Song Review: Sugar, Sugar

"Sugar, Sugar" was recorded in 1969 by a group called the Archies. Not only did it reached #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and stayed there for 4 weeks, but it was the #1 single of 1969. It has a catchy melody to it that makes you want to tap your foot and sing along. The lyrics are simple, but have an addictive quality that can get the song stuck in your head. I'm willing to bet that this was the “Call Me Maybe” of 1969.

Here are the lyrics:

Sugar, ah, honey, honey

You are my candy girl

And you got me wanting you

Honey, ah, sugar, sugar

You are my candy girl

And you got me wanting you

I just can't believe the loveliness of loving you

(I just can't believe it's true)

I just can't believe the wonder of this feeling to

(I just can't believe it's true)

Ah, sugar, ah, honey, honey

You are my candy girl

And you got me wanting you

Oh, honey, ah, sugar, sugar

You are my candy girl

And you got me wanting you

When I kissed you girl I knew how sweet a kiss could be

(I know how sweet a kiss can be)

Like the summer sunshine pour you sweetness over me

(Pour your sweetness over me)

(Oh, sugar)

Pour a little sugar on it, honey

Pour a little sugar on it, baby

I'm gonna make your life so sweet, yeah, yeah, yeah

Pour a little sugar on it, oh, yeah

Pour a little sugar on it, honey

Pour a little sugar on it, baby

I'm gonna make your life so sweet, yeah, yeah, yeah

Pour a little sugar on it, honey

Ah sugar, ah, honey, honey

You are my candy girl

And you got me wanting you

Oh, honey, honey, sugar, sugar

Honey, honey, sugar, sugar

You are my candy girl

What makes this song so unique is that it’s not even performed by a real band. The Archies were a fictional group from the Saturday morning cartoon show called, the Archie Show based on characters from Archie Comics. When "Sugar, Sugar" was released on radio stations, they weren’t told the name of the group. It was only after most of the DJs stated they liked it and it became an unexpected hit that they were aware it was sung by a cartoon group.

The vocals were performed by real musicians, though. Ron Dante provided lead vocals (The Cuff Links), while Toni Wine and Andy Kim did backup.

Here is the cartoon music video, performed "live" by the Archies:



What's also fascinating is the number of times this song as been covered.  Here's Bob Marley's recording of the song: