Honey Don't
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| “Honey Don't” | ||
|---|---|---|
| B-side to "Blue Suede Shoes" by Carl Perkins | ||
| Published | BMI, 1955 | |
| Released | January 1, 1956 | |
| Recorded | December 1955 | |
| Genre | Rockabilly | |
| Length | 2:53 | |
| Label | Sun Records | |
| Writer | Carl Perkins | |
| Producer | Sam Phillips | |
| “Honey Don't” | ||
|---|---|---|
| Song by The Beatles | ||
| Album | Beatles for Sale | |
| Released | December 4, 1964 | |
| Recorded | October 18, 1964 | |
| Genre | Rock and roll | |
| Length | 2:55 | |
| Label | Parlophone | |
| Writer | Carl Perkins | |
| Producer | George Martin | |
| Beatles for Sale track listing | ||
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"Honey Don't" is a song written by Carl Perkins, originally released on January 1, 1956[1] as the B-side of the "Blue Suede Shoes" single. Both songs became rockabilly classics. Bill Dahl of All Music Guide praised the song saying, "'Honey Don't actually outclasses its more celebrated platter-mate in some ways."[2] It has been covered by more than 20 other artists, including The Beatles, Ronnie Hawkins and Johnnie Rivers.[3]
Contents |
[edit] Behind the song
According to David McGee, author of Go, Cat, Go! The Life and Times of Carl Perkins, the King of Rockabilly, Carl Perkins first brought the song to a rehearsal with his band which at the time comprised the Perkins brothers and W.S. Holland:
- Carl Perkins – lead guitar and vocals
- Jay Perkins – acoustic guitar and backing vocals
- Clayton Perkins – standup bass
- W. S. Holland – drums.
When Carl first played the song to Jay, Jay protested what sounded to him like an odd chord choice, going to a C7 chord after the E of a natural blues progression choice of A. At first, Jay refused to go along, but Carl convinced him it was something different, and today the chord choice is one of the most interesting aspects of the song.
[edit] Beatles version
The Beatles recorded their version on October 26, 1964[4] one of the last songs recorded for Beatles for Sale which was released in the UK on December 4, 1964.[5] The U.S. release was on December 15 on Beatles '65.[6]
Although John Lennon had previously sung the song live, Ringo Starr sang it for the album, his requisite one lead vocal per album.[4] During the song, he makes self-referential remarks leading into Harrison's guitar riffs, such as, "Rock on George, one time for me!"
A version sung by Lennon is available on Live at the BBC.[7] George Harrison was a fan of Perkins, and Starr sang "Honey Don't" during the Concert For George which was held at the Royal Albert Hall, London on November 29, 2002, the first anniversary of Harrison's death.[8]
[edit] Personnel on Beatles version
- Ringo Starr – lead vocal, drums
- George Harrison – lead guitar
- John Lennon – acoustic rhythm guitar
- Paul McCartney – bass guitar
- Credits per Ian MacDonald[9]
[edit] Other Covers
- Country singer Billy "Crash" Craddock covered the song in 1986 on his album Crash Craddock.
- The Dutch group The Mississippi Delta Brothers released the song on their album "The Live Recordings 2007".
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.rockabillyhall.com/BlueSuedeShoes.html "Blue Suede Shoes" story
- ^ Dahl. Review of "Honey Don't". All Music Guide. Retrieved on 2007-03-16.
- ^ Dahl. All performers for "Honey Don't". All Music Guide. Retrieved on 2007-03-16.
- ^ a b Lewisohn, Mark (1988). The Beatles Recording Sessions. New York: Harmony Books, 51. ISBN 0-517-57066-1.
- ^ Lewisohn, Mark (1988). The Beatles Recording Sessions. New York: Harmony Books, 51. ISBN 0-517-57066-1.
- ^ Lewisohn, Mark (1988). The Beatles Recording Sessions, 201.
- ^ (1996) Album notes for Live at the BBC by The Beatles, 46 [booklet]. London: Apple Records (34448).
- ^ (2003) Album notes for Concert for George by Various artists, 25 [booklet]. Los Angeles: Warner Brothers (R2 74546).
- ^ MacDonald, Ian (2005). Revolution in the Head: The Beatles' Records and the Sixties, Second Revised Edition, London: Pimlico (Rand), 141. ISBN 1-844-13828-3.
