. A joke about a plastic cup, and a room full of people crying into one.