Format CD Genre Grunge Label EMI | Recorded 1996 Length 2:52 | |
Released November 4, 1997 (1997-11-04) | ||
"Sex and Candy" is a song released by American alternative rock group Marcy Playground. It was released in November 1997 as the lead single from their self-titled debut album. The band's breakthrough single, it is one of the best known songs created by the group.
Contents
The song was written by John Wozniak, executive produced by Jeff J. White, produced by Jared Kotler and engineered by Kenny Gioia and Bill Seasack. Both the drums and bass were performed by Jared Kotler. Guitar and vocals were performed by Wozniak.
Track listing
- "Sex and Candy" - 2:54
- "The Angel of the Forever Sleep" - 4:53
- "Memphis" - 2:37
Chart performance
"Sex and Candy" spent a then-record 15 weeks at number one on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart (beating Oasis' 10-week run at #1 with "Wonderwall" in 1995). The song was also the band's only major hit, peaking at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Critical reception
The song was generally well-received, with AllMusic commenting that "songs like 'Sex and Candy' capture the band at their best, turning out hard-edged, melodic pop songs with strong hooks and backbeats." Rolling Stone gave the song a less enthusiastic review, calling it "an unappetizing artificial-sweetener marriage of down-tempo Nirvana chords and greasy Dave Matthews frat-minstrel sensitivity concerning a sad sack strung out on hippie lingo ('Dig it,' 'Yeah, mama') and caffeine."
Covers
Maroon 5 made a slowed-down cover of the song that was released on the deluxe edition of their album V.
John Craigie did a version of the song on his 90s cover album Leave the Fire Behind
Keller Williams & The Keels did a bluegrass cover of the song on their album Thief.