Sweet Papa Crimbo Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 I have loved this power pop masterpiece ever since I heard it. Today listening to the soundboard recording from 1999 (Bogart's, Cincinnati), I was reminded of the lyrical dispute...i distinctly hear something different than the official lyrics. In reading the lyrics as have been posted on supposedly authoritative sights, the first verse is as follows: I'm the boy who looks excitedI'm the boy who's gonna fall apartCandyfloss I lie to myself... However, I distinctly hear the following I'm the boy who looks excitedI'm the boy who's gonna fall apartCandyfloss a plot device ... It is even more pronounced later in the song. Now admittedly this is not a matter of great importance fourteen years after the fact, but I hear what I hear. "A plot device' fits in better with Jeff's literary themes and addas a bit of self awareness to the song that makes it even more charming. Thoughs? Questions? Comments? Cheers? Jeers? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mpolak21 Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 Yeah, my ears agree with yours, I have always heard him sing "plot device." --Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sweet Papa Crimbo Posted September 2, 2012 Author Share Posted September 2, 2012 Yeah, my ears agree with yours, I have always heard him sing "plot device." --Mike And it just works so much better. With all the angst for producing a hit single off SUMMERTEETH, I have alwasy been somewhat surprised that Candyfloss was ingored and almost didn't even make the record.Back in the day, it's just the kind of song that could had caught the ears of teenage girls. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
choo-choo-charlie Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 "plot device" is what I've heard from the first time this glorious noise filled my ears. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Preferred B Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 I was not aware anyone believed the line was not "plot device." Quote Link to post Share on other sites
froggie Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 I was not aware anyone believed the line was not "plot device." Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Magnetized Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 Well, I'll be damned. I can't believe I never noticed that. I just listened to all 7 versions of this on my iPod (3 Tweedy solo, 4 Wilco) and it's not a fluke. Sounds like "a plot device and. . ." In every version. What gives, I wonder? I've never known bemydemon.org to get something so obviously wrong. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
uncool2pillow Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 I always just sang "Candyfloss doo doo doo doo doo." Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sweet Papa Crimbo Posted September 2, 2012 Author Share Posted September 2, 2012 I was not aware anyone believed the line was not "plot device."http://www.bemydemon.org/songs/candyfloss.htm Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Preferred B Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 Well, sure. But bemydemon.org also contains my favorite misunderstood lyric ever: "You Were Wrong[?] heartsAnd disco spurs" Quote Link to post Share on other sites
smells like flowers Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 I always just sang "Candyfloss doo doo doo doo doo."I'm with you! I've listened to that song so many times and loved it without knowing hardly any of the words! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sweet Papa Crimbo Posted September 3, 2012 Author Share Posted September 3, 2012 Now that you all are seemingly stating that you never bought the official lyrics, how about the thought that this might have actually had some luck with getting airplay? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
smells like flowers Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 Now that you all are seemingly stating that you never bought the official lyrics, how about the thought that this might have actually had some luck with getting airplay?IMO, it would have been a way better choice than "Can't Stand It!" But not sure if it would have put Wilco on the charts, either. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tweedling Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 "ahhhhh no........ahhhhhh no" What? What's that you say?... It's "ooh whoa"? Fuck it, it'll be "ahhhhhh no" for as long as I live. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
choo-choo-charlie Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 I think Candyfloss is catchier than Can't Stand It, but I think I'm Always in Love might still be the most catchiest track on the record. How any record execs failed to hear a memorable melody or a strong pop hook on the record is fascinating. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sweet Papa Crimbo Posted September 3, 2012 Author Share Posted September 3, 2012 Or even notingsevergonnastandinmyway (again). Idiocy abounds in moribund industries...these guys have the blood of the music industry on their hands/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
uncool2pillow Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 I'd say that's the MP3, but I suppose it could be bad music journalism, you may just be onto something there. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sweet Papa Crimbo Posted September 3, 2012 Author Share Posted September 3, 2012 I'd say that's the MP3, but I suppose it could be bad music journalism, you may just be onto something there. Actually, I was referring to the music industry execs. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
uncool2pillow Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 Sorry, I was crossing my attention between 2 threads. Still the MP3 though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sweet Papa Crimbo Posted September 3, 2012 Author Share Posted September 3, 2012 Sorry, I was crossing my attention between 2 threads. Still the MP3 though. The movie and TV industry managed to survive and thrive in the age of digital downloads...why not the music industry? Lack of imagination. Luddite thinking. Greed. Stupidity. Mismanagement. Short sightedness. But this is probably better suited for another thread. Don't want to sully the glory that is Candyfloss. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
uncool2pillow Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 It's really been a matter of what's easier to download. People aren't paying for video content because they appreciate the art more, they're paying for it because it's much more difficult for the average consumer to steal. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chisoxjtrain Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 And it just works so much better. With all the angst for producing a hit single off SUMMERTEETH, I have alwasy been somewhat surprised that Candyfloss was ingored and almost didn't even make the record.Back in the day, it's just the kind of song that could had caught the ears of teenage girls. Do you mean back in 1999 this song would catch the ears of teenage girls? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sweet Papa Crimbo Posted September 6, 2012 Author Share Posted September 6, 2012 Do you mean back in 1999 this song would catch the ears of teenage girls? Why not?But it never had a stinking chance.Given the emotional and addictive state of various members of the band, not achieveing massive success is probably a good thing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chisoxjtrain Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 Why not?But it never had a stinking chance.Given the emotional and addictive state of various members of the band, not achieveing massive success is probably a good thing. Don't get me wrong, Candyfloss is excellent, but in 1999 the teenage girls were listening to Backstreet Boys, NSync, and other boy bands. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sweet Papa Crimbo Posted September 6, 2012 Author Share Posted September 6, 2012 Don't get me wrong, Candyfloss is excellent, but in 1999 the teenage girls were listening to Backstreet Boys, NSync, and other boy bands. It's a moot point. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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