Lyrics

I was born in Edna, Texas,
and that’s where I was buried,
but a lot of things happened in between.
My momma died when I was 9.
I ran away from home
to Dallas at the age of 13.

I married Billy Joe
when I was just 14.
Safecracking was the only thing he knew.
The marriage didn’t last too long
‘cause he was sent to jail,
and I just did just what I had to do.

I made that film Smart Alec
when I was still 15.
I had less than a dollar to my name.
Maybe I was given drugs
I was certainly coerced.
I got famous to my everlasting shame.

I’m Juanita Dale Slusher,
better known as Candy Barr.
I was the original
pornographic star.
They gave me my stage name
‘cause I loved to eat those Snickers.
Dancing with two cap guns,
in cowboy boots and knickers.

I shot my second husband Troy
when he kicked down the door.
I missed high and hit him in the gut.
He survived the shooting and
the charges then were dropped.
Now he knows that door is truly shut.

DA Henry Wade and
Pat Gannaway, the Captain
of Special Service at the Police Department,
set me up to take me down.
They tapped my telephone,
staked me out and raided my apartment.

They performed a strip search
and found less than an ounce
of marijuana hidden in my bra.
I refused to cop a plea.
They gave me 15 years
in keeping with the “Reefer Madness” law.

I’m Juanita Dale Slusher,
better known as Candy Barr.
I was the original
pornographic star.
They gave me my stage name
‘cause I loved to eat those Snickers.
Dancing with two cap guns,
a holster belt and knickers.

While my appeal was pending
my boyfriend Mickey Cohen,
arranged for me to hide in Mexico.
I was bored south of the border,
so I came back to the States,
and I got back up on stage to do my show.

I got paid 2 grand a week
in Vegas and LA.
My shows were always sold out in advance.
They hired me in Hollywood
as a technical advisor
to teach Joan Collins how to dance.

I met Jack Sahakian
when he dyed my hair.
He was the hairdresser to the stars.
We got married in Las Vegas.
He took care of my daughter
while I was away behind bars.

I’m Juanita Dale Slusher,
better known as Candy Barr.
I was the original
pornographic star.
They gave me my stage name
‘cause I loved to eat those Snickers.
Dancing with two cap guns,
in pasties and my knickers.

I was sent to Goree Prison,
right outside of Huntsville,
when the Supreme Court rejected my appeal.
I wrote a book of poetry,
Played at the prison rodeo.
I spent 3 years and 3 months behind steel.

The terms of my parole
prohibited my dancing.
I moved back home to Edna and my pappy.
I was 4 times married and divorced.
After all that I’ve been through I don’t
believe a man can make a woman happy.

My old friend Jack Ruby
brought me dachshund puppies
so I could make a living breeding dogs.
After Jack shot Oswald down
the FBI guys questioned me,
but they learned nothing from those dialogues.

I’m Juanita Dale Slusher,
better known as Candy Barr.
I was the original
pornographic star.
They gave me my stage name
‘cause I loved to eat those Snickers.
Dancing with two cap guns,
a cowboy hat and knickers.

Governor John Connally
granted me a pardon.
I posed nude for Oui Magazine
at the age of 41, then
I went back to South Texas
to be with my daughter Troylene.

I wasn’t tryin’ to get a rise
in a man’s Levi’s,
or stimulate his fancies of romancing.
The only place where I was free
was up there on the stage.
I really just enjoyed the dancing.

I’m known as Candy Barr,
and I’ll leave you with this quote
from a poem I penned in prison.
Here is what I wrote:
“Fatigued by unyielding strife
self-pity consoles the abused,
and the bludgeoning of daily life
leaves a gentle mind confused.”