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Candy (Robbie Williams song)

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"Candy"
Song

"Candy" is a song by English pop singer, Robbie Williams from his ninth studio album, Take the Crown (2012). It was released as the album's lead single in the United Kingdom as a digital download on 28 October 2012. The song was written by Williams, Gary Barlow and Terje Olsen, and produced by Jacknife Lee.

It is an upbeat pop song and lyrically, it talks about a girl who thinks she's great. It received favourable reviews from music critics, who noted that it was a catchy radio hit. However, some critics noted that it leaves no impressions at the end. Commercially, the song was a success, topping the UK Singles Chart, while it reached the top-ten in Austria, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and more. In the song's music video, Williams plays a guardian angel who causes all sorts of trouble trying to protect a beautiful mortal. Despite wearing a pink suit, the singer is invisible to his charge, played by actress Kaya Scodelario.

The song is in the game Just Dance 2014. It is also one of the select songs available on the demo version.

Background and release

The track was originally rumoured to be titled "Vertigo". Williams said of the track: "It's a summer song, very much in a similar vein to 'Rock DJ', about a girl who thinks she's great. And she might be, but she's a bit nefarious with her ways. Some songs take an age to write and some songs just fall out of your mouth completely formed, and you don't have to think about it. I don't know why that fell out of my mouth and out of my brain at that particular time – it just did."[1] On 10 September, Williams debuted "Candy" on Radio 2's Breakfast Show with host Chris Evans.[2] The official artwork for the track features a model of Williams's head covered in pink and red spots.[2]

"Candy" was written by Robbie Williams, Gary Barlow and Terje Olsen, while production was handled by Jacknife Lee.[3] The song samples Norwegian producer Todd Terje‘s single "Eurodans".[4] It is an upbeat pop track about a girl with a jumped-up opinion of herself.[5] In the hook, he uses nursery rhymes about the plague and taxes.[6] "Hey ho here she goes/ Either a little too high or a little too low/ Got no self-esteem and vertigo/ Cause she thinks she's made of candy," Williams chants on the chorus.[7] The song contains melodic elements of the nursery rhyme Ring a Ring o' Roses and contains the title of the rhyme at the start of the second verse.

Reception

Critical response

Lewis Corner of Digital Spy gave the song 4 out of 5 stars, writing that "'Candy' doesn't touch the dizzying heights of 'Rock DJ' or 'Angels', but it's also far from his worst song to date." Corner also wrote: "Robbie chants on a bouncy, playground chant of a chorus brassier than his stage persona – and there within lies the charm."[7] John Bush of AllMusic wrote that "The trailer single 'Candy' is a trite, uptempo track with a sing-song chorus but not much of a shelf life, it's the perfect radio hit."[8] Sam Lanksy of Idolator wrote the song "is sprightly and spunky with a clever hook — arguably the best sweets-related diss since Annie's 'Chewing Gum.'"[9] Tom Hocknell of BBC Music called it "catchier than Velcro, although it’s unclear why anyone needs to own it – after the second listen it owns you. It’s eager to please, certainly."[10]

Alexis Petridis of The Guardian was less positive, writing that "[...] It's so desperate to be a smash hit that it ends up sounding like one of those novelty singles that used to blight the September charts, bought by returning holidaymakers with rosy memories of the hotel disco; all it's lacking is an accompanying dance."[11] Philip Matusavage of musicOMH also gave the song a mixed review, writing that "It's a neat précis of the problems facing Robbie in 2012. Its bouncy dancehall brass is undeniably and infectiously catchy but it’s also short-lived; the song leaves no impression at its end."[12] Kitty Empire of The Observer observed that "it would better suit a boy band in a Caribbean time warp. But somehow, it looks as if it will re-establish Williams's presence in the charts today, regardless."[13]

Chart performance

In Germany, "Candy" broke an airplay record for being played more times during a week than any other song ever.[14] It peaked at number 3 on the main chart. In Austria, the song was a success, debuting and peaking, for three consecutive weeks, at number 4 on the Ö3 Austria Top 40 chart.[15] "Candy" was a growing success in the Netherlands, debuting at number 27 on the Dutch Top 40 chart.[16] After six weeks climbing the charts, the song entered the top-ten, reaching number 6, on 10 November 2012. In the Dutch Mega Top 100 "Candy" reached number 1 on 17 November 2012.[16] It reached top 10 in more than 20 countries, and Top 40 in other territories including Japan and New Zealand.

In his native UK, despite BBC Radio 1 not putting it on their playlist, "Candy" gathered over 10,000 radio spins before the official digital release.[17] The song later achieved more than 30,000 spins on UK radio.[18] On the UK Singles Chart, "Candy" became the singer's first number-one in eight years (the last being 2004's "Radio"), his seventh solo UK number-one and the 14th number-one of his career (including Take That and solo material).[19] It also became his fastest-selling single in the UK since "Rock DJ" 12 years earlier, and with 137,000 copies sold that week, it also became the fastest-selling male artist single of the year, and the third fastest-selling single of 2012 overall.[20] The song remained number one on the UK singles chart for a second week, shifting 90,000 copies.[21] It was the 22nd best-selling single of 2012 in the UK, with sales of 503,000.[22] In June 2013, "Candy" became Robbie's second biggest hit in the UK, after "Angels", with sales passing the 650,000 mark.

Music video

A music video to accompany the release of "Candy" was first released onto YouTube on 10 September 2012 at a total length of three minutes and twenty-five seconds.[23] The video was filmed in Spitalfields in east London in the summer of 2012 and was directed by Joseph Kahn.[24] In the video, Williams plays a guardian angel who causes all sorts of trouble trying to protect a beautiful mortal. Despite wearing a pink suit, Williams is invisible to his charge, played by Skins actress Kaya Scodelario.[5]

The video begins when Candice (played by Scodelario), dressed in a royal blue dress and huge sunglasses, pushes past Rob and struts along a London street. Men are captivated by her beauty, with one even getting run over. Instead of helping him, she takes a photo of him on her phone and then sends it to her friends with a LMAO caption. As she is walking and texting, Williams, who is invisible to the naked eye, clears the pavements for her. He uses his supernatural powers to move pedestrians and workmen out of her way. At one point, he shoves an elderly couple to the ground before jumping in front of a moving car to stop her from being run over. As he lies on the ground dancing, another car drives over him but he remains unscathed. Williams finally gets some one on one time with the actress when she stops for a coffee. However, she is more interested in applying her make-up than making small talk, and Williams is left singing to himself.[5]

When Candice takes a black cab ride, Williams' actions take an even more extreme turn and he launches himself through the windscreen in a bid to get her attention. Later, he's shattering glass again when a man throws him through the window of a pub. This seems to be one accident too many, and the hunk is then seen surrounded in a white chalk outline like an American murder victim. Williams' next incarnation is as a knight on a white horse - complete with enormous angel wings. As he rides behind her on his gallant steed she remains unaware of his presence. The song draws to an end as Williams continues to take the brunt of possible accidents. He crouches in front of a cyclist, sending him flying, walks through a pane of glass, and gets run over again. The finale of his bravery comes when a piano is dropped on him from a great height and he spontaneously combusts in order to torch some low flying pigeons before merging with Candice.[5]

Formats and track listings

Digital download
No.TitleLength
1."Candy"3:21
Digital EP, Brazilian promo CD single
No.TitleLength
1."Candy"3:21
2."Candy" (Max Sanna & Steve Pitron Remix)6:52
3."Candy" (Major Look Remix)4:26
4."Candy" (More Candy)7:07
CD single[25]
No.TitleLength
1."Candy"3:21
2."Candy" (Max Sanna & Steve Pitron Remix)6:56
2013 Brit Awards
No.TitleLength
1."Candy (Live from the BRITs)"3:30

Credits and personnel

  • Lead vocals – Robbie Williams
  • Producers – Jacknife Lee, Terje Olsen
  • Lyrics – Gary Barlow, Robbie Williams
  • Music – Gary Barlow, Terje Olsen
  • Label - Universal Records

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Austria (IFPI Austria)[58] Gold 15,000*
Germany (BVMI)[59] Gold 150,000^
Italy (FIMI)[60] 2× Platinum 60,000*
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[61] Gold 15,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[62] Platinum 600,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Country Date Format
Worldwide[63] 25 September 2012 Digital download
United Kingdom[64] 28 October 2012
Germany, Switzerland
& Austria 		2 October 2012[65]
8 October 2012[66] CD single

References

  1. ^ "TAKE THE CROWN: NEW ALBUM OUT 5TH NOVEMBER". Robbie Williams.com. 2 September 2012. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  2. ^ a b "Robbie Williams debuts new single". The Telegraph. London. 10 September 2012. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  3. ^ "Robbie Williams – Take The Crown (CD, Album) at Discogs". Discogs. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  4. ^ "Robbie Williams Taps Todd Terje's 'Eurodans' on New Single 'Candy'". Spin. 11 September 2012. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  5. ^ a b c d Gritt, Emma (11 September 2012). "Candy girls, car smashes and heavenly creatures: Robbie Williams wreaks havoc as a guardian angel in his new video". London: Daily Mail. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  6. ^ Wilkinson, Sophie (30 October 2012). "NME Tracks - Robbie Williams - 'Candy'". NME. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  7. ^ a b "Robbie Williams: 'Candy' - Single review". Digital Spy. Retrieved 27 October 2012.
  8. ^ John Bush. "Take the Crown". Allmusic. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
  9. ^ Lansky, Sam (11 September 2012). "Robbie Williams Goes "Candy"-Colored In New Video". Idolator. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  10. ^ "Music - Review of Robbie Williams - Take the Crown". BBC. 5 November 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
  11. ^ Alexis Petridis (1 November 2012). "Robbie Williams: Take the Crown – review". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
  12. ^ Matusavage, Philip (5 November 2012). "Robbie Williams - Take The Crown". musicOMH. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  13. ^ Kitty Empire (4 November 2012). "Robbie Williams: Take the Crown – review | Music | The Observer". London: Guardian. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
  14. ^ "Robbie Williams mit Radiorekord – Besuch bei kleinem deutschem Lokalsender". Klatsch-Tratsch.de. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012.
  15. ^ a b "Robbie Williams – Candy" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  16. ^ a b "ROBBIE WILLIAMS - CANDY (NUMMER)". Dutch Charts. Retrieved 29 December 2012.
  17. ^ "Congratulations to @robbiewilliams on receiving over 10,000 plays on UK radio for "Candy"". Twitter - Nielsen Music UK. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012.
  18. ^ "Congratulations to @robbiewilliams for winning a @NielsenMusicUK Airplay Award for reaching 30,000 plays on UK Radio with "Candy"". Twitter - Nielsen Music UK. Archived from the original on 8 December 2012.
  19. ^ Eames, Tom (4 November 2012). "Robbie Williams scores first No.1 single since 2004 with 'Candy'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  20. ^ "Robbie Williams equals Gary Barlow's career tally as Candy hits Number 1". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 5 November 2012.
  21. ^ Robbie Williams Crowned U.K. Charts King: Top Song, Album | Billboard
  22. ^ Dan Lane (2 January 2013). "The Official Top 40 Biggest Selling Singles of 2012 revealed!". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  23. ^ Robbie Williams - Candy on YouTube
  24. ^ "Robbie Williams at Spitalfields".
  25. ^ Robbie Williams - Candy (CD) at Discogs
  26. ^ "Robbie Williams Chart Positions". Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  27. ^ http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20121113-1611/Issue1185.pdf
  28. ^ "Robbie Williams – Candy" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  29. ^ "Robbie Williams – Candy" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  30. ^ "Robbie Williams – Candy" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  31. ^ "Robbie Williams – Candy" (in French). Ultratip.
  32. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 42. týden 2012 in the date selector.
  33. ^ "Robbie Williams – Candy". Tracklisten.
  34. ^ "Robbie Williams – Candy – Euro Digital Songs". Billboard.biz. Archived from the original on 8 November 2012.
  35. ^ "Robbie Williams – Candy" (in French). Les classement single.
  36. ^ "Listat - Radio Nova - Suomen suosituimmat vko 42/2012".
  37. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  38. ^ "Chart Track: Week 44, 2012". Irish Singles Chart.
  39. ^ "Media Forest Week 46, 2012". Israeli Airplay Chart. Media Forest.
  40. ^ "Robbie Williams - Candy - Top Digital Download" (in Italian). Federation of the Italian Music Industry. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  41. ^ "Robbie Williams Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard.
  42. ^ "Robbie Williams – Candy – Lebanese Charts". Billboard.biz. Archived from the original on 15 November 2012.
  43. ^ "Robbie Williams – Candy – Luxembourg Digital Songs". Billboard.biz. Archived from the original on 15 November 2012.
  44. ^ "Mexico Ingles - Robbie Williams – Candy". Billboard.biz. Archived from the original on 5 November 2012. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  45. ^ "Robbie Williams – Candy" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  46. ^ "Robbie Williams – Candy". Top 40 Singles.
  47. ^ "Norway Digital Songs – Robbie Williams – Candy". Billboard.biz. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  48. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  49. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 20132 into search.
  50. ^ "Robbie Williams – Candy" Canciones Top 50.
  51. ^ "DigiListan – Robbie Williams – Candy". Sveriges Radio. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  52. ^ "Robbie Williams – Candy". Singles Top 100.
  53. ^ "Robbie Williams – Candy". Swiss Singles Chart.
  54. ^ "Ukrainian Top 40 - Robbie Williams – Candy". FDR. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012.
  55. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  56. ^ "Top 100 Singles Jahrescharts 2012" (in German). VIVA. Viacom International Media Networks. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  57. ^ "MAHASZ Rádiós TOP 100 2012" (in Hungarian). Mahasz. Retrieved 18 January 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  58. ^ "Austrian single certifications – Robbie Williams – Candy" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
  59. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Robbie Williams; 'Candy')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
  60. ^ "Italian single certifications – Robbie Williams" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 20 November 2012. Select "Tutti gli anni" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Type "Robbie Williams" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
  61. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (Robbie Williams)". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 December 2012.
  62. ^ "British single certifications – Robbie Williams". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 14 December 2012. Select singles in the Format field. Select Platinum in the Certification field. Type Robbie Williams in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  63. ^ Candy Release Dates Worldwide
  64. ^ Candy EP iTunes UK
  65. ^ Amazon.de Digital download
  66. ^ Amazon.de CD Single
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