Sour Candy

Sour Candy is a pop song by Lady Gaga and K-Pop group Blackpink released on May 28, 2020. While being straight-forward lyrically, the song presents a useful metaphor on the type of person the subject is: hard to crack open, but sweet on the inside once you figure them out. Overall, the song gives a glimpse into what it might feel like to be someone who wants to be loved, but feels two conflicting parts of themselves trying to come out at once. I believe that this is a very useful comparison to make, as everyone has differing aspects of their personality and everyone deserves to be their honest self.

In the second verse, Gaga sings, “You want a real taste / at least I’m not a fake / come, come unwrap me / come, come unwrap me / I’ll show you what’s me . . . Now I’m undressing / unwrap sour candy”. The phrase “unwrap me” is a request for someone to get to know them. By being asked to unwrap them, the subject is giving an invitation for someone to get to know their authentic self and learn about the deeper parts of them. In the chorus, Rose and Lisa of Blackpink sing “So sweet ‘til I get a little angry. . . I’m super psycho / make you crazy when I turn the lights low”. This shows a little more about how the subject might not be exactly how they appear on the outside. Much like a sour candy, they could be easy to love while simultaneously being difficult to love.

Although Sour Candy is not particularly deep lyrically, the metaphor presented in this song is very helpful in explaining how difficult it can be to open up to new people that may not know you very well. The lyrics are relatable and easy to understand while being presented in a catchy way musically While the lyrics have a racy tone, the metaphor is not lost, as the sensual nature of the song helps drive the point that they will not change themselves for someone else, even if they may be imperfect. In the first verse, they sing, “Ask me to be nice, and then I’ll do it extra mean. . . / If you wanna fix me, then let’s break up here and now”. The speaker is honest about who they are and is unwilling to be fixed. They need someone that will accept their authentic self and will not be with someone who disagrees with that. This is a powerful statement, as many people are afraid to be themselves around others and empowers the listener to be shamelessly them. By being unwilling to change themselves for another, the song empowers the listener to be secure in who they are and to need someone who will accept every part of them, sourness and all.