Song meaning of Candy Says [Live at Max's Kansas City] by The Velvet Underground

"Candy Says" by The Velvet Underground is a poignant and introspective song that delves into the struggles of self-acceptance and the desire for escape. The lyrics, delivered with a sense of vulnerability and melancholy, paint a vivid picture of Candy's inner turmoil and her longing for a different perspective on life.

In the opening verse, Candy expresses her disdain for her own body and the societal expectations that come with it. She sings, "I've come to hate my body / And all that it requires in this world." This line suggests a deep dissatisfaction with herself and the pressures she feels to conform to certain standards. Candy's desire to "know completely / What others so discreetly talk about" reflects her curiosity about the experiences and perspectives of others, perhaps hoping to find solace or understanding in their stories.

The chorus of the song serves as a recurring motif, emphasizing Candy's yearning for a different reality. She longs to "watch the blue birds fly / Over my shoulder" and "watch them pass me by." These lines symbolize a desire to observe life from a distance, to detach herself from her own struggles and find solace in the simplicity of nature. The question she poses, "What do you think I'd see / If I could walk away from me," suggests a longing for a fresh perspective, a chance to escape the confines of her own mind and find clarity.

In the second verse, Candy expresses her aversion to quiet places and the weight of making significant decisions. She sings, "I hate the quiet places / That cause the smallest taste of what will be" and "I hate the big decisions / That cause endless revisions in my mind." These lines convey a sense of anxiety and the overwhelming burden of choices. Candy's dislike for quiet places may reflect her discomfort with introspection and the thoughts that arise when she is left alone with her own mind. The constant revisions in her mind imply a struggle with indecision and the fear of making the wrong choices.

Overall, "Candy Says" by The Velvet Underground explores themes of self-doubt, longing for escape, and the search for self-acceptance. The lyrics capture the inner struggles of Candy, a character who grapples with her own body image, societal expectations, and the weight of decision-making. The song's introspective nature and emotive delivery make it a poignant reflection on the complexities of the human experience.