Candy-O

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Candy-O is the second studio album by American new wave band The Cars, released in 1979 (see 1979 in music). The cover was painted by Alberto Vargas based on a design by Johnny Lee, the art director at Elektra, and Ron Coro.

Cover art

The original concept of using pinup art came from the band's drummer David Robinson, who also suggested that it should be painted by the then 83-year old Vargas. According to Johnny Lee, Vargas was initially uninterested in doing the cover, until persuaded to do so by his great-niece. He agreed and suggested the elegant "Varga Girl"-like dancer named Nancy Beth as his model. They went to see her dance in a black mesh-sleeved leotard and he picked out a dance step Nancy Beth called the "rose petal" where the woman's hand was stretched demurely across the forehead and eyes like a petal. Vargas' niece asked her if she would be willing to pose for Vargas. After Nancy said no to the nudity, the record company hired another girl, coincidentally named Candy, who later dated one of the band members, to finish the modeling for Candy-O in the semi-nude. However, Alberto Vargas's first few paintings were rejected by the record company until he removed the nipples and pubic hair anyway. The black mesh leotard and demure "rose petal" pose of the original dancer remained.

Track listing

All songs written by Ric Ocasek.

1. "Let's Go" – 3:33
2. "Since I Held You" – 3:16
3. "It's All I Can Do" – 3:44
4. "Double Life" – 4:14
5. "Shoo Be Doo" – 1:36
6. "Candy-O" – 2:36
7. "Nightspots" – 3:15
8. "You Can't Hold on Too Long" – 2:46
9. "Lust for Kicks" – 3:52
10. "Got a Lot on My Head" – 2:59
11. "Dangerous Type" – 4:28

Track listing note: On the original LP album release, side one was comprised of tracks 1-6; side two of tracks 7-11.

Personnel

• Elliot Easton – lead guitar, backing vocals
• Greg Hawkes – percussion, keyboards, tenor saxophone, backing vocals
• Ric Ocasek – rhythm guitar, lead vocals on 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11
• Benjamin Orr – bass guitar, lead vocals on 1, 2, 3, 6, 8
• David Robinson – drums, percussion

Production personnel

• Roy Thomas Baker - producer

Packaging personnel

• Jeff Albertson - photography
• Ron Coro, Johnny Lee - art direction and design
• David Robinson - cover concept
• Alberto Vargas - cover painting

Charts

Album

Year	Chart	Peak Position
1979	Billboard 200	3
1984	Billboard 200	179

Singles

Year	Title	Chart	Peak Position
1979	"Let's Go"	Billboard Hot 100	14
1979	"It's All I Can Do"	Billboard Hot 100	41

Certifications

Organization	Level	Date
RIAA – U.S.	Gold	July 24 1979
RIAA – U.S.	Platinum	August 6 1979
RIAA – U.S.	Triple Platinum	April 5 1995
RIAA – U.S.	4X Platinum	December 15 2001

Covers

• "Candy-O" was covered by The Melvins in 1989.
• Letters to Cleo covered "Dangerous Type" in 1996 for movie The Craft.

Notes