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The 1972 number one that Sammy Davis Jr worried would ruin his career
Sammy Davis Jr initially feared that recording ‘The Candy Man’ would damage his reputation, believing the song could send his career “straight into the toilet”. Instead, the light-hearted track became his biggest solo chart success, showing how a song he regarded sceptically could broaden his appeal and define a new phase of his career.
Written by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse for the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, the song was reworked by producer Don Costa for Davis. Released in 1972, it reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and stayed there for three weeks, becoming Davis’s only US chart-topper.
In short
- ‘The Candy Man’ became Sammy Davis Jr’s only US number one.
- Davis feared the song would harm his career.
- It spent three weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100.
Explained simply
Sammy Davis Jr was an American singer, actor and entertainer whose career spanned film, television, theatre and live music. He was a prominent member of the Rat Pack, the group associated with Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, and was known for performing adult pop, jazz and show tunes.
‘The Candy Man’ was originally written for the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, where it was sung by the character played by Aubrey Woods. Producer Don Costa adapted it for Davis as a brighter, more radio-friendly recording, despite Davis’s concern that its childlike style did not fit his established image.
The record became a major commercial success in the United States in 1972, spending three weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100. It remained Davis’s only solo US number one, and introduced him to listeners who may not have known his earlier work.