The controversial lyrics of the seminal Pink Floyd B-side
Establishing themselves as pioneers in 1960s psychedelia and early prog rock, Pink Floyd emerged as a fearless band unafraid to push musical boundaries. Throughout their extensive and illustrious career, the ensemble showcased a diverse array of touring members and session musicians, yet their core mainly remained the same.
Arguably, the most significant shift in Pink Floyd’s lineup timeline was the departure of Syd Barrett. Widely regarded as the most captivating element of the early group, Barrett’s exit led to a division among Floyd fans. To this day, a considerable number of enthusiasts exclusively appreciate the Barrett-era of Floyd more than any other.
Released in 1971, Relics provided a retrospective collection of some of the band’s earlier work, covering the period from their psychedelic beginnings to the transition into progressive rock. The album includes singles, B-sides, and other tracks that were not part of Pink Floyd’s studio albums up to that point. Many of the tracks were also from the period when Barrett was the group’s primary songwriter.
While the B-side to ‘Arnold Layne’, ‘Candy and a Currant Bun’ may not have possessed the same allure as the A-side, it exudes a distinctive atmosphere all the same. Highlighting one of Barrett’s most authoritative vocal performances, the track connects Pink Floyd’s early beat music and their subsequent exploration into psychedelic pop, showcasing a unique blend of styles.
Originally named ‘Let’s Roll Another One’, the track featured the lyrics “I’m high, don’t spoil my fun.” However, a change was prompted by the record company, who requested that they make the lyrics less controversial. Interestingly, even with this alteration, it remains noteworthy that this was among the early songs to incorporate the word “fuck”.
Although ‘Candy and a Currant Bun’ doesn’t get appreciated as much as the band’s earlier material, probably for good reason, Relics has generally become a valuable collector’s item and a nostalgic piece for fans interested in their formative years. While nothing comes close to the likes of Wish You Were Here or The Dark Side of the Moon, Relics remains a treasure trove of lesser-known tunes.
‘Candy and a Currant Bun’ remains a track that can be challenging to come by, but die-hard Floyd fans maintain it’s a worthy find. The lyrics show Barrett’s signature ambiguous whimsical style with lines like: “Oh, my girl sitting in the sky / Go buy candy and a currant bun / I like to see you run / Lay back”.
