Song Spotlight: “Sugar, Sugar”

• Mood: Cheerful
• Themes: Love songs, Sugar and Sweets, and The Archies
• Tempo: Moderate
• Genre/Style: Bubblegum Pop

The Archies were a fictional cartoon band formed from the characters featured in the animated show “The Archie Show” and in the comic strip Archie Comics. “Sugar, Sugar,” is a bubblegum pop song written for the animated band, and it took the music charts by storm. Over time, it has become a well loved, lighthearted song that is easy to sing along with.

Written by Jeff Barry and Andy Kim, this one-hit wonder was made for the virtual band, The Archies, to play on the Archie Comedy Hour on TV. The Archies band was said to be inspired by the popular 60s show band The Monkees.

The song “Sugar, Sugar” appropriately belongs to the bubblegum pop genre that was popular in the late 60s. The tune not only fits the genre for its reference to a sweetheart as “sugar” and “honey,” but also because of the light sound and a sing-along chorus that was targeted towards adolescents. This song was a great fit for the Archie Comic’s youthful cast, with the main characters forming a “garage band” starring Archie Andrews, Reggie Mantle, Jughead Jones, Veronica Lodge, and Betty Cooper.

Here are some of the lyrics (just try not to hum along!):

Sugar
Ah, honey, honey
You are my candy girl
And you got me wanting you
Honey
Ah, sugar, sugar
You are my candy girl
And you got me wanting you

This is a great song to use in a 1:1 setting or group and would go well with a collection of songs about sugar and sweets, songs about love, or other tunes from The Archies. It can be used as a transition into group discussion, an opportunity for musical engagement, movement and more.

Try This:

Theme: This song would fit well into a collection of love songs, songs about sugar and sweets, or other songs sung by The Archies. Other complementary songs may include “Jingle Jangle”, “Sugartime” and “How Sweet It Is to Be Loved By You.”

Discussion: Encourage the group to discuss meaningful relationships, such as those with spouses or partners, close friends, and family. Questions to get the conversation started: “What are some of your most memorable moments spent with your best friend?” or “Where did you first meet your spouse or partner?”

(Note: Prior to discussing relationships take into consideration the backgrounds and histories of the individuals in your group.)

Alternatively, ask about favorite sweets and maybe even try out everyone’s favorite candy.

Watch The Archie’s music video.

Movement: Try out seated dance moves or rhythmic movements along with the song.

Add instruments: Have shakers play along with specific parts of the song: verse, chorus, and special notes after “honey” and “sugar, sugar.” Alternatively, have one group play “oh sugar” and “honey honey” while the other group plays the response notes’ rhythm.