Helen Vahdati

Song Lyric Sunday | “6, 8, 12” – Brian McKnight

Song Lyric Sunday was created by Helen Vahdati from This Thing Called Life One Word at a Time. For complete rules or to join in the fun, click here.

The theme for Song Lyric Sunday this week is “numbers”. 

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6, 8, 12–a song about devastating heartbreak appears on the album Back At One (1999) and on the album From There to Here: 1989-2002 (2002).

See my Song Lyric Sunday selection on Nesie’s Place.

Disclaimer: I have no copyrights to the song and/or video and/or hyperlinks to songs and/or videos and/or gifs above. No copyright infringement intended.

6, 8, 12

Brian McKnight

Ooh, ooh

Do you ever think about me?

Do you ever cry yourself to sleep?

In the middle of the night when you’re awake,

Are you calling out for me?

Do you ever reminisce?

I can’t believe I’m acting like this

I know it’s crazy

How I still can feel your kiss

It’s been six months, eight days, twelve hours

Since you went away

I miss you so much and I don’t know what to say

I should be over you

I should know better but it’s just not the case

It’s been six months, eight days, twelve hours

Since you went away

Do you ever ask about me?

Do your friends still tell you what to do?

Every time the phone rings,

Do you wish it was me calling you?

Do you still feel the same?

Or has time put out the flame?

I miss you

Is everything okay?

It’s been six months, eight days, twelve hours

Since you went away

I miss you so much and I don’t know what to say

I should be over you

I should know better but it’s just not the case

It’s been six months, eight days, twelve hours

Since you went away

It’s hard enough just passing the time

When I can’t seem to get you off my mind

And where is the good in goodbye?

Tell me why, tell me why

It’s been six months, eight days, twelve hours

Since you went away

I miss you so much and I don’t know what to say

I should be over you

I should know better but it’s just not the case

It’s been six months, eight days, twelve hours

Since you went away

Sing it for me

Ooh, ooh

Songwriters: Brian Kelly Mcknight / Michael Brandon Barnes

Song Lyric Sunday | “Take a Letter, Maria” – R.B. Greaves

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Song Lyric Sunday was created by Helen Vahdati from This Thing Called Life One Word at a Time. For complete rules or to join in the fun, click here.

The theme for Song Lyric Sunday this week is “letters”. 

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Even though it’s about infidelity, this upbeat song with a Latin flair was a dance favorite and quickly gained airplay reaching number two on Billboards Hot 100. Released in September of 1969, Take a Letter, Maria was certified gold in early December of the same year. It would go on to sell nearly three million copies.

So many songs about broken marriages leave you crying in your beer or scarfing down Ben & Jerry’s. R.B. Greaves doesn’t seem too broken up over his… since he asks Maria out to start a new life!

The video is from a 1969 television performance… yes, it’s lip-synced, but check out that dicta-phone!

See my Song Lyric Sunday selection on Nesie’s Place.

Disclaimer: I have no copyrights to the song and/or video and/or hyperlinks to songs and/or videos and/or gifs above. No copyright infringement intended.

 

Take a Letter, Maria

Written and sung by R.B. Greaves

Last night as I got home, about a half past ten

There was the woman I thought I knew, in the arms of another man

I kept my cool, I ain’t no fool, let me tell you what happened then

I packed some clothes and I walked out, and I ain’t going back again

So take a letter Maria, address it to my wife

Say I won’t be coming home, gonna start a new life

So take a letter Maria, address it to my wife

Send a copy to my lawyer, gotta start a new life

You’ve been many things but most of all a good secretary to me

And it’s times like this I feel you’ve always been close to me

Was I wrong to work nights to try to build a good life

All work and no play has just cost me a wife

So take a letter Maria, address it to my wife

Say I won’t be coming home, gonna start a new life

So take a letter Maria, address it to my wife

Send a copy to my lawyer, gotta start a new life

When a man loves a woman it’s hard to understand

That she would find more pleasure in the arms of another man

I never really noticed how sweet you are to me

It just so happens I’m free tonight, would you like to have dinner with me

So take a letter Maria, address it to my wife

Send a copy to my lawyer, gotta start a new life

Song Lyric Sunday | “Caravan of Love” – Isley Jasper Isley

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Song Lyric Sunday was created by Helen Vahdati from This Thing Called Life One Word at a Time. For complete rules or to join in the fun, click here.

The theme for Song Lyric Sunday this week is “Earth”. 

~~~

This feel-good song from 1985 went straight to number one on the R & B singles chart and fifty-one on the pop charts.  (British indie band The Housemartins also found success with Caravan of Love in November 1986 with their a capella song version reaching number one in the UK Singles Chart on 16 December 1986.)

In my Song Lyric Sunday post on Nesie’s Place, I mentioned the Utopia we all search for in vain. Isley Jasper Isley’s Caravan of Love is about this place of peace which is attainable if we all only reach out in love.

Disclaimer: I have no copyrights to the song and/or video and/or hyperlinks to songs and/or videos and/or gifs above. No copyright infringement intended.

Caravan of Love

Isley-Jasper-Isley

Ooh…ooh…ooh..
Ooh…ooh…ooh..
Are you ready for the time of your life
It’s time to stand up and fight
(It’s alright) It’s alright (It’s alright, it’s alright)
Hand in hand we’ll take a caravan
To the motherland
One by one we’re gonna stand with the pride
One that can’t be denied
(Stand up, stand up, stand up, stand up)
From the highest mountain and valley low
We’ll join together with hearts of gold
Now the children of the world can see
There’s a better way for us to be
The place where mankind was born
Is so neglected and torn, torn apart
Every woman, every man
Join the caravan of love (Stand up, stand up, stand up)
Everybody take a stand
Join the caravan of love
I’m your brother
I’m your brother, don’t you know
I’m your brother
I’m your brother, don’t you know
We’ll be living in a world of peace
In a day when everyone is free
We’ll bring the young and the old
Won’t you let your love flow from your heart
Every woman, every man
Join the caravan of love (Stand up, stand up, stand up)
Everybody take a stand
Join the caravan of love
I’m your brother
I’m your brother, don’t you know
I’m your brother
I’m your brother, don’t you know
Now the children of the world can see
There’s a better for us to be
The place where mankind was born
Is so neglected and torn, torn apart
Every woman, every man
Join the caravan of love (Stand up, stand up, stand up)
Everybody take a stand
Join the caravan of love
Are you ready for the time of your life
(Are you ready, are you ready)
Are you ready for the time of your life
(Are you ready, are you ready)
Come go with me
(Are you ready, are you ready)
Come go with me
(Are you ready, are you ready)
Every woman, every man
Join the caravan of love (Are you ready, are you ready)
Everybody take a stand
Join the caravan of love (Are you ready, are you ready)
Every woman, every man
Join the caravan of love (Are you ready, are you ready)
Everybody take a stand
Join the caravan of love (Are you ready, are you ready)
Songwriters: Chris Jasper / Ernest Isley / Ernie Isley / Marvin Isley

Song Lyric Sunday | “Mr. Telephone Man” – New Edition

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Song Lyric Sunday was created by Helen Vahdati from This Thing Called Life One Word at a Time. For complete rules or to join in the fun, click here.

The theme for Song Lyric Sunday this week is “phone calls/calling”. 

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I reached deep into the WayBack Machine for this 1984 hit from New Edition, Mr. Telephone Man. The number one R & B song was penned by Ray Parker, Jr. of Ghostbusters fame. (Who ya’ gonna call?)

The group’s youngest member, Bobby Brown, was fifteen at the time, which means this group of teenagers are now all in their forties AND fifties! Feel old yet? You’re welcome! 😀

See the Song Lyric Sunday selection on Nesie’s Place.

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Disclaimer: I have no copyrights to the song and/or video and/or hyperlinks to songs and/or videos and/or gifs above. No copyright infringement intended.

“Mr. Telephone Man”

Written and produced by Ray Parker, Jr.

Mr. Telephone man
There’s something wrong with my line,
When I dial my baby’s number
I get a click every time
Mr. Telephone Man
There’s something wrong with my line
When I dial my baby’s number
I get a click every timeWhen I dial 611 Computer Service
She said “Hello. May I help you, please?”
I told her something must be wrong with my phone
‘Cause my baby wouldn’t hang up on meMr. Telephone Man
There’s something wrong with my line
When I dial my baby’s number
I get a click every time
Mr. Telephone Man
There’s something wrong with my line
When I dial my baby’s number
I get a click every time

She let the phone ring 20 times before she answered
Let me tell you what happened then
A minute later
I got the operator
Saying, “Please hang up and place your call again.”

Mr. Telephone Man
There’s something wrong with my line
When I dial my baby’s number
I get a click every time
Mr. Telephone Man,
Something’s wrong with my line
I try to dial her number
I get a click every time

Some strange man is on the telephone
He keeps telling me my baby ain’t home
She got no party line
The situation’s blowing my mind
Oh, I just can’t take this anymore

Please operator
See what you can do,
I dialed the right number
But I still couldn’t get through
Could you just check the line
Just one more time if you can?
I’m pretty sure her phone
Wouldn’t be answered by no man

Mr. Telephone Man
There’s something wrong with my line
When I dial my baby’s number
I get a click every time
Mr. Telephone Man,
Something’s wrong with my line
I try to dial her number
I get a click every time

Must be a bad connection
I give her my love and affection
I just can’t take this no more
This situation’s blowing my mind
Blowing my mind
Can’t get my baby on the line

I tried dialing information
Mr. Telephone Man
I can’t get no cooperation
Mr. Telephone Man
Her sister’s on the phone
Telling me my baby ain’t at home
Come on, baby, I just can’t take it no more

Help me out
Please Mr. Telephone Man
Help me out
Please Mr. Telephone Man

Song Lyric Sunday | “All I Ask” – Adele

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Song Lyric Sunday was created by Helen Vahdati from This Thing Called Life One Word at a Time. For complete rules or to join in the fun, click here.

The theme for Song Lyric Sunday this week is “truth”.  

Like Bonnie Raitt’s I Can’t Make You Love Me, my post from a few weeks ago, Adele knows the truth but wants the lie… at least for one more night with a man who doesn’t share her feelings in All I Ask. The video is from a live performance on Ellen last February.

Song Lyric Sunday on Nesie’s Place.

Disclaimer: I have no copyrights to the song and/or video and/or hyperlinks to songs and/or videos and/or gifs above. No copyright infringement intended.

“All I Ask”

By Adele

Writer(s): Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, Adele Laurie Adkins, Christopher Brown

I will leave my heart at the door
I won’t say a word
They’ve all been said before, you know
So why don’t we just play pretend
Like we’re not scared of what is coming next
Or scared of having nothing left

Look, don’t get me wrong
I know there is no tomorrow
All I ask is

If this is my last night with you
Hold me like I’m more than just a friend
Give me a memory I can use
Take me by the hand while we do what lovers do
It matters how this ends
‘Cause what if I never love again?

I don’t need your honesty
It’s already in your eyes
And I’m sure my eyes, they speak for me
No one knows me like you do
And since you’re the only one that matters
Tell me who do I run to?

Look, don’t get me wrong
I know there is no tomorrow
All I ask is

If this is my last night with you
Hold me like I’m more than just a friend
Give me a memory I can use
Take me by the hand while we do what lovers do
It matters how this ends
‘Cause what if I never love again?

Let this be our lesson in love
Let this be the way we remember us
I don’t wanna be cruel or vicious
And I ain’t asking for forgiveness
All I ask is

If this is my last night with you
Hold me like I’m more than just a friend
Give me a memory I can use
Take me by the hand while we do what lovers do
It matters how this ends
‘Cause what if I never love again?

Song Lyric Sunday | “Neither One of Us” – Gladys Knight & the Pips

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Song Lyric Sunday was created by Helen Vahdati. For complete rules and to join in, go here.

Our theme for Song Lyric Sunday this week is “goodbye/farewell”.  

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There are dozens of great ‘goodbye’ songs but none have been with me as long as 1973’s Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye) by the amazing Gladys Knight & the Pips. I was just entering my teens and of course, that meant I was ‘grown’, right?

Neither One of Us was the title cut of the last album the group would record for Motown before moving to Buddah Records in February of 1973. Lead singer Gladys Knight recalled on A&E’s Biography that she and the group were regarded as a second-string act and that “Diana (Ross) & The Supremes, The Temptations and Marvin Gaye were given all the hits, while we took the leftovers”.

Silly Motown.

On March 17, 1973, the song reached number one on the Hot Soul Singles chart, staying there for four consecutive weeks. Due to the song’s strong crossover appeal, it eventually peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100, with Vicki Lawrence’s The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia blocking it from number one. However, it went number one on the U.S. Record World and Cashbox charts. It also crossed over to the adult contemporary chart, peaking at number 15. Worldwide, it was also successful, peaking at number 9 in France, number 11 in Canada and number 31 in the UK.

On March 2, 1974, at the Grammy Awards ceremony, Gladys Knight & The Pips won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group for Neither One of Us. Previously that same night, they had won their first Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group for Midnight Train to Georgia. [Wikipedia]

The Youtube video is of a live performance on The Midnight Special. I tend to be preoccupied (OBSESSED) with group dance moves, but for me, the Pips were second to none! (Sorry, Temptations! 😜)

See my Song Lyric Sunday selection for Nesie’s Place.

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Disclaimer: I have no copyrights to the song and/or video and/or hyperlinks to songs and/or videos and/or gifs above. No copyright infringement intended.
“Neither One Of Us”

Written by James D. Weatherly

It’s sad to think, we’re not gonna make it
And it’s gotten to the point where we just can’t fake it (Ooo)
For some unGodly reason we just won’t let it die (let it die)
I guess neither one of us (neither one of us)
Wants to be the first to say good byeI keep on wondering (wondering)
What I’m gonna do with out ya (do without you)
And I guess you must be wondering that same thing too (Ooo)
So we go on, go on together living a lie (living our lie)
Because neither one of us (neither one of us)
Wants to be the first to say good bye
Oooooh ev’rytime I find the nerve
Everytime I find the nerve to say I’m leavin’ (leavin’)
Oh, memories, those old memories get in my way (my way my way)
Oh (Ooo) Lord knows it’s only me only knows it’s only me
That I’m deceiving
When it comes to saying good bye
That’s a simple word that I just cannot say
There can be no way, there can be no way
This can have a happy ending (happy ending)
So we just go on (we go on) hurting and pretending
And convincing ourselves to give it just one more try (one more try)
Because neither one of us (Neither one of us)
Wants to be the first to say
Neither one of us (neither one of us) Wants to be the first to say
Neither one of us (Neither one of us) wants to be the first to say
Farewell my love, goodbye (goodbye)

Song Lyric Sunday | “The Comfort Zone” by Vanessa Williams

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Song Lyric Sunday is sponsored by Helen Vahdati. For more info or to join the fun, start here.

This week’s prompt is ‘Comfort’.

For me, The Comfort Zone by Vanessa Williams was an obvious choice.

The song peaked at #62 on the Billboard Hot 100, #2 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart and #25 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play Singles chart between 1991 & 1992.

It was also nominated for a Grammy Award for “Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female.”

See the #SongLyricSunday pick for my blog,  Nesie’s Place.

Disclaimer: I have no copyrights to the song and/or video and/or hyperlinks to songs and/or videos and/or gifs above. No copyright infringement intended.

 

“The Comfort Zone”
Written by Reggie Stewart and Kipper Jones

Where do we go
When there’s a need to be loved
Like you need to be loved
Oh, I’ll let you know
Just what to do and where to go
Hey welcome to the comfort zone
When you need to be loved like you need to be loved
Welcome to the comfort zone
Do whatever feels right and turns you on

After a hard day’s work
There’s one thing to be certain of
This ol’ familiar love
It’s not unusual to find that it’s sensual
It’s all you need to let go

There’s no need to try
Or compromise
Or settle for another outside of my love

The thing to do
When you get through
Heed the message seek the comfort of my zone

Hey welcome to the comfort zone
When you need to be loved like you need to be loved
Welcome to the comfort zone
Do whatever feels right and turns you on

Hey let me make you comfortable
Let me take control
And give your mind a break from the day you made
Let’s turn the lights down low
And oh the rest you know
I’ll be here for you
’cause you just stepped into the comfort zone

Song Lyric Sunday | “Total Eclipse of the Heart” – Bonnie Tyler

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Song Lyric Sunday is sponsored by Helen Vahdati. For more info or to join the fun, start here.

 

This week’s prompt is ‘natural disaster’.

Solar eclipses have caused fear, inspired curiosity, and have been associated with myths, legends, and superstitions throughout history. Even today, an eclipse of the Sun is considered a bad omen in many cultures. From fear of hungry demons and biting dogs in Vietnam to bears wrestling with the sun in Native American folklore, eclipses can easily be seen as disastrous.

Fear of solar eclipses still exists today. Many people around the world still see eclipses as evil omens that bring death, destruction, and disasters.

A popular misconception is that solar eclipses can be a danger to pregnant women and their unborn children. In many cultures, young children and pregnant women are asked to stay indoors during a solar eclipse.

But Bonnie Tyler sings of another type of eclipse – a Total Eclipse of the Heart. The song was a HUGE hit for Tyler in 1983—the year I got married—and has been covered by other artists several times. But, it’s Bonnie’s version that still reigns supreme… even if I don’t understand the totally 80s video! 😀

See my #SongLyricSunday post for my blog, Nesie’s Place, here.

Disclaimer: I have no copyrights to the song and/or video and/or hyperlinks to songs and/or videos and/or gifs above. No copyright infringement intended.

Total Eclipse of the Heart

by Bonnie Tyler

Turnaround, every now and then I get a little bit lonely
And you’re never coming round
Turnaround, every now and then I get a little bit tired
Of listening to the sound of my tears
Turnaround, every now and then I get a little bit nervous
That the best of all the years have gone by
Turnaround, every now and then I get a little bit terrified
And then I see the look in your eyes
Turnaround bright eyes, but every now and then I fall apart
Turnaround bright eyes, every now and then I fall apart
And I need you now tonight
And I need you more than ever
And if you only hold me tight
We’ll be holding on forever
And we’ll only be making it right
‘Cause we’ll never be wrong together
We can take it to the end of the line
Your love is like a shadow on me all of the time (all of the time)
I don’t know what to do and I’m always in the dark
We’re living in a powder keg and giving off sparks
I really need you tonight
Forever’s gonna start tonight
Forever’s gonna start tonight
Once upon a time I was falling in love
But now I’m only falling apart
And there’s nothing I can do
A total eclipse of the heart
Once upon a time there was light in my life
But now there’s only love in the dark
Nothing I can say
A total eclipse of the heart
Turnaround bright eyes, every now and then I fall apart
Turnaround bright eyes, every now and then I fall apart
And I need you now tonight (and I need you now)
And I need you more than ever
And if you only hold me tight (and if you only)
We’ll be holding on forever
And we’ll only be making it right (’cause we’ll never be wrong)
‘Cause we’ll never be wrong together
We can take it to the end of the line
Your love is like a shadow on me all of the time (all of the time)
I don’t know what to do and I’m always in the dark
We’re living in a powder keg and giving off sparks
I really need you tonight
Forever’s gonna start tonight
Forever’s gonna start tonight
Once upon a time I was falling in love
But now I’m only falling apart
And there’s nothing I can say
A total eclipse of the heart
A total eclipse of the heart
A total eclipse of the heart
Turn around bright eyes
Songwriters: James Richard Steinman
Total Eclipse of the Heart lyrics © Carlin America Inc

Song Lyric Sunday | “Itching in My Heart” – The Supremes

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Song Lyric Sunday is sponsored by Helen Vahdati from This Thing Called Life One Word At a Time. For the guidelines or to suggest a theme, start here.

This week’s theme is “madness.”

Like my #SongLyricSunday post on Nesie’s Place, this one is also so last century!

Ever have an itch you couldn’t scratch? It will drive you nuts!

This video is in color—go, 1966!—though it could be clearer.

The Supremes came to party and the choreography is stunning… LI-TER-AL-LY! 😀

Disclaimer: I have no copyrights to the song and/or video and/or hyperlinks to songs and/or videos and/or gifs above. No copyright infringement intended.

 

Love is Like An Itching in My Heart

by The Supremes

Songwriters: Brian Holland / Edward Jr. Holland / Lamont Herbert Dozier

The love bug done bit me,
Didn’t mean for him to get me,
Woo, get up in the morning
And I’m filled with desire,
No, no, I can’t stop the fire,
Love is real live wire,
Oo, it’s a burning sensation,
Far beyond imagination.
Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart, tearing it all apart,
Just an itching in my heart,
And, baby, I can’t scratch it.
Keeps me sighing, oo
Keeps me yearning,
No mama can’t help me,
No daddy can’t help me
I’ve been bitten by the love bug,
And I need some information
o help me out of this situation,
Now, when you’re ill you take a pill,
When you’re thirsty, drink your fill,
What you gonna do, oh yeah,
when love gets a hold, a hold on you,
Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart,
And, baby, I can’t scratch it.
Love is a nagging irritation,
Causing my heart complication,
Love is a growing infection,
And I don’t know the correction,
Got me rocking and a-reeling,
And I can’t shake the feeling.
Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart,
tearing it all apart,
Just an Itching in my heart,
And, baby, I can’t scratch it

Song Lyric Sunday | “Candy” – Cameo

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Song Lyric Sunday is sponsored by Helen Vahdati from This Thing Called Life One Word At a Time. For the guidelines or to suggest a theme, start here.

This week’s theme is “sugar/candy.”

Can’t think of  candy without Cameo’s 1985 hit of the same name coming to mind. It was a hot number on the charts and in dance clubs. But it’s probably best known for the wedding scene at the end of  1999’s The Best Man with Terrence Howard and Taye Diggs, where everyone does the Electric Slide.

The video is totally 80s! Bad lip-syncing, bad dance steps, bad acting, and 100% fun! The outfits and and hair cuts set fashion trends. Now, we know better.

But what I didn’t know, what I found out more than thirty years later is Cameo’s Candy is about… cocaine! Yes, I’m shocked too! Who knew? Why wasn’t I told sooner? Knowing this, the lyrics below take on a whole new meaning.

Disclaimer: I have no copyrights to the song and/or video and/or hyperlinks to songs and/or videos and/or gifs above. No copyright infringement intended

Candy

by Cameo

Writer(s): Ryan Toby, Will Smith, Larry Blackmon, T. Jenkins

Yeah, yeah, mmm

It’s like candy
I can feel it when you walk
Even when you talk it takes over me

You’re so dandy
I wanna know
Can you feel it too, just like I do?

Oooh!

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!

This stuff is starting now
This stuff is starting now
This stuff is starting now
Oooh!

My eyes roll in my head
I toss and turn in my bed
In the morning when I think about you

Yes, I do

Simply put you’re the reason why
Even though I’m real shy (Real shy)
I attempt to look my best for you
Indeed I do, just for you

‘Cause you affect me, fascinate me
I thank heaven for the things that you do

It’s like candy
You sure are sweet (Sweet) (Sweet)
You’re so dandy (Dandy)
You’re taking my appetite but it’s alright

It’s like candy
Oooh, vanilla
Oh, chocolate!

You look real nice, wrapped up tight
You’re so dandy
You’re giving me a heart attack
It’s the kind I like

It’s like candy
You’re so dandy

Why you do

You’re like a brand new feeling
In a special way
A surprise package
On a bright clear sunny day (You’re so dandy)

And wrapped up tight (So good)
(So good, yeaheaheah)

Strawberry (Strawberry), raspberry (Raspberry)
All those good things
Violets and gumdrops
That’s what you’re saying to me, me (Me)

Ow!

Sweet candy
Candy
It’s like candy
Sure seems like good candy to me

Oh, baby
Oh

You’re so dandy (Watch this)
Ohoho