Released: July 3, 1998

Featuring: Ralph Tresvant Ricky Bell

Songwriter: LL Cool J Tone Poke Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Michael Jonzun Maurice Starr

Producer: Trackmasters

[Verse 1: LL Cool J]
When you was seventeen and I was nineteen
We feel deep in love growing up in Queens
We didn't know a thing about love
We was innocent sneakin' on the doorstep to hug
Held you tightly and promised you the world
You gave me hickys and said you was my girl
When I think about it now makes me smile
Cause I ain't felt these butterflies in a while
Funny how you grow up and innocence fades
We used to live for love but now we're afraid (of what?)
Of the darkness and bitter memories
Lovers who crushed us through infidelity
I promised you I'd love you to the end
Always and forever since way back when
You're like candy the world's sweetest friend
You taste better now than you did back then

[Chorus: Ralph Tresvant & Ricky Bell]
You will always be my candy
One day we will start a family
You will always be my candy girl
(you'll be my candy girl forever)
You will always be my candy
Want your love girl understand me
You will always be my candy girl

[Verse 2: LL Cool J]
While you sucked caramel apple lolly pops
Rain sleet or snow I'm troopin' up the murdock
We used to walk down the block hold hands
I would get you after school cause I was your man
And any guys that wanna socalize
Just know that I'm a flip on any cat that trys
My peeps used to say I was whipped
All your girls said since you got with him you flipped
But uh they couldn't feel the feelings we felt
Mirrors on the ceiling we melt
I would look up at ya I remember
The afternoon you surrendered
We made love the tempature was high as could be
You said Todd promise you ain't liein' to me
And as we went our seperate ways you turned back
Smiled I remember all that

[Chorus: Ralph Tresvant & Ricky Bell]
You will always be my candy
One day we will start a family
You will always be my candy girl
(you'll be my candy girl forever)
You will always be my candy
Want your love girl understand me
You will always be my candy girl

[Bridge: Ralph Tresvant & Ricky Bell]
Candy girl
You are my world
Look so sweet
You're a special treat
Candy girl
All I want to say
I need your love
Each and every day

[Verse 3: LL Cool J]
When I'm alone in my room sometimes I stare at the wall
And in the back of my mind I hear my memories call
Of days when love was true I slept and held you
Taste the brown sugar let your climax melt yo
Candy you're occupying all of my thoughts
Turned my soul upside down with lessons you taught
I can feel you even when you're far away you're right here wit' me
Sweet love strictly
And I'm a bend over backwards to keep you on my side
Take you for a mental and emotional ride
Make love to your soul your heart and your mind
In your hour of need girl I'll be there every time
And as long as you support my dreams
Stayin' right beside me as a part of my team
I'll take you where the average man can only dream of
Cause in a world so sour I got the sweetest love

[Chorus: Ralph Tresvant & Ricky Bell]
You will always be my candy
One day we will start a family
You will always be my candy girl
(you'll be my candy girl forever)
You will always be my candy
Want your love girl understand me
You will always be my candy girl

[Outro: Ralph Tresvant & Ricky Bell]
Candy girl
You are my world
Look so sweet
You're a special treat
(you'll be my candy girl forever)
Candy girl
All I want to say
(word is bond sweetheart)
I need your love
(I swear I'm down for whatever)
Candy girl
(sometimes you gotta go back home)
Look so sweet
(I love you)
Candy girl

LL Cool J

Deriving his name from the statement “Ladies Love Cool James,” LL Cool J became a superstar rapper after his Def Jam debut in 1984. He mixed a hardcore hip-hop style from songs like “I’m Bad” with R&B style on songs like “I Need Love,” which led him to multi-platinum success and several awards. He would later venture into movies and television, write several books, and start different business ventures.

Born January 14, 1968, Queens, New York native James Todd Smith began rapping at the age of nine and started to seriously pursue rapping when he was 16 years old after his grandfather bought him music equipment, which he used to create a demo tape that was sent to numerous labels. He was signed by upstart independent label Def Jam, working with founders Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin to release his debut single “I Need a Beat” in 1984, which sold over 100,000 copies. This success helped Def Jam secure a distribution deal with Columbia Records.

LL released his debut album Radio in 1985, which achieved platinum status with help from the hit singles “I Can’t Live Without My Radio” and “Rock the Bells.” After working exclusively with Rick Rubin on his debut, LL worked with the West Coast production crew L.A. Posse on his second album Bigger and Deffer, released in 1987. The album featured two of LL’s signature the hard-edged “I’m Bad” and the “rap ballad” “I Need Love,” which was a Top 20 pop hit, helping the album achieve double platinum status.