Bobby Goldsboro – Honey

About the song

Remembering Bobby Goldsboro’s Enduring Classic: “Honey”

In the realm of popular music, there exists a treasure trove of timeless ballads that have transcended generations, their melodies and lyrics weaving themselves into the very fabric of our collective consciousness. Among these enduring gems, Bobby Goldsboro’s “Honey” stands as a beacon of heartfelt emotion and poignant storytelling.

Released in 1968, “Honey” marked a turning point in Goldsboro’s career, catapulting him to stardom and cementing his legacy as a masterful songwriter. The song’s success was not merely a matter of chance; it was a testament to Goldsboro’s ability to craft a narrative that resonated deeply with listeners, capturing the essence of love, loss, and the enduring power of memories.

A Symphony of Emotions

From the opening notes, “Honey” paints a vivid picture of a love story unfolding, its melody imbued with a tenderness that mirrors the narrator’s affection for his beloved. Goldsboro’s vocals, imbued with a touch of raspy warmth, perfectly convey the depth of emotion embedded within the lyrics.

As the song progresses, the narrative takes a poignant turn, revealing the loss of the narrator’s cherished “Honey.” The music swells with a bittersweet melancholy, underscoring the profound impact of this loss. Yet, amidst the sorrow, there emerges a glimmer of hope, a testament to the enduring power of love and the memories it leaves behind.

A Lyrical Tapestry

Goldsboro’s songwriting prowess shines through in the simplicity and eloquence of his lyrics. Each verse is a carefully crafted vignette, capturing moments of shared joy, tender intimacy, and the quiet contentment of a life shared with one’s soulmate.

The imagery evoked by the lyrics is both vivid and relatable, transporting listeners into the heart of the narrator’s story. The “small cloud passing overhead” that “cries down on the flower bed that Honey loved” becomes a poignant symbol of the lingering grief, while the recurring image of the “tree how big it’s grown” serves as a bittersweet reminder of the passage of time.

A Timeless Classic

“Honey” has earned its place among the pantheon of timeless classics, its enduring popularity a testament to its ability to connect with listeners on a deeply personal level. The song’s message of love, loss, and the enduring power of memories resonates as strongly today as it did when it was first released, transcending cultural and generational boundaries.

Bobby Goldsboro’s “Honey” is more than just a song; it is an emotional tapestry woven with threads of love, loss, and the enduring power of memories. Its melody and lyrics have touched the hearts of millions, cementing its place as a timeless classic that will continue to resonate for generations to come.

Video

Lyrics

“Honey”

 

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 an’ 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 the 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 over head
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, she got mad
The first day that she planted it, was just a twig