Today's song: Candy by Mandy Moore
Today we resume our epic journey arising a simple albeit ambiguous request to do a post on Candy, by Mandy Moore. Yesterday you were regaled with the tale of my false starts regarding this topic. It was not all in vain, I assume many of you were entertained at my efforts at ascertaining which song entitled Candy was the intended subject of my efforts. Like Johnathan Stroud's eponymous hero of the Bartimaeus Sequence, I endeavored to faithfully and completely discharge my duties as commanded. And like Bartimaeus my faithful efforts were treated with mockery and scorn by the one to whose bidding I was subject. Take this as a warning, dear reader, be careful when you place yourself under the power of another.
On to the topic at hand, as I am sure you grow tired of my lamentations. Where does one begin with this subject? When trying to do anther's will it is best to look at your charge which here is contained in fifteen words and one abbreviation, "BTW, the pick is Candy. I want to see how creative you can get with it." I think after yesterday's posting, it is safe to assume that the edict to be 'creative' has been met and perhaps even exceeded. The exact words with which I was greeted yesterday from my Patron were, "Nice blog, Bobby." It would therefore be appropriate to pursue a straightforward approach with today's post.
It would be easy to write a screed about yet another effort to put forth an artist whose success is more dependent on good marketing than upon talent or merit. But as I have previously explained, bubblegum pop has its place. I will not be another voice in the chorus decrying its stale product devoid of true meaning. If you feel that way, then you my jaded reader, are not the intended audience and you would do well to allow those to whom this art is directed to allow themselves to enjoy its innocent pleasures for just a while longer.
Besides what could I say that would be more scathing than what Ms. Moore herself has had to say about her earliest music efforts? She says, "Ugh, those were awful. If I had the money, I would give a refund to everyone who bought my first two albums. Whenever people ask, 'Which of your albums should I listen to?' I say, 'nothing But Coverage'. Burn the rest."
I will say that I disagree with the haters, as I so often do. Even Ms. Moore is not completely dismissive of her earliest songs. She still occasionally will perform Candy at her concerts to the delight of her fans. She has updated it by injecting elements of rock and blues as befits an artist who has grown in range and talent has she has matured. But even in its original form Candy has its merits that we would do well to recognize.
As I have proclaimed many times I am not equipped to engage in a rigorous critical analysis of any work of song, but that will not be my intent today. Today I will discuss something that I well equipped to discuss, the power of imprinting on the male psyche.
When you watch Mandy Moore in Candy it is easy to imagine the effect it could have on the young male psyche awash with hormones undergoing its transition from fixation on such juvenile interests as candy (the treat, not the song) and ninjas to that one overriding interest that will be the greatest source of satisfaction and frustration for the rest of the new man's existence: the female form.
Somewhere in your early teen years you will encounter that one girl who will become the polestar for you attraction and affections for the rest of life. Upon becoming aware this girl your heart will be forever hers and in some strange way you will know deep down in the deepest parts of your soul that this is your girl. For me as a lad of fourteen it was the discovery of Christy Turlington. It is not chance that my first love and first object of infatuation
were both lithe chestnut haired beauties and I remain enthralled by
such specimens today. For others who are my contemporaries it may have been Winona Ryder in Lucas or Beetlejuice. For a lucky few it may have been a young Heather Graham in License to Drive. And for at least one young man born a couple of decades later it was Candy by Mandy Moore.
Watching this video I can see that it could easily have an impact on the young teen mind that would forever turn him fixate in his mind what the perfect female would look like. Once such imprinting has taken place like a duckling he will forever follow the object of his affection and will remain steadfast even though her transformations from Blonde to Raven tressed beauty. He will enjoy anything she does from light pop to a turn as a comedic actress. He will even forswear other objectively more desirable women to remain true to his first love.
Candy can be viewed as a celebration youthful infatuation. For those who encountered during that critical window of their youth it will always be the best video of all time. If you try to take that away from them then you are indeed a heartless monster no better than Miss Havisham and you would deserve a similar fate.
With nearly two thousand words expended upon this subject I trust my Patron is satisfied with my efforts and my charge is complete. Enjoy Candy. Don't ever let the detractors diminish your joy, not even when one of them is the eternal object of your affection for no true words have ever been sung than:
Your love's as sweet as candy
I'll be forever yours
Love always, Mandy
Later
Bob
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