Bobby Goldsboro – Honey

Introduction

In the realm of pop music, few songs have captured the essence of bittersweet nostalgia quite like “Honey” by Bobby Goldsboro. Released in 1967, the song became an instant hit, topping charts worldwide and cementing Goldsboro’s status as a singer-songwriter of enduring popularity.

“Honey” is a heartfelt ballad that tells the story of a man reminiscing about his lost love, a woman named Honey. The lyrics are filled with vivid imagery and poignant reflections, as the narrator recalls their shared moments and laments the passing of their time together.

Did You Know?

• “Honey” was written by Bobby Russell, a prolific songwriter who penned hits for artists like Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis. The song’s simple yet evocative lyrics and catchy melody have made it a timeless classic, covered by numerous artists over the years.
• The song’s opening line, “See the tree, how big it’s grown,” sets the stage for the narrator’s nostalgic journey. The tree, once a small sapling planted by Honey, now symbolizes the passage of time and the changes that have occurred since her passing.
• “Honey” has been praised for its ability to capture the universal emotions of love, loss, and the bittersweet memories that linger long after a relationship has ended.

The song’s gentle melody and Goldsboro’s tender vocals perfectly complement the lyrics, creating an atmosphere of wistful melancholy. The chorus, with its repeated refrain of “Honey, I miss you,” is a poignant expression of the narrator’s enduring love and longing.

As the song progresses, the narrator reflects on the small, everyday moments that defined their relationship, from Honey’s surprise gift of a puppy to her comforting presence during difficult times. These memories, now tinged with sadness, serve as a testament to the depth of their love.

“Honey” concludes with a sense of acceptance and resignation. The narrator acknowledges that Honey is gone, but her memory will forever remain in his heart. The song’s final lines, “Now all I have is memories of Honey,” capture the bittersweet essence of love that endures even in the face of loss.

“Honey” stands as a timeless ballad that has touched the hearts of listeners for generations. Its ability to evoke feelings of love, loss, and cherished memories has made it a staple of popular music, ensuring its place among the most beloved songs of all time.

Video

Lyrics

See the tree, how big it’s grown
But friend it hasn’t been too long
It wasn’t big
I laughed at her and she got mad,
The first day that she planted it
Was just a twig
Then the first snow came and she ran out
To brush the snow away
So it wouldn’t die
Came runnin’ in all excited
Slipped and almost hurt herself
And I laughed till I cried

She was always young at heart
Kinda dumb and kinda smart
And I loved her so
And I surprised her with a puppy
Kept me up all Christmas Eve two years ago
And it would sure embarrass her
When I came in from workin’ late
‘Cause I would know
That she’d been sittin’ there and cryin’
Over some sad and silly late, late show

And honey, I miss you and I’m bein’ good
And I’d love to be with you if only I could

She wrecked the car and she was sad
And so afraid that I’d be mad
But what the heck
Though I pretended hard to be
Guess you could say she saw through me
And hugged my neck
I came home unexpectedly
And caught her cryin’ needlessly
In the middle of a day
And it was in the early spring
When flowers bloom and robins sing
She went away

And honey, I miss you and I’m bein’ good
And I’d love to be with you if only I could

One day while I was not at home
While she was there and all alone
The angels came
Now all I have is memories of honey
And I wake up nights and call her name
Now my life’s an empty stage
Where honey lived and honey played
And love grew up
And a small cloud passes overhead
And cries down on the flower bed
That honey loved

And see the tree how big it’s grown
But friend it hasn’t been too long
It wasn’t big
And I laughed at her and she got mad
The first day that she planted it
Was just a twig