The Love Story of Howard and Genevieve Council - OKIE Magazine

Valentine’s Day celebrates two main parts of
the American body: the heart and the sweet tooth.
According to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, forty-seven
percent of consumers in this country will spend over
$1 billion in exchanged Valentine’s Day candy. Time
magazine reports that over eight billion of the iconic
“Conversation Hearts” are produced annually by the
New England Confectionary Company.
With such lucrative cravings, naturally our culture
would produce songs about our beloved candy.
Most often, candy has been used as a metaphor for
satisfying other human cravings in odes which span
across the genres.
Perhaps the most obvious sweet tooth anthem is
“I Want Candy” by Bow Wow Wow, an upbeat ‘80s
earworm that has nothing to do with confectionaries.
“Candy Girl” by the Archies is more innocent, much like
“Candy Girl” by New Edition and “Candy” by Mandy
Moore. Christina Aguilera praises the man who loves
her right in “Candyman,” while Annie dismisses a
would-be suitor in “Chewing Gum.” Marcy Playground
landed their only claim to fame with “Sex and Candy,”
an ode to boredom.
Alternative rock also has a sweet side. The Jesus
and Mary Chain return to a lover they did wrong in
“Just Like Honey.” “Lips Like Sugar” by Echo and the
Bunnymen is a tribute to the perfect alt girl, although
“Candyman” by Siouxsie and the Banshees is a
D’Angelo sings about a girl he knew named “Brown
Sugar” in his velvety way. In Date Movie, “Candy
Shop” by 50 Cent featuring Olivia is sung as a joke
between the two protagonists. Kelis will never have
by Lil Wayne has a catchy beat, but is not about
lollipops. The always modest Lil’ Kim references a
classic Tootsie Roll commercial in “How Many Licks?”
featuring Sisqo. City High’s “Caramel” features the
female singer bragging about herself.
Some of the best sugary songs are found in classic
rock. The Undertones wrote the perfect punk jingle for
“Mars Bar.” Iggy Pop reminisces about a girl named
“Candy.” Two of the most notorious hair metal anthems
are “Pour Some Sugar On Me” by Def Leppard and
“Cherry Pie” by Warrant. The infamous “Brown Sugar”
by the Rolling Stones was once banned by the
Chinese government from being performed live in their
country due to lyrical content.
What are your favorite candy-themed songs? Which
songs were erroneously left out of this compilation?
Are any of these songs on your playlist for Valentine’s
Day? All feedback is welcome at taylorb@
okiemagazine.com.
Taylor B, an Army Brat via Fort Sill, will be spending
Singles Awareness Day with Ben & Jerry. As usual.
Justin Timberlake ft. Jay-Z, “Suit & Tie” Grade: D
This song is evidence for why
one should not deviate from
their talents for six years. Even
with the aimless smooth vibe
and a phoned-in verse from
H.O.V.A., expect to hear this at
every wedding reception for the
foreseeable future.
Yo La Tengo, Fade Grade: B
as a band, Yo La Tengo certainly
still has it. This warm album
sounds like summer, complete
with joyful, luscious orchestration.
Fade occasionally ventures into a
formless haze, but it makes for a
worthwhile audio journey.
A$AP Rocky, LONG.LIVE.A$AP Grade: B+
This album was delayed twice
is manifest. This debut album
masters the fusion of hip hop and
EDM. Although guest vocalists
– including Kendrick Lamar,
Santigold, Drake, and Florence
Welch – enhance the experience,
A$AP Rocky easily stands his own
ground as a newcomer
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