Captivating the Essence: The Enchanting Tale of Bobby Goldsboro’s “Honey”
In the mesmerizing realm of music history, a poignant melody can weave a spell like no other, etching itself into the collective memory of generations. One such timeless composition is Bobby Goldsboro’s enchanting ballad, “Honey.” Let us embark on a journey to discover the captivating story behind this melodic masterpiece.
Prior to 1968, Bobby Goldsboro’s name had not graced the country charts. Formerly a member of Roy Orbison’s band, Goldsboro had achieved solo success in 1964 with his self-penned hit, “See the Funny Little Clown,” which soared to #9 on the pop chart. However, it wasn’t until 1968 that Goldsboro would reclaim the spotlight, when his heartfelt creation, “Honey,” reached the pinnacle of success, climbing to the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart, as well as dominating the country and adult contemporary charts.
Behind the scenes, Goldsboro and his producer, Bob Montgomery, had to navigate a challenging negotiation to record the song. Its composer, the talented Bobby Russell, had already produced a version of “Honey” with former Kingston Trio member Bob Shane. Russell granted Goldsboro and Montgomery permission to record the song on the condition that it wouldn’t be released without his approval, and only after Shane’s rendition had run its course.
On the evening of January 30, 1968, inside Nashville’s Music City Music Hall (RCA Studio A), Goldsboro embarked on a historic recording session for “Honey.” Remarkably, the magic transpired on the very first take. As the musicians exchanged bewildered glances, silently questioning their disbelief, they instinctively decided to record it once more, just to be certain. The second take, just as flawless as the first, left no doubt that they had captured something extraordinary. An extraordinary feeling permeated the control room as all the musicians, in a rare display of camaraderie, eagerly listened to the playback. Pianist Larry Butler, who would later gain fame as Kenny Rogers’ producer, fondly recalled the moment, revealing how they couldn’t resist sharing the magic with their loved ones over the phone.
Meanwhile, Bob Shane’s version of “Honey” still commanded attention in the music sphere, requiring Montgomery to honor his agreement and keep Goldsboro’s rendition “in the can” until Bobby Russell granted his blessing. However, fate intervened when Bob Holiday, the promotions specialist assigned to work on Shane’s record at Decca, contacted Montgomery. Holiday revealed a surprising revelation, encouraging Montgomery to call Russell immediately, stating, “If you call Russell right now, he’ll give you the green light to release Goldsboro’s recording because he’s furious with Decca over something.” In truth, Bobby Russell’s anger likely stemmed not only from the label but also from Holiday’s lackluster promotion, which left Shane’s version of “Honey” languishing in obscurity. Montgomery wasted no time and dialed Russell’s number, prompting an irate response, “I don’t care what you do.”
With Russell’s permission finally secured, “Honey,” now graced by Bobby Goldsboro’s soulful vocals, was hurriedly released under the United Artists label. Astonishingly, within a mere three weeks of its debut, the song sold a staggering one million copies and continued its meteoric rise, amassing global sales that exceeded six million. It seized the crown as the highest-selling record worldwide for the entirety of 1968 across all genres, joining the elite ranks of only four songs that conquered the summit of both Billboard’s country and pop charts throughout the entire 1960s. The decade dawned with Marty Robbins’ “El Paso” in January 1960, followed by Jimmy Dean’s “Big Bad John” in the fall of ’61, and Jeannie C. Riley’s “Harper Valley PTA” matching Goldsboro’s triumph in 1968.
Alas, Bobby Goldsboro’s career witnessed only one more Top Ten record in the years that followed—a heartfelt composition titled “Watching Scotty Grow,” which reached the respectable position of #7 solely on Billboard’s country chart. Regrettably, the glory of “Honey” would forever remain unparalleled, as Goldsboro never again claimed another Top Ten pop hit.
In the annals of musical history, certain songs become eternal, forever resonating with the depths of our emotions. Bobby Goldsboro’s “Honey” is one such enchanting melody, born from a captivating tale of perseverance, artistic negotiation, and the unwavering belief in the power of heartfelt music. Its legacy endures, transcending time and inspiring generations to embrace the magic woven within each note.
Artist: Bobby Goldsboro
Released: 1968
Album: Honey
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