Nick Fabian’s “Candy” is an addicting tune

Pop music has long been trending toward the topics of debauchery and poor life choices. It is refreshing to hear a song that, rather than condoning or encouraging these habits, attempts to shine a light on the lonely and numb life to which constant gratification can lead. We were able to sit down with artist Nick Fabian and discuss the meaning behind his latest release, “Candy”:

C: What was the inspiration behind this song?

N: Ultimately, I believe this song is about our search for happiness. Sometimes our desire for that happiness can cause us to put our faith and trust in temporal-material things. Rather than searching for the underlying cause of our unrest, many of us at times, including myself, look for the “easy way out,” the “quick fix” which is to include our own ways of self-medication. Thus the idea and metaphor of “Candy.”

This song isn’t meant to criticize anyone or any group of individuals per se — and much of the inspirational imagery of this song comes from subjective experience in my own life and obstacles I’ve personally come to grapple with. But I do want to address a certain cultural disillusionment that exists in the Western world especially — that by the act of self-medication, we almost give up on finding the real joys of life. I believe that certain pains of the human experience are meant to be felt. With great sorrow, comes great depth, and from the depths we find understanding.

C: What do you think today’s “candy” is?

N: Great question. I don’t want people to think that the only “Candy” that exists in 2017 is pharmaceuticals. Candy today could be anything from social media, self-gratifying relationships, our phone screens, sex, money, pornography to vanity and even binge-watching Netflix (even though I can do my fair share).

C: What are you hoping to communicate to your listeners through this song?

N: I really just want this song to help people stop and reflect on their own lives. Sometimes we can go through life and not even realize that we are self-medicating.

C: You specially mention the “American way” in this song. Why do you think this act of self-medication is the American way?

N: Maybe it’s not specific to American culture but to Western culture in general. The advent of our technological age gives us great opportunity to choose our lifestyle. The double-edged sword of accessibility can often manifest into instant gratification, making it increasingly simple to be self-sedated.

C: Your style of musical delivery and lyrical choice is light and fun, yet I would say a listener simultaneously experiences an underlying feeling of darkness. Could you speak to that?

N: Yes, the song ended up being quite a juxtaposition. On the outside, the melody is fun and catchy and “carefree” at times. But on the inside, the lyrics lead the listener to a more thought-provoking message in a darker tone. I think this contrast really highlights the feeling of popping “Candy” and the internal struggle that is taking place. The medicine may make you feel good on the outside, but there is an ominous festering of gloom and dissatisfaction that lingers within.

C: Is there anything else you want to share?

N: Yes, I want to make sure people don’t think I’m condoning “pill popping.” As a songwriter, it’s important to be raw and honest and tell the story in its truth, even if it’s not G-rated content.

I also don’t want people to think that I’m saying that taking meds is an intrinsically bad thing. Very often they can really help people with psychological struggles. I’m just sharing my piece that for many of us, there is another way.

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