About the song
Kris Kristofferson’s “Sugar Man”: A Haunting Ballad of Redemption
“Sugar Man” is a hauntingly beautiful ballad written and recorded by Kris Kristofferson. It was released in 1971 on his debut album, Kristofferson. The song tells the story of a down-on-his-luck man who is searching for a woman named Sugar Man, who he believes can save him. The song’s lyrics are both poetic and poignant, and Kristofferson’s delivery is raw and emotional.
The song’s opening lines, “They call him the Sugar Man, ’cause he mixes it with sand”, immediately set the tone for the song. The narrator is describing a man who is on the fringes of society, someone who is not accepted by the mainstream. The fact that he is called “Sugar Man” suggests that he is someone who is both sweet and dangerous.
The narrator goes on to describe how he met Sugar Man and how he came to be under his spell. He says that Sugar Man “showed him the world” and that he “gave him a reason to live.” However, the narrator also acknowledges that Sugar Man is a “walking contradiction” and that he is “not what he seems.”
The song’s chorus, “Sugar Man, won’t you hurry back home?”, is a plea for redemption. The narrator is asking Sugar Man to come back and save him from himself. He knows that he is not a good man, but he believes that Sugar Man can see the good in him.
The song ends with the narrator repeating the line, “Sugar Man, won’t you hurry back home?” This line is both a plea and a prayer. The narrator is asking for Sugar Man to come back and save him, but he is also asking for forgiveness. He knows that he has made mistakes, but he is hoping that Sugar Man will give him a second chance.
“Sugar Man” is a powerful and moving song that has resonated with listeners for decades. It is a song about hope, redemption, and the power of love.
Here are some additional details about the song:
- The song was inspired by a real person named Sixto Rodriguez. Rodriguez was a folk singer who released two albums in the early 1970s, but he never achieved commercial success in the United States. However, his music became hugely popular in South Africa, where he was considered to be a cult hero.
- The song’s lyrics have been interpreted in many different ways. Some people believe that the song is about drug addiction, while others believe that it is about the Vietnam War. Kristofferson has said that the song is about “the search for meaning in a meaningless world.”
- “Sugar Man” has been covered by many artists, including Rod Stewart, Willie Nelson, and Justin Timberlake. The song was also featured in the 2012 documentary film Searching for Sugar Man, which tells the story of Rodriguez’s life and career.
“Sugar Man” is a classic song that continues to be enjoyed by listeners all over the world. It is a song that is both timeless and timely, and it is a song that will continue to resonate for generations to come.
Video
Lyrics
“Sugar Man”
There are shadows on the sidewalks
Of the city streets at night,
And the alleyways and ugly things
Are hidden from the light.
And somewhere, son, my baby’s
Gonna sell her soul again,
For a custom tailored lady-killer
They call Sugar Man.I searched the backstreet barrooms,
And every cheap hotel,
Asking for my baby; they all knew her well.
Well, they said, “She’s out there working
For the wages of her sin,
And if you want to find your baby, Baby,
Look for Sugar Man.”Well, tonight I found her
On the sorry side of town
Lying cold upon the bed
Where she had laid her body down.
I picked up the needle that had fallen from her hand
And stuck it through the money she had made for Sugar Man.There are shadows on the sidewalks
Of the city streets at night
And the alleyways and ugly things
Are hidden from the light.
But the sun’s gonna shine tomorrow
On some dirty gargage cans,
And a custom tailored lady-killer
They called Sugar Man.