Candy | Chords + Lyrics
Intro
||: G | G | A | Bm :||
Yeah, hm.
Chorus 1
| G | G | A | Bm |
It’s like candy, I can feel it when you walk, even when you talk it takes over me.
| G | G | A | Bm Bb5 A5 Ab5 |
You’re so dandy, I wanna know, can you feel it too, just like I do? (Just like I do, hoo).
Verse 1
||: G | G | A | Bm :||
This stuff is starting now, it’s the same feeling I always seem to get around you.
There’s no mistaking, I’m clearly taken by the simple mere thought of you (oh).
Instrumental
| G | G | A | Bm Bb5 A5 Ab5 |
Verse 2 (as verse 1)
This stuff is starting now (this stuff is starting now). This stuff is starting now (oh). This stuff is starting now (hoo).
My eyes roll in my head. I toss and turn in my bed, in the morning when I think about you.
Verse 3
| G | G | A | Bm |
Yes, I do. Simply put, you’re the reason why, even though I’m real shy (real shy).
| G | G | A | Bm Bb5 A5 Ab5 |
I attempt to look my best for you. Indeed, I do (just for you).
| G | G | A | Bm |
‘Cause you affect me, fascinate me, I thank Heaven for the things that you do (for the things that you do).
Chorus 2
| G | G | A | Bm Bb5 A5 Ab5 |
It’s like candy (candy), oh. You sure are sweet, sweet (sweet).
| G | G | A | Bm |
You’re so dandy (dandy). You’re taking my appetite, but it’s all right.
Guitar solo
| G | G | A | Bm |
Chorus 3
| G | G | A | Bm |
It’s like candy (candy) (Ooh, vanilla, oh, chocolate). Look real nice (real nice), wrapped up tight.
| G | G |
You’re so dandy (dandy) (Would you mind if I had a little bit more of your time?).
| A | Bm Bb5 A5 Ab5 |
Giving me a heart attack, it’s the kind I like (oh, oh, oh).
Sax solo
| G N.C | N.C | (F#) G N.C | N.C |
| G | G | A | Bm |
It’s like candy (candy).
| G | G | A | Bm |
You’re so dandy (dandy). What you do (what you do).
| G | G | A | Bm |
| G | G | A | Bm Bb5 A5 Ab5 |
Verse 4
| G | G | A | Bm |
You’re like a brand new feeling (feeling), in a special way, a surprise package on a bright clear sunny day.
| G | G | A | Bm Bb5 A5 Ab5 |
You’re so dandy (dandy) and wrapped up tight. So good, so good (yeah, yeah, yeah).
Outro
| G | G |
Strawberry (strawberry), raspberry (raspberry) all those good things.
| A | Bm |
Violets and gumdrops, that’s what you’re saying to me, me (me, oh).
||: G | G | A | Bm :||
Sweet candy, candy.
It’s like candy (candy), sure seems like good candy to me (good candy to me), oh, baby (oh).
You’re so dandy, just keep doing what you do, baby (oh, yeah) (Doing to me, yeah, doing to me).
Candy Chords: A Funky Twist on a Classic Progression
Candy may have simple chords, but what Cameo does with them is anything but!
Typically, this progression moves down from Bm – A – G, a classic VI – V – IV sequence. Songs like One More Cup of Coffee (in Am rather than Bm) and All Along the Watchtower follow a similar pattern.
In Candy, however, the sequence starts on G (IV) and holds for two bars before ascending to A (V) and Bm (VI). The only additional element is a chromatic descending guitar riff that occasionally leads back to G, like this:
| G (IV) | G | A (V) | Bm (VI) Bb5 (bVI) A5 (V) Ab5 (bV) |
The trickiest part of playing Candy’s chords and riffs is knowing exactly when this chromatic descent appears. Rather than relying on a chart, it’s best to follow Candy’s chords and lyrics to internalise the structure.
Of course, getting the syncopation right and finding the best position on the neck for the riff is crucial. To help with that, here’s a link to a TAB lesson: Candy – Guitar Lesson with TAB.
The legendary Michael Brecker’s incredible sax solo makes me want to create a full step-by-step guitar lesson on this song. Until then, there’s a video in the playlist that transcribes it. Since it’s a saxophone part, it’s transposed up a tone—those guys are so weird!
I’ve also put together a chord chart that describes the form and indicates when to play the chromatic lines.
Candy Chord Chart | PDF + iReal Pro
The biggest challenge with Candy—aside from the solos!—is knowing exactly when those chromatic lines appear. In the chord chart above, I had to indicate them using text, as anything else became overly complicated.
Should you want to download this chart, here’s a PDF: Candy chord chart PDF.
This chord chart was created using iReal Pro, here’s a link to that file: Candy chord chart iReal Pro.
Using this and the iRealPro app, you can transpose the song, though I doubt that will ever be necessary. However, if you’d like to experiment, you could try adjusting the layout to better indicate where the chromatic line appears.
If you manage to create a clearer chord chart than mine—let me know!
Candy and the electric slide!
Released in 1986, Candy performed reasonably well in the charts, but its lasting legacy is far more impressive.
Nearly three decades later, this Cameo classic is still a favourite among DJs and live bands. The reason? Audience participation. The song became linked to the Electric Slide, a line dance featured during the credits of The Best Man (1999) (see playlist above). Ever since, whenever a band plays it at a wedding, the crowd instinctively joins in!
The incredible sax solo—played by the legendary Michael Brecker—makes me want to put together a step-by-step guitar lesson for this tune.
Until that happens, there’s a video in the playlist with a transcription. Since it’s a saxophone solo, it’s transposed up a tone—those guys are so weird!
If you’re keen to play sax solos on the guitar, check out my lessons for Respect and Get Ready.
Candy Chords: Continue Learning
Want to master this song? Check out the full TAB lesson here: Candy (Cameo) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Alternatively, here are five similar tunes you might enjoy: