Knockin’ Boots – Candyman | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#9) & R&B (#5); 1990
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
Rapper Candyman’s time in the spotlight may have been short, yet, his sole shot at stardom was a good one. Born in Los Angeles, Candyman hung out with another local music maker, Anthony Smith, aka Tone Loc, and the two performed together at skating rinks.
When Tone Loc hit the big time with Wild Thing and Funky Cold Medina, he tagged his rap buddy Candyman to put together the choreography and music for Tone’s appearance on the American Music Awards.
Candyman soon followed in Tone’s footsteps, releasing his first album, Ain’t No Shame In My Game, and the single, Knockin’ Boots. The catchy Boots danced over 1970’s samples lifted from Betty Wright’s Tonight Is The Night (#11 R&B; 1978) and Rose Royce’s Ooh Boy (#3 R&B & #72 Pop; 1978).
Boots quickly beat its way to #1 on the Hot Rap, #5 on the R&B, and #9 on the Pop charts. After the follow-up single, Melt In Your Mouth, fell short at #46 R&B, Candyman disappeared from the scene.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- Johnny “J”
Lyrics Written by:
- Candell Manson
- Betty Wright
- Willie Clarke
- Eugene Hamilton
- Popcorn Wylie
- Albert Hamilton
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).