Album: Darkness On The Edge Of Town (1978)

License This Song 

• In Candy's room there are pictures of her heroes on the wall
  But to get to Candy's room you gotta walk the darkness of Candy's hall
  Strangers from the city, call my baby's number and they bring her toys
  When I come knocking, she smiles pretty, she knows I want to be Candy's boy
  
  There's a sadness hidden in that pretty face
  A sadness al I her own
  From which no man can keep Candy safe
  
  We kiss, my heart's pumpin' to my brain
  And the blood rushes in my veins, the fire rushes towards the skies
  We go driving, driving deep into the night
  I go driving deep into the light, in Candy's eyes
  
  She says, Baby if you want to be wild
  You got a lot to learn, close your eyes
  Let them melt, let them fire
  Let them burn
  'Cause in the darkness, there'll be hidden worlds that shine
  When I hold Candy close she makes the hidden worlds mine
  
  She has fancy clothes and diamond rings
  She has men who give her anything she wants, but they don't see
  That what she wants is me
  
  Oh, and I want her so
  I'll never let her go, no, no, no
  She knows that I'd give
  All that I got to give
  All that I want, all that I live
  To make Candy mine
  Tonight Writer/s: Bruce Springsteen
  Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 15

• Dave from MontclairSo many people think it’s about a prostitute because that’s what the actual words of the song suggest. Strangers from the city call my baby’s number they bring her toys? why would that be, why would strangers call her and bring her gifts ? She has fancy clothes and diamond rings and men who give her anything she wants? Believe whatever you want or add whatever context you may know but the words of the song can easily be interpreted as Candy is trading sex for money.
• Allen from The Edge Of NjThis song is about Candace Smith (maiden name). Originally from PA but lived in NJ for decades. Often found in the circles that over lapped in Monmouth and Ocean counties. She was a waitress/bartender in a famous steak house (still in Red Bank), raced boats, and often hung out at Big Mans west in Red Bank after hours, when the bars closed down. She was a single parent of 3 children at the time. The kids often stopped pursuers in their tracks, but her looks and spirit kept them coming back. The gifts were a way to keep the door open. At least this is the story that was often told by Candy on the edge of town.
• Bill from NjBeautiful young woman from Lakewood NJ by the name of Candace (Candy) Yates.
• Carol from Buffalo, NyI never thought it was about a woman, prostitute or not. I thought it was about LSD and I thought the very last word was not "tonight", but was " To Eat"
• Jools from North Aurora,ilDefinitely not about a prostitute. Way to trivialize the pure, raw, desperate passion of this song into something cheap, something that can be bought. I agree with Curtis from Cornwall On Hudson; I have listened to this song literally multiple 1,000’s of times and never once caught any sense of that. Give Bruce, and “Candy”, whoever she was, real or mythical, a little more credit!
• Brian from New JerseyI was told the song was about girlfriend/photographer Lynn Goldsmith.
• Rob from NjI believe this song is about "Candy Mossler," in which she was the wife of a very rich businessman, Jacques Mossler, and she had an affair with her nephew Melvin Powers, Jacques was murdered and so it goes...
• Jim from Long Beach, CaThis was his second song fom his 4/16/09 show at the LA Sports Arena show..Great song..Candy is a "ho", but she is torn between the rich guys that shower her with material things or Bruce...I bet she is kicking herself in the ass on that one...what do you think???...LOL!!
• Christina from Fopo, NyGreat song. Best concert I've ever seen. 2nd row, center stage on the floor. We made eye contact!!!!!!!!
• Lou from Scranton, PaI never got the idea she was a prostitutre. More likely she's from an industrial city like Freehold where Bruce grew up. Close to NYC and alot of glitz but not having any herself. She's torn between the guy she loves and the rich boys from the city and the finer thigns that come with them...
• Mary from Pittsburgh, Pagreat great great song.
• Curtis from Cornwall On Hudson , NyWhat???? She's a prostitute???? hmmmm...you'd think I would have picked up on that the first 576,723 times I listened to it...
• Daniel from Melbourne, AustraliaThis song showcases MAx Weinberg's drumming and Bruce's lead guitar talents like no other!
• Adrian from Kingston, Canadagood song.. oh wait every springsteensong is good
• Matt from Wappingers Falls, Nyi dont like you then ashley

More Songfacts:

The CaveMumford & Sons

"The Cave" by Mumford & Sons is based on the philosophy of Plato and his work called "Allegory of the Cave."

ShoutThe Isley Brothers

Otis Day And The Knights, the fictional band created to perform "Shout" in the movie Animal House, became a real band, performing the song at colleges and other venues.

Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'Journey

Journey lead singer Steve Perry wrote the rather dramatic "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'" with the opening lyrics, "You make me weep, I wanna die," after seeing his girlfriend kissing another man.

Why Should I Love You?Kate Bush

The Kate Bush song "Why Should I Love You?" is a collaboration with Prince. He completely re-worked her demo, so Bush spent a lot of time piecing it back together to keep her imprint.

Forever Your GirlPaula Abdul

Paula Abdul's "Forever Your Girl" was written by Oliver Leiber, who despite being the son of Jerry Leiber from Leiber & Stoller, was an unknown songwriter.

Everything ZenBush

References to David Bowie, Tom Waits and Allan Ginsburg are peppered into the Bush song "Everything Zen."

Editor's Picks

Colbie CaillatSongwriter Interviews

Since emerging from MySpace with her hit "Bubbly," Colbie has become a top songwriter, even crafting a hit with Taylor Swift.

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?

Emilio Castillo from Tower of PowerSongwriter Interviews

Emilio talks about what it's like to write and perform with the Tower of Power horns, and why every struggling band should have a friend like Huey Lewis.

Trucking Songs That Were #1 HitsSong Writing

The stories behind the biggest hit songs about trucking.

"Private Eyes" - The Story Behind the SongSong Writing

How a goofy detective movie, a disenchanted director and an unlikely songwriter led to one of the biggest hits in pop history.

Name the Character in the SongMusic Quiz

With a few clues (Works at a diner, dreams of running away), can you name the character in the song?