Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a surreal, nocturnal scene where a figure named Candy appears as a mysterious, almost supernatural entity. She's described as a "black-hat magician" with "black cat's eyes," pulling down the narrator's sight and inviting him to swim through the night. This initial encounter sets a tone of dreamlike disorientation and allure, hinting at a hidden, perhaps dangerous, world that Candy inhabits and controls. The central tension seems to revolve around this enigmatic Candy and the "Mes Dames Sarat," a collective or force that draws people into a clandestine, nocturnal revelry. The lyrics suggest a hidden society dancing "in the dark" while the authorities remain oblivious, and even the dead are resurrected to join the "living mambo." This creates a contrast between the mundane world and a secret, intoxicating underworld that operates beyond normal rules. The repeated phrase "Coca-Cola voodoo, living mambo, lower, lower, fool" is a striking piece of sonic imagery. It blends the everyday commercialism of "Coca-Cola" with the mystical "voodoo" and the primal rhythm of "mambo," suggesting a potent, perhaps artificial, enchantment that compels people to descend into a lower state. The insistent repetition of "lower, lower, fool" emphasizes a loss of control and a descent into something base or foolish. Ultimately, the lyrics evoke a sense of being drawn into a captivating but elusive experience. The narrator is left "alone to sleep and wonder" after Candy vanishes, suggesting the ephemeral nature of this intoxicating encounter. The "sweet, sweet places on the holy plans" are kissed by the resurrected men, hinting at a perverse or unconventional form of salvation found within this dark, vibrant dance, leaving the listener with a feeling of unresolved mystery and the lingering echo of that hypnotic chant.