written by MMM Founder and CEO Allison Jarrell
Is it just me, or has everyone gotten into the Halloween spirit earlier than usual this year? We started buying Halloween candy in September at our house, and I keep finding wrappers in various places. Must be a candy ghost eating it all. 😉 Apparently, ours is especially fond of Kit Kats.
With all this candy disappearing, I started thinking: if our Halloween favorites had theme songs, what would they be? You know I couldn’t leave the candy bowl without making a playlist.
Some of these were obvious. Others required an unreasonable amount of thought about candy. Here’s where I landed.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups: “Happy Together” by The Turtles
Chocolate and peanut butter found each other, and the rest is history. Some musical duos have that same chemistry. You hear them together and think, yep, that’s the combination.
Pop Rocks: “Pop Muzik” by M/Robin Scott
A candy that crackles in your mouth deserves something a little quirky. “Pop Muzik” has the bubbly beat, the name, and just enough weirdness to match. Good luck getting either one out of your head.
Kit Kat: “Another Brick in the Wall” by Pink Floyd
Look at those little chocolate bars lined up next to each other. Tell me you don’t see it. And somewhere, a student is making a case that “We don’t need no education” should apply to practicing scales. Nice try. You still need your scales.
Almond Joy: “Joy to the World” by Three Dog Night
Not the Christmas carol. We’re talking Jeremiah and his bullfrog. Almond Joy gets a full celebration of chocolate, coconut, and almonds, complete with a chorus you probably already know by heart.
Twix: “It Takes Two” by Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock
Two cookie bars in one wrapper. Technically, an opportunity to share. Whether that actually happens is between you and your candy bowl.
Candy Corn: “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey
Every year, the criticism starts. Every year, candy corn comes back. I have to respect that kind of confidence. Somewhere out there, a candy corn fan is buying another bag and refusing to let the dream die.
Starburst: “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” by The Beatles
This is the candy I imagine in a Beatles-inspired animated universe. Bright colors, fruit floating through space, absolutely no concern for whether any of it makes sense. The pink ones would get a starring role.
Hershey’s Kisses: “Kiss” by Prince
Sometimes the song picks itself. A tiny chocolate with a big personality gets Prince. I’m also imagining those little paper flags waving along to the beat.
M&M’s: “True Colors” by Cyndi Lauper
Everyone has a favorite color, even when we’re talking about plain M&M’s and the chocolate inside is the same. I won’t question your sorting process. Just give this one a sing-along while you’re doing it.
Snickers: “Hungry Like the Wolf” by Duran Duran
For the person who approaches the candy bowl like they missed lunch. Chocolate, peanuts, caramel, nougat. You came prepared to make this a substantial snack, and Duran Duran can provide the soundtrack.
Sour Patch Kids: “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” by Eurythmics
“Sweet Dreams” sounds promising until that first sour bite hits. There’s a little mischief in this pairing, which feels appropriate for candy shaped like tiny people who have apparently been causing trouble.
Milk Duds: “Stuck on You” by Lionel Richie
A lovely sentiment from Lionel. A very literal experience with a Milk Dud. You may still be working on the same one when the song ends.
What’s playing in your candy bowl?
Try this with your family: everyone picks a candy and gives it a theme song. Play a little of each song and let everyone explain their choice. I’d love to hear what your kids come up with, especially if their picks send you down a musical rabbit hole together.
What did I miss? Leave a comment with your favorite candy and its theme song. Bonus points for finding the right match for a box of Nerds.
And if you find any mysterious candy wrappers around your house, I’d check with the ghost first.