The Candy Man

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For other uses of this term see Candyman

"The Candy Man" sample (help·info) (or alternately, "The Candy Man Can") is a song from the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. It was written by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley specifically for the film and does not appear in the original book or the 2005 film adaptation of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It was sung by Aubrey Woods, who played Bill the candy store owner in the film.

"The Candy Man" was most famously covered by Sammy Davis Jr., who was interested in playing the character. Although producers balked at the idea, Davis eventually worked the song into his shows and it is now recognised as one of his signature tunes.

"The Candy Man" has featured in a number of radio, films and TV shows.

• Malcolm in the Middle, in the episode "New Neighbors", as the song that Commandant Spangler somewhat uncharacteristically teaches to the Military academy choir.
• Scrubs, in the episode "My Dream Job", during dream sequence where JD imagines working in an office made of chocolate.
• The 2005 film Madagascar, when Alex the lion was poked by a tranquilizer.
• The Simpsons have parodied the song in the episode "Trash of the Titans" as "The Garbage Man Can", which briefly features U2. In Simpsons Comics #53, Homer also featured a mental parody showing Homer as Willy Wonka and Bart and Lisa as Oompa-loompas.

Homer: "Who can take some vodka, sprinkle it with ice, pour it down your gullet 'till the world seems really nice? The brandyman. The brandyman can if you're over 21...

Lisa and Bart:"...Or just 16 in Amsterdam!

• Danny Baker used the song extensively as a theme during his breakfast show for BBC London 94.9 and rewarding people for greeting him as candy man, during his time on the show he amassed a large number of existing versions of the song and commisioned guests such as Ray Gelato to produce new versions.
• Gilmore Girls ,Season Five...After Rory and Dean have sex.

Preceded by "I'll Take You There" by The Staple Singers

Billboard Hot 100 number one single (Sammy Davis, Jr. version) June 10, 1972

Succeeded by "Song Sung Blue" by Neil Diamond